Current holder
Cleveland Cavaliers
86Reigns
612Days held
142Defenses
1972First reign
Every reign
- 86th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New York Knicks 115–107Nov 11, 2026 – now1 day · 0 def.
- 85th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Philadelphia 76ers 119–95 · lost to New York KnicksNov 6, 2026 – Nov 7, 20261 day · 0 def.
- 84th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Detroit Pistons 125–94 · lost to New York KnicksMay 17, 2026 – May 19, 20262 days · 0 def.
- 83rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Detroit Pistons 116–109 · lost to Detroit PistonsMay 9, 2026 – May 15, 20266 days · 2 def.
- 82nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Miami Heat 130–116 · lost to Toronto RaptorsNov 12, 2025 – Nov 13, 20251 day · 0 def.
- 81st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Indiana Pacers 126–104 · lost to Indiana PacersMay 9, 2025 – May 11, 20252 days · 0 def.
- 80th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Indiana Pacers 127–117 · lost to Oklahoma City ThunderJan 14, 2025 – Jan 16, 20252 days · 0 def.
- 79th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Utah Jazz 124–113 · lost to Indiana PacersDec 23, 2024 – Jan 12, 202520 days · 7 def.
- 78th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 115–111 · lost to Miami HeatDec 1, 2024 – Dec 8, 20247 days · 3 def.
- 77th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Golden State Warriors 136–117 · lost to Boston CelticsNov 8, 2024 – Nov 19, 202411 days · 5 def.
- 76th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Clippers 122–99 · lost to Miami HeatJan 29, 2023 – Jan 31, 20232 days · 0 def.
- 75th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Denver Nuggets 119–116 · lost to Los Angeles LakersMar 18, 2022 – Mar 21, 20223 days · 1 def.
- 74th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 115–92 · lost to Boston CelticsDec 8, 2021 – Dec 22, 202114 days · 5 def.
- 73rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Indiana Pacers 92–91 · lost to Charlotte HornetsDec 18, 2018 – Dec 19, 20181 day · 0 def.
- 72nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Charlotte Hornets 113–89 · lost to Washington WizardsNov 13, 2018 – Nov 14, 20181 day · 0 def.
- 71st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Miami Heat 108–97 · lost to Indiana PacersNov 28, 2017 – Dec 8, 201710 days · 4 def.
- 70th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Golden State Warriors 137–116 · lost to Golden State WarriorsJun 9, 2017 – Jun 12, 20173 days · 0 def.
- 69th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Charlotte Hornets 112–105 · lost to Washington WizardsMar 24, 2017 – Mar 25, 20171 day · 0 def.
- 68th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 124–118 · lost to Chicago BullsDec 29, 2016 – Jan 4, 20176 days · 2 def.
- 67th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Golden State Warriors 112–97 · lost to Atlanta HawksJun 13, 2016 – Nov 8, 2016148 days · 8 def.
- 66th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Golden State Warriors 120–90 · lost to Golden State WarriorsJun 8, 2016 – Jun 10, 20162 days · 0 def.
- 65th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Golden State Warriors 95–93 · lost to Golden State WarriorsJun 7, 2015 – Jun 11, 20154 days · 1 def.
- 64th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat San Antonio Spurs 128–125 · lost to Miami HeatMar 12, 2015 – Mar 16, 20154 days · 1 def.
- 63rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Clippers 126–121 · lost to Indiana PacersJan 16, 2015 – Feb 6, 201521 days · 10 def.
- 62nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 114–108 · lost to Portland Trail BlazersOct 31, 2014 – Nov 4, 20144 days · 0 def.
- 61st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New York Knicks 106–100 · lost to Brooklyn NetsMar 23, 2014 – Mar 28, 20145 days · 2 def.
- 60th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Detroit Pistons 93–89 · lost to Toronto RaptorsFeb 12, 2014 – Feb 21, 20149 days · 2 def.
- 59th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Memphis Grizzlies 92–86 · lost to Boston CelticsNov 27, 2010 – Nov 30, 20103 days · 0 def.
