NBA Finals Timeline

(1947 - Present)

The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA), played between the winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences. First held in 1947 as the BAA Finals, it has grown into one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, showcasing legendary rivalries and iconic performances by teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Golden State Warriors. More Less

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Early Era and BAA

Inaugural BAA Finals: Philadelphia Warriors defeat Chicago Stags

Apr 1947

After being founded in 1946, the Basketball Association of America completed its inaugural season in April 1947 with the Philadelphia Warriors defeating the Chicago Stags in five games to claim the first championship in league history.

Image source: 1947 BAA Finals

Minneapolis Lakers win NBL championship before joining BAA

1948

In 1948, the Minneapolis Lakers won the championship of the rival National Basketball League before joining the BAA, setting the stage for their future dominance in the merged league.

Image source: History of the Los Angeles Lakers

Minneapolis Lakers win NBL championship before joining BAA

Lakers win third and final BAA championship over Washington Capitals

1949

Led by future Hall of Famer George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers won the third and final BAA championship in 1949 over the Red Auerbach-coached Washington Capitals.

BAA merges with NBL to form the NBA

1949

The BAA then merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association before the 1949–50 season. The series was initially known as the BAA Finals prior to this merger.

Lakers win inaugural NBA championship, first repeat champions

1950

The Minneapolis Lakers won the inaugural NBA championship in 1950 to become the first team to repeat as champions. The competition was renamed the NBA World Championship Series from 1950 to 1985.

Rochester Royals defeat New York Knicks in all-New York state Finals

1951

In 1951, the 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.

Lakers three-peat from 1952 to 1954

1952 - 1954

The Minneapolis Lakers won three straight Finals from 1952 to 1954 to become the first team to three-peat while also winning their fifth title in six seasons.

Image source: NBA Finals

Philadelphia Warriors win 1956 title, bookending NBA's first decade

1956

The Philadelphia Warriors won multiple championships, including the inaugural title in 1947 and another in 1956 to bookend the NBA's first decade. Of the five franchises to win a championship from 1947 to 1956, one folded and the other four all relocated by 1964.

Celtics Dynasty and 1970s

Bill Russell spearheads Celtics dynasty beginning in 1957

1957

With the establishment of the Celtics dynasty in 1957, spearheaded by center Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics saw great success. The Celtics won 11 of the 12 NBA Finals they reached during 13 seasons (1957, 1959–66, 1968–69).

Celtics win eight straight championships from 1959 through 1966

1959 - 1966

The Boston Celtics won eight straight NBA championships from 1959 through 1966, an unmatched streak of dominance that cemented them as the greatest dynasty of the era.

Wilt Chamberlain leads San Francisco Warriors to Western Division title

1964

In 1964, Wilt Chamberlain, who had moved to California alongside his team, led the San Francisco Warriors to a Western Division championship, but again failed to conquer the Celtics.

First playoff clash between Russell and Chamberlain

1966

The first clash between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain in the playoffs came in 1966, with Boston winning the series 4–1 over Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers.

Image source: 1966 NBA Finals

76ers break Celtics' streak, winning 1967 Finals behind record 68 wins

1967

A tactical change brought Philadelphia to a new record of 68 wins in the 1966–67 season, as well as defeating the Celtics before winning the 1967 Finals, ending Boston's run of eight consecutive titles.

Celtics overcome 3–1 deficit against Philadelphia to reach 1968 Finals

1968

In 1968, Boston overcame a 3–1 deficit against Philadelphia to once again arrive in the Finals, continuing their remarkable run of postseason success.

Aging Celtics win 1969 title despite injuries

1969

In 1969, the Celtics faced great difficulty entering the postseason, as they had an aging team and multiple injuries to a number of players, yet they still captured another championship.

Image source: 1969 NBA Finals

Knicks defeat Lakers in classic 1970 Finals for first title

1970

In 1970, a classic Finals featured the New York Knicks against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks won their first championship, one of several franchises to claim a maiden title in the 1970s.

Milwaukee Bucks win first title in 1971

1971

Franchises that won their first titles in the 1970s included the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971, joining the Knicks among the decade's new champions.

Lakers break wins record with 69 victories, beat Knicks for 1972 title

1972

By season's end, the Lakers broke the record for most wins in a season with 69, one more than the 1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers, before taking home the 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.

Golden State Warriors sweep Washington Bullets in 1975 Finals

1975

In 1975, after compiling a 48–34 regular season record, the Golden State Warriors swept the Washington Bullets 4–0 in the NBA Finals.

Phoenix Suns complete remarkable run to 1976 Finals

1976

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 and reach the Finals.

Portland Trail Blazers win first title in 1977

1977

Franchises winning their first titles in the 1970s included the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977, following the ABA–NBA merger, after which the winner received the Brown Trophy, though under the name "World Championship Trophy" before being renamed in 1983-84.

Washington Bullets defeat Seattle SuperSonics for 1978 title

1978

The Washington Bullets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in 1978 to win their first championship, completing the list of first-time winners in the 1970s.

