Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 2001–02 NBA Regular Season Standings.
Eastern Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | .634 | Byron Scott | NBA Finals (lost to Lakers 4–0) |
| Atlantic | Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | .598 | Jim O’Brien | East Finals (lost to Nets 4–2) |
| Atlantic | Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | .537 | Doc Rivers | East 1st Round (lost to Hornets 3–1) |
| Atlantic | Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | .524 | Larry Brown | East 1st Round (lost to Celtics 3–2) |
| Atlantic | Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | Doug Collins | Did not qualify |
| Atlantic | Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | .439 | Pat Riley | Did not qualify |
| Atlantic | New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | .366 | Don Chaney | Did not qualify |
| Central | Detroit Pistons | 50 | 32 | .610 | Rick Carlisle | East Semis (lost to Celtics 4–1) |
| Central | Charlotte Hornets | 44 | 38 | .537 | Paul Silas | East 1st Round (lost to Nets 3–1) |
| Central | Toronto Raptors | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lenny Wilkens | East 1st Round (lost to Pistons 3–2) |
| Central | Indiana Pacers | 42 | 40 | .512 | Isiah Thomas | East 1st Round (lost to Nets 3–2) |
| Central | Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | .500 | George Karl | Did not qualify |
| Central | Atlanta Hawks | 33 | 49 | .402 | Lon Kruger | Did not qualify |
| Central | Cleveland Cavaliers | 29 | 53 | .354 | John Lucas | Did not qualify |
| Central | Chicago Bulls | 21 | 61 | .256 | Bill Cartwright | Did not qualify |
Western Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | San Antonio Spurs | 58 | 24 | .707 | Gregg Popovich | West Semis (lost to Lakers 4–1) |
| Midwest | Dallas Mavericks | 57 | 25 | .695 | Don Nelson | West Semis (lost to Kings 4–1) |
| Midwest | Minnesota Timberwolves | 50 | 32 | .610 | Flip Saunders | West 1st Round (lost to Mavericks 3–0) |
| Midwest | Utah Jazz | 44 | 38 | .537 | Jerry Sloan | West 1st Round (lost to Kings 3–1) |
| Midwest | Houston Rockets | 28 | 54 | .341 | Rudy Tomjanovich | Did not qualify |
| Midwest | Denver Nuggets | 27 | 55 | .329 | Dan Issel | Did not qualify |
| Midwest | Memphis Grizzlies | 23 | 59 | .280 | Sidney Lowe | Did not qualify |
| Pacific | Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | .744 | Rick Adelman | West Finals (lost to Lakers 4–3) |
| Pacific | Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | Phil Jackson | NBA Champions (def. Nets 4–0) |
| Pacific | Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | Maurice Cheeks | West 1st Round (lost to Lakers 3–0) |
| Pacific | Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | .549 | Nate McMillan | West 1st Round (lost to Spurs 3–2) |
| Pacific | Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | .476 | Alvin Gentry | Did not qualify |
| Pacific | Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | .439 | Frank Johnson | Did not qualify |
| Pacific | Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | .256 | Brian Winters | Did not qualify |
Key Notes:
- The Los Angeles Lakers secured their third consecutive NBA Championship by defeating the New Jersey Nets 4–0 in the Finals.
- The Sacramento Kings achieved the best regular-season record at 61–21 (.744).
- Rick Carlisle of the Detroit Pistons was honored as Coach of the Year.
- Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season.
2002 NBA Playoffs Summary
- NBA Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
- Finals MVP: Shaquille O’Neal
- Finals Result: Lakers defeated Nets 4–0
In the playoffs, the Lakers advanced through the Western Conference, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers (3–0), San Antonio Spurs (4–1), and Sacramento Kings (4–3) to reach the NBA Finals. In the Eastern Conference, the New Jersey Nets defeated the Indiana Pacers (3–2), Charlotte Hornets (4–1), and Boston Celtics (4–2) to reach the Finals. In the NBA Finals, the Lakers defeated the Nets 4–0 to win the championship.