From black-and-white television broadcasts to billion-dollar superteams, the story of the NBA Finals Champions is basically the story of basketball itself.
Some teams built dynasties.
Some shocked the world.
Which team won the first NBA championship?
- A. Lakers
- B. Celtics
- C. Philadelphia Warriors
- D. Knicks
Some won once and vanished like a sneaker squeak in a noisy arena.
And through every decade, the NBA Finals gave fans unforgettable moments:
- Buzzer-beaters
- legendary rivalries
- impossible comebacks
championship celebrations with confetti everywhere
Let’s travel through NBA history and revisit the champions who ruled professional basketball.
What Are the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association.
The winner becomes the season’s official NBA champion.
The Finals began in 1947, back when the league was called the BAA (Basketball Association of America) before later becoming the NBA.
1940s–1950s: The Early Kings of Basketball
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up |
| 1947 | Philadelphia Warriors | Chicago Stags |
| 1948 | Baltimore Bullets | Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1949 | Minneapolis Lakers | Washington Capitols |
| 1950 | Minneapolis Lakers | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1951 | Rochester Royals | New York Knicks |
| 1952 | Minneapolis Lakers | New York Knicks |
| 1953 | Minneapolis Lakers | New York Knicks |
| 1954 | Minneapolis Lakers | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1955 | Syracuse Nationals | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| 1956 | Philadelphia Warriors | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| 1957 | Boston Celtics | St. Louis Hawks |
| 1958 | St. Louis Hawks | Boston Celtics |
| 1959 | Boston Celtics | Minneapolis Lakers |
Fun Fact
The Minneapolis Lakers later became the Los Angeles Lakers.
1960s: The Celtics Dynasty Nobody Could Stop
If the 1960s had a soundtrack, it would probably be championship parades in Boston.
Led by Bill Russell, the Celtics dominated the decade like no team before or since.
Champions of the 1960s
- 1960: Boston Celtics
- 1961: Boston Celtics
- 1962: Boston Celtics
- 1963: Boston Celtics
- 1964: Boston Celtics
- 1965: Boston Celtics
- 1966: Boston Celtics
- 1967: Philadelphia 76ers
- 1968: Boston Celtics
- 1969: Boston Celtics
Crazy Record
Boston won 11 championships in 13 seasons.
That’s less of a dynasty and more of a basketball monarchy.
1970s: The Era of Variety
Unlike the Celtics-dominated 1960s, the 1970s were wildly unpredictable.
Different teams kept winning titles:
- New York Knicks
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Golden State Warriors
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Seattle SuperSonics
Most Important Champion
1971 Milwaukee Bucks led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became one of the most dominant teams ever.
1980s: Lakers vs Celtics Saved Basketball
The NBA exploded in popularity during the 1980s thanks to:
- Magic Johnson
- Larry Bird
This rivalry transformed basketball into global entertainment.
1980s Champions
- 1980: Los Angeles Lakers
- 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
Fun Fact
The Lakers and Celtics combined for 8 championships in the decade.
1990s: Michael Jordan Takes Over
Then came Michael Jordan.
And basketball changed forever.
Chicago Bulls Championships
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
Jordan and the Chicago Bulls completed TWO separate three-peats.
Why It Was Historic
- Global NBA popularity exploded
- Jordan became a worldwide icon
- The Bulls became the team of the 1990s
2000s: Shaq, Kobe & Spurs Dominance
The early 2000s belonged to:
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Kobe Bryant
- Tim Duncan
Major Champions
- 2000: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2001: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2002: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2003: San Antonio Spurs
- 2004: Detroit Pistons
- 2005: San Antonio Spurs
- 2006: Miami Heat
- 2007: San Antonio Spurs
- 2008: Boston Celtics
- 2009: Los Angeles Lakers
2010s: Superteams Everywhere
This decade featured:
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Kevin Durant
Key Champions
- 2010: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2011: Dallas Mavericks
- 2012: Miami Heat
- 2013: Miami Heat
- 2014: San Antonio Spurs
- 2015: Golden State Warriors
- 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2017: Golden State Warriors
- 2018: Golden State Warriors
- 2019: Toronto Raptors
Biggest Moment
Cleveland came back from a 3-1 deficit in 2016 against Golden State.
Something many thought impossible.
2020s: A New Generation Emerges
Modern NBA champions include:
- Los Angeles Lakers (2020)
- Milwaukee Bucks (2021)
- Golden State Warriors (2022)
- Denver Nuggets (2023)
- Boston Celtics (2024)
Young stars are now shaping the league’s future.
Teams With the Most NBA Finals Championships
| Team | Championships |
| Boston Celtics | 18 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 |
| Golden State Warriors | 7 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 5 |
FAQs
Which team has the most NBA Finals championships?
The Boston Celtics hold the record with 18 championships.
Who won the first NBA Finals?
The Philadelphia Warriors won the first championship in 1947.
Which player has the most NBA championships?
Bill Russell won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics.
Has any NBA team gone undefeated in the Finals?
No team has completed an undefeated NBA season and Finals run in the modern era.
Which NBA Finals is considered the greatest ever?
Many fans consider the 2016 Finals between Cleveland and Golden State one of the greatest ever.
The history of the NBA Finals Champions isn’t just about trophies. It’s about eras. Legends.
Moments frozen forever in basketball history.