View source for Atlantic Division (NBA)

{{Short description|Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = Atlantic Division
| conference      = [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]
| league          = [[National Basketball Association]]
| sport           = Basketball
| inaugural       = [[1970–71 NBA season|1970–71 season]]
| teams           = 5
| champion        = [[Boston Celtics]]<br>(26th title)
| most_champs     = [[Boston Celtics]]<br>(26 titles)
}}

{{OSM Location map        
| coord = {{coord|42.163|-75.220}}
| zoom = 5
| width = 300
| height = 250
| caption = Atlantic Division Teams Location
| mark1 = Green pog.svg
| label1 = Celtics
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|42.36635|-71.06213}}
| label-pos1 = top
| label-color1 = black
| mark2 = Black pog.svg
| label2 = Nets
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|40.68263|-73.97518}} 
| label-pos2 = right
| label-color2 = black
| mark3 = Orange pog.svg
| label3 = Knicks
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|40.75059|-73.99347}}
| label-pos3 = top
| label-color3 = black
| mark4 = Blue pog.svg
| label4 = 76ers
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|39.90126|-75.17198}}
| label-pos4 = top
| label-color4 = black
| mark5 = Red pog.svg
| label5 = Raptors
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|43.64350|-79.37906}}
| label-pos5 = top
| label-color5 = black
}}

The '''Atlantic Division''' is one of the three divisions in the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). The division consists of five teams, the [[Boston Celtics]], the [[Brooklyn Nets]], the [[New York Knicks]], the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], and the [[Toronto Raptors]]. All teams, except the Raptors, are located on the [[East Coast of the United States]]. However, Toronto sports teams have over the years enjoyed rivalries with teams in the [[Northeastern United States]] (particularly, Toronto teams also share divisions with Boston and New York teams in [[Major League Baseball]] and the [[National Hockey League]]).

The division was created at the start of the [[1970–71 NBA season|1970–71 season]], when the league expanded from 14 to 17 teams with the addition of the [[Buffalo Braves]], the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] and the [[Portland Trail Blazers]]. The league realigned itself into two conferences, the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] and the Eastern Conference, with two divisions in each conference. The Atlantic Division began with four inaugural members, the Celtics, the Braves, the Knicks and the 76ers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/season/19701971.html|title=1970–71 Season Overview: Kareem Rules the League|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119020355/http://www.nba.com/history/season/19701971.html|archive-date=November 19, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Celtics, the Knicks and the 76ers all joined from the [[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]].

The Celtics have won the most Atlantic Division titles with 26. Ten [[List of NBA champions|NBA champions]] have come from the Atlantic Division. The Celtics have won seven NBA championships while in the Division,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ballarelife.com/best-current-boston-celtics-players/#quick-history-of-the-boston-celtics | title=Best Current Boston Celtics Players | date=May 12, 2022 }}</ref> while the Knicks, the 76ers and the Raptors have won one championship each. All of them, except the [[1972–73 NBA season|1972–73]] Knicks, were division champions. In the [[1983–84 NBA season|1983–84 season]], all five teams from the division qualified for the playoffs. In the [[1982–83 NBA season|1982–83 season]], all teams in the division had winning percentages above 0.500 (50%).

Since the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]], the Atlantic Division champion has received the '''Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton Trophy''', named after Hall of Famer [[Nathaniel Clifton]].<ref name="trophy">{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-division-trophies|title=NBA unveils new trophies for division winners named after 6 NBA legends|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref>
{{TOC limit|3}}
<!--==Division lineups==

===1970–1976===
*Boston Celtics
*Buffalo Braves
*New York Knicks
*Philadelphia 76ers

====Changes from the 1969–70 season====
*The Atlantic Division is formed after a realignment.
*The Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers come from the [[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]].
*The Buffalo Braves joined as an expansion team.

===1976–1977===
*Boston Celtics
*Buffalo Braves
*New York Knicks
*New York Nets
*Philadelphia 76ers

====Changes from the 1975–76 season====
*The New York Nets joined the division from the American Basketball Association.

===1977–1978===
*Boston Celtics
*Buffalo Braves
*New York Knicks
*New York Nets
*Philadelphia 76ers

====Changes from the 1976–77 season====
*The [[New York Nets]] relocated and became the [[New Jersey Nets]].