- 58th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 124–95 · lost to Boston CelticsMay 7, 2010 – May 9, 20102 days · 0 def.
- 57th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 121–98 · lost to Boston CelticsApr 25, 2010 – May 3, 20108 days · 2 def.
- 56th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 96–83 · lost to Chicago BullsApr 17, 2010 – Apr 22, 20105 days · 1 def.
- 55th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat San Antonio Spurs 97–95 · lost to San Antonio SpursMar 8, 2010 – Mar 26, 201018 days · 7 def.
- 54th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Atlanta Hawks 102–96 · lost to Washington WizardsMar 21, 2009 – Apr 2, 200912 days · 5 def.
- 53rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 106–97 · lost to Detroit PistonsNov 8, 2008 – Nov 19, 200811 days · 4 def.
- 52nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Charlotte Bobcats 113–106 · lost to Phoenix SunsJan 11, 2008 – Jan 25, 200814 days · 4 def.
- 51st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets 97–89 · lost to Dallas MavericksFeb 27, 2007 – Mar 1, 20072 days · 0 def.
- 50th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat San Antonio Spurs 82–78 · lost to Phoenix SunsJan 2, 2007 – Jan 11, 20079 days · 4 def.
- 49th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New Jersey Nets 108–102 · lost to Detroit PistonsApr 8, 2006 – Apr 12, 20064 days · 1 def.
- 48th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat San Antonio Spurs 101–87 · lost to Philadelphia 76ersFeb 13, 2006 – Feb 22, 20069 days · 2 def.
- 47th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New Jersey Nets 91–85 · lost to Miami HeatFeb 1, 2006 – Feb 2, 20061 day · 0 def.
- 46th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Indiana Pacers 94–89 · lost to New Jersey NetsDec 23, 2005 – Dec 27, 20054 days · 1 def.
- 45th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Miami Heat 94–93 · lost to Milwaukee BucksJan 28, 2004 – Jan 30, 20042 days · 0 def.
- 44th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Portland Trail Blazers 86–74 · lost to Indiana PacersDec 28, 2003 – Dec 30, 20032 days · 0 def.
- 43rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Clippers 103–95 · lost to Washington WizardsNov 18, 2003 – Nov 19, 20031 day · 0 def.
- 42nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Charlotte Hornets 71–66 · lost to San Antonio SpursDec 5, 2000 – Dec 20, 200015 days · 5 def.
- 41st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Washington Wizards 96–94 · lost to Milwaukee BucksDec 29, 1999 – Dec 30, 19991 day · 0 def.
- 40th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Milwaukee Bucks 117–112 · lost to Boston CelticsNov 13, 1999 – Nov 17, 19994 days · 0 def.
- 39th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Detroit Pistons 88–87 · lost to Los Angeles LakersMar 27, 1998 – Apr 3, 19987 days · 3 def.
- 38th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 73–70 · lost to New York KnicksFeb 27, 1997 – Mar 2, 19973 days · 1 def.
- 37th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Charlotte Hornets 106–73 · lost to New York KnicksJan 25, 1997 – Jan 29, 19974 days · 1 def.
- 36th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Minnesota Timberwolves 101–93 · lost to Orlando MagicDec 14, 1996 – Dec 23, 19969 days · 3 def.
- 35th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Toronto Raptors 95–76 · lost to Chicago BullsFeb 15, 1996 – Feb 20, 19965 days · 2 def.
- 34th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Atlanta Hawks 109–93 · lost to New Jersey NetsFeb 5, 1994 – Feb 9, 19944 days · 1 def.
- 33rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Miami Heat 102–100 · lost to Seattle SuperSonicsFeb 23, 1993 – Mar 2, 19937 days · 2 def.
- 32nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 99–85 · lost to Chicago BullsMay 25, 1992 – May 27, 19922 days · 0 def.
- 31st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 107–81 · lost to Chicago BullsMay 21, 1992 – May 23, 19922 days · 0 def.
- 30th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 122–104 · lost to Chicago BullsMay 17, 1992 – May 19, 19922 days · 0 def.
