Washington Wizards Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Washington Wizards. 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 1962 to the present.

In their 64 seasons in the NBA, the Washington Wizards made the postseason 30 times. On those years they have played a total of 46 playoff series, of which they won 17 and lost 29, for a 37.0 winning percentge.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 4 times and have won 1 Championship.

Washington Wizards Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (15-67 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2023 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2022 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2021 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (34-38 season record). They lost to the Celtics and defeated the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2020 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-47 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

2019 Playoffs

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

2018 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Toronto Raptors 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2017 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

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

2016 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2015 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2014 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

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

2013 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2012 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-46 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2010 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-56 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2009 Playoffs

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

2008 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2007 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2006 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2005 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2004 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2003 Playoffs

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

2002 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

2001 Playoffs

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

2000 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

1999 Playoffs

The Washington Wizards didn't qualify for the Playoffs (18-32 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

1998 Playoffs

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

1997 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

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

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1996 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

1995 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-61 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

1994 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

1993 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-60 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

1992 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

1991 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

1990 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).

1989 Playoffs

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

1988 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (38-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1987 Playoffs

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

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1986 Playoffs

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

Playoff Series:

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

1985 Playoffs

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

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1984 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (35-47 season record).

Playoff Series:

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

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1983 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 7th in the Eastern Conference).

1982 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New Jersey Nets 2-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1981 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 7th in the Eastern Conference).

1980 Playoffs

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

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 0-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1979 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-4 in the NBA Finals

1978 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 2-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Seattle Supersonics 4-3 in the NBA Finals

The Bullets won the Championship in 1978, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

1977 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Houston Rockets 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1976 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1975 Playoffs

The Washington Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (60-22 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Buffalo Braves 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 0-4 in the NBA Finals

1974 Playoffs

The Capital Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1973 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (52-30 season record).

Playoff Series:

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

* The Knicks ended up winning the Championship.

1972 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (38-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1971 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 0-4 in the NBA Finals

1970 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Division (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 3-4 in the Eastern Division Semifinals

* The Knicks ended up winning the Championship.

1969 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Division (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 0-4 in the Eastern Division Semifinals

1968 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 6th in the Eastern Division).

1967 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-61 season record, 5th in the Eastern Division).

1966 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (38-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the St. Louis Hawks 0-3 in the Western Division Semifinals

1965 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (37-43 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the St. Louis Hawks 3-1 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-4 in the Western Division Finals

1964 Playoffs

The Baltimore Bullets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-49 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1963 Playoffs

The Chicago Zephyrs didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-55 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

1962 Playoffs

The Chicago Packers didn't qualify for the Playoffs (18-62 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

- end of timeline