Complete List of NBA Champions: A Historical Overview

The NBA Finals is rich with history and iconic moments. Legendary franchises like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have long dominated the league, while newer powerhouses such as the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have also left their mark. Recently, the Miami Heat fell short against the Denver Nuggets, who secured their first championship in franchise history. This year, the Celtics and Mavericks are vying for the coveted title.

List of NBA Champions by Year

Here is a comprehensive list of NBA champions from the league’s inception to the most recent season:

2020s NBA Champions

2023: Denver Nuggets defeated Miami Heat (4-1)
2022: Golden State Warriors defeated Boston Celtics (4-2)
2021: Milwaukee Bucks defeated Phoenix Suns (4-2)
2020: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Miami Heat (4-2)

2010s NBA Champions

2019: Toronto Raptors defeated Golden State Warriors (4-2)
2018: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0)
2017: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers (4-1)
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Golden State Warriors (4-3)
2015: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2)
2014: San Antonio Spurs defeated Miami Heat (4-1)
2013: Miami Heat defeated San Antonio Spurs (4-3)
2012: Miami Heat defeated Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1)
2011: Dallas Mavericks defeated Miami Heat (4-2)
2010: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Boston Celtics (4-3)

2000s NBA Champions

2009: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Orlando Magic (4-1)
2008: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)
2007: San Antonio Spurs defeated Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0)
2006: Miami Heat defeated Dallas Mavericks (4-2)
2005: San Antonio Spurs defeated Detroit Pistons (4-3)
2004: Detroit Pistons defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
2003: San Antonio Spurs defeated New Jersey Nets (4-2)
2002: Los Angeles Lakers defeated New Jersey Nets (4-0)
2001: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Philadelphia 76ers (4-1)
2000: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Indiana Pacers (4-2)

1990s NBA Champions

1999: San Antonio Spurs defeated New York Knicks (4-1)
1998: Chicago Bulls defeated Utah Jazz (4-2)
1997: Chicago Bulls defeated Utah Jazz (4-2)
1996: Chicago Bulls defeated Seattle SuperSonics (4-2)
1995: Houston Rockets defeated Orlando Magic (4-0)
1994: Houston Rockets defeated New York Knicks (4-3)
1993: Chicago Bulls defeated Phoenix Suns (4-2)
1992: Chicago Bulls defeated Portland Trail Blazers (4-2)
1991: Chicago Bulls defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)

1980s NBA Champions

1990: Detroit Pistons defeated Portland Trail Blazers (4-1)
1989: Detroit Pistons defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)
1988: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Detroit Pistons (4-3)
1987: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Boston Celtics (4-2)
1986: Boston Celtics defeated Houston Rockets (4-2)
1985: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Boston Celtics (4-2)
1984: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
1983: Philadelphia 76ers defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)
1982: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Philadelphia 76ers (4-2)
1981: Boston Celtics defeated Houston Rockets (4-2)
1980: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Philadelphia 76ers (4-2)

1970s NBA Champions

1979: Seattle SuperSonics defeated Washington Bullets (4-1)
1978: Washington Bullets defeated Seattle SuperSonics (4-3)
1977: Portland Trail Blazers defeated Philadelphia 76ers (4-2)
1976: Boston Celtics defeated Phoenix Suns (4-2)
1975: Golden State Warriors defeated Washington Bullets (4-0)
1974: Boston Celtics defeated Milwaukee Bucks (4-3)
1973: New York Knicks defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
1972: Los Angeles Lakers defeated New York Knicks (4-1)
1971: Milwaukee Bucks defeated Baltimore Bullets (4-0)
1970: New York Knicks defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)

1960s NBA Champions

1969: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
1968: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)
1967: Philadelphia 76ers defeated San Francisco Warriors (4-2)
1966: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
1965: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
1964: Boston Celtics defeated San Francisco Warriors (4-1)
1963: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)
1962: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
1961: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks (4-1)
1960: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks (4-3)

