Title history

Every NBA and WNBA Champion

Banners are the only stat that never gets argued. This page lists every champion of the NBA, counting the Basketball Association of America seasons from 1947 to 1949, and every champion of the WNBA since its first season in 1997.

Below the tables, a short timeline walks through the dynasties that shaped the game.

Green and white Boston Celtics championship banners hanging in the arena rafters

Celtics banners: Paul Keleher from Mass, US, CC BY 2.0

Most NBA titles by franchise

FranchiseTitlesMost recent
Boston Celtics182024
Los Angeles Lakers (incl. Minneapolis)172020
Golden State Warriors (incl. Philadelphia)72022
Chicago Bulls61998
San Antonio Spurs52014
New York Knicks32026
Philadelphia 76ers (incl. Syracuse)31983
Detroit Pistons32004
Miami Heat32013
Oklahoma City Thunder (incl. Seattle)22025
Houston Rockets21995

NBA champions, 1947 to 2026

Seasons are listed by the year the Finals were played. 1947 to 1949 were played as the BAA, which became the NBA in 1949.
SeasonChampionRunner-upSeries
2026New York KnicksSan Antonio Spurs4-1
2025Oklahoma City ThunderIndiana Pacers4-3
2024Boston CelticsDallas Mavericks4-1
2023Denver NuggetsMiami Heat4-1
2022Golden State WarriorsBoston Celtics4-2
2021Milwaukee BucksPhoenix Suns4-2
2020Los Angeles LakersMiami Heat4-2
2019Toronto RaptorsGolden State Warriors4-2
2018Golden State WarriorsCleveland Cavaliers4-0
2017Golden State WarriorsCleveland Cavaliers4-1
2016Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors4-3
2015Golden State WarriorsCleveland Cavaliers4-2
2014San Antonio SpursMiami Heat4-1
2013Miami HeatSan Antonio Spurs4-3
2012Miami HeatOklahoma City Thunder4-1
2011Dallas MavericksMiami Heat4-2
2010Los Angeles LakersBoston Celtics4-3
2009Los Angeles LakersOrlando Magic4-1
2008Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-2
2007San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers4-0
2006Miami HeatDallas Mavericks4-2
2005San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons4-3
2004Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers4-1
2003San Antonio SpursNew Jersey Nets4-2
2002Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets4-0
2001Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers4-1
2000Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers4-2
1999San Antonio SpursNew York Knicks4-1
1998Chicago BullsUtah Jazz4-2
1997Chicago BullsUtah Jazz4-2
1996Chicago BullsSeattle SuperSonics4-2
1995Houston RocketsOrlando Magic4-0
1994Houston RocketsNew York Knicks4-3
1993Chicago BullsPhoenix Suns4-2
1992Chicago BullsPortland Trail Blazers4-2
1991Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers4-1
1990Detroit PistonsPortland Trail Blazers4-1
1989Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers4-0
1988Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons4-3
1987Los Angeles LakersBoston Celtics4-2
1986Boston CelticsHouston Rockets4-2
1985Los Angeles LakersBoston Celtics4-2
1984Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-3
1983Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Lakers4-0
1982Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers4-2
1981Boston CelticsHouston Rockets4-2
1980Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers4-2
1979Seattle SuperSonicsWashington Bullets4-1
1978Washington BulletsSeattle SuperSonics4-3
1977Portland Trail BlazersPhiladelphia 76ers4-2
1976Boston CelticsPhoenix Suns4-2
1975Golden State WarriorsWashington Bullets4-0
1974Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks4-3
1973New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers4-1
1972Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks4-1
1971Milwaukee BucksBaltimore Bullets4-0
1970New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers4-3
1969Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-3
1968Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-2
1967Philadelphia 76ersSan Francisco Warriors4-2
1966Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-3
1965Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-1
1964Boston CelticsSan Francisco Warriors4-1
1963Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-2
1962Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers4-3
1961Boston CelticsSt. Louis Hawks4-1
1960Boston CelticsSt. Louis Hawks4-3
1959Boston CelticsMinneapolis Lakers4-0
1958St. Louis HawksBoston Celtics4-2
1957Boston CelticsSt. Louis Hawks4-3
1956Philadelphia WarriorsFort Wayne Pistons4-1
1955Syracuse NationalsFort Wayne Pistons4-3
1954Minneapolis LakersSyracuse Nationals4-3
1953Minneapolis LakersNew York Knicks4-1
1952Minneapolis LakersNew York Knicks4-3
1951Rochester RoyalsNew York Knicks4-3
1950Minneapolis LakersSyracuse Nationals4-2
1949Minneapolis LakersWashington Capitols4-2
1948Baltimore BulletsPhiladelphia Warriors4-2
1947Philadelphia WarriorsChicago Stags4-1

WNBA champions, 1997 to 2025

The 2026 WNBA Finals, Atlanta Dream against the Golden State Valkyries, had not been played when this page was updated on October 12, 2026.
SeasonChampionRunner-up
2025Las Vegas AcesPhoenix Mercury
2024New York LibertyMinnesota Lynx
2023Las Vegas AcesNew York Liberty
2022Las Vegas AcesConnecticut Sun
2021Chicago SkyPhoenix Mercury
2020Seattle StormLas Vegas Aces
2019Washington MysticsConnecticut Sun
2018Seattle StormWashington Mystics
2017Minnesota LynxLos Angeles Sparks
2016Los Angeles SparksMinnesota Lynx
2015Minnesota LynxIndiana Fever
2014Phoenix MercuryChicago Sky
2013Minnesota LynxAtlanta Dream
2012Indiana FeverMinnesota Lynx
2011Minnesota LynxAtlanta Dream
2010Seattle StormAtlanta Dream
2009Phoenix MercuryIndiana Fever
2008Detroit ShockSan Antonio Silver Stars
2007Phoenix MercuryDetroit Shock
2006Detroit ShockSacramento Monarchs
2005Sacramento MonarchsConnecticut Sun
2004Seattle StormConnecticut Sun
2003Detroit ShockLos Angeles Sparks
2002Los Angeles SparksNew York Liberty
2001Los Angeles SparksCharlotte Sting
2000Houston CometsNew York Liberty
1999Houston CometsNew York Liberty
1998Houston CometsPhoenix Mercury
1997Houston CometsNew York Liberty

The dynasties

  1. 1949-1954

    Mikan's Lakers

    George Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers win five titles in six seasons, the league's first dynasty.

  2. 1957-1969

    Russell's Celtics

    Boston wins 11 titles in 13 seasons, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966.

  3. 1980-1988

    Magic and Bird

    The Lakers win five titles and the Celtics three as their rivalry carries the league.

  4. 1989-1990

    The Bad Boys

    Detroit's tough, physical Pistons win back to back titles.

  5. 1991-1998

    Jordan's Bulls

    Chicago wins six titles in eight seasons and never loses a Finals.

  6. 1999-2014

    The Spurs run

    Tim Duncan's San Antonio wins five titles across 15 years.

  7. 2000-2002

    Shaq and Kobe

    The Lakers three-peat, beating Indiana, Philadelphia and New Jersey.

  8. 2015-2022

    The Warriors

    Golden State wins four titles in eight seasons and reaches six Finals.

  9. 2019-2026

    Parity era

    Eight different franchises win eight straight titles, from Toronto in 2019 to New York in 2026.

  10. 1997-2000

    Houston Comets

    The WNBA's first four titles all go to Houston, led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson.

  11. 2022-2025

    Las Vegas Aces

    A'ja Wilson's Aces win three titles in four seasons.

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Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources (updated Oct 12, 2026). Spot an error? Email hello@fireempireshop.com.

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