2016 73-9 Record
Unrivaled regular-season dominance, undone by an unprecedented Finals fall.
The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors season is less a statistic and more a legend of invincibility that briefly convinced the NBA world perfection was attainable. Defined by an unprecedented 73-9 run, they eclipsed the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' benchmark in a display of offensive efficiency never before witnessed at this scale. Anchored by the 'Splash Brothers,' Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and orchestrated from the center position by Draymond Green, this squad didn't just win games—they dismantled conventional basketball logic. While the season ended in a historic Finals collapse against the Cleveland Cavaliers after holding a 3-1 lead, the regular-season run remains the franchise's definitive statistical apex. It captures a specific moment where the Warriors' pace-and-space philosophy reached its zenith before the narrative shifted toward the cost of chasing perfection over championships.
- Regular Season Record
- 73 wins - 9 losses
- Key Player (MVP)
- Stephen Curry
- Previous NBA Record Held By
- 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10)
- Three-Pointers Made by Stephen Curry
- 402
- Head Coach
- Steve Kerr
Lore & Background
The 2015-2016 campaign began with the Warriors carrying the weight of their first championship from the previous year. Under head coach Steve Kerr, who had returned to full coaching duties after missing most of the prior season due to injury, the team adopted an even more aggressive offensive system. Stephen Curry, in his third MVP season, rewrote the record books by becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history, largely driven by his 402 three-pointers and a shooting percentage that defied conventional logic.
The team's identity was built on 'Strength in Numbers,' utilizing Draymond Green as the defensive hub and offensive quarterback from the center position. The regular season saw them start 24-0, the best start in NBA history at the time, and they broke the single-season win record with a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on April 13, 2016. However, the momentum shifted irreversibly in Cleveland. Facing LeBron James and the Cavaliers, the Warriors became the first team to lose an NBA Finals after holding such a lead, dropping Games 5, 6, and 7 on the road.
In Their Own Story
The Oracle Arena crowd was a deafening roar of orange and blue as the final buzzer sounded against the Memphis Grizzlies. The scoreboard blinked: 73 wins. A hush fell over the arena for a split second before erupting into pure disbelief; they had done it, they had broken the Bulls' record. Stephen Curry stood at center court, towel draped over his head, absorbing the moment that felt like destiny. Yet, in the quiet of the locker room later that night, the mood was somber. The goal was no longer just to be the best regular-season team; the ghost of 1975 and the shadow of 2015 loomed large. They had conquered the mountain, but the summit of the Finals felt suddenly slippery. As the season closed, the 73-9 record stood as a testament to brilliance that would forever be weighed against what came next.
Reader's Guide
The 2015-2016 era is the most complex chapter in Golden State Warriors history, serving as both the franchise's statistical apex and its most painful moral lesson. Defined by the revolutionary offensive system that prioritized spacing and ball movement above all else, it forces fans to weigh regular-season greatness against championship validation. Studying this season reveals the fine line between being the greatest team ever assembled and failing to secure the ultimate prize.
Did You Know?
- First Unanimous MVP: Stephen Curry became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history during this season.
- Unbeaten Start: The Warriors started the season 24-0, setting an NBA record for the best start to a season.
- Historic Collapse: This is the only time in NBA history that a team with a 3-1 Finals lead lost the series.
- 60 in 29: Klay Thompson scored 60 points in a single game during this season, doing so in just 29 minutes.