# List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons

The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known simply as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1970. This list summarizes the team's season-by-season records, including post-season, and includes select season-end awards won by the team's players and/or coaches. The Cavaliers were founded in 1970 as an expansion franchise and since their first season, they have always played in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference.
On October 14, 1970, the Cavs lost to the Buffalo Braves 92–107 in their first game. They have been awarded the first overall draft pick six times, choosing Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014). In his last season with the Cavs, Austin Carr won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the first of four Cavaliers to win the award (Eric Snow, Luol Deng and LeBron James won the award in 2005, 2014 and 2017, respectively). As a Cavalier, LeBron won Rookie of the Year as well as two MVP awards and two All Star Game MVP awards. He also led the Cavaliers to five NBA Finals, including the last 4 straight, and won the 2016 title as Finals MVP. Cleveland's next first overall pick after James, Kyrie Irving, won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2014.
In their 53 seasons, the Cavs have achieved a winning record 25 times. Highlights include 23 playoff appearances, which included winning the Central Division championship seven times (1975–76, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18), winning the Eastern Conference championship five times (2006–07, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18), and winning the NBA championship in 2016. In five straight playoff appearances with LeBron James in his first tenure with Cleveland, the Cavs won more playoff games than they lost each season, something they only ever managed, barely, once before, in the 1991–92 season. Overall, their record is 2032–2321 (.467) as of the 2023–24 season. They are 131–115 (.533) in the playoffs.

## Key

| Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
| (No.) | Number of games the coach coached |
| Losses | Number of regular season losses |
| ASG MVP | All-Star Game Most Valuable Player |
| COY | Coach of the Year |
| EOY | Executive of the Year |
| MVP | Most Valuable Player |
| FMVP | NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award |
| ROY | Rookie of the Year |
| SPOR | Sportsmanship Award |
| JWKC | J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award |
| | NBA Champions |
| | Conference Champions |
| | Division Champions |
| | Playoff berth |
| | Play-in berth |

## Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2023–24 season.
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head Coach |
| 1970–71 | 1970–71 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 27 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1971–72 | 1971–72 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 15 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1972–73 | 1972–73 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 20 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1973–74 | 1973–74 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 18 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1974–75 | 1974–75 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1975–76 | 1975–76 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 49 | 33 | .598 | — | Won conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Celtics) 4–2 | Bill Fitch (COY) | Bill Fitch |
| 1976–77 | 1976–77 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 6 | Lost First round (Bullets) 2–1 | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1977–78 | 1977–78 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 3rd | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | Lost First round (Knicks) 2–0 | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1978–79 | 1978–79 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 5th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 18 | — | — | Bill Fitch |
| 1979–80 | 1979–80 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 5th | 37 | 45 | .451 | 13 | — | Austin Carr (JWKC) | Stan Albeck |
| 1980–81 | 1980–81 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32 | — | — | Bill Musselman (25–46) Don Delaney (3–8) |
| 1981–82 | 1981–82 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 40 | — | — | Don Delaney (4–11) Bob Kloppenburg (0–3) Chuck Daly (9–32) Bill Musselman (2–21) |
| 1982–83 | 1982–83 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 28 | — | — | Tom Nissalke |
| 1983–84 | 1983–84 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 22 | — | — | Tom Nissalke |
| 1984–85 | 1984–85 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 23 | Lost First round (Celtics) 3–1 | — | George Karl |
| 1985–86 | 1985–86 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | — | — | George Karl (25–42) Gene Littles (4–11) |
| 1986–87 | 1986–87 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 31 | 51 | .380 | 26 | — | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1987–88 | 1987–88 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 5th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | Lost First round (Bulls) 3–2 | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1988–89 | 1988–89 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 6 | Lost First round (Bulls) 3–2 | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1989–90 | 1989–90 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 17 | Lost First round (76ers) 3–2 | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1990–91 | 1990–91 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 28 | — | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1991–92 | 1991–92 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 10 | Won First round (Nets) 3–1 Won conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Bulls) 4–2 | Wayne Embry (EOY) | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1992–93 | 1992–93 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 54 | 28 | .658 | 3 | Won First round (Nets) 3–2 Lost conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–0 | — | Lenny Wilkens |
| 1993–94 | 1993–94 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 | Lost First round (Bulls) 3–0 | — | Mike Fratello |
| 1994–95 | 1994–95 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–1 | — | Mike Fratello |
| 1995–96 | 1995–96 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 3rd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–0 | — | Mike Fratello |
| 1996–97 | 1996–97 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 | — | Terrell Brandon (SPOR) | Mike Fratello |
| 1997–98 | 1997–98 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 5th | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | Lost First round (Pacers) 3–1 | Wayne Embry (EOY) | Mike Fratello |
| 1998–99 | 1998–99 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 7th | 22 | 28 | .440 | 11 | — | — | Mike Fratello |
| 1999–2000 | 1999–2000 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 24 | — | — | Randy Wittman |
| 2000–01 | 2000–01 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 | — | — | Randy Wittman |
| 2001–02 | 2001–02 | NBA | Eastern | 14th | Central | 7th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 21 | — | — | John Lucas II |
| 2002–03 | 2002–03 | NBA | Eastern | 15th | Central | 8th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 33 | — | — | John Lucas II (8–34) Keith Smart (9–31) |
| 2003–04 | 2003–04 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 26 | — | LeBron James (ROY) | Paul Silas |
| 2004–05 | 2004–05 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | — | Eric Snow (JWKC) | Paul Silas (34–30) Brendan Malone (8–10) |
| 2005–06 | 2005–06 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 14 | Won First round (Wizards) 4–2 Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–3 | LeBron James (ASG MVP) | Mike Brown |
| 2006–07 | 2006–07 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 3 | Won First round (Wizards) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Nets) 4–2 Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–2 Lost NBA Finals (Spurs) 4–0 | — | Mike Brown |
| 2007–08 | 2007–08 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 45 | 37 | .549 | 14 | Won First round (Wizards) 4–2 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–3 | LeBron James (ASG MVP) | Mike Brown |
| 2008–09 | 2008–09 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 66 | 16 | .805 | — | Won First round (Pistons) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–0 Lost conference finals (Magic) 4–2 | LeBron James (MVP) Mike Brown (COY) | Mike Brown |
| 2009–10 | 2009–10 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Won First round (Bulls) 4–1 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 | LeBron James (MVP) | Mike Brown |
| 2010–11 | 2010–11 | NBA | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 43 | — | — | Byron Scott |
| 2011–12 | 2011–12 | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 5th | 21 | 45 | .318 | 29 | — | Kyrie Irving (ROY) | Byron Scott |
| 2012–13 | 2012–13 | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 5th | 24 | 58 | .293 | 25.5 | — | — | Byron Scott |
| 2013–14 | 2013–14 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 3rd | 33 | 49 | .402 | 23 | — | Kyrie Irving (ASG MVP) Luol Deng (JWKC) | Mike Brown |
| 2014–15 | 2014–15 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 53 | 29 | .646 | — | Won First round (Celtics) 4–0 Won Conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–2 Won conference finals (Hawks) 4–0 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–2 | — | David Blatt |
| 2015–16 | 2015–16 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | Won First round (Pistons) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–0 Won conference finals (Raptors) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–3 | LeBron James (FMVP) | David Blatt (30–11) Tyronn Lue (27–14) |
| 2016–17 | 2016–17 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | Won First round (Pacers) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–0 Won conference finals (Celtics) 4–1 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1 | LeBron James (JWKC) | Tyronn Lue |
| 2017–18 | 2017–18 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 1st | 50 | 32 | .610 | — | Won First round (Pacers) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–0 Won conference finals (Celtics) 4–3 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–0 | LeBron James (ASG MVP) | Tyronn Lue |
| 2018–19 | 2018–19 | NBA | Eastern | 14th | Central | 5th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 41 | — | — | Tyronn Lue (0–6) Larry Drew (19–57) |
| 2019–20 | 2019–20 | NBA | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 19 | 46 | .292 | 33 | — | — | John Beilein (14–40) J. B. Bickerstaff (5–6) |
| 2020–21 | 2020–21 | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 4th | 22 | 50 | .306 | 27 | — | — | J. B. Bickerstaff |
| 2021–22 | 2021–22 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 9 | — | — | J. B. Bickerstaff |
| 2022–23 | 2022–23 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 51 | 31 | .622 | 7 | Lost First round (Knicks) 4–1 | — | J. B. Bickerstaff |
| 2023–24 | 2023–24 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 16 | Won First round (Magic) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–1 | — | J. B. Bickerstaff |
| 2024–25 | 2024–25 | NBA | Eastern | – | Central | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | Kenny Atkinson |

### All-time records

| Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
| Regular season | 2032 | 2321 | .467 |
| Post-season | 131 | 115 | .533 |
| Total | 2163 | 2436 | .470 |