View source for NBA Finals

{{Short description|Championship series of the National Basketball Association}}
{{for-multi|the most recent series|2025 NBA Finals|a list of individual NBA Finals by year|List of NBA champions}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox tournament
| name =<!--inherited from page name-->
| image = NBA Finals logo (2022).svg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = The NBA Finals logo used since 2022
| sport = [[Basketball]]
| month_played = June
| established = {{Start date|1947}}
| administrator = [[National Basketball Association]]
| format = [[Best-of-seven series]]
| teams = 2
| most_champs = [[Boston Celtics]]<br />(18 titles)
| defending_champs = [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]<br />(2nd title)
| broadcast = [[NBA on ABC|ABC]]/[[ESPN (streaming service)|ESPN]]
| current = [[2025 NBA Finals]]
}}

The '''NBA Finals''' is the annual championship series of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). The [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern]] and [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] champions play a [[best-of-seven series]] to determine the league champion. The team that wins the series is awarded the [[Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy]], which replaced the original [[Walter A. Brown Trophy]] in 1976–77, though under the same name until 1984.

The series was initially known as the '''BAA Finals''' prior to the 1949–50 season when the [[Basketball Association of America]] (BAA) merged with the [[National Basketball League (United States)|National Basketball League]] (NBL) to form the NBA. The competition oversaw further name changes to '''NBA World Championship Series''' from 1950 to 1985, as well as a brief stint as the Showdown, before settling on NBA Finals in 1986.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ballard|first=Bill|title=Here Are Some Final Facts on NBA Playoffs|date=June 4, 1989|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-04-sp-2773-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402194946/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-06-04/sports/sp-2773_1_nba-finals-final-facts-20-point-scorer|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2018, it has been officially known as the ''NBA Finals presented by [[YouTube TV]]'' for [[Naming rights|sponsorship reasons]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=NBA and YouTube TV announce first-ever presenting partnership of the NBA Finals|url=https://pr.nba.com/nba-youtube-tv-announce-first-ever-presenting-partnership-nba-finals/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="USAToday20180326"/>

The NBA Finals was initially structured in a 2–2–1–1–1 format.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avalos |first=Christopher |date=June 7, 2022 |title=What is the NBA finals format? |url=https://boundtoball.com/2022/06/07/what-is-the-nba-finals-format/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=Boundtoball}}</ref> In [[1985 NBA Finals|1985]], to ease the amount of cross-country travel, it was changed to a 2–3–2 format, in which the first two and last two games of the series were played at the arena of the team who earned [[home advantage|home-court advantage]] by having the better record during the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2008 |title=Stern: Celts' Auerbach played role in Finals format |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3432867 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Delamater |first=Tom |title=2010 NBA Finals, Game 4: Does the 2-3-2 Format Favor L.A. or Boston Most? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/404006-lakers-celtics-game-4-does-the-2-3-2-format-favor-la-or-boston-most |access-date=March 20, 2024 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> In 2014, the 2–2–1–1–1 format was restored. The team with the better regular season record hosts the first two games and the other team hosts the next two games. If needed, the remaining three are played at each team's home arena alternately, starting with the arena of the team with the better regular season record.<ref>{{cite press release|title=NBA Board of Governors unanimously approves format change for The Finals|url=https://pr.nba.com/nba-finals-format-change-2014/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2013|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Golliver |first=Ben |date=October 23, 2013 |title=NBA Board of Governors unanimously adopts 2-2-1-1-1 Finals format change |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2013/10/23/nba-finals-format-david-stern-adam-silver-board-of-governors |access-date=March 20, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

A total of 21 franchises have won the NBA Finals, with the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] winning the most recent and earning their first title since relocating to Oklahoma City, and second overall.

==History==
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| image1 = 1986NBAFinals.png
| caption1 = NBA Finals logo from 1986 to 1995. The year designation changed annually.
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| caption2 = NBA Finals logo from 1996 to 1999. The year designation changed annually.
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| caption3 = NBA Finals logo from 2000 to 2002. The year designation changed annually.
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| caption4 = NBA Finals logo in 2003.
| image5 = The NBA Finals logo.svg
| caption5 = NBA Finals logo from 2004 to 2017.
| image6 = NBA Finals logo (2018).svg 
| caption6 = NBA Finals logo from 2018 to 2021.
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===1940s–50s: Beginnings and Lakers dynasty===
The beginning era of modern professional basketball was dominated by the [[Los Angeles Lakers|Minneapolis Lakers]], who won five of the first ten titles. The [[Golden State Warriors|Philadelphia Warriors]] also won multiple championships, including the inaugural title in 1947 and another in 1956 to bookend the NBA's first decade.

After being founded in 1946, the [[Basketball Association of America]] completed [[1946-47 BAA season|its inaugural season]] in April 1947 with the Philadelphia Warriors defeating the [[Chicago Stags]] in the [[1947 BAA Finals]] in five games. The [[1947-48 BAA season|following season]] the Warriors again reached [[1948 BAA Finals|the Finals]], however they fell short to the now defunct [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Seymour S. Smith |date=22 April 1948 |title=Bullets win championship, beating Warrors, 88-73 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-bullets-win-championsh/149985712/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{open access}}</ref> To date the Baltimore Bullets are the only defunct team to win a championship.

In 1948, the Minneapolis Lakers won the championship of the rival [[National Basketball League (United States)|National Basketball League]] before joining the BAA. Led by future Hall of Famer [[George Mikan]], the Lakers won the third and final BAA championship in [[1949 BAA Finals|1949]] over the [[Red Auerbach]]-coached Washington Capitals.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Dick Robb |date=April 14, 1949 |title=Lakers make city world's pro capital |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star-lakers-make-city-wo/149954500/ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=[[The Minneapolis Star]] |page=45 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{open access}}</ref><ref>Lazenby, p. 31.</ref> The BAA then merged with the NBL to form the [[National Basketball Association]] before the [[1949–50 NBA season|1949–50 season]]. The Lakers won the inaugural NBA championship in [[1950 NBA Finals|1950]] to become the first team to repeat as champions.

In [[1951 NBA Finals|1951]], the [[Sacramento_Kings#1945–1957: Rochester Royals|Rochester Royals]] defeated the [[New York Knicks]] in the only Finals contested between two teams from the same state (something not possible under the current NBA alignment). This was the first of three consecutive losses in the Finals for the Knicks. Meanwhile, the Lakers won three straight Finals from [[1952 NBA Finals|1952]] to [[1954 NBA Finals|1954]] to become the first team to [[three-peat]] while also winning their fifth title in six seasons.<ref name="La502">Lazenby, p. 50.</ref>

Of the five franchises to win a championship from 1947 to 1956, one (the Bullets) folded and the other four (the Warriors, Lakers, Royals, and [[History of the Philadelphia 76ers#1946–1963: Syracuse_Nationals|Syracuse Nationals]]) all relocated by [[1963-64 NBA season|1964]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 27, 1954 |title=Bullets Fold For Season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/25343759/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 27, 2018 |work=[[The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)|The Daily Chronicle]] |location=[[Centralia, Washington]] |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author-link= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B3wX21fXD-QC |title=Sports and the American Jew |date=1998 |publisher=[[Syracuse University Press]] |isbn=9780815627548 |editor-last=Riess |editor-first=Stephen A. |location= |page=237}}</ref>

===1950s–60s: Celtics Dynasty===
[[File:Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell (lighting fixed).jpg|thumb|268x268px|[[Bill Russell]] (off ball) was a member of one of the first dynasties in the NBA, winning eight straight titles while contending against [[Wilt Chamberlain]] (on ball).]]
The [[Boston Celtics]] won 11 of the 12 NBA Finals they reached during 13 seasons (1956, 1959–66, 1968–69), including eight straight NBA championships from 1959 through 1966.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics History|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html|publisher=Boston Celtics|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022832/http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> During this time the [[Atlanta Hawks|St. Louis Hawks]] also won their only title before moving to Atlanta and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] won their first title since relocating from Syracuse.

