The goal for every team in the NBA is to win a championship. Boston Celtics' NBA Championships: List by year of all the titles won by the Celtics Mauricio Medrano 6/2/2022 As one of the most awarded NBA teams in history with 17 NBA. Learn more. An iconic alley-oop from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille ONeal clinched the Lakers' trip to the 2000 Finals. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Of the Big Four NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL the Lakers remain the last team to have completed the feat. The 2001-02 season will forever be remembered for its controversial playoffs. Update: July 6th, 2021 . [4], The current home-and-away format in the NBA Finals is 22111 (the team with the better regular-season record plays on its home court in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7), which has been used in 19471948,[5] 19501952,[6][7][8] 19571970, 19721974, 19761977, 19791984, and 2014present. The first consecutive championships recognized by the NBA went to the Minneapolis Lakers, who won the BAA crown in 1949 and the NBA title in 1950. The Yankees boast an astonishing 27 World Series titles, which is an MLB record. The St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks won in 1958, and the Philadelphia 76ers broke the string in 1967. After beating Sacramento and Phoenix in the first two rounds of the playoffs it would all come down to Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. [17] Salley's four NBA titles came via two championships with the Detroit Pistons and one each with the Bulls and the Lakers. Let's see their names. The Spurs' streak started in the 1998 NBA playoffs and ended after missing the 2020 NBA playoffs. NBA.com takes a look back at the top moments that define the history of the NBA. But winning three or more championships in a row? Robert Horry, John Salley, LeBron James and Danny Green are the only players to have won championships with three different teams. Take a look back at iconic moments in NBA history from the 2000s. [20][21] George Mikan won two championships in the NBL before it merged with the BAA to form the NBA, and won five championships in the NBA. At a time of dynasties across all sports, no one could touch Bostons legacy of eight consecutive championships from 195966. According to a warrant for Morrow's arrest, he's facing charges of assault by strangulation, second-degree kidnapping and communicating threats. On the other hand, the Lakers' 17titles- including their most recent 2020 championships - are more evenly spacedas they won four or more championships in a single decade three separate times. The Celtics won eight NBA championships in a row from 1959 to 1966. [3] However, in some rare occasion, the teams opted to give other commemorative items, such as wrist watches, instead of rings. How much do you know about the NBA's 2003 draft class? With the Philadelphia 76ers poised as the No. The Celtics and Lakers are tied for the most championships in NBA history with 17 each. That combined total in 75 seasons doesnt match what Boston did during one magical era. As of this year, they are beat out by the New York Knicks, worth $5 billion, and the Golden State Warriors, worth $4.7 billion according to Forbes. In Game 4 of the 2000 Finals, Kobe Bryant played 47 minutes and scored 28 points to beat the Pacers in overtime. 2011-12 LeBron James, Miami Heat. Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The first iteration of the Baltimore Bullets joined the BAA in 1947 for the leagues second season, moving over from the old American Basketball Association, a circuit that operated on the east coast from 193355. Eleven of the NBA's current 30 teams have never won a title, including the Suns, Jazz, Nets, Hornets and Pelicans. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are tied for the most NBA championship titles in NBA history with 17 championships each. 2014-15 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. Orlando Magic10. Their streak is the longest consecutive title run of any professional team in U.S. sports history. So, these are the NBA teams with most titles. Most NBA Championships Won | Basketball-Reference.com Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Your default site has been set for 7 days, NBA Finals: Most NBA championships won by a franchise, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020, Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors. Poll: How's Dale Jr. doing in the TV booth? Russell is therefore the most decorated player in the NBA. 2022. The franchise was a dynasty in the 1980s. The 76ers won two NBA championships during their streak. [2] The NBA Finals is the championship series for the NBA and the conclusion of the sport's postseason. NBA: the Boston Celtics won eight straight from 1958-59 to 1965-66. The Lakers became the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960, making history by becoming the first NBA team on the west coast. Some have more immediate championship aspirations than others, but all 30 teams are building toward a shot at one day hoisting the elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy. But what team has the most consecutive NBA championships in succession? Generally, you look up to a team, check the history book, and see how many trophies theyve got in their cabinet. The Lakers' championships have been more spaced out, winning their most recent title in 2020. Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Top Moments: Kobe, Shaq alley-oop caps comeback, Top Finals moments: Kobe takes over in Game 4, Top Moments: Kobe drops 81 on Raptors in '06, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. In fact, these franchises have alone claimed nearly 70 percent of all titles. 1956-1969 is known as the Bill Russell Era, as Russell played a large factor in that winning. [6] Though this has been subject to criticism and debate with some arguing that is a misconception and that championships matter less overall in the measure of a players greatness as many great players have played on teams that were considered weak or failed to meet the status of a contender despite having a great player. Every win has come by double-digits. Prior to their DI success, they won eight national championships in Division II. [1] The league adopted its current name at the start of the 194950season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL). 