Discover the Longest NBA Win Streak to Start a Season in League History
2025-11-21 13:00
I still remember watching that historic 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors season unfold, feeling like I was witnessing basketball history in real time. As someone who's followed the NBA for over two decades, I've seen incredible teams and remarkable streaks, but nothing quite prepared me for what the Warriors accomplished that year. They didn't just break records—they shattered them with a style of basketball that felt both revolutionary and beautifully traditional. The way they moved the ball, the shooting accuracy that seemed almost supernatural, and that relentless drive to win game after game created something truly special in the league's history books.
When we talk about the longest win streak to start an NBA season, we're discussing one of the most difficult achievements in professional sports. The Warriors' 24-0 start in 2015 wasn't just impressive—it was nearly impossible when you consider the variables involved. Travel schedules, injuries, the sheer randomness of any given night in the NBA where the worst team can beat the best on the right evening. I've always believed that starting a season strong requires more than just talent—it demands incredible focus, depth, and frankly, a bit of luck. The Warriors had all three in abundance during those early months. Stephen Curry was playing at an MVP level that seemed to defy physics, while Draymond Green orchestrated the defense with the precision of a master conductor. What made it even more remarkable was how they maintained their intensity night after night, never taking their foot off the gas even when facing teams they were expected to beat comfortably.
The previous record belonged to the 1993-1994 Houston Rockets, who started 15-0 before finally losing. That Rockets team went on to win the championship, which makes their achievement particularly noteworthy. But the Warriors didn't just break that record—they smashed through it with nine additional victories. I recall watching their 16th win thinking "they've made history," only to realize they were just getting started. The streak finally ended on December 12, 2015, when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 108-95. What's fascinating to me isn't that they lost eventually—everyone does—but how they responded. They immediately started another streak, winning their next five games, showing the mental toughness that separates good teams from legendary ones.
Now, here's where things get particularly interesting from my perspective as someone who analyzes both sports and organizational dynamics. The timing of historic achievements often coincides with other significant moments in the sports world. Much like how the final draw and listing for major tournaments are expected to be published in the next few days, creating anticipation and structure for upcoming competitions, the Warriors' streak created a narrative framework for that entire NBA season. Every game became must-watch television, not just for Warriors fans but for basketball enthusiasts everywhere. The streak generated a level of excitement and engagement that the league benefits from to this day. I've noticed that when one team achieves something extraordinary, it raises the competitive level across the entire league as other organizations study what made that success possible and attempt to replicate or counter it.
What many casual observers might not appreciate is how much strategic innovation contributed to that Warriors streak. Their small-ball lineups, emphasis on three-point shooting, and positionless basketball weren't just effective—they were revolutionary. As someone who's studied basketball strategy for years, I can tell you that teams are still trying to catch up to what the Warriors perfected during that period. The analytics behind their approach were sound, but it took the right personnel executing at the highest level to make it work so spectacularly. Their effective field goal percentage during the streak was an astonishing 56.4%, which is just insane when you consider the volume and difficulty of shots they were taking.
The psychological aspect of such a streak cannot be overstated either. I've spoken with players who've been part of both winning and losing streaks, and they consistently mention how the mental game becomes increasingly important as the streak grows. Every opponent gives you their best shot—nobody wants to be the team that ends the streak. The pressure mounts with each victory, media attention intensifies, and the target on your back grows larger. That the Warriors handled this pressure for 24 consecutive games speaks volumes about their mental fortitude and the culture Steve Kerr and his staff had built.
Looking back, I'm convinced we may not see a start like that again for quite some time. The league has become too balanced, talent too distributed across teams. While records are made to be broken, this particular achievement feels particularly secure in my opinion. The combination of circumstances—the right players at the right time in their careers, innovative coaching, and organizational stability—created a perfect storm that's unlikely to be replicated anytime soon. The Warriors didn't just set a record; they set a standard for excellence that continues to influence how teams approach both roster construction and in-game strategy years later.
As we look toward future seasons and the excitement that comes with new tournaments and competitions—much like the anticipation we feel waiting for final draws and listings to be published—the Warriors' 24-0 start remains a benchmark for what's possible in professional basketball. It represents not just statistical excellence but the culmination of vision, execution, and sustained brilliance over an extended period. For basketball purists like myself, it serves as a reminder of why we love this game—because sometimes, against all odds, the impossible becomes possible, and we're privileged to watch it happen.
