The Quick Report

Every NBA Team’s Fan Base, Ranked by How Tolerable They Are

Let’s be honest—some NBA fan bases are great, and some make you want to mute them on social media. 

From the most unbearable to the absolute best, here’s the definitive ranking of how tolerable each team’s fans are.

30. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers
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They act like they’re equals with the Lakers, which is just adorable. Their energy is like that one guy who keeps name-dropping celebrities that don’t actually know him.

29. Utah Jazz

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Jazz fans have a reputation, and not exactly a great one. Also, they will never, ever admit their team should just hit reset already.

28. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
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They’ve been bad for a while but still carry themselves like they run the league. Their undying devotion to James Harden really backfired, but they won’t admit it.

27. Los Angeles Lakers

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Lakers fans genuinely believe basketball did not exist before their franchise. Also, if you say anything remotely critical about LeBron, prepare for war.

26. Phoenix Suns

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Their energy is chaotic, and their front-running is off the charts. Every year, they think they’re winning the title—until they aren’t.

25. Boston Celtics

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They have history to back up their arrogance, but wow, are they exhausting. They will remind you they have 18 titles even when you’re just trying to order coffee.

24. Dallas Mavericks

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Their handling of the Luka Doncic trade has been a little crazy, to say the least. Not to mention, the Mark Cuban smugness still lingers in the air.

23. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors
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Winning turned them into an absolute menace, but at least they’re fun to watch. They will remind you that Steph changed basketball every 10 minutes.

22. New York Knicks

New York Knicks
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Knicks fans deserve better than James Dolan, but they also make it very hard to root for them. Their optimism is both impressive and slightly concerning.

21. Miami Heat

Miami Heat
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“Heat Culture” is both real and extremely annoying to hear about nonstop. Their confidence is unmatched, but their refusal to believe they’re ever out of a playoff series is exhausting.

20. Chicago Bulls

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They’re still running on ‘90s nostalgia, but at least they know it. Their commitment to supporting aggressively mid teams is commendable.

19. Philadelphia 76ers

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Philly fans are going to be Philly fans, which means aggressive passion at all times. They love Embiid, hate everyone else, and will absolutely let you know.

18. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets
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They’re still trying to find an identity after the KD-Kyrie disaster. They exist, but do they matter? Unclear.

17. Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers
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LeBron left them twice, and they somehow survived, which is impressive. But the way they pretend they don’t secretly want him back is hilarious.

16. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans
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They’re fun and passionate but get way too defensive about Zion’s weight. The Saints will always own the city, and deep down, they know it.

15. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons
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They still talk about the “Bad Boys” like it happened yesterday, but at least they have history to cling to. Cade Cunningham gives them hope, which they desperately need.

14. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks
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They show up when the team is good and disappear when the team is bad, which is honestly respectable. Also, Trae Young is their king, and they will hear no slander.

13. Washington Wizards

Washington Wizards
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They’ve had to endure the most spectacularly mediocre franchise in existence. At some point, they need to stop convincing themselves that this is the year things change.

12. Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic
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They’ve been irrelevant for a while, so they’re just happy to have hope again. They get bonus points for not trying to convince you Florida is a great basketball state.

11. Indiana Pacers

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Pacers fans are basketball purists who appreciate good fundamentals and hate showboating. They’d rather watch a perfect pick-and-roll than a flashy dunk, and that’s kind of wholesome.

10. Charlotte Hornets

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They know their team is bad and don’t try to argue otherwise. That level of self-awareness is rare and refreshing.

9. Oklahoma City Thunder

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They have endless patience and still get excited about draft picks. If they ever make it back to the Finals, it’s going to get loud.

8. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings
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“LIGHT THE BEAM” was the best thing to happen to them in 20 years. They’re still running on pure joy from that season, which makes them fun to be around.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

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They have a top-five miserable sports history, so you can’t blame them for being a little salty. But mostly, they’re just happy Anthony Edwards exists.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

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Grizzlies fans are fun, loud, and deeply loyal. Ja Morant’s off-court drama knocked them down a few spots, but their love for the team is real.

5. Toronto Raptors

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Canadian hospitality keeps them in the top five, but they still think every player wants to live in Toronto. They won a title and somehow didn’t become unbearable, so respect.

Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Beloved NBA Fanbases

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks
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Giannis could drop 50, and Bucks fans would still act like they’re underdogs. Their Midwestern niceness makes them tolerable, even when they talk about cheese for too long.

Read More: Ranking the NBA Teams With the Most Bandwagon Fans

3. Portland Trail Blazers

portland trail blazers
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Blazers fans have been through a lot, but they handle it with a weirdly endearing mix of hope and apathy. They just want to vibe, watch Scoot Henderson highlights, and forget about Greg Oden.

Read More: The Absolute Worst NBA Franchises of the ’90s

2. Denver Nuggets

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They won their first title just a couple years ago and somehow didn’t turn into insufferable monsters. Jokic could win six MVPs, and they’d still be like, “He just wants to go home.”

Read More: Every NFL Team’s Fan Base, Ranked by How Tolerable They Are

1. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
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Spurs fans are like your wise basketball grandpa, always respectful and full of knowledge. They’re just happy Wemby exists, and honestly, same.

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