With the establishment of the Celtics dynasty in 1957, spearheaded by center [[Bill Russell]], the team saw great success. Despite encountering some difficulty when up against teams led by [[Wilt Chamberlain]], for most of the late 1950s and 1960s, the Celtics and Russell managed to have an upper hand on Chamberlain's teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LAKERS: Los Angeles Lakers History |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184021/http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html |archive-date=2011-06-28 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.nba.com}}</ref>

In 1964, Chamberlain, who had moved to the state of California alongside [[Philadelphia Warriors|his team]], led the [[San Francisco Warriors]] to a [[Western Division (NBA)|Western Division]] championship, but again failed to conquer the Celtics. The following season, he returned to the [[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]] to join the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] after the former Syracuse Nationals relocated to the city to cover the vacancy created by the Warriors.

The first clash between the two stars in the playoffs was in 1966, with Boston winning the series 4–1. In the following season, Philadelphia coach [[Alex Hannum]] instructed Chamberlain to provide an increased focus on playing a team game, to avoid drawing the double-teams that troubled Chamberlain during the Finals. This tactical change brought the team to a new record of 68 wins the following season, as well as defeating the Celtics before winning the 1967 Finals. In 1968, Boston overcame a 3–1 deficit against Philadelphia to once again arrive in the Finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs) |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=BOS&opp_id=PHI&is_playoffs=Y |access-date=February 19, 2021 |publisher=basketball-reference.com}}</ref> They went on to defeat the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the Finals to again become NBA champions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discover the Wisdom of Mankind on Boston Celtics |url=http://www.blinkbits.com/blinks/boston_celtics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903042217/http://www.blinkbits.com/blinks/boston_celtics |archive-date=2006-09-03 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.blinkbits.com}}</ref>

In 1969, the Celtics faced great difficulty entering the postseason, as they had an aging team and multiple injuries to a number of players. They qualified for the playoffs as the fourth and final seed in the East, while the Lakers, who had added Chamberlain in the off-season to join stars [[Jerry West]] and [[Elgin Baylor]], won the West and were prohibitive favorites to become champions for the first time since relocating to Los Angeles. Despite holding a 2–1 advantage going into Game 4, the Lakers led 87–86 and had the ball with 10 seconds to play. But after a turnover, [[Sam Jones (basketball, born 1933)|Sam Jones]] scored to give the Celtics a narrow 88–87 win and tying the series. The series was eventually tied 3–3 going into Game 7 in Los Angeles, with Lakers owner [[Jack Kent Cooke|Jack Cooke]] hanging balloons in the arena in anticipation of a Lakers victory. West also picked up injuries to his thigh and hamstring during the series, but returned to play for the final game. Russell utilized this newly lacking mobility in West to organize fast breaks at every opportunity for the Celtics, which allowed them to gain an early lead. They held off a furious Lakers comeback to win 108–106 and win the series, and win their eleventh championship in 13 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA.com Heritage Week: Power Rankings, 1969-70 |url=http://www.nba.com/heritageweek2007/powerrankings6970.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184050/http://www.nba.com/heritageweek2007/powerrankings6970.html |archive-date=2011-06-28 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.nba.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Unbreakable" Sports Records (The World Almanac) |url=http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802071249/http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html |archive-date=2009-08-02 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.worldalmanac.com}}</ref>

As many stars either declined or retired following this win, it is largely recognized as the last NBA Finals conducted by the Celtics dynasty.

===1970s: Decade of parity===
The 1970s saw ten different teams reach the Finals and eight different teams win a championship, the most of any decade in the NBA, with the [[Boston Celtics]] and [[New York Knicks]] winning twice.

In [[1970 NBA Finals|1970]], a classic Finals featured the Knicks against the Lakers. In the waning moments of Game 3, with the series tied, [[Jerry West]] hit a basket from 60 feet to tie the game, a shot that became one of the most famous ever.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top NBA Finals moments: Jerry West's buzzer-beater in 1970 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-moments-jerry-wests-buzzer-beater-in-1970 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> However, the Knicks won in [[Overtime (sports)|overtime]] and eventually won the series in 7 games. Game 7 featured an injured [[Willis Reed]] returning to action for the Knicks and inspiring his team to victory, though Reed scored only 4 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top NBA Finals moments: Hobbled Willis Reed inspires Knicks' victory in Game 7 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-moments-hobbled-willis-reed-inspires-knicks-victory-in-game-7 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> The following season had another first-time champion, as the [[Milwaukee Bucks]], led by [[Oscar Robertson]] and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], defeated the [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]].

Two seasons after losing in the Finals, the Lakers won 33 straight games, the longest winning streak in NBA history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Longest Winning Streaks and Regular Season Records for Wins |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/team_wins.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> By season's end, they broke the record for most wins in a season with 69, one more than the [[1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers season|1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers]], before taking home the [[1972 NBA Finals|championship]] for the first time since relocating to [[Los Angeles]], beating the Knicks. The Knicks returned to win the Finals again a season later, followed by the Celtics’ 12th title in [[1974 NBA Finals|1974]].

The late 1970s were characterized by a major breakthrough of the league's western franchises. In 1975, after compiling a 48–34 regular season record, the [[Golden State Warriors]] swept the [[Washington Bullets]] 4–0 in the [[1975 NBA Finals]]. In 1976, the [[Phoenix Suns]], after only eight years of existence, overcame an 18–27 losing record early in the regular season to build a remarkable run to finish 42–40.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1975-76 Phoenix Suns Schedule |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1976_games.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The team, nicknamed the "Sunderella Suns," achieved upset victories over the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] and the Warriors, before facing the Celtics in the Finals. The teams split the first four games, before Game 5 went into three overtimes, and Boston won 128–126.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coro |first=Paul |title=1976 'Sunderella Suns' to be honored at Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/03/25/1976-sunderella-suns-honored-phoenix-suns-boston-celtics-game/82277350/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> The Celtics quickly managed to secure their 13th championship, and second in three years, defeating the Suns 87–80 in Game 6.

Franchises that won their first titles in the 1970s included the [[New York Knicks]] in 1970, [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in [[1971 NBA Finals|1971]], the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in [[1977 NBA Finals|1977]], and the [[Washington Bullets]], who defeated the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], in [[1978 NBA Finals|1978]]. The Sonics exacted revenge on the Bullets the following season, beating Washington in five games in [[1979 NBA Finals|1979]] to win their first title.

