Cleveland Cavaliers
Value$4.86BHeartbreak#3017.2Founded: 1971 · Metro Area: Cleveland · Eastern · Central · Arena: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
All-Star selections: 49player-seasons across history
The Heartbreak Index7.2 · #301
The Blessed · NBA, 2016
The Heartbreak Index7.2 · #301
The Blessed · NBA, 2016
7.2
Heartbreak
#301
of 1,139 clubs
#21
in NBA
7.2
agony
The clocks
- NBA since 20161.1
- NBA final appearance since 20180.4
- NBA deep run since 20180.2
Heaviest wounds
lost the final, 2018 · lost the final, 2017 · lost the final, 2015 · playoff run died early, 2016
One formula, every club the site covers. See the whole board →
1
Championships
5 Finals Appearances
5
Finals Appearances
9 Conf. Finals
27
Playoff Appearances
Postseason 144-131
0.476
All-time Win%
56
Seasons
since 1971
Championships
ABA cups in slate (1968-76, rival league merged into NBA in 1976), BAA + NBA titles in gold.
2015-16
Finals Appearances
Solid chip = won the championship; outlined chip = lost the Finals.
2006-072014-152015-162016-172017-18
Conference Finals
Every season the franchise reached the conference finals (1971+ in NBA, applicable years in ABA).
1975-761991-922006-07↑2008-092014-15↑2015-16↑2016-17↑2017-18↑2025-26
All-time record
| Regular-season W-L | 2148-2369 |
| Win pct | 0.476 |
| Playoff record | 144-131 |
| Championships | 1 |
| Finals appearances | 5 |
| Conference Finals appearances | 9 |
| Division titles | 8 |
| Total seasons | 56 |
| .500 or better seasons | 28 |
| Most recent championship | 2015-16 |
| All-Star selections | 49 |
Arena history
Reverse-chronological. Naming-rights eras nested under each canonical building.
Gund Arena1995-2005
Cleveland, OHnow: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Quicken Loans Arena2006-2019
Cleveland, OHnow: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse2020-present
Cleveland, OH
Richfield Coliseum1975-1994
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Arena1971-1974
Cleveland, OH
Season-by-season1971 to 2026 · 56 seasons · click to expandShow tableHide table
Season-by-season
1971 to 2026 · 56 seasons · click to expand
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
52-30
Win%
.634
PF/G
119.5
PA/G
115.4
Place
2nd
2024-25Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
64-18
Win%
.780
PF/G
121.9
PA/G
112.4
Place
1st
2023-24Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
48-34
Win%
.585
PF/G
112.6
PA/G
110.2
Place
2nd
2022-23Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
51-31
Win%
.622
PF/G
112.3
PA/G
106.9
Place
2nd
2021-22Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
44-38
Win%
.537
PF/G
107.8
PA/G
105.7
Place
3rd
2017-18Lost Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
50-32
Win%
.610
PF/G
110.9
PA/G
109.9
Place
1st
2016-17Lost Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
51-31
Win%
.622
PF/G
110.3
PA/G
107.2
Place
1st
2015-16NBA Champion
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
57-25
Win%
.695
PF/G
104.3
PA/G
98.3
Place
1st
2014-15Lost Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
53-29
Win%
.646
PF/G
103.1
PA/G
98.7
Place
1st
Show all 56 rows
2009-10Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
61-21
Win%
.744
PF/G
102.1
PA/G
95.6
Place
1st
2008-09Lost Conf. Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
66-16
Win%
.805
PF/G
100.3
PA/G
91.3
Place
1st
2007-08Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
45-37
Win%
.549
PF/G
96.4
PA/G
96.7
Place
2nd
2006-07Lost Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
50-32
Win%
.610
PF/G
96.8
PA/G
92.9
Place
2nd
2005-06Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
50-32
Win%
.610
PF/G
97.6
PA/G
95.3
Place
2nd
1997-98Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
47-35
Win%
.573
PF/G
92.5
PA/G
89.8
Place
5th
1995-96Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
47-35
Win%
.573
PF/G
91.1
PA/G
88.5
Place
3rd
1994-95Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
43-39
Win%
.524
PF/G
90.5
PA/G
89.8
Place
4th
1993-94Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
47-35
Win%
.573
PF/G
101.2
PA/G
97.2
Place
T-3rd
1992-93Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
54-28
Win%
.658
PF/G
107.7
PA/G
101.3
Place
2nd
1991-92Lost Conf. Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
57-25
Win%
.695
PF/G
108.8
PA/G
103.4
Place
2nd
1989-90Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
42-40
Win%
.512
PF/G
102.6
PA/G
102.9
Place
T-4th
1988-89Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
57-25
Win%
.695
PF/G
108.8
PA/G
101.2
Place
2nd
1987-88Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
42-40
Win%
.512
PF/G
104.5
PA/G
103.7
Place
5th
1984-85Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
36-46
Win%
.439
PF/G
108.6
PA/G
111.3
Place
4th
1977-78Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
43-39
Win%
.524
PF/G
104.4
PA/G
103.9
Place
3rd
1976-77Playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
43-39
Win%
.524
PF/G
102.1
PA/G
101.0
Place
4th
1975-76Lost Conf. Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers
Conf
Eastern
Division
Central
W-L
49-33
Win%
.598
PF/G
101.7
PA/G
99.2
Place
1st
| Season | Team | Conf | Division | W | L | Win% | PF/G | PA/G | Place | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 52 | 30 | .634 | 119.5 | 115.4 | 2nd | Eliminated Conf. Finals |
| 2024-25 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 64 | 18 | .780 | 121.9 | 112.4 | 1st | Playoffs |
| 2023-24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 48 | 34 | .585 | 112.6 | 110.2 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 2022-23 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 51 | 31 | .622 | 112.3 | 106.9 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 2021-22 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 44 | 38 | .537 | 107.8 | 105.7 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 2020-21 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 22 | 50 | .306 | 103.8 | 112.3 | 4th | |