===1978–===

===2004–present===
-->

==2024–25 standings==
{{Main article|2024–25 NBA season}}
{{2024–25 NBA Atlantic standings}}
'''Notes'''
* '''y'''&nbsp;– Clinched division title
* '''x'''&nbsp;– Clinched playoff spot

==Teams==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan="2"| Team
!rowspan="2"| City
! Year
! From
|-class="unsortable"
!colspan="2"| Joined
|-
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| [[Boston, Massachusetts]]
| {{nbay|1970|start}}
| [[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]]
|-
| [[Brooklyn Nets]] <small>({{nbay|2012|start}}–present)</small><br>[[New Jersey Nets]] <small>({{nbay|1977|start}}–{{nbay|2011|end}})</small><br>[[New York Nets]] <small>({{nbay|1976|start}}–{{nbay|1976|end}})</small>
| [[Brooklyn, New York]]<br>[[Piscataway, New Jersey|Piscataway]]/[[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]]/[[Newark, New Jersey]]<br>[[Uniondale, New York]]
| {{nbay|1976|start}}
| [[American Basketball Association|ABA]]{{double-dagger}}
|-
| [[New York Knicks]]
| [[New York City, New York]]
| {{nbay|1970|start}}
| Eastern Division
|-
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| {{nbay|1970|start}}
| Eastern Division
|-
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| [[Toronto, Ontario]]
| {{nbay|2004|start}}
| [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]]
|}
;Notes
*{{double-dagger}} denotes a team that [[ABA–NBA merger|merged]] from the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA).

===Former teams===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan="2"| Team
!rowspan="2"| City
! Year
! From
! Year
! To
!rowspan="2"| Current division
|-class="unsortable"
!colspan="2"| Joined
!colspan="2"| Left
|-
| [[Buffalo Braves]] <small>(now the [[Los Angeles Clippers]])</small>
| [[Buffalo, New York]]
| {{nbay|1970|start}}
| align="center"| —{{dagger}}
| {{nbay|1977|end}}
| [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]]<br><small>(as [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]])</small>
| [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Hornets]]
| [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| {{nbay|1988|start}}
| align="center"| —{{dagger}}
| {{nbay|1988|end}}
| [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]]
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
|-
| [[Miami Heat]]
| [[Miami, Florida]]
| {{nbay|1989|start}}
| [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]]
| {{nbay|2003|end}}
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
|-
| [[Orlando Magic]]
| [[Orlando, Florida]]
| {{nbay|1991|start}}
| [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]]
| {{nbay|2003|end}}
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
|-
| [[Washington Wizards]] <small>({{nbay|1997|start}}–present)</small><br>[[Washington Bullets]] <small>({{nbay|1974|start}}–{{nbay|1996|end}})</small>
| [[Washington, D.C.]]
| {{nbay|1978|start}}
| [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]]
| {{nbay|2003|end}}
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
| [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]]
|}
;Notes
*{{dagger}} denotes an [[expansion team]].

===Team Timeline===
{| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=#E5D3C9 align=center width=10px|
| Denotes team that is currently in the division
|-
|bgcolor=#B29999 align=center width=10px|
| Denotes team that has left the division
|}
<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize  = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25
Period     = from:1970 till:2021
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea   = right:20 left:20 bottom:20 top:0

Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
         id:line value:black
         id:bg value:white

PlotData =
  width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
  bar:1 color:tan1 from:1970 till:end text:[[Boston Celtics]] (1970–present)
  bar:2 color:tan2 from:1970 till:1978 text:[[Buffalo Braves]] (1970–1978)
  bar:3 color:tan1 from:1970 till:end text:[[New York Knicks]] (1970–present)
  bar:4 color:tan1 from:1970 till:end text:[[Philadelphia 76ers]] (1970–present)
  bar:5 color:tan1 from:1976 till:end text:[[Brooklyn Nets|New York/New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets]] (1976–present)
  bar:6 color:tan2 from:1978 till:2004 text:[[Washington Wizards|Washington Bullets/Wizards]] (1978–2004)
  bar:7 color:tan2 from:1988 till:1989 text:[[Charlotte Hornets]] (1988–1989)
  bar:8 color:tan2 from:1989 till:2004 text:[[Miami Heat]] (1989–2004)
  bar:9 color:tan2 from:1991 till:2004 text:[[Orlando Magic]] (1991–2004)
  bar:10 color:tan1 from:2004 till:end text:[[Toronto Raptors]] (2004–present)

