Teams that go to the playoffs after a long absence rarely win

[MFFL]

Something extraordinary might happen this year. The playoffs might have three teams that haven't made the playoffs in the last 4 years or more. Three teams breaking a major losing streak in the same year hasn't happened since 1992 and that is the only time it has happened.

But those teams (the Wizards, Celtics, and Clippers) will have a difficult time in the playoffs unless they can break into the top 5 seeds. Since 1976, 17 teams have made the playoffs after a gap of four years or more. Their combined record: 23-44. But the 11 teams who had the 6th, 7th, or 8th seed have a combined record of 9-31 with ONE series victory. And the series victory was by the Sixers who did it during the 50 game strike shortened season. This makes this the lone exception questionable.

One team has made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 2nd seed. They won their series. Combined record: 3-2
1) Utah Jazz - Did not make the playoffs the first 9 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 1984 as the 2nd seed. They won their first round series against the 7th seed Denver Nuggets 3-2. They lost their next round series against the Phoenix Suns 4-2.
1984 45 37 W DEN 3-2 L PHX 2-4

Two teams have made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 4th seed. None of them have won a series. One team won two games. The other team was swept. Combined record: 2-6
1) Detroit Pistons - Did not make the playoffs between 1978 to 1983. Made the playoffs in 1984 as the 4th seed. They lost to the 5th seed New York Knicks 3-2.
1984 49 33 L NY 2-3
2) Orlando Magic - Did not make the playoffs the first 4 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 1994 as the 4th seed. They lost to the 5th seed Indiana Pacers 3-0.
1994 50 32 L IND 0-3

Three teams have made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 5th seed. All three teams won the series. Combined record: 9-5
1) Charlotte Hornets - Did not make the playoffs the first 4 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 1993 as the 5th seed. They won their first round series against the 4th seed Boston Celtics 3-1. They lost their next round series against the New York Knicks 4-1.
1993 44 38 W BOS 3-1 L NY 1-4
2) Dallas Mavericks - Did not make the playoffs between 1991 to 2000. Made the playoffs in 2001 as the 5th seed. They won their first round series against the 4th seed Utah Jazz 3-2. They lost their next round series against the San Antonio Spurs 4-1.
2001 53 29 W UTH 3-2 L SA 1-4
3) Golden State Warriors - Did not make the playoffs between 1978 to 1986. Made the playoffs in 1987 as the 5th seed. They won their first round series against the 4th seed Utah Jazz 3-2. They lost their next round series against the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. The Jazz only won 44 games.
1987 42 40 W UTH 3-2 L LAL 1-4

Four teams have made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 6th seed. Only one team won a series. One team won one game. Two teams were swept. Combined record: 4-10
1) Minnesota Timberwolves - Did not make the playoffs the first 7 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 1997 as the 6th seed. They lost to the 3rd seed Houston Rockets 3-0.
1997 40 42 L HOU 0-3
2) New Jersey Nets - Did not make the playoffs between 1987 to 1991. Made the playoffs in 1992 as the 6th seed. They lost to the 3rd seed Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1.
1992 40 42 L CLE 1-3
3) Philadelphia 76ers - Did not make the playoffs between 1992 to 1998. Made the playoffs in 1999 as the 6th seed. They won their first round series against the 3rd seed Orlando Magic 3-1. They lost their next round series against the Indiana Pacers 4-0.
1999 28 22 W ORL 3-1 L IND 0-4
4) Toronto Raptors - Did not make the playoffs the first 4 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 2000 as the 6th seed. They lost to the 3rd seed New York Knicks 3-0.
2000 45 37 L NY 0-3

Three teams have made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 7th seed. None of them have won a series. One team won two games. One team won one game. One team was swept. Combined record: 3-9
1) Indiana Pacers - Did not make the playoffs between 1982 to 1986. Made the playoffs in 1987 as the 7th seed. They lost to the 2nd seed Atlanta Hawks 3-1.
1987 41 41 L ATL 1-3
2) Los Angeles Clippers - Did not make the playoffs between 1977 to 1991. Made the playoffs in 1992 as the 7th seed. They lost to the 2nd seed Utah Jazz 3-2.
1992 45 37 L UTH 2-3
3) Milwaukee Bucks - Did not make the playoffs between 1992 to 1998. Made the playoffs in 1999 as the 7th seed. They lost to the 2nd seed Indiana Pacers 3-0.
1999 28 22 L IND 0-3

Four teams have made the playoffs after a 4+ year gap with the 8th seed. None of them have won a series. No team even won two games. Only two teams won a game. Two teams were swept. Combined record: 2-12
1) Cleveland Cavaliers - Did not make the playoffs between 1979 to 1984. Made the playoffs in 1985 as the 8th seed. They lost to the 1st seed Boston Celtics 3-1.
1985 36 46 L BOS 1-3
2) Miami Heat - Did not make the playoffs the first 3 years of the franchise history. Finally made the playoffs in 1992 as the 8th seed. They lost to the 1st seed Chicago Bulls 3-0.
1992 38 44 L CHI 0-3
3) Sacramento Kings - Did not make the playoffs between 1987 to 1995. Made the playoffs in 1996 as the 8th seed. They lost to the 1st seed Seattle SuperSonics 3-1.
1996 39 43 L SEA 1-3
4) Washington Wizards - Did not make the playoffs between 1989 to 1996. Made the playoffs in 1997 as the 8th seed. They lost to the 1st seed Chicago Bulls 3-0.
1997 44 38 CHI 0-3

Seven teams have an active non-playoff streak of 4+ years (the Nets don't qualify - they made the playoffs 3 years ago).
1) Boston Celtics - Last playoff appearance was in 1995.
2) Denver Nuggets - Last playoff appearance was in 1995.
4) Golden State Warriors - Last playoff appearance was in 1994.
5) Los Angeles Clippers - Last playoff appearance was in 1998.
6) Memphis Grizzlies - Have not made the playoffs in the six years of the franchise.
7) Washington Wizards - Last playoff appearance was in 1997.

Well I think the Wizards, Celtics, and Clippers will have their work cut out for them. I wish them luck (unless they are playing the Mavericks).

[TheKid]

Hey this was pretty cool research MFFL. Pretty interesting.