SuperSonics exact revenge on Bullets, winning 1979 title

1979

The SuperSonics exacted revenge on the Bullets the following season, beating Washington in five games in 1979 to win their first title.

Lakers-Celtics Rivalry

Rookie Magic Johnson leads Showtime Lakers past 76ers in 1980 Finals

1980

Rookie Magic Johnson led the Showtime Lakers to the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by Julius Erving, capturing the championship in a memorable series.

Image source: 1980 NBA Finals

Bird's Big Three lead Celtics to 1981 title

1981

Boston reached the 1981 NBA Finals led by the "Big Three" of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, winning the championship and reigniting the franchise's winning tradition.

Pat Riley's Lakers rematch 76ers in 1982 Finals

1982

The Lakers returned to the Finals in 1982, this time led by new coach Pat Riley, in a rematch against the 76ers, winning another championship.

Malone and Erving lead 76ers to sweep of Lakers in 1983 Finals

1983

With the new duo of Moses Malone and Julius Erving, the 76ers won the 1983 NBA Finals in a sweep of the Lakers.

Celtics topple Lakers 4–3 in 1984 Finals

1984

The Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals in 1984, 1985, and 1987. In 1984, the Celtics toppled the Lakers 4–3. Also in 1985, the format changed to 2–3–2 to ease cross-country travel.

Lakers beat Celtics in 1985 despite Memorial Day Massacre loss

1985

The teams faced off again in 1985 and 1987, but the Lakers came up on top both times, winning in 6 games despite losing Game 1 in 1985 by 34 points in the Memorial Day Massacre.

Image source: 1985 NBA Finals

Lakers beat Celtics in 1985 despite Memorial Day Massacre loss

Magic Johnson's hook shot seals Game 4 of 1987 Finals

1987

The 1987 Finals included Magic 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 en route to the title.

Image source: 1987 NBA Finals

Lakers defend title in 1988, first back-to-back since 1969

1988

The Lakers defended their title in the 1988 NBA Finals, winning the series in 7 games against the Detroit Pistons. They became the first team to win back-to-back NBA titles since 1969.

Image source: 1988 NBA Finals

Pistons sweep Lakers seeking three-peat in 1989 Finals

1989

Seeking a three-peat in 1989, the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in a rematch of the previous year's Finals, marking a changing of the guard in the league.

Image source: 1989 NBA Finals

Pistons go back-to-back, defeating Trail Blazers in 1990

1990

In 1990, the Pistons went back-to-back, defeating the Clyde Drexler-led Portland Trail Blazers in five games to cap Detroit's era of dominance.

Image source: 1990 NBA Finals

Bulls Dynasty

Bulls begin dynasty, winning six titles from 1991 to 1998

1991 - 1998

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.

Image source: Chicago Bulls

Bulls defeat Barkley's MVP-led Suns in 1993 Finals

1993

In 1993, the Bulls were matched against the Phoenix Suns, led by Charles Barkley, the league's reigning MVP, with Chicago prevailing for their third consecutive championship.

Image source: 1993 NBA Finals

Bulls defeat Barkley's MVP-led Suns in 1993 Finals

Rockets win back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995

1994 - 1995

Following Jordan's departure, the Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, won the 1994 and 1995 NBA titles. Jordan returned to basketball late in the 1994–95 season after a short stint with baseball.

72–10 Bulls attain best regular season record, win 1996 title

1996

The 1995–96 Bulls finished the regular season 72–10, attaining at the time the best regular season record in NBA history, on their way to another championship.

Bulls meet Jazz twice; Kerr (1997) and Jordan (1998) hit winning shots

1997 - 1998

In 1997 and 1998, the Bulls met the Utah Jazz in the Finals twice. 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.

Image source: 1998 NBA Finals

Bulls meet Jazz twice; Kerr (1997) and Jordan (1998) hit winning shots

Spurs, Heat and Modern Era

Spurs finish 15–2 playoffs, win 1999 title

1999

During the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Spurs finished with a 15–2 mark, winning the championship. The Spurs won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Image source: 1999 NBA Finals

Spurs finish 15–2 playoffs, win 1999 title

Shaq and Kobe lead Lakers three-peat from 2000 to 2002

2000 - 2002

The Lakers won five championships in an 11-year span, including a three-peat from 2000 to 2002, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. They defeated the Indiana Pacers in 2000 and swept the New Jersey Nets in 2002.

Image source: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers post record 15–1 playoff run, beat 76ers in 2001 Finals

2001

During their 2001 postseason run, the Lakers swept their first three series and won the Finals against the Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers in five games, finishing with an unprecedented 15–1 record, the best postseason record in NBA history at the time.

Image source: 2001 NBA Finals

Spurs defeat Nets in first Finals between two former ABA teams

2003

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.

Payton and Malone join heavily favored Lakers for 2004 run

2004

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.

Image source: 2004 NBA Finals

O'Neal traded to Miami Heat, teams with Dwyane Wade

2004

Following bad blood and eventual fallout with former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded from the Lakers to the Miami Heat in 2004, where he teamed up with rising star Dwyane Wade.