</timeline>

==Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton Trophy==
Beginning with the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]], the Atlantic Division champion has received the '''Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton Trophy'''. As with the other division championship trophies, it is named after one of the African American pioneers from NBA history. [[Nathaniel Clifton]] was one of the first African American players to sign an NBA contract when he joined the [[New York Knicks]] in 1950. The Clifton Trophy consists of a {{Convert|adj=on|200|mm|in}} crystal ball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |date=April 11, 2022 |title=NBA Unveils Division Winner Trophies Named After Black Pioneers from League History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10032315-nba-unveils-division-winner-trophies-named-after-black-pioneers-from-league-history |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref>

==Division champions==
{| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=#FFFF99 align=center width=10px| ^
| Had or tied for the best regular season record for that season
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Season
! Team
! Record
! Playoffs result
|-
| {{nbay|1970}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| {{Ntsh|.634}} 52–30 (.634)
| Lost [[1971 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1971}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| Lost [[1972 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1972}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.829}} 68–14 (.829)
| Lost [[1973 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1973}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| '''Won [[1974 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1974}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.732}} 60–22 (.732)
| Lost [[1975 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1975}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.659}} 54–28 (.659)
| '''Won [[1976 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1976}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| {{Ntsh|.610}} 50–32 (.610)
| Lost [[1977 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1977}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| {{Ntsh|.671}} 55–27 (.671)
| Lost [[1978 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1978}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Washington Bullets]]^
| {{Ntsh|.659}} 54–28 (.659)
| Lost [[1979 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1979}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.744}} 61–21 (.744)
| Lost [[1980 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1980}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.756}} 62–20 (.756)
| '''Won [[1981 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1981}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.768}} 63–19 (.768)
| Lost [[1982 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1982}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]^
| {{Ntsh|.793}} 65–17 (.793)
| '''Won [[1983 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1983}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.756}} 62–20 (.756)
| '''Won [[1984 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1984}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.768}} 63–19 (.768)
| Lost [[1985 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1985}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.817}} 67–15 (.817)
| '''Won [[1986 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|1986}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.720}} 59–23 (.720)
| Lost [[1987 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1987}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.695}} 57–25 (.695)
| Lost [[1988 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1988}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| {{Ntsh|.634}} 52–30 (.634)
| Lost [[1989 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1989}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| {{Ntsh|.646}} 53–29 (.646)
| Lost [[1990 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1990}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| Lost [[1991 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1991}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.622}} 51–31 (.622)
| Lost [[1992 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1992}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| {{Ntsh|.732}} 60–22 (.732)
| Lost [[1993 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1993}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| {{Ntsh|.695}} 57–25 (.695)
| Lost [[1994 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1994}}
| [[Orlando Magic]]
| {{Ntsh|.695}} 57–25 (.695)
| Lost [[1995 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1995}}
| [[Orlando Magic]]
| {{Ntsh|.732}} 60–22 (.732)
| Lost [[1996 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1996}}
| [[Miami Heat]]
| {{Ntsh|.744}} 61–21 (.744)
| Lost [[1997 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|1997}}
| [[Miami Heat]]
| {{Ntsh|.671}} 55–27 (.671)
| Lost [[1998 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|1998}}{{ref label|Note1|a|a 1}}
| [[Miami Heat]]
| {{Ntsh|.660}} 33–17 (.660)
| Lost [[1999 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}}
| [[Miami Heat]]
| {{Ntsh|.634}} 52–30 (.634)
| Lost [[2000 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2000}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| Lost [[2001 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2001}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| {{Ntsh|.634}} 52–30 (.634)
| Lost [[2002 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2002}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| {{Ntsh|.598}} 49–33 (.598)
| Lost [[2003 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2003}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| {{Ntsh|.573}} 47–35 (.573)
| Lost [[2004 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2004}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.549}} 45–37 (.549)
| Lost [[2005 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|2005}}
| [[New Jersey Nets]]
| {{Ntsh|.598}} 49–33 (.598)
| Lost [[2006 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2006}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.573}} 47–35 (.573)
| Lost [[2007 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|2007}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.805}} 66–16 (.805)
| '''Won [[2008 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|2008}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.756}} 62–20 (.756)
| Lost [[2009 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2009}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.610}} 50–32 (.610)
| Lost [[2010 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2010}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| Lost [[2011 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2011}}{{ref label|Note2|b|b 1}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.591}} 39–27 (.591)
| Lost [[2012 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2012}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
| {{Ntsh|.659}} 54–28 (.659)
| Lost [[2013 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2013}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.585}} 48–34 (.585)
| Lost [[2014 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|2014}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.598}} 49–33 (.598)
| Lost [[2015 NBA playoffs|First round]]
|-
| {{nbay|2015}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.683}} 56–26 (.683)
| Lost [[2016 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2016}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.646}} 53–29 (.646)
| Lost [[2017 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2017}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.720}} 59–23 (.720)
| Lost [[2018 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2018}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.707}} 58–24 (.707)
| '''Won [[2019 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|2019}}
| [[Toronto Raptors]]
| {{Ntsh|.736}} 53–19 (.736)
| Lost [[2020 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2020}}
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| {{Ntsh|.681}} 49–23 (.681)
| Lost [[2021 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2021}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.622}} 51–31 (.622)
| Lost [[2022 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2022}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.695}} 57–25 (.695)
| Lost [[2023 NBA playoffs|conference finals]]
|-
| {{nbay|2023}}
|bgcolor=#FFFF99| [[Boston Celtics]]^
| {{Ntsh|.780}} 64–18 (.780)
| '''Won [[2024 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]'''
|-
| {{nbay|2024}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
| {{Ntsh|.744}} 61–21 (.744)
| Lost [[2025 NBA playoffs|conference semifinals]]
|}

