Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Cleveland Cavaliers. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1971 to the present.

In their 55 seasons in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers made the postseason 24 times. On those years they have played a total of 49 playoff series, of which they won 26 and lost 23, for a 53.1 winning percentge.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 5 times and have won 1 Championship.

Cleveland Cavaliers Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

2023 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2022 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (44-38 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference). They lost to the Nets and lost to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2021 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-50 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2020 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-46 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-63 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 0-4 in the NBA Finals

2017 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 1-4 in the NBA Finals

2016 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Golden State Warriors 4-3 in the NBA Finals

The Cavaliers won the Championship in 2016, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

2015 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (53-29 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 2-4 in the NBA Finals

2014 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2013 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2012 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-45 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-63 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2010 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (61-21 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2009 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (66-16 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Orlando Magic 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

2008 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Wizards 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

2007 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Wizards 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the San Antonio Spurs 0-4 in the NBA Finals

2006 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Wizards 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2005 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

2004 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

2003 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-65 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2002 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2001 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2000 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

1999 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-28 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

1998 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Indiana Pacers 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1997 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1996 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1995 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1994 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1993 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New Jersey Nets 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1992 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New Jersey Nets 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1991 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1990 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1989 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1988 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1987 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1986 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1985 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (36-46 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1984 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1983 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

1982 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (15-67 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

1981 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1980 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1979 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1978 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 0-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1977 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Washington Bullets 1-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1976 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Bullets 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1975 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 6th in the Eastern Conference).

1974 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 7th in the Eastern Conference).

1973 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 6th in the Eastern Conference).

1972 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 7th in the Eastern Conference).

1971 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (15-67 season record, 8th in the Eastern Conference).

- end of timeline