3. How many first year coaches have won the NBA Finals? The Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, the franchise also holds the record for most consecutive NBA championship wins at 8 from 1959-1966. Fun fact: The Boston Celtics won nine championships in a row. Four players, Bob Cousy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, won six championships each. Kareem Abdul Jabbar - 6 rings. Bill Russell won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, an NBA record. Magic Johnson won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. And while the Celtics have only put together consecutive championships twice, one of those ran circles around every other franchise in any sport. New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have won two titles apiece. The NBA is a major professional basketball league in North America. 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 (As Minneapolis)1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020, 1947, 1956 (As Philadelphia Warriors)1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022. The Islanders won the Stanley Cup four years in a row. ONeal was namedFinals MVPfollowing all three of the Lakers championships, becoming the only player besides Michael Jordan to win the award three consecutive times. Call it a by-product of having eight of 10 teams reach the postseason. "Havlicek stole the ball! T-6. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? The Boston Celtics are one of three original BAA teams still in existence. With Pat Summitt at the helm for over three decades, they took home eight national titles, including three in a row from 1996-'98. The Lakers become the fifth team in NBA history to win three-straight championships from 2000-02. Most successful Big Threes in NBA History. As of 2022, of the 76 NBA Finalsseries played, the Eastern champions have won 40 titles while the Western champions have won 36 titles. From 1946 through 1949, when the league was known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the playoffs were a three-stage tournament where the two semifinal winners played each other in the finals. Brooklyn Nets2. Chicago Bulls have won six Titles. Milwaukee Bucks. 1. However, it was Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings that ultimately influenced the NBAs decision to institute instant replay the following season. Down 15 points with just over 10 minutes to play, Los Angeles would mount the greatest Game 7 comeback in NBA history to defeat Portland 89-84. We present them here for purely educational purposes. In 2019 the San Antonio Spurs tied the NBA record of 22 consecutive playoff appearances. The Canadiens have taken home the Stanley Cup more times than any other NHL team. The Bullets were the last NBA club to fold outright. The Celtics forward became the most recent player to collect three straight MVPs, doing so from 1984 to 1986 as Boston won two championships. A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames). [26] Both Saul and Kerr won NBA championships for four years in a row, each having participated in three-peats, Saul with the Lakers and Kerr with the Bulls. Kobe Bryant's 81-point game against the Raptors in 2006 is one of the best performances in NBA history. Championship streaks: 1936-39, 1949-53, 1998-2000. Winning a championship is a special feat for any team. Players from the winning team usually receive championship rings from the team honoring their contribution, with "rings" becoming shorthand for championships. James' triple-double lifts Heat to title", "LeBron leads Heat to second straight title", "Spurs beat Heat 104-87 in Game 5 to win NBA title", "Warriors win NBA title, down LeBron, Cavs 105-97 in Game 6", "2017 NBA Finals Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors", "2018 NBA Finals Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors", "NBA to suspend season following Wednesday's games", "Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns: 2021 NBA Finals schedule", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_NBA_champions&oldid=1138913717, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 09:52. In the 1980s when legendary Larry Bird was drafted to Boston, he ultimately led them to title in 1981, 1984, and 1986. 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, Warriors vs Lakers: Times, how to watch on TV, stream online | NBA, Grizzlies at Clippers: Times, how to watch on TV, stream online | NBA, Knicks at Celtics: Times, how to watch on TV, stream online | NBA. Memphis Grizzlies7. In the ensuring seasons, West would add forwards Robert Horry and Glen Rice. NBAE/Getty Images This put them on level for the most NBA championships of all time with the Boston Celtics. In perhaps the most impressive championship streak, the North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team won nine national championships in a row from 1986 through 1994. Nine teams have one NBA championship to their name the Toronto Raptors (2019), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), the Dallas Mavericks (2011), the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (1979), Baltimore/Washington Bullets/Washington Wizards (1978), the Portland Trail Blazers (1977), the Milwaukee Bucks (1971), St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks (1958), the Baltimore Bullets (1948; folded in 1954), and Rochester/Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1951). Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Johnson won three MVPs from 1987 to 1990 but was unable to win all three in consecutive seasons. NHL: the Montreal Canadiens won five straight 1955-56 to 1959-60. [7], Boston Celtics center Bill Russell holds the record for the most NBA championships won with 11 titles during his 13-year playing career. 