===Titles by team===
{| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=#FBCEB1 align=center width=10px| ^
| Denotes team that has left the division
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Team
! Titles
! Season(s) won
|-
| [[Boston Celtics]] || 26 || {{nbay|1971}}, {{nbay|1972}}, {{nbay|1973}}, {{nbay|1974}}, {{nbay|1975}}, {{nbay|1979}}, {{nbay|1980}}, {{nbay|1981}}, {{nbay|1983}}, {{nbay|1984}}, {{nbay|1985}}, {{nbay|1986}}, {{nbay|1987}}, {{nbay|1990}}, {{nbay|1991}}, {{nbay|2004}}, {{nbay|2007}}, {{nbay|2008}}, {{nbay|2009}}, {{nbay|2010}}, {{nbay|2011}}, {{nbay|2016}}, {{nbay|2021}}, {{nbay|2022}}, {{nbay|2023}}, {{nbay|2024}}
|-
| [[Toronto Raptors]] || 7 || {{nbay|2006}}, {{nbay|2013}}, {{nbay|2014}}, {{nbay|2015}}, {{nbay|2017}}, {{nbay|2018}}, {{nbay|2019}}
|-
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]] || 6 || {{nbay|1976}}, {{nbay|1977}}, {{nbay|1982}}, {{nbay|1989}}, {{nbay|2000}}, {{nbay|2020}}
|-
| [[New York Knicks]] || 5 || {{nbay|1970}}, {{nbay|1988}}, {{nbay|1992}}, {{nbay|1993}}, {{nbay|2012}}
|-
| [[Brooklyn Nets]] || 4 || {{nbay|2001}}, {{nbay|2002}}, {{nbay|2003}}, {{nbay|2005}}
|-
|bgcolor=#FBCEB1| [[Miami Heat]]^ ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| 4 ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| {{nbay|1996}}, {{nbay|1997}}, {{nbay|1998}}, {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}}
|-
|bgcolor=#FBCEB1| [[Orlando Magic]]^ ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| 2 ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| {{nbay|1994}}, {{nbay|1995}}
|-
|bgcolor=#FBCEB1| [[Washington Bullets]]^ <small>(now [[Washington Wizards]])</small> ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| 1 ||bgcolor=#FBCEB1| {{nbay|1978}}
|}