- 29th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 114–112 · lost to Boston CelticsMay 10, 1992 – May 15, 19925 days · 1 def.
- 28th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 101–76 · lost to Boston CelticsMay 2, 1992 – May 4, 19922 days · 0 def.
- 27th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Atlanta Hawks 123–80 · lost to Chicago BullsMar 22, 1992 – Mar 28, 19926 days · 3 def.
- 26th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Washington Bullets 102–95 · lost to Boston CelticsMar 28, 1991 – Mar 29, 19911 day · 0 def.
- 25th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Lakers 84–74 · lost to New Jersey NetsDec 19, 1990 – Dec 21, 19902 days · 0 def.
- 24th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Houston Rockets 110–90 · lost to Detroit PistonsFeb 20, 1989 – Mar 3, 198911 days · 4 def.
- 23rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Atlanta Hawks 120–94 · lost to Seattle SuperSonicsDec 17, 1988 – Jan 9, 198923 days · 9 def.
- 22nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat New York Knicks 108–103 · lost to Indiana PacersMar 29, 1988 – Apr 5, 19887 days · 2 def.
- 21st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 119–100 · lost to Utah JazzJan 23, 1988 – Jan 25, 19882 days · 0 def.
- 20th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Detroit Pistons 113–105 · lost to Atlanta HawksDec 4, 1986 – Dec 9, 19865 days · 1 def.
- 19th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Lakers 129–111 · lost to Utah JazzNov 5, 1985 – Nov 9, 19854 days · 1 def.
- 18th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 90–86 · lost to Philadelphia 76ersJan 15, 1983 – Jan 18, 19833 days · 0 def.
- 17th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Kansas City Kings 118–110 · lost to Milwaukee BucksNov 28, 1982 – Nov 30, 19822 days · 0 def.
- 16th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Houston Rockets 109–96 · lost to New York KnicksMar 20, 1980 – Mar 25, 19805 days · 1 def.
- 15th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Philadelphia 76ers 115–107 · lost to Chicago BullsDec 9, 1978 – Dec 16, 19787 days · 2 def.
- 14th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Seattle SuperSonics 116–104 · lost to New Jersey NetsDec 13, 1977 – Dec 16, 19773 days · 0 def.
- 13th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Indiana Pacers 111–105 · lost to New York KnicksDec 16, 1976 – Dec 18, 19762 days · 0 def.
- 12th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Denver Nuggets 99–93 · lost to Indiana PacersNov 30, 1976 – Dec 3, 19763 days · 1 def.
- 11th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 83–78 · lost to Boston CelticsMay 11, 1976 – May 16, 19765 days · 1 def.
- 10th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Milwaukee Bucks 103–99 · lost to Boston CelticsMar 27, 1976 – Apr 1, 19765 days · 2 def.
- 9th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Washington Bullets 95–92 · lost to Buffalo BravesMar 21, 1976 – Mar 25, 19764 days · 0 def.
- 8th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Milwaukee Bucks 101–96 · lost to Houston RocketsFeb 13, 1976 – Feb 23, 197610 days · 4 def.
- 7th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Boston Celtics 98–85 · lost to Houston RocketsJan 20, 1976 – Jan 28, 19768 days · 3 def.
- 6th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Phoenix Suns 128–124 · lost to Atlanta HawksDec 19, 1975 – Dec 26, 19757 days · 1 def.
- 5th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Chicago Bulls 87–83 · lost to Washington BulletsMar 20, 1975 – Mar 22, 19752 days · 0 def.
- 4th reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Los Angeles Lakers 104–85 · lost to Philadelphia 76ersMar 13, 1975 – Mar 15, 19752 days · 0 def.
- 3rd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Kansas City-Omaha Kings 92–91 · lost to Milwaukee BucksFeb 8, 1975 – Feb 14, 19756 days · 3 def.
- 2nd reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Seattle SuperSonics 98–88 · lost to Portland Trail BlazersNov 21, 1972 – Nov 26, 19725 days · 1 def.
