The Milwaukee Bucks collected an NBA-best 56 wins in 2019-20 and, as such, entered the 2020 playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed.Yet for the second consecutive time in the postseason, the Bucks are going home without a trip to The Finals despite being the No. 1 overall seed.
Here’s a look back at the last 20 seasons of No. 1 overall seeds and how they fared. The takeaway? Milwaukee isn’t the only No. 1 overall seed in that span to fall short of a Finals berth …
* * *
| Season | Team | Record | Playoff result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 ^ | Bucks | 56-17 | Lost 4-1 to Heat in Eastern Conference semifinals |
| 2018-19 | Bucks | 60-22 | Lost 4-2 to Raptors in Eastern Conference finals |
| 2017-18 | Rockets | 65-17 | Lost 4-3 to Warriors in Western Conference finals |
| 2016-17 | Warriors | 67-15 | Won NBA championship (beat Cavs 4-1) |
| 2015-16 | Warriors | 73-9 * | Lost 4-3 to Cavs in The Finals |
| 2014-15 | Warriors | 67-15 | Won NBA championship (beat Cavs 4-2) |
| 2013-14 | Spurs | 62-20 | Won NBA championship (beat Heat 4-1) |
| 2012-13 | Heat | 66-16 | Won NBA championship (beat Spurs 4-3) |
| 2011-12 ^^ | Bulls | 50-16 | Lost 4-2 to 76ers in first round |
| 2011-12 ^^ | Spurs | 50-16 | Lost 4-2 to Thunder in Western Conference finals |
| 2010-11 | Bulls | 62-20 | Lost 4-1 to Heat in Eastern Conference finals |
| 2009-10 | Cavs | 61-21 | Lost 4-2 to Celtics in Eastern Conference semifinals |
| 2008-09 | Cavs | 66-16 | Lost 4-2 to Magic in Eastern Conference finals |
| 2007-08 | Celtics | 66-16 | Won NBA championship (beat Lakers 4-2) |
| 2006-07 | Mavs | 67-15 | Lost 4-2 to Warriors in first round |
| 2005-06 | Pistons | 64-18 | Lost 4-2 to Heat in Eastern Conference finals |
| 2004-05 | Suns | 62-20 | Lost 4-1 to Spurs in Western Conference finals |
| 2003-04 | Pacers | 61-21 | Lost 4-2 to Pistons in Eastern Conference finals |
| 2002-03 | Spurs | 60-22 | Won NBA championship (beat Nets 4-2) |
| 2001-02 | Kings | 61-21 | Lost 4-3 to Lakers in Western Conference finals |
| 2000-01 | Spurs | 58-24 | Lost 4-0 to Lakers in Western Conference finals |
| 1999-2000 | Lakers | 67-15 | Won NBA championship (beat Pacers 4-2) |
| ^ = Pandemic-shortened season * = Most wins in regular season history ^^ = Lockout-shortened season (teams tied for best record) |
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