10-time NBA All Star James Harden is one of the most accomplished players in the league who's never won a championship. Their streak is the longest consecutive title run of any professional team in U.S. sports history. The most championships in succession in any other North American sport is five. 3 seed in the East, Harden has . The most impressive championship streaks in all of sports, NBA shot chart trivia: Guess that draft prospect, Do you even watch basketball? Indiana Pacers5. That's 34 for two teams, and the other 41 split among everyone else. Coming in at the #2 spot would be the Los Angeles Lakers, who have won 16 championships, 5 as the Minneapolis Lake. [1] . Its football team went 14-1 in 2014 -- losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the title game -- and the program boasts an impressive 11 national championships. So, here you go. With the current 2020-21 NBA regular season coming to an end, here's a look at the NBA Championship winners list by year since its inception. To be able to comment you must be registered and logged in. The road didnt come without its bumps though. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. UCLA also went undefeated four times in 1964, '67, '72 and '73. The others are the Golden State Warriors, who have won five championships, and the New York Knicks, who have two. How Many Games Are There In An NBA Season? Eastern Champion. NBA scores and standings: How does the playoffs bracket look with latest results. The Lakers swept the first three rounds of the playoffs, lost in overtime inGame 1of the 2001 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, and then went on to win the next four games to claim their second straight championship. [22] Horry won seven championships: two with the Houston Rockets, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and another two with San Antonio Spurs. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Both the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have each won 17 championships, tying the franchises for the most NBA Championship rings all-time. Two of those runs belonged to the venerable Boston Celtics. Next at second place comes Los Angeles Lakers with 17 titles. Two of them came as Philadelphia Warriors. Learn more and register, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. [11][12][13][14] Two other Celtics, Jim Loscutoff and Frank Ramsey, won seven championships each.[15][16][17]. Or write about sports? He is a career 36.3% shooter from deep on 7.6 attempts. Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers completed their three-peat with a 2002 NBA Championship. Achieving that feat certainly changes a players legacy. Champions [24] Saul won consecutive championships with the Rochester Royals and the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s,[25] Kerr won consecutive championships with the Bulls and the Spurs in the 1990s, McCaw and Boucher with the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in 2018 and 2019, and Green with the Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 and 2020. [8] He won his first championship with the Boston Celtics in his rookie year. All Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference (formerly Divisions before 1970), except in 1950 when the Eastern Division champion faced the winner between the Western and Central Division champions. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. So, it is the Celtics and Lakers who are steadily placed right at the top rank of NBA in terms of lifting the title. As of 2022, the defending champions are the Golden State Warriors . Only threefranchises have ever won three titlesin a row - Boston Celtics (eight straight from 1959 to 1966), Chicago Bulls (twice), and Los Angeles Lakers (twice). Charlotte Hornets3. Both franchises have accounted for 34of the 74 championships (45.9%)in NBA history. Since Riley coined the phrase Three-Peat, only four major professional sports teams have won three consecutive championships. His . Prior to becoming the Los Angeles Lakers, the Lakers won five NBA titles in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes.. Which NBA team has won the most championships? The 195253 edition of the Baltimore club still holds the NBA record for the worst record for a playoff team. Honorable Mention 1 of 26 Scottie Pippen Scottie Pippen was a six time NBA champion, a seven time All-Star. An asterisk goes to the Cleveland Browns, who won all four All-American Football Conference championships from 194649 and then took the NFL crown in 1950. In the first season of the ONeal-Bryant-Jackson era, the Lakers finished the regular season with a record of 67-15 second-best in franchise history behind the 1971-72 Lakers who went 69-13. Do you know which are the NBA teams with most championships? Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. Share & Export Modify, Export & Share Table Get as Excel Workbook Get table as CSV (for Excel) Get Link to Table About Sharing Tools Their 15-1 postseason record is the greatest in NBA history (Update: Golden State went on to break the record in the 2017 playoffs after going 16-1). Legendary Michael Jordan won all of them in the 1990s. They were known as Minneapolis Lakers from 1947 to 1960. He won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, losing in the Finals only once to the St. Louis Hawks in 1958. Right now, get half off your first month, plus SHOWTIME, STARZ AND EPIX first month on us! Thisput them on level for the most NBA championships of all timewith the Boston Celtics. [10] Four Celtics players, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Satch Sanders and John Havlicek, won eight championships each, with Havlicek being the only one to win championships independently of Russell. When Pat Riley trademarked the phrase Three-Peat in 1988, he anticipated it would be for his two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. 2010-11 Derrick . The duos relationship, which soured over their eight-year partnership, reached a boiling point after the2003-04 season, however, when ONeal demanded a trade following the Lakers messy breakup with Jackson. 