3 NBA Teams Finish Over .500 But Miss Playoffs

Unusual season sees Charlotte, Miami, and LA Clippers all left out despite winning records.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, depicting the overlapping forms and planes of basketball players in motion, with the ball and court lines cutting through the abstract composition.An abstract, cubist interpretation of a high-intensity NBA playoff matchup, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.Today in Orlando

This NBA season has been unusual, with three teams finishing over .500 but missing the playoffs. The Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers all had winning records but did not qualify for the postseason, a rare occurrence in the league.

Why it matters

Making the playoffs is a key goal for NBA teams, as it provides additional revenue, exposure, and a chance to compete for the championship. The fact that three teams with winning records failed to qualify highlights the competitive nature of the league and the challenges teams face in securing a playoff berth.

The details

The Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers all finished the regular season with records above .500, but were ultimately left out of the playoffs. This is an unusual occurrence, as typically teams with winning records are able to secure a postseason spot. The reasons for their exclusion likely vary, but could include factors such as the strength of their respective conferences, injuries to key players, or simply being outperformed by other teams in the race for the playoffs.

  • The 2025-26 NBA regular season concluded in mid-April 2026.

The players

Franz Wagner

A forward for the Orlando Magic.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

A guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jaylen Clark

A guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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The takeaway

This unusual NBA season highlights the competitive nature of the league and the challenges teams face in securing a playoff berth, even when they have winning records. It will be interesting to see how the three teams that missed the playoffs this year respond and whether they can bounce back and make the postseason in the future.