===1980s: Celtics–Lakers rivalry and "Bad Boys" Pistons===
{{See also|Celtics–Lakers rivalry}}
[[File:1985 Finals Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|left|The 1980s saw a renewal in the rivalry between the [[Boston Celtics]] (green) and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] (gold), combining to win eight titles.]]
The 1980s were mostly known for the rivalry between the [[Boston Celtics]] and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], who combined to win eight titles in the decade. Rookie [[Magic Johnson]] led the [[Showtime Lakers]] to the [[1980 NBA Finals]] against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], who were led by [[Julius Erving]]. The Lakers took a 3–2 lead, but [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] could not play in Game 6 due to injury. Johnson, a natural point guard, was shifted to center and played every position on the court during the game, scoring 42 points, with 15 rebounds and 7 assists to win his first championship and Finals MVP honors, becoming the first and only rookie to win the award.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA.com: Magic Fills in at Center |url=http://www.nba.com/history/magiccenter_moments.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210023647/http://www.nba.com/history/magiccenter_moments.html |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |work=nba.com}}</ref>

Boston reached the [[1981 NBA Finals]] led by the "Big Three" of [[Larry Bird]], [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]], and [[Robert Parish]]. They met the [[Houston Rockets]], who were carried practically single-handedly by [[Moses Malone]] and upset the Lakers in the first round. The Rockets were only the second team in NBA history to make the Finals after posting a losing record in the regular season, and the Celtics had an NBA best record of 62–20. The Celtics won the Finals in 6 games.

The Lakers returned to the Finals in [[1982 NBA Finals|1982]], this time led by new coach [[Pat Riley]], in a rematch against the 76ers. The 76ers defeated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals in a 7-game series, but were defeated by the Lakers in 6 games. The 76ers responded by trading for Moses Malone, the league's reigning MVP. With the new duo of Malone and Erving, the 76ers won the [[1983 NBA Finals]] in a sweep of the Lakers.

The Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals in [[1984 NBA Finals|1984]], [[1985 NBA Finals|1985]], and [[1987 NBA Finals|1987]]. In 1984, the Celtics toppled the Lakers 4–3. The final game of this series attracted the largest ever TV audience for an NBA game, and the second-largest ever for a basketball game, with only the [[1979 NCAA Division I basketball championship game|1979 NCAA Championship game]] between Johnson and Bird having a larger audience. The teams faced off again in 1985 and 1987, but the Lakers came up on top both times, winning in 6 games despite each time, despite losing Game 1 in 1985 by 34 points in the [[1985 NBA Finals#Game 1|Memorial Day Massacre]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NBA Finals Game 1: Lakers vs Celtics, May 27, 1985 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198505270BOS.html |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 1987 Finals included Johnson hitting a hook shot with two seconds left in Game 4 to give the Lakers a 107–106 win and a 3–1 series lead.

In the following two seasons, the Celtics failed to reach the Finals, becoming overshadowed by the [[Detroit Pistons]]. The Lakers defended their title in the [[1988 NBA Finals]], winning the series in 7 games against the Pistons. They became the first team to win back-to-back NBA titles since 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/nba-season-recaps/index.html|title=NBA Season Recaps|date=July 1, 2014|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> Seeking a three-peat in [[1989 NBA Finals|1989]], the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in a rematch of the previous year's Finals. The Pistons were nicknamed the "Bad Boys" due to their rough, physical play led by future [[List of players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] guards [[Joe Dumars]] and [[Isiah Thomas]] and a rugged front court with [[Bill Laimbeer]] and [[Dennis Rodman]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=David |date=2014-04-18 |title=Pistons 'Bad Boys' special on ESPN evokes emotions a quarter-century later |url=https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2014/04/pistons_bad_boys_special_on_es.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=MLive |language=en}}</ref> In [[1990 NBA Finals|1990]], the Pistons went back-to-back, defeating the [[Clyde Drexler]]-led [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in five games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NBA Finals - Trail Blazers vs. Pistons |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-pistons.html |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

===1990s: Bulls dynasty===
<!-- Do NOT add the Rockets or "Clutch City" to the title -->
[[File:Phil Jackson Lipofsky.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Michael Jordan]] cemented himself as one of the greatest players of all time, winning six NBA championships with [[Scottie Pippen]] and coach [[Phil Jackson]].|alt=]]
The majority of the 1990s was marked by the supremacy of the [[Chicago Bulls]]. The Bulls, led by head coach [[Phil Jackson]] and star players [[Michael Jordan]] and [[Scottie Pippen]], won six titles in six Finals appearances from 1991 to 1998. The only other team to win a title during this time was the [[Houston Rockets]], who won titles in 1994 and 1995.

The Bulls' [[1991 NBA Finals|first championship]] came at the expense of the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], in the last Finals appearance for [[Magic Johnson]]. The series was billed{{By whom|date=December 2016}} as a showdown between the aging Johnson and the upstart Jordan. The Lakers won the first game, however, for the rest of the series, Pippen guarded Johnson allowing Jordan to primarily focus on scoring, until Game 5 when Jordan switched back to Johnson, forcing 6 critical turnovers.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tremendous Upside |date=January 18, 2019 |title=Lakers x Bulls 1991 Finals Game 5 |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=S-drsM6ULVk |accessdate=November 25, 2021 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The Bulls won the next four games to win the series 4–1. The Bulls returned to the Finals the next year, pitted against [[Clyde Drexler]] and the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=May 30, 1992 |title=It's Bulls Against Blazers As Jordan Rules Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/30/sports/basketball-it-s-bulls-against-blazers-as-jordan-rules-again.html |newspaper=The New York Times |page=27}}</ref> Chicago defeated the Trail Blazers in Game 1 by 33 points, a game notable for Jordan breaking the record for the most three-pointers in a first half, with six. The Bulls went on to win the series in six games.

In [[1993 NBA Finals|1993]], The Bulls were matched against the [[Phoenix Suns]], led by [[Charles Barkley]], who was the league's reigning MVP of the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1992–93 NBA MVP Voting |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1993.html#mvp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404025712/https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1993.html#mvp |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2008 |work=basketball-reference.com}}</ref> After dropping the first two games at home, The Suns won Game 3 in Chicago in triple overtime. The Bulls came back to win Game 4 with Jordan scoring 55 points and tying [[Rick Barry]] for the second-most points in an NBA Finals game. Chicago clinched the series in Game 6, 99–98, on [[John Paxson]]'s three-pointer, as the Bulls became the third team in history to [[three-peat]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top NBA Finals moments: John Paxson's 3-pointer seals three-peat for Bulls |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-moments-john-paxson-3-pointer-1993 |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref> After this win, Jordan retired from basketball to pursue a career in baseball.

Following Jordan's departure, the [[Houston Rockets]], led by [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], won the [[1994 NBA Finals|1994]] and [[1995 NBA Finals|1995]] NBA titles. During this time, Olajuwon became the only player in history to win the [[National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award|NBA MVP]], [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|NBA Defensive Player of the Year]] and [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals MVP]] awards in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA.com: Hakeem Olajuwon Summary |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_summary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103224751/http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_summary.html |archive-date=2006-11-03 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.nba.com}}</ref> 

After his short stint with baseball, Jordan returned to basketball late in the 1994–95 season. Although he did not lead the Bulls to the Finals for that season, he returned to pre-retirement form the next season while the team acquired perennial rebounding champion [[Dennis Rodman]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2025 |title=George Karl hinted that Dennis Rodman was the MVP of the 1996 NBA Finals |url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/george-karl-hinted-that-dennis-rodman-was-the-mvp-of-1996-nba-finals |website=Basketball Network}}</ref> The [[1995–96 Chicago Bulls season|1995–96 Bulls]] finished the regular season 72–10, attaining, at the time, the best regular season record in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web |title=1995–96 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1996_games.html |access-date=December 12, 2009 |work=basketball-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}</ref> They dominated in the playoffs, going 11–1 in the first three rounds, before facing the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the NBA Finals. After the Bulls took a 3–0 series lead, Seattle won the next two games after point guard [[Gary Payton]] asked his coach [[George Karl]] to be switched onto Jordan. Jordan altered his game to deal with Payton, and the Bulls won Game 6 to win their fourth title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA.com: The Bulls Dynasty |url=http://www.nba.com/history/bulls_dynasty.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209024614/http://www.nba.com/history/bulls_dynasty.html |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |website=[[NBA.com]]}}</ref>