==Season results==
{| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=#FFCC00 align=center width=10px| ^
| Denotes team that won the [[List of NBA champions|NBA Finals]]
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align=center width=10px| <sup>+</sup>
| Denotes team that won the [[NBA Conference finals|Conference finals]], but lost the [[NBA Finals]]
|-
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC align=center width=10px| *
| Denotes team that qualified for the [[NBA Playoffs]]
|-
|bgcolor=#FFCCFF align=center width=10px| ×
| Denotes team that qualified for the [[NBA play-in tournament]]
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|align=center width=10px| †
| Denotes team that did not qualify for the [[2020 NBA Bubble]] season restart
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
!rowspan="2" width=60px| Season ||colspan="7"| Team (record)
|-
!width=150px| 1st ||width=150px| 2nd ||width=150px| 3rd ||width=150px| 4th ||width=150px| 5th ||width=150px| 6th ||width=150px| 7th
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1970''': The Atlantic Division was formed with four inaugural members. An [[expansion team]], the [[Buffalo Braves]], joined the division. The [[Boston Celtics]], the [[New York Knicks]] and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] joined from the [[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]].
|-
| {{nbay|1970}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1970–71 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1970–71 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (47–35) || [[1970–71 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (44–38) || [[1970–71 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]] (22–60)
|-
| {{nbay|1971}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1971–72 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (56–26) ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1971–72 New York Knicks season|New York]]<sup>+</sup> (48–34) || [[1971–72 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (30–52) || [[1971–72 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]] (22–60)
|-
| {{nbay|1972}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1972–73 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (68–14) ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1972–73 New York Knicks season|New York]]^ (57–25) || [[1972–73 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]] (21–61) || [[1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (9–73)
|-
| {{nbay|1973}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1973–74 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1973–74 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1973–74 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]]* (42–40) || [[1973–74 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (25–57)
|-
| {{nbay|1974}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1974–75 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (60–22) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1974–75 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1974–75 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (40–42) || [[1974–75 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (34–48)
|-
| {{nbay|1975}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1975–76 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (54–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1975–76 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (46–36) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1975–76 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]]* (46–36) || [[1975–76 New York Knicks season|New York]] (38–44)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1976''': An [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) team that [[ABA–NBA merger|merged]] with the NBA, the [[New York Nets]], joined the division.
|-
| {{nbay|1976}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]<sup>+</sup> (50–32) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1976–77 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (44–38) || [[1976–77 New York Knicks season|NY Knicks]] (40–42) || [[1976–77 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]] (30–52) || [[1976–77 New York Nets season|NY Nets]] (22–60)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1977''': The [[New York Nets]] relocated and became the [[New Jersey Nets]].
|-
| {{nbay|1977}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1977–78 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (55–27) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1977–78 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (43–39) || [[1977–78 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (32–50) || [[1977–78 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]] (27–55) || [[1977–78 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (24–58)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1978''': The [[Washington Bullets]] joined from the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]]. The [[Buffalo Braves]], who relocated and became the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]], left to join the [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]].
|-
| {{nbay|1978}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1978–79 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]<sup>+</sup> (54–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1978–79 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1978–79 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (37–45) || [[1978–79 New York Knicks season|New York]] (31–51) || [[1978–79 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (29–53)
|-
| {{nbay|1979}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1979–80 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (61–21) ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1979–80 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]<sup>+</sup> (59–23) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1979–80 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (39–43) || [[1979–80 New York Knicks season|New York]] (39–43) || [[1979–80 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (34–48)
|-
| {{nbay|1980}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1980–81 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (62–20) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1980–81 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (62–20) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1980–81 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (50–32) || [[1980–81 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (39–43) || [[1980–81 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (24–58)
|-
| {{nbay|1981}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1981–82 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (63–19) ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1981–82 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]<sup>+</sup> (58–24) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1981–82 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (44–38) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1981–82 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (43–39) || [[1981–82 New York Knicks season|New York]] (33–49)
|-
| {{nbay|1982}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]^ (65–17) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1982–83 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1982–83 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1982–83 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (44–38) || [[1982–83 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (42–40)
|-
| {{nbay|1983}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1983–84 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (62–20) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1983–84 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1983–84 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1983–84 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1983–84 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (35–47)
|-
| {{nbay|1984}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1984–85 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]<sup>+</sup> (63–19) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1984–85 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (58–24) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1984–85 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (42–40) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1984–85 Washington Bullets|Washington]]* (40–42) || [[1984–85 New York Knicks season|New York]] (24–58)
|-
| {{nbay|1985}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (67–15) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (54–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1985–86 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (39–43) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1985–86 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (39–43) || [[1985–86 New York Knicks season|New York]] (23–59)
|-
| {{nbay|1986}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]<sup>+</sup> (59–23) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1986–87 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1986–87 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (42–40) || [[1986–87 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (24–58) || [[1986–87 New York Knicks season|New York]] (24–58)
|-
| {{nbay|1987}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1987–88 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (57–25) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1987–88 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (38–44) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1987–88 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (38–44) || [[1987–88 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (36–46) || [[1987–88 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (19–63)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1988''': An [[expansion team]], the [[Charlotte Hornets]], joined the division temporarily for one season.
|-