| 2019-20 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 19 | 46 | .292 | 106.9 | 114.8 | 5th | |
| 2018-19 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 19 | 63 | .232 | 104.5 | 114.1 | 5th | |
| 2017-18 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 50 | 32 | .610 | 110.9 | 109.9 | 1st | Lost Finals |
| 2016-17 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 51 | 31 | .622 | 110.3 | 107.2 | 1st | Lost Finals |
| 2015-16 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 57 | 25 | .695 | 104.3 | 98.3 | 1st | NBA Champion |
| 2014-15 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 53 | 29 | .646 | 103.1 | 98.7 | 1st | Lost Finals |
| 2013-14 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 33 | 49 | .402 | 98.2 | 101.5 | 3rd | |
| 2012-13 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 24 | 58 | .293 | 96.5 | 101.2 | 5th | |
| 2011-12 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 21 | 45 | .318 | 93.0 | 100.2 | 5th | |
| 2010-11 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 19 | 63 | .232 | 95.5 | 104.5 | 5th | |
| 2009-10 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 61 | 21 | .744 | 102.1 | 95.6 | 1st | Playoffs |
| 2008-09 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 66 | 16 | .805 | 100.3 | 91.3 | 1st | Lost Conf. Finals |
| 2007-08 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 45 | 37 | .549 | 96.4 | 96.7 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 2006-07 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 50 | 32 | .610 | 96.8 | 92.9 | 2nd | Lost Finals |
| 2005-06 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 50 | 32 | .610 | 97.6 | 95.3 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 2004-05 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 42 | 40 | .512 | 96.5 | 95.7 | 4th | |
| 2003-04 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 35 | 47 | .427 | 92.9 | 95.5 | 5th | |
| 2002-03 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 17 | 65 | .207 | 91.4 | 101.0 | 8th | |
| 2001-02 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 29 | 53 | .354 | 95.3 | 98.6 | 7th | |
| 2000-01 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 30 | 52 | .366 | 92.2 | 96.5 | 6th | |
| 1999-00 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 32 | 50 | .390 | 97.0 | 100.5 | 6th | |
| 1998-99 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 22 | 28 | .440 | 86.4 | 88.2 | 7th | |
| 1997-98 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 47 | 35 | .573 | 92.5 | 89.8 | 5th | Playoffs |
| 1996-97 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 42 | 40 | .512 | 87.5 | 85.6 | 5th | |
| 1995-96 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 47 | 35 | .573 | 91.1 | 88.5 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 1994-95 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 43 | 39 | .524 | 90.5 | 89.8 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 1993-94 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 47 | 35 | .573 | 101.2 | 97.2 | T-3rd | Playoffs |
| 1992-93 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 54 | 28 | .658 | 107.7 | 101.3 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 1991-92 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 57 | 25 | .695 | 108.8 | 103.4 | 2nd | Lost Conf. Finals |
| 1990-91 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 33 | 49 | .402 | 101.7 | 104.2 | 6th | |
| 1989-90 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 42 | 40 | .512 | 102.6 | 102.9 | T-4th | Playoffs |
| 1988-89 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 57 | 25 | .695 | 108.8 | 101.2 | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 1987-88 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 42 | 40 | .512 | 104.5 | 103.7 | 5th | Playoffs |
| 1986-87 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 31 | 51 | .378 | 104.4 | 108.2 | 6th | |
| 1985-86 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 29 | 53 | .354 | 107.8 | 110.6 | 5th | |
| 1984-85 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 36 | 46 | .439 | 108.6 | 111.3 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 1983-84 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 28 | 54 | .342 | 102.3 | 106.5 | 4th | |
| 1982-83 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 23 | 59 | .281 | 97.1 | 104.6 | 5th | |
| 1981-82 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 15 | 67 | .183 | 103.2 | 111.7 | 6th | |
| 1980-81 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 28 | 54 | .342 | 105.7 | 110.6 | 5th | |
| 1979-80 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 37 | 45 | .451 | 114.2 | 113.8 | T-4th | |
| 1978-79 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 30 | 52 | .366 | 106.5 | 110.2 | T-4th | |
| 1977-78 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 43 | 39 | .524 | 104.4 | 103.9 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 1976-77 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 43 | 39 | .524 | 102.1 | 101.0 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 1975-76 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 49 | 33 | .598 | 101.7 | 99.2 | 1st | Lost Conf. Finals |
| 1974-75 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 40 | 42 | .488 | 99.0 | 99.3 | 3rd | |
| 1973-74 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 29 | 53 | .354 | 100.3 | 104.6 | 4th | |
| 1972-73 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 32 | 50 | .390 | 102.7 | 105.3 | 4th | |
| 1971-72 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 23 | 59 | .281 | 105.8 | 113.4 | 4th | |
| 1970-71 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Eastern | Central | 15 | 67 | .183 | 102.1 | 113.3 | 4th |
Award winners
Headline player and coach honors held by franchise members. MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, and Clutch Player of the Year.