In 1997 and 1998, the Bulls met the [[Utah Jazz]] in the Finals twice. Led by [[Dream Team (basketball)|Dream Team]] Olympians [[John Stockton]] and [[Karl Malone]], the Jazz were defeated in both Finals by the Bulls in six games. In both series, Chicago won by hitting winning shots in the sixth game, the first by [[Steve Kerr]] in 1997 in Chicago, and the second by Jordan in Utah in 1998.<ref name="game winners2">{{cite web |title=Michael Jordan Game-Winners: How many has Michael made? |url=http://www.nba.com/jordan/game_winners.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712152426/http://www.nba.com/jordan/game_winners.html |archive-date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=2009-04-04 |work=NBA.com}}</ref> This saw Chicago winning their sixth NBA championship, and winning their second three-peat. Jackson retired following this season, which set off a chain reaction that resulted in most of the team, including Jordan and Pippen, leaving the Bulls. With no foundation of youth to build upon, the Bulls became a [[NBA draft lottery|lottery-bound]] team for the next six seasons.

===2000s: Spurs and Lakers dominance===
[[File:Kobe Bryant 7144 adjusted.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Kobe Bryant]] was a key member of the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] that won five NBA championships from 2000 to 2010.]]
The 2000s were largely dominated by the [[San Antonio Spurs]] and [[Los Angeles Lakers]], who appeared in a combined eleven Finals to win nine championships in twelve seasons.

The Spurs won four championships, in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. During the [[1999 NBA playoffs]], the Spurs finished with a 15–2 mark. With a defensive squad led by [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]] and [[Tim Duncan]], San Antonio's 84.7 points allowed per game was the fewest average points allowed in the postseason in the last 30 years. In the [[1999 NBA Finals|Finals]], the Spurs held the [[New York Knicks]], the first 8-seed team to reach the Finals in NBA history, to an average of 79.8 points per game. During the [[2003 NBA Finals]], the Spurs defeated the [[New Jersey Nets]] in six games, which also marked the first championship contested between two former ABA teams. In Game 6, Duncan was two blocks short of recording the first [[quadruple-double]] in NBA Finals history, finishing with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 8 blocks. The Spurs also defeated the [[Detroit Pistons]] 4–3 in [[2005 NBA Finals|2005]] and swept the [[LeBron James]]-led [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in [[2007 NBA Finals|2007]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Finals in NBA history that went the distance. |url=https://www.nba.com/news/all-time-nba-finals-game-7s |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=NBA |language=en}}</ref> [[Tony Parker]] won the Finals MVP award in 2007, becoming the first European-born player to do so.

The Lakers won five championships in the same period, including a three-peat from 2000 to 2002, led by [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Kobe Bryant]]. Most notably, during their [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]] postseason run, the Lakers swept their first three series and won the Finals against the [[Allen Iverson]]-led [[2000-01 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]] in five games, finishing with an unprecedented 15–1 record, the best postseason record in NBA history at the time.<ref name="BR">{{cite news |date= |title=Ranking the 10 Best NBA Playoff Runs Ever |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2894314-ranking-the-10-best-nba-playoff-runs-ever |access-date=July 23, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> The Lakers also defeated the [[Indiana Pacers]] in [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], and swept the [[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey Nets]] in [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]].<ref>{{cite news |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Lakers plan Shaquille O'Neal statue at Staples Center |url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2016/01/28/Lakers-plan-Shaquille-ONeal-statue-at-Staples-Center/9791454012160/ |access-date=January 30, 2016 |website=UPI}}</ref><ref name="Jackson records">{{cite news |date=June 13, 2002 |title=Lakers' Jackson has reached new heights in coaching |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2002/playoffs/news/2002/06/12/jackson_top_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623181035/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2002/playoffs/news/2002/06/12/jackson_top_ap/ |archive-date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In the 2003 off-season, veteran stars [[Gary Payton]] and [[Karl Malone]] signed with the Lakers. Along with Bryant and O'Neal, they formed what many expected to be one of the best teams in NBA history and were heavy favorites to win the championship in 2004.<ref name="UDPistons">{{cite web |date=June 5, 2004 |title=Detroit believes in upset of Lakers |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1816507 |accessdate=May 26, 2021 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> However, the [[Detroit Pistons]], coached by [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]], defeated the Lakers in five games. Now established as one of the powerhouses of the East, the Pistons returned to the NBA Finals the following year, losing to the Spurs in seven games.
[[File:Tim Duncan Walks Verizon Center's Floor (cropped).jpg|thumb|251x251px|[[Tim Duncan]] won five championships with the [[San Antonio Spurs]] from 1999 to 2014.]]
Following bad blood and eventual fallout with former Lakers teammate [[Kobe Bryant]],<ref>{{cite web|title=A Complete Timeline of the Shaq and Kobe Feud|url=https://lakersnation.com/a-complete-timeline-of-the-shaquille-oneal-kobe-bryant-feud/|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2024|website=Lakers Nation}}</ref> O'Neal was traded from the Lakers to the [[Miami Heat]] in 2004, where he teamed up with rising star [[Dwyane Wade]]. Together they led the Heat to a championship in [[2006 NBA Finals|2006]] at the expense of the [[Dallas Mavericks]], who were favorites to win, after trailing 0–2 in the series.<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 NBA Playoffs Series Prices |url=https://www.sportsoddshistory.com/nba-playoffs-series/?y=2006&o=s&fv=&hv=&fd=&rd= |accessdate=May 28, 2021 |publisher=Sports Odds History}}</ref>

The Lakers returned to the Finals in [[2008 NBA Finals|2008]] against the [[Boston Celtics]], renewing the teams' rivalry marking the 11th Finals matchup between them. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games, led by their "Big Three" superstars of [[Ray Allen]], [[Kevin Garnett]], and [[Paul Pierce]]. The Lakers bounced back from the loss by winning the [[2009 NBA Finals]], where they beat [[Orlando Magic]] in five games. The Lakers met the Celtics once again in [[2010 NBA Finals|2010]], trailing 3–2 before winning the last two games at home. Head coach [[Phil Jackson]] surpassed [[Red Auerbach]]'s record for most NBA titles of all time with eleven.

===2010s: LeBron James dominance and the Warriors dynasty===
{{See also|Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = LeBron James vs Washington 3-30-11.jpg
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| image3 = Chris Bosh e1.jpg
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| footer = [[LeBron James]] (left) and [[Chris Bosh]] (right) joined [[Dwyane Wade]] (center) on the [[Miami Heat]] to form the [[Big Three (Miami Heat)|Big Three]].
}}

The 2010s were distinguished by the continued excellence of [[LeBron James]], who appeared in nine NBA Finals in ten seasons, winning four titles, while playing for three franchises. The decade also saw the ascent of the [[Golden State Warriors]], emerging as a dominant force in the Western Conference with six NBA Finals appearances and four titles in eight seasons.