| {{nbay|1988}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1988–89 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (46–36) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1988–89 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (42–40) || [[1988–89 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (40–42) || [[1988–89 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (26–56) || [[1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte]] (20–62)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1989''': The [[Miami Heat]] joined from the [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]]. The [[Charlotte Hornets]] left to join the Midwest Division temporarily for one season, then the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]] permanently thereafter.
|-
| {{nbay|1989}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1989–90 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (53–29) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1989–90 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1989–90 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (45–37) || [[1989–90 Washington Bullets|Washington]] (31–51) || [[1989–90 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (18–64) || [[1989–90 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (17–65)
|-
| {{nbay|1990}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1990–91 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1990–91 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (44–38) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1990–91 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (39–43) || [[1990–91 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (30–52) || [[1990–91 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (26–56) || [[1990–91 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (24–58)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1991''': The [[Orlando Magic]] joined from the [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]].
|-
| {{nbay|1991}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1991–92 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (51–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1991–92 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (51–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1991–92 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (40–42) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1991–92 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (38–44) || [[1991–92 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (35–47) || [[1991–92 Washington Bullets|Washington]] (25–57) || [[1991–92 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]] (21–61)
|-
| {{nbay|1992}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1992–93 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (60–22) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1992–93 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (48–34) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1992–93 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (43–39) || [[1992–93 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]] (41–41) || [[1992–93 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (36–46) || [[1992–93 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (26–56) || [[1992–93 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (22–60)
|-
| {{nbay|1993}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1993–94 New York Knicks season|New York]]<sup>+</sup> (57–25) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1993–94 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (50–32) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1993–94 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1993–94 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (42–40) || [[1993–94 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (32–50) || [[1993–94 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (25–57) || [[1993–94 Washington Bullets|Washington]] (24–58)
|-
| {{nbay|1994}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1994–95 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]<sup>+</sup> (57–25) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1994–95 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (55–27) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1994–95 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (35–47) || [[1994–95 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (32–50) || [[1994–95 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (30–52) || [[1994–95 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (24–58) || [[1994–95 Washington Bullets season|Washington]] (21–61)
|-
| {{nbay|1995}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1995–96 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (60–22) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1995–96 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1995–96 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (42–40) || [[1995–96 Washington Bullets|Washington]] (39–43) || [[1995–96 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (33–49) || [[1995–96 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (30–52) || [[1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (18–64)
|-
| {{nbay|1996}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1996–97 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (61–21) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1996–97 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (57–25) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1996–97 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1996–97 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]* (44–38) || [[1996–97 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (26–56) || [[1996–97 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (22–60) || [[1996–97 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (15–67)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''1997''': The [[Washington Bullets]] was renamed the [[Washington Wizards]]. 
|-
| {{nbay|1997}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1997–98 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (55–27) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1997–98 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (43–39) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1997–98 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (43–39) || [[1997–98 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (42–40) || [[1997–98 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]] (41–41) || [[1997–98 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (36–46) || [[1997–98 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (31–51)
|-
| {{nbay|1998}}{{ref label|Note1|a|2}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1998–99 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (33–17) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1998–99 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (33–17) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (28–22) ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[1998–99 New York Knicks season|New York]]<sup>+</sup> (27–23) || [[1998–99 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (19–31) || [[1998–99 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (18–32) || [[1998–99 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (16–34)
|-
| {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1999–2000 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1999–2000 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (50–32) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[1999–2000 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (49–33) || [[1999–2000 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]] (41–41) || [[1999–2000 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (35–47) || [[1999–2000 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (31–51) || [[1999–2000 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (29–53)
|-
| {{nbay|2000}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[2000–01 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]<sup>+</sup> (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2000–01 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (50–32) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2000–01 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (48–34) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2000–01 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (43–39) || [[2000–01 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (36–46) || [[2000–01 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (26–56) || [[2000–01 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (19–63)
|-
| {{nbay|2001}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[2001–02 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]<sup>+</sup> (52–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2001–02 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2001–02 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (44–38) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (43–39) || [[2001–02 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (37–45) || [[2001–02 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (36–46) || [[2001–02 New York Knicks season|New York]] (30–52)
|-
| {{nbay|2002}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[2002–03 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]<sup>+</sup> (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2002–03 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (48–34) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2002–03 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (44–38) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2002–03 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]* (42–40) || [[2002–03 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (37–45) || [[2002–03 New York Knicks season|New York]] (37–45) || [[2002–03 Miami Heat season|Miami]] (25–57)
|-
| {{nbay|2003}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2003–04 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2003–04 Miami Heat season|Miami]]* (42–40) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2003–04 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (39–43) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2003–04 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (36–46) || [[2003–04 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (33–49) || [[2003–04 Washington Wizards season|Washington]] (25–57) || [[2003–04 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]] (21–61)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''2004''': The [[Toronto Raptors]] joined from the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]]. The [[Miami Heat]], the [[Orlando Magic]] and the [[Washington Wizards]] left to join the [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]].
