After finding out the 2026 Cavs had the worst record ever for a team to eliminated in the ECF (8-10), I went down a rabbit hole and compiled every best/worst possible playoff record scenario dating back to 1984 (when the 4-round format started). Here are the results.

https://preview.redd.it/uyiyt6pdeu3h1.png?width=1446&format=png&auto=webp&s=4b08cf63f2e2c2d009cb413cc9d10d55ea795202

Feel free to correct me, if I missed some. Thanks

Dry-Detail7993

28 | 8 hours ago

This is actually sick work, props for going full sicko mode with the research 😂

Wild how much “path” variance there is depending on seeding and format, really puts some of those “easy run” vs “gauntlet” arguments in perspective. Might lowkey bookmark this for the next ring discourse war.

BoimanmanBoi | Lakers

8 | 3 hours ago

You are not a real human being what

wingshayz | DEN

19 | 7 hours ago

damn that 2016 warriors team is just crazy, draymond’s an idiot

curious what the next best records are to lose the finals

Makaveli84 | Lakers

9 | 7 hours ago

He is, KD on warriors was NBA 2k shit.

Frolic_Alcoholic

0 | 4 hours ago

As an Oakland native I could not sanction his buffoonery since the first nutshot. Ever since then I look at him kinda like I look at Lu Dort rn. Albeit Dort ain’t there atm. He gotta step it up with the dirtiness.

Effective_Toe7164

16 | 8 hours ago

BarrathBeyond | West

7 | 8 hours ago

Key_Employ_6737

7 | 7 hours ago

Just1InternetProfile | Australia

5 | 6 hours ago

Yo, hi

councilorjones

5 | 6 hours ago

Hello

thishitisgettingold

2 | 4 hours ago

Whatsup?

ProvocativeHotTakes | Knicks

7 | 8 hours ago

The Embiidless Sixers put up more of a fight than the Cavs

Important-Net-9805 | Cavaliers

2 | an hour ago

that game 1 loss just completely shattered them

EmergencyAccording94

7 | 7 hours ago

The worst possible playoff record to win the title is 16-12

Ok_Turn6757 | Lakers

29 | 7 hours ago

Yes, that is what the image says too

Existing_Set2100 | Wizards

4 | 7 hours ago

This is awesome.

Yeah man the the mid-late 2000s was a meatgrinder.

Celtics look impressive here.

iCE_P0W3R | Thunder

5 | 5 hours ago

Am I stupid or was GSW’s record in 2016 worse than 15-4? I thought it was like, 15-7?

Effective_Toe7164

6 | 5 hours ago

Glad to point it out, the error is on my end, they went 15-8. Thanks

CamelLongjumping9360

2 | 7 hours ago

for the second round fewest losses to go to the 2nd round u forgot okc this year as the most recent

Effective_Toe7164

5 | 7 hours ago

not really, the playoff still ongoing, i might have to change it if they went back-to-back

CamelLongjumping9360

2 | 7 hours ago

oh i didnt see the champion part my bad

KingsElite | Kings

2 | 6 hours ago

My brain is not comprehending the 2018 IND one. What is being shown there?

three29 | Raptors

1 | 2 hours ago

There is no 2018 IND, but if you’re talking about 2018 CLE it means they brought every series to game 7 where they won, but then once they got to the finals they were swept. That’s the only way you can get a 12-13 record in the playoffs, which means you made the finals, but lost in them, and overall you also lost the most amount of games and won the least amount of games you could by getting into the finals.

A very special kind of playoff heartbreak.

Important-Net-9805 | Cavaliers

1 | an hour ago

eh the most heartbreaking thing about that run was g1 against the warriors with JR’s blunder. nobody really thought they’d beat the warriors

HandsomeGemini | Warriors

1 | 15 minutes ago

Maybe it’s too early in the morning, but I don’t I understand how Most Wins is the “ bext exit record”. Isn’t being eliminated with a 7-4 record in the second round better than 7-7? Fewer losses, better win percentage.

d4nowar |

1 | 8 minutes ago

I don’t understand this thread. If every series goes to 7 that’s the worst your record will be if you win.

What’s the worst record you can have and still win a championship? I found out.