1950s NBA Champions

1959: Boston Celtics defeated Minneapolis Lakers (4-0)
1958: St. Louis Hawks defeated Boston Celtics (4-2)
1957: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks (4-3)
1956: Philadelphia Warriors defeated Fort Wayne Pistons (4-1)
1955: Syracuse Nationals defeated Fort Wayne Pistons (4-3)
1954: Minneapolis Lakers defeated Syracuse Nationals (4-3)
1953: Minneapolis Lakers defeated New York Knicks (4-1)
1952: Minneapolis Lakers defeated New York Knicks (4-3)
1951: Rochester Royals defeated New York Knicks (4-3)
1950: Minneapolis Lakers defeated Syracuse Nationals (4-2)
1949: Minneapolis Lakers defeated Washington Capitols (4-2)

Most Successful NBA Teams

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most NBA championships, each with 17 titles. Here’s a list of teams that have won at least three NBA championships:

Los Angeles Lakers: 17 titles
Boston Celtics: 17 titles
Golden State Warriors: 7 titles
Chicago Bulls: 6 titles
San Antonio Spurs: 5 titles
Philadelphia 76ers: 3 titles
Detroit Pistons: 3 titles
Miami Heat: 3 titles

Players with the Most NBA Championships

Bill Russell holds the record for the most NBA championships, with 11 rings. Here is a list of NBA players who have won six or more titles:

Bill Russell: 11 championships
Sam Jones: 10 championships
K. C. Jones: 8 championships
Satch Sanders: 8 championships
John Havlicek: 8 championships
Jim Loscutoff: 7 championships
Frank Ramsey: 7 championships
Robert Horry: 7 championships
Bob Cousy: 6 championships
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6 championships
Michael Jordan: 6 championships
Scottie Pippen: 6 championships

NBA Teams Without a Championship

Several NBA franchises have yet to win an NBA Finals. Here are the ten teams still seeking their first championship:

Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz

In conclusion, the history of the NBA Finals is a testament to the evolution and growth of the league. From the dominance of the Celtics and Lakers to the rise of new champions like the Warriors and Raptors, each season adds a new chapter to the rich tapestry of basketball history. As the battle for the title continues, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the next champion to etch their name in the annals of NBA glory.

1. Which team has won the most NBA championships?

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most NBA championships, each with 17 titles.

2. Who holds the record for the most NBA championships by a player?

Bill Russell holds the record for the most NBA championships by a player, with 11 titles.

3. Which teams have won multiple NBA championships?

Teams with multiple NBA championships include:

Los Angeles Lakers: 17 titles
Boston Celtics: 17 titles
Golden State Warriors: 7 titles
Chicago Bulls: 6 titles
San Antonio Spurs: 5 titles
Philadelphia 76ers: 3 titles
Detroit Pistons: 3 titles
Miami Heat: 3 titles

4. Which players have won six or more NBA championships?

Players who have won six or more NBA championships include:

Bill Russell: 11 championships
Sam Jones: 10 championships
K. C. Jones: 8 championships
Satch Sanders: 8 championships
John Havlicek: 8 championships
Jim Loscutoff: 7 championships
Frank Ramsey: 7 championships
Robert Horry: 7 championships
Bob Cousy: 6 championships
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6 championships
Michael Jordan: 6 championships
Scottie Pippen: 6 championships

5. Which NBA teams have never won a championship?

Ten NBA franchises have never won an NBA Finals:

Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz

6. Who won the NBA championship in 2023?

The Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship in 2023 by defeating the Miami Heat (4-1).

7. Which team won the NBA championship in 2022?

The Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship in 2022 by defeating the Boston Celtics (4-2).

8. What is the significance of the 2019 NBA Finals?

The 2019 NBA Finals were significant as the Toronto Raptors won their first NBA championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors (4-2).

9. When did the Chicago Bulls win their first NBA championship?

The Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship in 1991 by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1).

10. How many NBA championships did Michael Jordan win?

Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

11. Which teams have appeared in the NBA Finals the most times?

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have appeared in the NBA Finals the most times, each with numerous appearances and 17 championships.

12. What is the longest championship drought in NBA history?

The longest championship drought is subjective, but some notable teams with long droughts include the New York Knicks, who have not won since 1973, and the Phoenix Suns, who have never won despite several appearances in the Finals.