The contest for the upcoming NBA Championship is about to kick off, with teams eager to etch their legacy in the league’s rich history.
The New York Knicks currently hold the title, having ended a 53-year championship drought by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson earned Finals MVP honors as the Knicks claimed the third championship in their franchise’s history.
Here is a comprehensive list of every NBA champion since the league’s first title in 1947.
Most Recent NBA Champions
No team has successfully defended their title since the Golden State Warriors achieved back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, during their dynasty’s prime. The Warriors secured four titles in five years in the late 2010s, while LeBron James won three championships in a five-year span with Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, adding another in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- 2026: New York Knicks
- 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2024: Boston Celtics
- 2023: Denver Nuggets
- 2022: Golden State Warriors
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2019: Toronto Raptors
- 2018: Golden State Warriors
- 2017: Golden State Warriors
- 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2015: Golden State Warriors
- 2014: San Antonio Spurs
- 2013: Miami Heat
- 2012: Miami Heat
- 2011: Dallas Mavericks
- 2010: Los Angeles Lakers
The 2000s
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the early 2000s and remain the last team to win three consecutive championships, taking titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Spearheaded by Kobe Bryant, they returned to the top in 2009. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, also emerged as a powerhouse, winning three championships during this decade.
- 2009: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2008: Boston Celtics
- 2007: San Antonio Spurs
- 2006: Miami Heat
- 2005: San Antonio Spurs
- 2004: Detroit Pistons
- 2003: San Antonio Spurs
- 2002: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2001: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2000: Los Angeles Lakers
1990s NBA Champions
Widely seen as a golden era of basketball, the 1990s were largely defined by Michael Jordan’s rise to superstardom. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, including two separate three-peats, before his first retirement to pursue baseball. The Houston Rockets also found success with consecutive championships in 1994 and 1995.
- 1999: San Antonio Spurs
- 1998: Chicago Bulls
- 1997: Chicago Bulls
- 1996: Chicago Bulls
- 1995: Houston Rockets
- 1994: Houston Rockets
- 1993: Chicago Bulls
- 1992: Chicago Bulls
- 1991: Chicago Bulls
- 1990: Detroit Pistons
1980s NBA Champions
The 1980s are often remembered for the ‘Showtime Lakers,’ coached by Pat Riley and featuring stars like Magic Johnson and James Worthy. Their main rival, the Boston Celtics, captured three titles while the Lakers claimed five during this vibrant decade.
- 1989: Detroit Pistons
- 1988: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1987: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1986: Boston Celtics
- 1985: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1984: Boston Celtics
- 1983: Philadelphia 76ers
- 1982: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1981: Boston Celtics
- 1980: Los Angeles Lakers
1970s NBA Champions
In the 1970s, the NBA crowned eight different champions, including the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics. The Portland Trail Blazers won their only championship in this decade, and the New York Knicks celebrated a title in 1973.
- 1979: Seattle SuperSonics
- 1978: Washington Bullets
- 1977: Portland Trail Blazers
- 1976: Boston Celtics
- 1975: Golden State Warriors
- 1974: Boston Celtics
- 1973: New York Knicks
- 1972: Los Angeles Lakers
- 1971: Milwaukee Bucks
- 1970: New York Knicks
1960s NBA Champions
The Boston Celtics dominated the 1960s, winning eight straight championships from 1959 through 1966. Their streak was interrupted in 1967 by the Philadelphia 76ers, but Boston bounced back to claim titles again in 1968 and 1969.
- 1969: Boston Celtics
- 1968: Boston Celtics
- 1967: Philadelphia 76ers
- 1966: Boston Celtics
- 1965: Boston Celtics
- 1964: Boston Celtics
- 1963: Boston Celtics
- 1962: Boston Celtics
- 1961: Boston Celtics
- 1960: Boston Celtics
1947-1959 NBA Champions
The earliest NBA years featured the Philadelphia Warriors, who won the first-ever championship. This era included several teams that eventually folded or relocated, such as the Minneapolis Lakers, who later became the Los Angeles Lakers before the 1960-61 season.
- 1959: Boston Celtics
- 1958: St. Louis Hawks
- 1957: Boston Celtics
- 1956: Philadelphia Warriors
- 1955: Syracuse Nationals
- 1954: Syracuse Nationals
- 1953: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1952: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1951: Rochester Royals
- 1950: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1949: Minneapolis Lakers
- 1948: Baltimore Bullets
- 1947: Philadelphia Warriors
NBA Teams with the Most Championships
The Boston Celtics hold the record for the most NBA titles, closely followed by the Los Angeles Lakers, which include their championships as the Minneapolis Lakers. The Golden State Warriors have moved into third place all-time thanks to their recent dynasty, surpassing the Chicago Bulls, who have not won a championship since Michael Jordan’s retirement.
- Boston Celtics – 18
- Los Angeles Lakers – 17
- Golden State Warriors – 7
- Chicago Bulls – 6
- San Antonio Spurs – 5
Fan Take:
This update is thrilling for basketball enthusiasts as it highlights the rising competitiveness among teams eager to join the ranks of NBA legends. The changing landscape signals a vibrant future for the sport, with fresh rivalries and dynasties emerging to captivate fans worldwide.
Source: nbaanalysis.net