- 1st reign · Cleveland CavaliersBeat Baltimore Bullets 127–118 · lost to Baltimore BulletsMar 14, 1972 – Mar 16, 19722 days · 0 def.
Next defense
at Miami Heat · Fri November 13, 2026 · 8:00 PM ET · TV: DAZN CLE · Kaseya Center, Miami, FL. Cleveland Cavaliers are given a 50% chance to keep it.
1,170Longest wait between reigns, days (2010–2014)
228Average wait, days
15–2Best belt season (1988–89)
Belt record by opponent
Seasons with the belt
2026–272025–262024–252022–232021–222018–192017–182016–172015–162014–152013–142010–112009–102008–092007–082006–072005–062003–042000–011999–001997–981996–971995–961993–941992–931991–921990–911988–891987–881986–871985–861982–831979–801978–791977–781976–771975–761974–751972–731971–72
Most belt games for the franchise
| Player | Games | Wins | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron James | 137 | 81 | 3,845 |
| 2 | Tristan Thompson | 103 | 57 | 719 |
| 3 | Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 87 | 48 | 1,041 |
| 4 | Anderson Varejao | 82 | 48 | 600 |
| 5 | Bingo Smith | 72 | 32 | 968 |
| 6 | Kevin Love | 70 | 39 | 1,064 |
| 7 | Hot Rod Williams | 66 | 35 | 838 |
| 8 | Austin Carr | 64 | 31 | 857 |
| 9 | Daniel Gibson | 61 | 37 | 320 |
| 10 | JR Smith | 60 | 35 | 624 |
Belt games by season
| Season | Games | W–L | Took it | Lost it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | 4 | 2–2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | 15 | 5–10 | 3 | 3 |
| 2024–25 | 28 | 20–8 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022–23 | 4 | 1–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | 11 | 8–3 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020–21 | 7 | 0–7 | ||
| 2019–20 | 4 | 0–4 | ||
| 2018–19 | 7 | 2–5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | 11 | 5–6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016–17 | 19 | 11–8 | 3 | 4 |
| 2015–16 | 8 | 4–4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2014–15 | 23 | 16–7 | 4 | 4 |
| 2013–14 | 12 | 6–6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2012–13 | 1 | 0–1 | ||
| 2010–11 | 4 | 1–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009–10 | 20 | 14–6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2008–09 | 15 | 11–4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2007–08 | 9 | 5–4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006–07 | 13 | 6–7 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005–06 | 13 | 8–5 | 4 | 4 |
| 2004–05 | 1 | 0–1 | ||
| 2003–04 | 8 | 3–5 | 3 | 3 |
| 2002–03 | 3 | 0–3 | ||
| 2001–02 | 2 | 0–2 | ||
| 2000–01 | 11 | 6–5 | 1 | 1 |
| 1999–00 | 6 | 2–4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1998–99 | 2 | 0–2 | ||
| 1997–98 | 7 | 4–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996–97 | 11 | 8–3 | 3 | 3 |
| 1995–96 | 5 | 3–2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1994–95 | 3 | 0–3 | ||
| 1993–94 | 4 | 2–2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1992–93 | 7 | 3–4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1991–92 | 20 | 10–10 | 6 | 6 |
| 1990–91 | 7 | 2–5 | 2 | 2 |
| 1989–90 | 1 | 0–1 | ||
| 1988–89 | 17 | 15–2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1987–88 | 8 | 4–4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1986–87 | 5 | 2–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1985–86 | 6 | 2–4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984–85 | 4 | 0–4 | ||
| 1983–84 | 3 | 0–3 | ||
| 1982–83 | 4 | 2–2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1981–82 | 4 | 0–4 | ||
| 1980–81 | 5 | 0–5 | ||
| 1979–80 | 5 | 2–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978–79 | 6 | 3–3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1977–78 | 3 | 1–2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1976–77 | 7 | 3–4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1975–76 | 28 | 17–11 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974–75 | 11 | 6–5 | 3 | 3 |
| 1973–74 | 3 | 0–3 | ||
| 1972–73 | 9 | 2–7 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971–72 | 6 | 1–5 | 1 | 1 |