During the 2010 off-season, the [[Miami Heat]] re-signed team captain [[Dwyane Wade]] and added James and [[Chris Bosh]] via free agency to form a new "[[Big Three (Miami Heat)|Big Three]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2248714-lebron-james-and-the-ghost-of-23|title=LeBron James and the Ghost of 23|author=Team Stream Now|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> The Heat were subsequently considered heavy title favorites and appeared four straight finals, starting in [[2011 NBA Finals|2011]] against the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. Despite being heavy underdogs on paper, the Mavericks won the series in six games. [[Dirk Nowitzki]] of Dallas was named Finals MVP, becoming the first and only German to do so.<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Michael |date=June 12, 2011 |title=NBA Finals: Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks complete stunning run to the championship |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/nba-finals-dirk-nowitzki-and-the-dallas-mavericks-complete-stunning-run-to-the-championship/2011/06/12/AGrwtPSH_story.html |access-date=June 13, 2011 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> The Heat returned to the Finals in the [[2012 NBA Finals|following year]] against a young [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] team featuring future MVPs [[Russell Westbrook]], [[James Harden]], and [[Kevin Durant]]. Miami won the series in five games, with James winning his first championship. The Heat repeated as champions in [[2013 NBA Finals|2013]], this time over the [[San Antonio Spurs]], featuring a Heat comeback in Game 6 that is widely regarded one of the greatest playoff games ever played.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsoutwest.com/2013/06/19/nba-finals-2013-spurs-heat-game-6-nba-history/ |title=NBA Finals 2013, Spurs vs. Heat Game 6: The greatest game ever played? |first=Michael C. |last=Jones |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623025940/http://www.sportsoutwest.com/2013/06/19/nba-finals-2013-spurs-heat-game-6-nba-history/ |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Miami sought a three-peat in a [[2014 NBA Finals|2014]] rematch with the Spurs, but this time San Antonio prevailed in five games, winning the fifth and final title of [[Tim Duncan]]'s career.

[[File:Stephen Curry dribbling 2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Stephen Curry]] led the [[Golden State Warriors]] to four championships between 2015 and 2022.]]
In the 2014 off-season, James returned to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] where he teamed up with [[Kyrie Irving]] and [[Kevin Love]] to form a new "Big Three". The Cavaliers appeared in the next four Finals, all against the [[Golden State Warriors]]. The Cavaliers and Warriors became the first two teams to square off in more than two consecutive Finals. The Warriors drew first blood in the [[2015 NBA Finals]], coming back from a 2–1 deficit to win the series 4–2, despite James' historic efforts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Michael|title=LeBron James sets NBA Finals record in losing effort to Warriors - NBA|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/17/nba-finals-lebron-james-stats-history-cavaliers-warriors|publisher=SI.com|date=June 17, 2015|access-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> The following season, the Warriors broke the record for most regular season wins with a record of 73–9. The Warriors opened up a 3–1 series lead in the [[2016 NBA Finals]], but James and Irving led the Cavaliers to two straight victories to force a deciding Game 7. In a key sequence with two minutes remaining in Game 7, LeBron James made a memorable [[The Block (basketball)|chase-down block]] on Iguodala to keep the game tied, while Irving hit a 3-point shot a minute later to take the lead. Cleveland held on to win the title and end the city's [[Cleveland sports curse|championship drought]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2647242-cleveland-cavaliers-vs-golden-state-warriors-live-score-analysis-for-game-7|title=NBA Finals Live: Cavs vs. Warriors in Game 7|last=Johnson|first=Jared|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> In the subsequent off-season, the Warriors acquired [[Kevin Durant]] through free agency, forming what many considered to be [[Death Lineup|one of the greatest teams ever assembled.]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/g-o-t-grade-definitive-proof-2017-warriors-greatest-team-time-132941191.html|title=G.O.A.T. Grade: Definitive proof the 2017 Warriors are the Greatest Team of All Time|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> In [[2017 NBA Finals|2017]], the Warriors set a playoff record of 15 consecutive wins en route to a five-game victory in the Finals, followed by a dominant sweep in [[2018 NBA Finals|2018]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/powered-kevin-durant-warriors-roll-second-nba-title-three-years-035045798.html|title=Powered by Kevin Durant, Warriors roll to second NBA title in three years|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Lebron wizards 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[LeBron James]] appeared in ten NBA Finals and won four titles with three franchises.]]

The Warriors made their fifth consecutive Finals appearance in [[2019 NBA Finals|2019]] against the [[Kawhi Leonard]]-led [[Toronto Raptors]]. Toronto prevailed in six games after season-ending injuries to stars Kevin Durant and [[Klay Thompson]], resulting in the first NBA title for a team based outside the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26969391/raptors-top-warriors-1st-title-team-history|title=Raptors top Warriors for 1st title in team history|access-date=June 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

LeBron James joined the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in 2018, and subsequently led them to the [[2020 NBA Finals]] against the [[Miami Heat]], marking the first time in NBA history that two teams that missed the playoffs the year before met in the Finals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-lakers-miami-lebron-james-anthony-davis-miami-heat-e87031fa771907b1612b4040dec3f4ae|title=The Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, Heat|first=Tim|last=Reynolds|website=Associated Press|date=September 27, 2020|access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> The Lakers won the series 4–2, claiming their 17th title to tie the [[Boston Celtics]]' franchise record; [[LeBron James]] was named Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career, becoming the first player to win the award with three different franchises.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/lebron-james-history-finals-mvps-3-nba-franchises|title=LeBron James makes history, wins Finals MVP with 3 different franchises|website=NBA.com|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> 

After missing the playoffs two years in a row due to injuries and roster changes, the Warriors returned to the [[2022 NBA Finals]] for their sixth appearance in eight seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dubs beat Mavs in five games, head to sixth Finals in eight years |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/warriors-beat-mavericks-game-5-head-sixth-nba-finals-eight-seasons |website=NBCSports.com |date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> They defeated the [[Boston Celtics]] in six games for their fourth championship in eight seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warriors beat Celtics 103–90 to win 4th NBA title in 8 years|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401442535|access-date=June 17, 2022|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

===2020s: Second decade of parity===
The [[2021 NBA Finals]] saw the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] defeat the [[Phoenix Suns]] in six games after trailing 0–2 in the series while being the first Finals since 1971 to feature no players who had previously won a championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/06/no-prior-champions-in-nba-finals-for-first-time-in-50-years/|title=No prior champions in NBA Finals for first time in 50 years|website=NBC Sports|date=July 6, 2021|access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>

The [[Denver Nuggets]] reached their first Finals in franchise history in [[2023 NBA Finals|2023]], defeating the [[Miami Heat]] in five games. [[Nikola Jokić]] was named Finals MVP, becoming the lowest-drafted player (41st overall) to win the award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nuggets star Nikola Jokic named NBA Finals MVP|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37844421/nuggets-star-nikola-jokic-named-nba-finals-mvp|access-date=June 13, 2023|website=ESPN.com|date=June 13, 2023}}</ref>

The [[Boston Celtics]] defeated the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in [[2024 NBA Finals|2024]], claiming their record of 18 NBA titles and breaking a tie with their longtime rival, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Quinn |first=Sam |date=June 18, 2024 |title=2024 NBA Finals MVP: Celtics' Jaylen Brown edges Jayson Tatum as Boston wins historic title|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-nba-finals-mvp-celtics-jaylen-brown-edges-jayson-tatum-as-boston-wins-historic-title/|access-date=June 18, 2024|website=cbssports.com }}</ref>

