The Cleveland Cavaliers Are in the Middle of Historic NBA Start

The Cleveland Cavaliers were a modest contender last season in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, barely surviving the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs before falling in the conference semifinals to eventual world title winner Boston. That prompted internal changes for the franchise, firing J.B. Bickerstaff and bringing in former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.

It was a move that has potentially altered the franchise’s trajectory, as Cleveland sits at 12-0 to start the 2024-2025 campaign. The Cavs are showcasing a disciplined style of basketball, headlined by the play of a strong young core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley.

The Cavs are the eighth team in NBA history to win their first 12 games. And while it may not guarantee a championship, the record books suggest a special season could be ahead for Cleveland should their play persist.

Golden State Warriors (2015-2016)

The Cavs have a long way to go before they reach the greatest undefeated start in NBA history, and it didn’t happen all that long ago.

Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors were in the middle of a historic stretch that saw them become one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, and they seemed destined for another NBA Championship in 2015-2016. The team started the year 24-0, and didn’t lose their first game until Dec. 12 (a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks that came a night after a double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics). The Warriors were a lethal combination of sharp-shooting and elite defense, with Steph Curry leading the league in scoring en route to a record 402 three-pointers. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson filled out the excellence of the starting lineup, and it seemed no one would defeat the Warriors.

They finished with the greatest regular season record ever at 73-9, and took a 3-1 lead over the Cavs in the NBA Finals. That’s when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving ascended to the next level, carrying Cleveland back from the deficit to shock the world and win the title.

Houston Rockets (1993-1994)

The Houston Rockets were a budding dynasty in the early 1990s, and looked primed to win several NBA Championships. That all began with the 1993-1994 season, which got off to a blistering start.

Houston began the year 15-0 on the heels of well-rounded performances from their deep roster. While big man Hakeem Olajuwon stole the headlines, he was aided by the likes of Robert Horry, Kenny Smith, and Otis Thorpe, all of whom were capable of making plays themselves. But Olajuwon was deep in his prime at that juncture, averaging 27.3 points per game and winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, all while also taking home the MVP.

The Rockets would lose 24 games in the regular season, but outlasted the New York Knicks in seven games to win their first NBA Championship.

Washington Capitols (1948-1949)

Most of us do not remember the heyday of the Washington Capitols, but they laid the groundwork for the record the Rockets would eventually tie.

The NBA was still in its infancy, but Washington dominated the league with a 15-0 start to the 1948-1949 season. The Red Auerbach-coached squad was led by former University of North Carolina standout Bones McKinney and 5-foot-10 guard Fred Scolari, with the former averaging 12.7 points per game in the best season of his career.

The team would finish the regular season 38-22 and play in the finals, losing to George Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers. Their 15-0 start, however, would not be matched for nearly half a century.

Dallas Mavericks (2002-2003)

It’s wild, considering how much talent the Dallas Mavericks of the early 2000s had, that they never won an NBA Finals. Still, their start to the 2002-2003 campaign was eye-opening.

Dallas began the season 14-0, as forward and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki emerged as a breakout star in the league by averaging more than 25 points per game that season. Steve Nash cemented himself among the upper echelon of point guards in the NBA, and Steve Finley served as a perfect compliment for the two.

The Mavs finished the season 60-22 and played in the Western Conference Finals, but fell to eventual champion San Antonio.

Chicago Bulls (1995-1996)

Okay so maybe it’s a bit of a stretch to suggest the Cavs are on this path, but there’s no reason for them not to dream big, right?

The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls were one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, starting the season a staggering 41-3. Their first loss came Nov. 14 that season to the Orlando Magic, and they’d only lose once more before Dec. 26. This year saw Michael Jordan return to full capacity after missing a season and a half due to his early retirement and professional baseball excursion.

The Bulls were maybe the most well-rounded squad in NBA history, with Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, and Toni Kukic bullying the rest of the league en route to a 72-10 record and an NBA Championship. It’s the second-best record of all time, and the best for a team that won the NBA Finals.