11x Champion Bill Russell knowsCeltics/Heat WIN or GO HOME GAME 7 - Tonight at 8:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/QdkcA2G4kb. Although the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics come with a ton of fans, notoriety, and talent, they are not the top two franchises when it comes to money and valuations. Jackson guided the LA Lakers to five . The Celtics captured most of their championships in the Bill Russell era. Fans in the United States can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. Unsurprisingly, Bill Russell leads all players with 12 Finals appearances. But unfortunately, they came up short against Toronto Raptors at the finals. Magic Johnson - 3 1987, 1989, 1990 In 1987, Bird's rival took the torch. The first NBA championship was won by the Philadelphia Warriors and the most recent one was clinched by the Los Angeles Lakers. Includes record as Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors, Includes record as Baltimore and Washington Bullets, Includes record as New York and New Jersey Nets, Minneapolis was the Central Division (now defunct, no relation to the current, Last edited on 12 February 2023, at 09:52, Boston Celtics and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics (Oklahoma City Thunder), List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks, List of National Basketball League (United States) champions, List of NBA franchise post-season droughts, List of NBA franchise post-season streaks, List of NBA players with most championships, "What to Know About the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, Created by Tiffany & Co", "194849 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary", "195253 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary", "195354 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary", "195455 Syracuse Nationals Schedule and Results Summary", "195556 Philadelphia Warriors Schedule and Results Summary", "197071 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Summary", "197475 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results Summary", "197778 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results Summary", "NBA Finals history: How East vs. West has played out in the title series", "Lakers vs. Celtics: Which team full of all time greats would prevail? This time around we have the Golden State Warriors pitting themselves against the joint-most successful team in the competitions history. List of NBA players with most championships, players who have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame, "194950 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat", "Mavs against Cuban's idea not to give title rings", "Debate Over Brady's Place Among the Best Returns to the Shelf", "Championship Misconceptions: Why Rings Don't Define a Player's Greatness", "NBA Players: Gene Guarilia Profile and Basic Stats", "Mitch Kupchak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more", "Wilkes Waived, Ending an 8-Year Laker Career", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_NBA_players_with_most_championships&oldid=1137401218, Denotes players who are currently active in the NBA, This page was last edited on 4 February 2023, at 12:44. The Tar Heels have won 21 of the 31 NCAA soccer championships. 2020. Of the 30 current NBA franchises, 19 have at least one championship, while 11 have more than one. At halftime, Lakers forward Samaki Walker hit a 3-pointer that was counted by the referees. Their recent title came in 2008 when Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen would lead Celtics to their glory days once again. Guess that All-Star. The National Football League mark is three in a row, last accomplished by the Green Bay Packers from 196567. The Lakers went on to win the NBA Finals in six games over the Indiana Pacers. All-time NBA teams. Boston Celtics had 15 title to their name, most at that time compared to the Lakers who had won 10 by 1986. [15] As of 2022[update], the Boston Celtics and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers have won a combined total of 34 NBA championships (with 17 apiece). Since 2006, either Mount Union or Wisconsin-Whitewater has taken home the Division III national title. In the history of the NBA, the Celtics have won 17 championships, the last one coming in 2008. The Bison continue to dominate. Together, the Lakers and Celtics have combined to win 34 of the NBA's 76 championships. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Lakers, Celtics, Warriors lead full list, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020. Result. Why doesnt the Grizzlies Dillon Brooks like the Warriors Draymond Green and what did he say about him? As he is rewriting history, this title win very much ensures his place in the NBA. In 1959, the Celtics reclaimed the title they had lost the previous season, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers. Even in 2019, they reached the NBA finals. West acquired Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets for center Vlade Divac during the1996 draftand convinced ONeal to leave the Orlando Magic and become the new centerpiece of the Lakers franchise during that same offseason. Brown Trophy. Kane Williamson, David Warner display NBA-style basketball skills in Maldives: WATCH. The Three-Peat Pat Riley had sought to bring Los Angeles all those years before finally arrived. Activate your account. The winning team of the series receives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal embrace after clinching the 2002 NBA title with a sweep of the New Jersey Nets. Los Angeles Lakers: 17: 32: 32: 61; Boston Celtics: 17: 22: 32: 58; With 17 championships apiece, the Lakers and the Boston Celtics share the NBA record for the most titles in history. And winning a title in a season or repeating the feat multiple times increases the prestige of a franchise, leading to plenty of tangible benefits. Here'sthelist of all NBA franchises with multiple championships: Nine teams have one NBA championship to their name - Toronto Raptors (2019), Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), Dallas Mavericks (2011), Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (1979), Baltimore/Washington Bullets/Washington Wizards (1978), Portland Trail Blazers (1977), St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks (1958), Baltimore Bullets (1948; folded in 1954), and Rochester/Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1951). NBA triple double record: Who holds the record for most triple-doubles in NBA history? Three franchises did it by playing for different cities: Lakers, Warriors, and 76ers. Forgot password? Phoenix Suns11. Stream Sling Orange or Blue for $35/month, or both for $50/month.