The [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] defeated the [[Indiana Pacers]] in seven games in [[2025 NBA Finals|2025]], marking the seventh unique champion in as many years, the longest such streak in NBA history.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=McDaniel|first=Mike|date=May 18, 2025|title=Thunder Win vs. Nuggets Ensures History Will Be Made by Any Potential NBA Champion|url=https://www.si.com/nba/thunder-win-vs-nuggets-ensures-history-made-potential-champions-knicks-pacers-timberwolves|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
As part of a multiyear partnership that began in 2018, internet television service [[YouTube TV]] became the [[Title sponsor|presenting sponsor]] of the NBA Finals.<ref name="USAToday20180326">{{cite news|title=NBA, YouTube TV announce first-ever partnership for 2018 Finals|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/03/26/nba-youtube-tv-announce-first-ever-partnership-2018-finals/458026002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=June 2, 2019}}</ref>

==Team records==
===Finals appearances===
The statistics below refer to series wins and losses, not individual games won and lost. For individual game statistics, see [[NBA Finals#Individual games records|Individual games records]].
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!No.!!Team!!W!!L!!Win%!!Most recent appearance!!Most recent title!!Notes
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|32||[[Los Angeles Lakers|Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers]]||17||15||{{winpct|17|15}}||[[2020 NBA Finals|2020]]||[[2020 NBA Finals|2020]]||align="left|5–1 in Minneapolis and 12–14 in Los Angeles. Currently hold the record for the most appearances in the NBA Finals and have appeared in the Finals in every decade since the 1940s. They also attained a three-peat in Minneapolis from 1952 to 1954, and another in Los Angeles from 2000 to 2002. The Lakers have defeated nine different NBA franchises in the NBA Finals and lost to five, both records. One of five franchises to reach four consecutive NBA Finals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|23||[[Boston Celtics]]||18||5||{{winpct|18|5}}||[[2024 NBA Finals|2024]]||[[2024 NBA Finals|2024]]||align="left|Won eight straight titles from 1959 to 1966, and are the most successful team in the NBA Finals, winning 18 championships. Three of their five Finals losses occurred against the rival Lakers. Appeared in a record 10 consecutive NBA Finals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|12||[[Golden State Warriors|Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors]]||7||5||{{winpct|7|5}}||[[2022 NBA Finals|2022]]||[[2022 NBA Finals|2022]]||align="left|2–1 in Philadelphia and 5–4 in California. Won the first championship and another title in Philadelphia, before eventually winning five more as the Golden State Warriors, including four in eight years between 2015 and 2022. Second franchise to appear in five consecutive NBA Finals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|9||[[Philadelphia 76ers|Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers]]||3||6||{{winpct|3|6}}||[[2001 NBA Finals|2001]]||[[1983 NBA Finals|1983]]||align="left|1–2 in Syracuse and 2–4 in Philadelphia. Won one title in [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], before winning another two following the move to [[Philadelphia]]. Five of their six losses occurred against the Lakers.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|8||[[New York Knicks]]||2||6||{{winpct|2|6}}||[[1999 NBA Finals|1999]]||[[1973 NBA Finals|1973]]||align="left|In their [[1999 NBA Finals|most recent]] appearance, they became the first eighth seed to ever reach the Finals. Five of their appearances and both titles occurred against the Lakers.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|7||[[Detroit Pistons|Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons]]||3||4||{{winpct|3|4}}||[[2005 NBA Finals|2005]]||[[2004 NBA Finals|2004]]||align="left|0–2 in Fort Wayne and 3–2 in Detroit. Appeared in three straight NBA Finals, winning back-to-back in 1989 and 1990. Both losses in Detroit came in Game 7s.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|7||[[Miami Heat]]||3||4||{{winpct|3|4}}||[[2023 NBA Finals|2023]]||[[2013 NBA Finals|2013]]||align="left|[[Udonis Haslem]] featured in all Finals appearances. Coach [[Erik Spoelstra]] featured in six Finals as head coach and one finals as assistant coach. One of five franchises to reach four consecutive Finals. In their [[2023 NBA Finals|most recent]] appearance, they became the first team to reach the Finals after qualifying in the [[NBA play-in tournament|play-in tournament]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|6||[[Chicago Bulls]]||6||0||{{winpct|6|0}}||[[1998 NBA Finals|1998]]||[[1998 NBA Finals|1998]]||align="left|All six titles were with head coach [[Phil Jackson]] and players [[Michael Jordan]] and [[Scottie Pippen]]. The titles were won via two three-peats, in [[1991 NBA Finals|1991]]–[[1993 NBA Finals|1993]] and [[1996 NBA Finals|1996]]–[[1998 NBA Finals|1998]]. They are the only active NBA franchise with multiple Finals appearances and no losses.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|6||[[San Antonio Spurs]]||5||1||{{winpct|5|1}}||[[2014 NBA Finals|2014]]||[[2014 NBA Finals|2014]]||align="left|All five titles were with [[Tim Duncan]] and [[Gregg Popovich]]. They were the first franchise to move from the [[American Basketball Association|ABA]] to the NBA, and subsequently win a championship.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|5||[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]||1||4||{{winpct|1|4}}||[[2018 NBA Finals|2018]]||[[2016 NBA Finals|2016]]||align="left|[[LeBron James]] featured in all five Finals appearances. The Cavaliers appeared in four straight Finals from 2015 to 2018, all against the Golden State Warriors, winning in 2016. One of five franchises to reach four consecutive Finals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |5||[[Seattle SuperSonics]]/[[Oklahoma City Thunder]]||2||3||{{winpct|2|3}}||[[2025 NBA Finals|2025]]||[[2025 NBA Finals|2025]]|| align="left" |1–2 as [[Seattle SuperSonics]] and 1–1 as [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]. They remain the only franchise since 1977 to win a title in one city and later relocate.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4||[[Houston Rockets]]||2||2||{{winpct|2|2}}||[[1995 NBA Finals|1995]]||[[1995 NBA Finals|1995]]||align="left|Won back-to-back championships with [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] and coach [[Rudy Tomjanovich]]. Their 1995 triumph was done as the 6-seed, the lowest seeded team in NBA History to win a championship. Both losses against the Boston Celtics.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4||[[Atlanta Hawks|St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks]]||1||3||{{winpct|1|3}}||[[1961 NBA Finals|1961]]||[[1958 NBA Finals|1958]]||align="left|All appearances when the team was in [[St. Louis]]. Reached four NBA Finals in five years, all against the Boston Celtics.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4||[[Washington Wizards|Baltimore/Washington Bullets/Washington Wizards]]||1||3||{{winpct|1|3}}||[[1979 NBA Finals|1979]]||[[1978 NBA Finals|1978]]||align="left|0–1 as the Baltimore Bullets, and 1–2 as the Washington Bullets. All appearances in the Finals came between 1971 and 1979, featuring [[Wes Unseld]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3||[[Milwaukee Bucks]]||2||1||{{winpct|2|1}}||[[2021 NBA Finals|2021]]||[[2021 NBA Finals|2021]]||align="left|Won in the [[1971 NBA Finals|1971]] and [[2021 NBA Finals|2021]] Finals. [[1971 NBA Finals|1971]] and [[1974 NBA Finals|1974]] appearances were by teams that featured [[Oscar Robertson]] and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3||[[Portland Trail Blazers]]||1||2||{{winpct|1|2}}||[[1992 NBA Finals|1992]]||[[1977 NBA Finals|1977]]||align="left|Their only title was won with [[Bill Walton]]. The team lost two finals with [[Clyde Drexler]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3||[[Dallas Mavericks]]||1||2||{{winpct|1|2}}||[[2024 NBA Finals|2024]]||[[2011 NBA Finals|2011]]||align="left|1-1 against the Miami Heat and 0-1 against the Boston Celtics. First championship team led by [[Dirk Nowitzki]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3||[[Phoenix Suns]]||0||3||{{winpct|0|3}}||[[2021 NBA Finals|2021]]||''None''||align="left|Lost in the [[1976 NBA Finals|1976]], [[1993 NBA Finals|1993]] and [[2021 NBA Finals|2021]] Finals to the Celtics, Bulls and Bucks, respectively. Best historical win–loss record and most Finals appearances amongst all franchises to have not won a title.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2||[[Utah Jazz]]||0||2||{{winpct|0|2}}||[[1998 NBA Finals|1998]]||''None''||align="left|Both appearances were with coach [[Jerry Sloan]] and players [[Karl Malone]] and [[John Stockton]], and losses to the Bulls in six games.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2||[[Brooklyn Nets|New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets]]||0||2||{{winpct|0|2}}||[[2003 NBA Finals|2003]]||''None''||align="left|All appearances when the team was in New Jersey.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2||[[Orlando Magic]]||0||2||{{winpct|0|2}}||[[2009 NBA Finals|2009]]||''None''||align="left|They lost both of their Finals appearances, winning just one game between the two series.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |2||[[Indiana Pacers]]||0||2||{{winpct|0|2}}||[[2025 NBA Finals|2025]]||''None''|| align="left" |First appearance in [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]] was led by [[Reggie Miller]] and coach [[Larry Bird]], losing to [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[Kobe Bryant]] and the [[1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]]. Second appearance in [[2025 NBA Finals|2025]] was led by [[Tyrese Haliburton]] and [[Pascal Siakam]] against [[Shai Gilgeous-Alexander]] and the [[2024–25 Oklahoma City Thunder season|Thunder]].
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1||''[[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]]''||1||0||{{winpct|1|0}}||[[1948 BAA Finals|1948]]||[[1948 BAA Finals|1948]]||align="left|Team folded in 1954 and is the only championship-winning team to fold.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1||[[Sacramento Kings|Rochester Royals/Kansas City/Sacramento Kings]]||1||0||{{winpct|1|0}}||[[1951 NBA Finals|1951]]||[[1951 NBA Finals|1951]]||align="left|Only appearance in NBA Finals as the Rochester Royals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1||[[Toronto Raptors]]||1||0||{{winpct|1|0}}||[[2019 NBA Finals|2019]]||[[2019 NBA Finals|2019]]||align="left|Only appearance in NBA Finals. The first and only team based outside the United States to win an NBA title or reach the NBA Finals.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1||[[Denver Nuggets]]||1||0||{{winpct|1|0}}||[[2023 NBA Finals|2023]]||[[2023 NBA Finals|2023]]||align="left|Only appearance as of 2023.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1||''[[Chicago Stags]]''||0||1||{{winpct|0|1}}||[[1947 BAA Finals|1947]]||''None''||align="left|Team folded in 1950.
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1|| ''[[Washington Capitols]]''||0||1||{{winpct|0|1}}|| [[1949 BAA Finals|1949]]|| ''None''||align="left|Team folded in 1951.
|}