|-
| {{nbay|2004}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2004–05 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2004–05 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (43–39) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2004–05 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (42–40) || [[2004–05 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (33–49) || [[2004–05 New York Knicks season|New York]] (33–49)
|-
| {{nbay|2005}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2005–06 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (49–33) || [[2005–06 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (38–44) || [[2005–06 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (33–49) || [[2005–06 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (27–55) || [[2005–06 New York Knicks season|New York]] (23–59)
|-
| {{nbay|2006}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2006–07 Toronto Raptors|Toronto]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2006–07 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]]* (41–41) || [[2006–07 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (35–47) || [[2006–07 New York Knicks season|New York]] (33–49) || [[2006–07 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (24–58)
|-
| {{nbay|2007}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[2007–08 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (66–16) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2007–08 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (41–41) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2007–08 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (40–42) || [[2007–08 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (34–48) || [[2007–08 New York Knicks season|New York]] (23–59)
|-
| {{nbay|2008}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2008–09 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (62–20) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (41–41) || [[2008–09 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (34–48) || [[2008–09 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (33–49) || [[2008–09 New York Knicks season|New York]] (32–50)
|-
| {{nbay|2009}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| [[2009–10 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]<sup>+</sup> (50–32) || [[2009–10 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (40–42) || [[2009–10 New York Knicks season|New York]] (29–53) || [[2009–10 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (27–55) || [[2009–10 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (12–70)
|-
| {{nbay|2010}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2010–11 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2010–11 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (42–40) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2010–11 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (41–41) || [[2010–11 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (24–58) || [[2010–11 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (22–60)
|-
| {{nbay|2011}}{{ref label|Note2|b|2}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2011–12 Boston Celtics|Boston]]* (39–27) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2011–12 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (36–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2011–12 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (35–31) || [[2011–12 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (23–43) || [[2011–12 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]] (22–44)
|-
|colspan="8"| 
*'''2012''': The [[New Jersey Nets]] relocated and became the [[Brooklyn Nets]].
|-
| {{nbay|2012}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2012–13 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (54–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2012–13 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2012–13 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (41–40) || [[2012–13 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (34–48) || [[2012–13 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (34–48)
|-
| {{nbay|2013}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2013–14 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (48–34) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2013–14 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (44–38) || [[2013–14 New York Knicks season|New York]] (37–45) || [[2013–14 Boston Celtics season|Boston]] (25–57) || [[2013–14 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (19–63)
|-
| {{nbay|2014}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2014–15 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2014–15 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (40–42) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2014–15 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (38–44) || [[2014–15 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (18–64) || [[2014–15 New York Knicks season|New York]] (17–65)
|-
| {{nbay|2015}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2015–16 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (56–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2015–16 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (48–34) || [[2015–16 New York Knicks season|New York]] (32–50) || [[2015–16 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]] (21–61) || [[2015–16 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (10–72)
|-
| {{nbay|2016}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2016–17 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (53–29) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2016–17 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (51–31) || [[2016–17 New York Knicks season|New York]] (31–51) || [[2016–17 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (28–54) || [[2016–17 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]] (20–62)
|-
| {{nbay|2017}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2017–18 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (59–23) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2017–18 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (55–27) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2017–18 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (52–30) || [[2017–18 New York Knicks season|New York]] (29–53) || [[2017–18 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]] (28–54)
|-
| {{nbay|2018}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| [[2018–19 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]^ (58–24) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2018–19 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (51–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2018–19 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (49–33) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2018–19 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (42–40) || [[2018–19 New York Knicks season|New York]] (17–65)
|-
| {{nbay|2019}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2019–20 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (53–19) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2019–20 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (48–24) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2019–20 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (43–30) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2019–20 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (35–37) || [[2019–20 New York Knicks season|New York]]† (21–45)
|-
| {{nbay|2020}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2020–21 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (49–23) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2020–21 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (48–24) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2020–21 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (41–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2020–21 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (36–36) || [[2020–21 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (27–45)
|-
| {{nbay|2021}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0|  [[2021–22 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]<sup>+</sup> (51–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2021–22 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (51–31) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2021–22 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]* (48–34) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2021–22 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (44–38) || [[2021–22 New York Knicks season|New York]] (37–45) 
|-
| {{nbay|2022}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|  [[2022–23 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (57–25) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2022–23 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (54–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|  [[2022–23 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (47–35) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2022–23 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]* (45–37) ||bgcolor=#FFCCFF| [[2022–23 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]]× (41–41)
|-
| {{nbay|2023}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00|  [[2023–24 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]^ (64–18) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|  [[2023–24 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (50–32) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2023–24 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]* (47–35) || [[2023–24 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]] (32–50) || [[2023–24 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (25–57)
|-
| {{nbay|2024}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2024–25 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]* (61–21) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| [[2024–25 New York Knicks season|New York]]* (51–31) || [[2024–25 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto]] (30–52) || [[2024–25 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]] (26–56) || [[2024–25 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] (24–58)
|}

