NBA Finals History: Year-by-Year Breakdown of Champions
The NBA Finals have delivered iconic moments, unforgettable dynasties, and dramatic upsets for over seven decades. From the Minneapolis Lakers’ early dominance to the Golden State Warriors’ recent runs, every championship tells a story. Below is a comprehensive, year-by-year summary of NBA champions through September 4, 2025.
Complete List of NBA Champions (1947–2025)
| Year | Champion | Finals MVP | Opponent | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokić | Boston Celtics | 4-2 |
| 2024 | Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown | Dallas Mavericks | 4-1 |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokić | Miami Heat | 4-1 |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Stephen Curry | Boston Celtics | 4-2 |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Phoenix Suns | 4-2 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | LeBron James | Miami Heat | 4-2 |
Recent Dominance and Shifts
From 2015 to 2022, the NBA was largely controlled by the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State won titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, while Cleveland clinched a historic comeback in 2016. The rivalry showcased the firepower of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant on one side, and LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love on the other.
Post-2020 saw a power redistribution. The Bucks snapped a 50-year drought in 2021, the Nuggets finally broke through in 2023 and 2025, and the Celtics reclaimed the crown in 2024 after 16 years. These shifts signaled a new generation of stars taking the mantle.
All-Time Champions Count (Through September 4, 2025)
| Team | Titles | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 18 | 2024 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17 | 2020 |
| Golden State Warriors | 7 | 2022 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 | 1998 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 5 | 2014 |
| Miami Heat | 3 | 2013 |
| Detroit Pistons | 3 | 2004 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 3 | 1983 |
| Denver Nuggets | 2 | 2025 |
Finals MVP Era: Impact Players Since 1969
Since the award’s inception in 1969, Finals MVPs have defined legacies. Michael Jordan won it six times—undefeated in Finals appearances. Magic Johnson captured it as a rookie. Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James each won multiple times in different decades.
Recent years saw Nikola Jokić add his name twice (2023, 2025), highlighting his all-around brilliance. Jaylen Brown became the first Celtics player since Paul Pierce (2008) to claim the trophy, while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-point closeout game in 2021 was one for the ages.
NBA Finals Evolution
- 1947–1969: Dominance by the Lakers and Celtics. Rivalries were fierce. Bill Russell won 11 titles.
- 1970s: Wide-open decade. Eight teams won a title, including the Blazers and Sonics.
- 1980s: Showtime Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics reigned supreme. Magic vs. Bird became the face of the league.
- 1990s: Michael Jordan’s Bulls ruled. Two three-peats in eight years.
- 2000s: Lakers (with Shaq and Kobe), Spurs, and Pistons owned the decade.
- 2010s: LeBron’s Heat, the Warriors dynasty, and a brief Raptors splash in 2019.
- 2020s: Parity returned. New contenders emerged, including Denver and Milwaukee.
Current Landscape as of September 4, 2025
The league is deeper than ever. No single team holds a stranglehold on dominance. Boston, Denver, Milwaukee, and Golden State all remain viable threats, but rising squads like Oklahoma City, Sacramento, and Orlando have built rosters capable of contending.
As the 2025-26 season looms, the chase for the next banner is wide open—and every contender knows that postseason history is built one game at a time.