===Active franchises with no Finals appearance===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Team!!No. of seasons!!Founded!!Other achievements
|-
|[[Buffalo Braves]]/[[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers]]|| {{Years since|1970}}|| [[1970–71 NBA season|1970]]||align="left|Reached the Western Conference finals in [[2021 NBA playoffs|2021]]. Oldest active franchise with no Finals appearance.
|-
|[[Minnesota Timberwolves]]|| {{Years since|1989}}|| [[1989–90 NBA season|1989]]||align="left|Reached the Western Conference finals in [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004]], [[2024 NBA playoffs|2024]], and [[2025 NBA playoffs|2025]].
|-
|[[Charlotte Hornets|Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets]]*|| {{Years since|1988+2}}|| [[1988–89 NBA season|1988]]||align="left|Never reached the Eastern Conference finals. Reached the second round four times, in [[1992–93 NBA season|1993]], [[1997–98 NBA season|1998]], [[2000–01 NBA season|2001]], and [[2001–02 NBA season|2002]].
|-
|[[Vancouver Grizzlies|Vancouver]]/[[Memphis Grizzlies]]|| {{Years since|1995}}|| [[1995–96 NBA season|1995]]||align="left|Reached the Western Conference finals in [[2013 NBA playoffs|2013]].
|-
|[[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets/Pelicans]]*|| {{Years since|2002}}|| [[2002–03 NBA season|2002]]||align="left|Never reached the Western Conference finals. Reached the second round twice, in [[2008 NBA playoffs|2008]] and [[2018 NBA playoffs|2018]].
|}

(*) As a result of the original Hornets franchise's relocation to [[New Orleans]], the NBA team in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] suspended operations for the 2002–03 and the 2003–04 seasons, before a new team, named the Bobcats, was established for the 2004–05 season. In 2013, the original Hornets were renamed the Pelicans and retained the history and records during their time in New Orleans and [[Oklahoma City]] from 2002 to 2013. In 2014, the Bobcats became the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets, and obtained the history and records of the Hornets organization from 1988 to 2002.