==Rivalries==
{{Main article|National Basketball Association rivalries#Atlantic Division}}

===Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks===
{{Main article|Celtics–Knicks rivalry}}

===Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers===
{{Main article|76ers–Celtics rivalry}}

===New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets===
{{Main article|Knicks–Nets rivalry}}

===Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets===
{{Main article|Nets–Raptors rivalry}}

==Notes==
*{{note label|Note1|a|a 1}}{{note label|Note1|a|2}} Because of a [[1998–99 NBA lockout|lockout]], the season did not start until February 5, 1999, and all 29 teams played a shortened 50-game regular season schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/nba_preview/news/1999/02/03/nba_expectations/|title=Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99|first=John|last=Donovan|date=February 4, 1999|work=CNN Sports Illustrated|publisher=Time Warner Company|access-date=May 20, 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110622084237/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/nba_preview/news/1999/02/03/nba_expectations/| archive-date= June 22, 2011 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
*{{note label|Note2|b|b 1}}{{note label|Note2|b|2}} Because of a [[2011 NBA lockout|lockout]], the season did not start until December 25, 2011, and all 30 teams played a shortened 66-game regular season schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192660/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210192030/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192660/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2011|title='tis The Season|first=Lee|last=Jenkins|date=December 5, 2011|work=CNN Sports Illustrated|publisher=Time Warner Company|access-date=April 30, 2012}}</ref>
*{{dagger}}In the aftermath of the [[Boston Marathon bombing]], the NBA canceled the April 16 game scheduled in Boston between the Celtics and the Pacers; the game was not rescheduled because it would have had no impact on either team's playoff seedings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nba.si.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-bombing-terror-attack-celtics-pacers-game-cancelled-nba/ |title=NBA cancels game between Celtics and Pacers after Boston Marathon blasts &#124; the Point Forward - SI.com |access-date=April 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419013916/http://nba.si.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-bombing-terror-attack-celtics-pacers-game-cancelled-nba/ |archive-date=April 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Central Division (NBA)]]
*[[Pacific Division (NBA)]]
*[[Southwest Division (NBA)]]
*[[Midwest Division (NBA)]]

==References==
;General
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/|title=NBA & ABA League Index|work=Basketball-Reference.com}}
{{Refend}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.nbaatlantictwine.com/ |title=Atlantic Division Blog |work=NBAAtlanticTwine.com |publisher=Atlantic Twine |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618004615/http://nbaatlantictwine.com/ |archive-date=June 18, 2012 }}
{{Refend}}
;Specific
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nba.com/teams/ NBA.com Team Index]

{{NBA}}
{{Boston Celtics}}
{{Brooklyn Nets}}
{{New York Knicks}}
{{Philadelphia 76ers}}
{{Toronto Raptors}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atlantic Division (Nba)}}
[[Category:Eastern Conference (NBA)]]
[[Category:NBA divisions]]
[[Category:Boston Celtics]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Nets]]
[[Category:Buffalo Braves]]
[[Category:Charlotte Hornets]]
[[Category:Miami Heat]]
[[Category:New Jersey Nets]]
[[Category:New York Nets]]
[[Category:New York Knicks]]
[[Category:Orlando Magic]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers]]
[[Category:Toronto Raptors]]
[[Category:Washington Bullets]]
[[Category:Washington Wizards]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Sports in the Eastern United States|NBA]]