MVP · 2Most Valuable Player
- 2009-10LeBron James
- 2008-09LeBron James
DPOY · 1Defensive Player of the Year
- 2024-25Evan Mobley
ROY · 2Rookie of the Year
- 2011-12Kyrie Irving
- 2003-04Lebron James
COY · 3Coach of the Year
- 2024-25Kenny Atkinson
- 2008-09Mike Brown
- 1975-76Bill Fitch
All-NBA Selections
Every All-NBA 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team selection by a player wearing this franchise's jersey.
2025-26
2ndDonovan Mitchell
2024-25
1stDonovan Mitchell2ndEvan Mobley
2022-23
2ndDonovan Mitchell
2017-18
1stLeBron James
2016-17
1stLeBron James
2015-16
1stLeBron James
2014-15
1stLeBron James3rdKyrie Irving
2009-10
1stLeBron James
2008-09
1stLeBron James
2007-08
1stLeBron James
2006-07
2ndLebron James
2005-06
1stLebron James
2004-05
2ndLeBron James
1993-94
3rdMark Price
1992-93
1stMark Price
1991-92
3rdBrad Daugherty3rdMark Price
1988-89
3rdMark Price
Top games
The franchise's top 10 games ranked by Game Score: a composite of stakes, quality, and ELO-weighted matchup strength.
2015-16
NBA Finals G7
Game Score
2.538
W93-89
2016-06-19 · Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California
2014-15
NBA Finals G6
Game Score
2.105
L97-105
2015-06-16 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
2014-15
NBA Finals G2
Game Score
2.061
W95-93
2015-06-07 · Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California
1991-92
Conf. Finals G6
Game Score
1.974
L94-99
1992-05-29 · Richfield Coliseum · Cleveland, Ohio
2016-17
NBA Finals G5
Game Score
1.937
L120-129
2017-06-12 · Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California
2016-17
NBA Finals G3
Game Score
1.899
L113-118
2017-06-07 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
2006-07
NBA Finals G4
Game Score
1.872
L82-83
2007-06-14 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
2008-09
Conf. Finals G1
Game Score
1.832
L106-107
2009-05-20 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
2014-15
NBA Finals G3
Game Score
1.831
W96-91
2015-06-09 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
2014-15
NBA Finals G1
Game Score
1.825
L100-108
2015-06-04 · Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California
2008-09
Conf. Finals G4
Game Score
1.787
L114-116
vs Orlando MagicOT
2009-05-26 · Amway Arena · Orlando, Florida
2015-16
NBA Finals G6
Game Score
1.751
W115-101
2016-06-16 · Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio
| Season | Date | Round | Result | Score | Arena | Game Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 2016-06-19 | NBA Finals G7 | W | 93-89vs Golden State Warriors | Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California | game score 2.538 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-06-16 | NBA Finals G6 | L | 97-105vs Golden State Warriors | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 2.105 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-06-07 | NBA Finals G2 | W | 95-93vs Golden State WarriorsOT | Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California | game score 2.061 |
| 1991-92 | 1992-05-29 | Conf. Finals G6 | L | 94-99vs Chicago Bulls | Richfield Coliseum · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.974 |
| 2016-17 | 2017-06-12 | NBA Finals G5 | L | 120-129vs Golden State Warriors | Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California | game score 1.937 |
| 2016-17 | 2017-06-07 | NBA Finals G3 | L | 113-118vs Golden State Warriors | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.899 |
| 2006-07 | 2007-06-14 | NBA Finals G4 | L | 82-83vs San Antonio Spurs | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.872 |
| 2008-09 | 2009-05-20 | Conf. Finals G1 | L | 106-107vs Orlando Magic | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.832 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-06-09 | NBA Finals G3 | W | 96-91vs Golden State Warriors | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.831 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-06-04 | NBA Finals G1 | L | 100-108vs Golden State WarriorsOT | Oracle Arena · San Francisco-San Jose, California | game score 1.825 |
| 2008-09 | 2009-05-26 | Conf. Finals G4 | L | 114-116vs Orlando MagicOT | Amway Arena · Orlando, Florida | game score 1.787 |
| 2015-16 | 2016-06-16 | NBA Finals G6 | W | 115-101vs Golden State Warriors | Quicken Loans Arena · Cleveland, Ohio | game score 1.751 |