Utah Jazz Franchise Playoff History

The Utah Jazz used to be the New Orleans Jazz, but that team didn’t have any success, wins, or even fans. Since moving to Utah their fortunes changed for the better. Including this season they’ve been around for 43 seasons as a franchise, and have done quite a lot in the NBA Playoffs. First of all, they’ve been there 26 times including the 2016-2017 season that is still on-going.

• 26 years in the playoffs, 43 years in franchise history

That’s not bad for a team that started off really really poorly.

• 1984: UTA beat DEN 3-2 in the first round, lost to PHX 2-4 in the second
• 1985: UTA beat HOU 3-2 in the first round, lost to DEN 1-4 in the second
• 1986: UTA lost to DAL 1-3 in the first round
• 1987: UTA lost to GSW 2-3 in the first round
• 1988: UTA beat POR 3-1 in the first round, lost to LAL 3-4 in the second
• 1989: UTA lost to GSW 0-3 in the first round
• 1990: UTA lost to PHX 2-3 in the first round
• 1991: UTA beat PHX 3-1 in the first round, lost to POR 1-4 in the second
• 1992: UTA beat LAC 3-2 in the first round, beat SEA 4-1 in the second, lost to POR 2-4 in the West Finals
• 1993: UTA lost to SEA 2-3 in the first round
• 1994: UTA beat SAS 3-1 in the first round, beat DEN 4-3 in the second, lost to HOU 1-4 in the West Finals
• 1995: UTA lost to HOU 2-3 in the first round
• 1996: UTA beat POR 3-2 in the first round, beat SAS 4-2 in the second, lost to SEA 3-4 in the West Finals
• 1997: UTA beat LAC 3-0 in the first round, beat LAL 4-1 in the second, beat HOU 4-2 in the West Finals, lost to CHI 2-4 in the NBA Finals
• 1998: UTA beat HOU 3-2 in the first round, beat SAS 4-1 in the second, beat LAL 4-0 in the West Finals, lost to CHI 2-4 in the NBA Finals
• 1999: UTA beat SAC 3-2 in the first round, lost to POR 2-4 in the second
• 2000: UTA beat SEA 3-2 in the first round, lost to POR 1-4 in the second
• 2001: UTA lost to DAL 2-3 in the first round
• 2002: UTA lost to SAC 1-3 in the first round
• 2003: UTA lost to SAC 1-4 in the first round
• 2007: UTA beat HOU 4-3 in the first round, beat GSW 4-1 in the second, lost to SAS 1-4 in the West Finals
• 2008: UTA beat HOU 4-2 in the first round, lost to LAL 2-4 in the second
• 2009: UTA lost to LAL 1-4 in the first round
• 2010: UTA beat DEN 4-2 in the first round, lost to LAL 0-4 in the second
• 2012: UTA lost to SAS 0-4 in the first round
• 2017: UTA against LAC, TBD

That’s two trips to the NBA Finals, six trips to the West Finals, with a peak of five trips to the West Finals in seven seasons. That’s the opposite of the pathetic “history” the Clippers have. Again, it’s because Larry H. Miller wanted to win, and he allowed his team to become great. That’s the opposite of what the Clippers former owner did.

But still, even at this “best ever Golden age” for the Clippers, it’s so small and pathetic compared to what the Jazz have achieved in so many fewer seasons in the NBA. There’s no comparison between these two franchises.