The Early Era: 1947-1960

• 1947: Philadelphia Warriors
• 1948: Baltimore Bullets
• 1949: Minneapolis Lakers
• 1950: Minneapolis Lakers
• 1951: Rochester Royals
• 1952: Minneapolis Lakers
• 1953: Minneapolis Lakers
• 1954: Minneapolis Lakers
• 1955: Syracuse Nationals
• 1956: Philadelphia Warriors
• 1957: Boston Celtics
• 1958: St. Louis Hawks
• 1959: Boston Celtics
• 1960: Boston Celtics

The Celtic Dynasty Era: 1961-1969

NBA Championship Winners, The Boston Celtics won eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966 under Bill Russell and coach Red Auerbach — the most dominant dynasty in North American professional sports history. The dynasty produced 11 championships in 13 seasons total.

• 1961-1966: Boston Celtics (6 consecutive titles)
• 1967: Philadelphia 76ers
• 1968: Boston Celtics
• 1969: Boston Celtics

The 1970s and 1980s: Rise of New Dynasties

• 1970: New York Knicks
• 1971: Milwaukee Bucks (Kareem’s first)
• 1972: Los Angeles Lakers
• 1973: New York Knicks
• 1974: Boston Celtics
• 1975: Golden State Warriors
• 1976: Boston Celtics
• 1977: Portland Trail Blazers
• 1978: Washington Bullets
• 1979: Seattle SuperSonics
• 1980: Los Angeles Lakers (Magic’s first)
• 1981: Boston Celtics
• 1982: Los Angeles Lakers
• 1983: Philadelphia 76ers
• 1984: Boston Celtics
• 1985: Los Angeles Lakers
• 1986: Boston Celtics
• 1987: Los Angeles Lakers
• 1988: Los Angeles Lakers
• 1989: Detroit Pistons

The Jordan Era: 1990-1998

• 1990: Detroit Pistons
• 1991: Chicago Bulls (Jordan’s 1st)
• 1992: Chicago Bulls
• 1993: Chicago Bulls
• 1994: Houston Rockets (Hakeem’s 1st)
• 1995: Houston Rockets
• 1996: Chicago Bulls (Jordan’s 4th)
• 1997: Chicago Bulls
• 1998: Chicago Bulls

1999-2016: The Spurs Dynasty and New Powers

• 1999: San Antonio Spurs (Duncan’s 1st)
• 2000: Los Angeles Lakers (Shaq/Kobe 1st)
• 2001: Los Angeles Lakers
• 2002: Los Angeles Lakers
• 2003: San Antonio Spurs
• 2004: Detroit Pistons
• 2005: San Antonio Spurs
• 2006: Miami Heat (LeBron vs. Wade era)
• 2007: San Antonio Spurs
• 2008: Boston Celtics (Big Three)
• 2009: Los Angeles Lakers
• 2010: Los Angeles Lakers
• 2011: Dallas Mavericks (Dirk)
• 2012: Miami Heat (LeBron’s 1st)
• 2013: Miami Heat
• 2014: San Antonio Spurs
• 2015: Golden State Warriors (Curry’s 1st)
• 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron returns)

2017-2025: Repeat Champions and New Dynasties

• 2017: Golden State Warriors
• 2018: Golden State Warriors
• 2019: Toronto Raptors (Kawhi)
• 2020: Los Angeles Lakers (LeBron’s 4th)
• 2021: Milwaukee Bucks (Giannis)
• 2022: Golden State Warriors (Curry’s 4th)
• 2023: Denver Nuggets (Jokic/Murray)
• 2024: Boston Celtics (18th banner)
• 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (SGA MVP)

Most NBA Championships by Franchise

• 1. Boston Celtics — 18 championships (most in NBA history)
• 2. Los Angeles Lakers — 17 championships
• 3. Golden State Warriors — 7 championships
• 4. Chicago Bulls — 6 championships
• 5. San Antonio Spurs — 5 championships
• 6. Miami Heat — 3 championships
• 7. Philadelphia 76ers/Warriors — 3 championships

Read More: NBA DFS for Beginners: How to Play, Pick Values and Win Consistently

Frequently Asked Questions: NBA Champions

Which team has the most NBA championships?

The Boston Celtics hold the record with 18 NBA championships, one ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 17.

Who won the NBA championship in 2025?

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2024-25 NBA Championship, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning Finals MVP.

What was the longest championship drought in NBA history?

The Sacramento Kings (formerly Cincinnati Royals and Kansas City Kings) have not won an NBA championship since their 1951 title as the Rochester Royals — the longest active drought in the league.