===Individual games records===
{{Original research section|date=May 2025}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!No.!!Team!!W!!L!!Win%!!Notes
|-
|185||[[Los Angeles Lakers]]||93||92||{{winpct|93|92}}||align="left|Holds the record for the most games in the Finals, with a record of 20–15 in Minneapolis and 73–77 while in Los Angeles. Won 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 2020.
|-
|129||[[Boston Celtics]]||81||53||{{winpct|81|53}}||align="left|Recorded the first ever sweep in the Finals. Won 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 2024. 
|-
|65||[[Golden State Warriors]]||38||27||{{winpct|38|27}}||align="left|Includes records of 10–6 while in Philadelphia, 3–8 while in San Francisco, and 25–13 in their current incarnation. Won 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 2022.
|- 
|53||[[Philadelphia 76ers]]||24||29||{{winpct|24|29}}||align="left|Includes a record of 9–11 while in Syracuse, and 15–18 while in Philadelphia. Lost 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 2001.
|-
|48||[[New York Knicks]]||20||28||{{winpct|20|28}}||align="left|Lost 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 1999.
|-
|41||[[Miami Heat]]||18||23||{{winpct|18|23}}||align="left|Lost 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 2023.
|-
|40||[[Detroit Pistons]]||22||18||{{winpct|22|18}}||align="left|Includes a record of 4–8 while in Fort Wayne, and 18–10 while in Detroit. Lost 4–3 their last Finals appearance in 2005.
|-
|35||[[Chicago Bulls]]||24||11||{{winpct|24|11}}||align="left|Won 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 1998.
|-
|34||[[San Antonio Spurs]]||23||11||{{winpct|23|11}}||align="left|Won 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 2014.
|-
|30||[[Seattle SuperSonics]]/[[Oklahoma City Thunder]]||14||16||.467|| align="left" |Includes a record of 9–9 while in Seattle, and 1–4 while in Oklahoma City. Lost 1–4 their last Finals appearance in 2012. Won 4-3 in 2025.
|-
|26||[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]||7||19||{{winpct|7|19}}|| align="left" |Lost 4–0 in their last Finals appearance in 2018, as well as becoming the only team in the Finals to overcome a 3–1 deficit in 2016.
|-
|25||[[Atlanta Hawks]]||11||14||{{winpct|11|14}}|| align="left" |All appearances in the Finals occurred while the team was in St. Louis.
|-
|23||[[Houston Rockets]]||12||11||{{winpct|12|11}}|| align="left" |Won 4–0 in their last Finals appearance in 1995.
|-
|20||[[Washington Wizards]]||5||15||{{winpct|5|15}}||align="left|Includes a record of 0–4 in Baltimore and 5–11 in Washington, all as the Bullets.
|-
|18||[[Phoenix Suns]]||6||12||{{winpct|6|12}}||align="left|Lost 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 2021.
|-
|17||[[Milwaukee Bucks]]||11||6||{{winpct|11|6}}|| align="left" |Won 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 2021.
|-
|17||[[Portland Trail Blazers]]||7||10||{{winpct|7|10}}||align="left|Lost 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 1992.
|-
|17||[[Dallas Mavericks]]||7||10||{{winpct|7|10}}||align="left|Lost 4–1 in their last finals appearance in 2024.
|-
|13||[[Indiana Pacers]]||5||8||.385|| align="left" |Lost 4–2 in their only Finals appearance in 2000. Lost 4-3 in their second appearance in 2025.
|-
|12||[[Utah Jazz]]||4||8||{{winpct|4|8}}|| align="left" |Lost 4–2 in both Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, both times against the Bulls.
|-
|10||[[Brooklyn Nets]]||2||8||{{winpct|2|8}}|| align="left" |All Finals appearances have occurred while the team was in New Jersey, and lost 4–2 in their last Finals appearance in 2003.
|-
|9||[[Orlando Magic]]||1||8||{{winpct|1|8}}|| align="left" |Lost 4–1 in their last Finals appearance in 2009.
|-
|7||[[Sacramento Kings]]||4||3||{{winpct|4|3}}|| align="left" |All appearances have occurred while the team was in Rochester.
|-
|6||''[[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]]''||4||2||{{winpct|4|2}}|| align="left" |Franchise defunct. Only championship-winning team to fold.
|-
|6||[[Toronto Raptors]]||4||2||{{winpct|4|2}}|| align="left" |Won 4–2 in their only Finals appearance in 2019.
|-
|6||''[[Washington Capitols]]''||2||4||{{winpct|2|4}}||align="left|Franchise defunct.
|-
|5||[[Denver Nuggets]]||4||1||{{winpct|4|1}}||align="left|Won 4–1 in their only Finals appearance in 2023.
|-
|5||''[[Chicago Stags]]''||1||4||{{winpct|1|4}}||align="left|Franchise defunct.
|}

==Player records==
{{col-float|width=35em}}
;Career<ref name="nba.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/enebea/finals2004/lideres_estadisticas_historia.html|title=NBA.com: Líderes en la historia de las Finales (Estadísticas)|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026213919/http://www.nba.com/enebea/finals2004/lideres_estadisticas_historia.html|archive-date=October 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Most years in Finals''' (12) – [[Bill Russell]]
* '''Most games played in Finals''' (70) – [[Bill Russell]]
* '''Most career points in Finals''' (1,679) – [[Jerry West]]
* '''Most career assists in Finals''' (584) – [[Magic Johnson]]
* '''Most career rebounds in Finals''' (1,718) – [[Bill Russell]]
* '''Most career blocks in Finals''' (116) – [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]
* '''Most career steals in Finals''' (102) – [[Magic Johnson]]
* '''Most career turnovers in Finals''' (196) – [[LeBron James]]
* '''Most career three-point field goals in Finals''' (152) – [[Stephen Curry]]
* '''Most career free throws made in Finals''' (453) – [[Jerry West]]

;Series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/records/alltime_records_index.html|title=NBA.com: All-Time Records Index|work=nba.com|access-date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215095602/http://www.nba.com/history/records/alltime_records_index.html|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Most points, one series''' (284) – [[Elgin Baylor]] ([[1962 NBA Finals|1962]])
* '''Most assists, one series''' (95) – [[Magic Johnson]] ([[1984 NBA Finals|1984]])
* '''Most rebounds, one series''' (189) – [[Bill Russell]] ([[1962 NBA Finals|1962]])
* '''Most blocks, one series''' (32) – [[Tim Duncan]] ([[2003 NBA Finals|2003]])
* '''Most steals, one series''' (20) – [[Isiah Thomas]] ([[1988 NBA Finals|1988]])
* '''Most turnovers, one series''' (31) – [[Magic Johnson]] ([[1984 NBA Finals|1984]]) and [[LeBron James]] ([[2016 NBA Finals|2016]])
* '''Most three-point field goals, one series''' (32) – [[Stephen Curry]] ([[2016 NBA Finals|2016]])
* '''Most free throws made, one series''' (82) – [[Elgin Baylor]] ([[1962 NBA Finals|1962]])
;Game<ref>{{cite web |title=Player Game Finder |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
*'''Most points, one game''' (61) – [[Elgin Baylor]] ([[1962 NBA Finals|1962]])
* '''Most assists, one game''' (21) – [[Magic Johnson]] ([[1984 NBA Finals|1984]])
* '''Most rebounds, one game''' (40) – <small>2x</small> [[Bill Russell]] ([[1960 NBA Finals|1960]]) and ([[1962 NBA Finals|1962]])
* '''Most blocks, one game''' (9) – [[Dwight Howard]] ([[2009 NBA Finals|2009]])
* '''Most steals, one game''' (7) – [[Robert Horry]] ([[1995 NBA Finals|1995]])
* '''Most turnovers, one game''' (10) – [[Magic Johnson]] ([[1980 NBA Finals|1980]])
* '''Most three-point field goals, one game''' (9) – [[Stephen Curry]] ([[2018 NBA Finals|2018]])
* '''Most free throws made, one game''' (21) – [[Dwyane Wade]] ([[2006 NBA Finals|2006]])

{{col-float-break|width=25em}}
;Total points (finals)<ref name="nba.com1"/><ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Career Finals Leaders and Records for Points |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_career_finals.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=June 11, 2019}}</ref>
# [[Jerry West]] – '''1,679'''
# [[LeBron James]] – '''1,562'''
# [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] – '''1,317'''
# [[Michael Jordan]] – '''1,176'''
# [[Elgin Baylor]] – '''1,161'''
# [[Bill Russell]] – '''1,151'''
# [[Sam Jones (basketball, born 1933)|Sam Jones]] – '''1,143'''
# [[Tom Heinsohn]] – '''1,037'''
# [[John Havlicek]] – '''1,020'''
# [[Magic Johnson]] – '''971'''

;[[Points per game|PPG]] average (min 10 games) (finals)<ref name="nba.com1"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Player Game Finder |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_per_g_career_finals.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=June 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
# [[Rick Barry]] – '''36.3'''
# [[Michael Jordan]] – '''33.6'''
# [[Jerry West]] – '''30.5'''
{{col-float-end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports|Basketball}}
* [[List of NBA champions]]
* [[List of NBA championship head coaches]]
* [[List of NBA players with most championships]]
* [[List of NBA Finals broadcasters]]
* [[NBA Finals television ratings]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite book |last=Lazenby |first=Roland |author-link=Roland Lazenby |url=https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze |title=The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers In The Words of Those Who Lived It |publisher=McGraw-Hill |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-07-143034-0}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nba.com/history/finals/champions.html NBA Finals: All-Time Champions]
* [http://www.landofbasketball.com/championships/year_by_year.htm List of Championships – Year by Year]

{{NBA Finals}}
{{NBAPlayoffs}}
{{National Basketball Association}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nba Finals}}

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[[Category:NBA Finals| NBA Finals]]
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