Image source: Shaquille O'Neal

Heat rally from 0–2 down to beat Mavericks in 2006 Finals

2006

O'Neal and Wade led the Heat to a championship in 2006 at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks, who were favorites to win, after trailing 0–2 in the series.

Image source: 2006 NBA Finals

Heat rally from 0–2 down to beat Mavericks in 2006 Finals

Tony Parker becomes first European-born Finals MVP in 2007

2007

The Spurs swept the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007. Tony Parker won the Finals MVP award, becoming the first European-born player to do so.

Image source: 2007 NBA Finals

Celtics renew rivalry with Lakers in 11th Finals matchup, win 2008 title

2008

The Lakers returned to the Finals in 2008 against the Boston Celtics, renewing the teams' rivalry and marking the 11th Finals matchup between them, with Boston taking the title.

Image source: 2008 NBA Finals

Lakers bounce back, beating Magic in 2009 Finals

2009

The Lakers bounced back from the 2008 loss by winning the 2009 NBA Finals, where they beat the Orlando Magic in five games.

Lakers edge Celtics in seven games for 2010 title

2010

The Lakers met the Celtics once again in 2010, trailing 3–2 before winning the last two games at home to claim another championship.

Image source: 2010 NBA Finals

Heat form new Big Three with James and Bosh, reach 2011 Finals

2011

In the 2010 off-season, the Miami Heat re-signed Dwyane Wade and added LeBron James and Chris Bosh via free agency to form a new "Big Three." Considered heavy title favorites, they appeared in four straight finals starting in 2011 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Heat repeat as champions over Spurs after epic Game 6 comeback

2013

The Heat repeated as champions in 2013, this time over the San Antonio Spurs, featuring a Heat comeback in Game 6 that is widely regarded as one of the greatest playoff games ever played.

Image source: 2013 NBA Finals

Spurs prevail in 2014 rematch; Duncan wins fifth title

2014

Miami sought a three-peat in a 2014 rematch with the Spurs, but San Antonio prevailed in five games, winning the fifth and final title of Tim Duncan's career. The 2–2–1–1–1 format was restored in 2014.

Image source: 2014 NBA Finals

James returns to Cleveland, forms new Big Three with Irving and Love

2014

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".

Image source: LeBron James

Warriors come back from 2–1 down to win 2015 Finals

2015

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.

Cavaliers overcome 3–1 deficit to win 2016 Finals in Game 7

2016

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, which Cleveland won.

Warriors set 15-win playoff streak, dominate 2017 and 2018 Finals

2017 - 2018

In 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.

James joins Lakers in 2018; Davis arrives in 2019

2018 - 2019

James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, but the team missed the playoffs for two consecutive years due to injuries. Anthony Davis then joined the Lakers in 2019.

Leonard-led Raptors defeat Warriors in 2019 Finals

2019

The Warriors made their fifth consecutive Finals appearance in 2019 against the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors, who claimed their first championship.

Image source: 2019 NBA Finals

Lakers meet Heat in 2020 Finals, first between prior-year non-playoff teams

2020

James and Davis led the Lakers 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.

Image source: 2020 NBA Finals

Bucks rally from 0–2 down to beat Suns in 2021 Finals

2021

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals, coming back from an 0–2 deficit to win in six games. It was the first Finals since 1971 to feature no players who had previously won a championship.

Image source: 2021 NBA Finals

Warriors return to 2022 Finals for sixth appearance in eight seasons

2022

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, winning four championships in an eight-year stretch from 2015 to 2022.

Image source: 2022 NBA Finals

Nuggets reach first Finals, defeat eighth-seeded Heat in 2023

2023

The Denver Nuggets reached their first Finals in franchise history in 2023, defeating the Miami Heat, the second eighth-seeded team to ever make the Finals, in five games.

Image source: 2023 NBA Finals

Celtics beat Mavericks for NBA-record 18th title in 2024

2024

The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, breaking their tie with the Lakers franchise to claim their NBA-record 18th title.

Image source: 2024 NBA Finals

Thunder defeat Pacers in seven games for seventh unique champion in 2025

2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games in 2025, marking the seventh unique champion in as many years, the longest such streak in league history. YouTube TV had been the presenting sponsor of the NBA Finals from 2018 to 2025.

Image source: 2025 NBA Finals

Knicks defeat Spurs in 2026 Finals with historic 29-point comeback

2026

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games in 2026, including a 29-point comeback win in Game 4 that marked the largest in Finals history.

Key Facts

The first NBA Finals was held in 1947, when the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Chicago Stags 4-1 in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) championship series.
The Boston Celtics hold the record for most NBA championships with 18 titles, including an unmatched streak of eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966.
The Los Angeles Lakers are second all-time with 17 championships, and the Celtics-Lakers rivalry is the most storied matchup in Finals history.
Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s (1991-1993 and 1996-1998), winning Finals MVP each time without ever losing a Finals series.
The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, established in 2009, honors the player with the best performance in the championship series; Stephen Curry won the inaugural award named after Russell.

Source

This NBA Finals timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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