The Golden State Warriors’ historic 73-9 regular season record in 2015-16, breaking the Chicago Bulls’ 20-year-old 72-10 mark. Led by unanimous MVP Stephen Curry (who averaged 30.1 PPG and made 402 three-pointers), the Warriors dominated the league before losing to Cleveland in the NBA Finals. The 73 wins remain the greatest regular season in NBA history.
The Season
The Warriors started 24-0, the best start ever. Curry broke his own three-point record by 116 makes. The team won home games at a 39-2 clip. They clinched 73 wins on the final night of the season against Memphis. The accomplishment was bittersweet after blowing a 3-1 Finals lead to LeBron’s Cavaliers.
Cultural Impact
The debate over “73 wins means nothing without a ring” dominated basketball discourse. Critics argued the Warriors prioritized the record over championship preparation, leading to Finals exhaustion. Defenders noted the historic offensive dominance (highest offensive rating ever at the time).
Legacy
The 73-9 record remains unmatched and may never be broken, especially with modern load management. The season is remembered both for Curry’s transcendent shooting and the Finals collapse. The Warriors’ addition of Kevin Durant the following summer was partly motivated by the championship loss.