Last Updated on January 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA, founded in 1946, has evolved into the world’s premier professional basketball league, showcasing legendary players, historic rivalries, and global influence over nearly eight decades.
Here is a complete table of NBA Champions and Runners-up from 1947 to 2024, including the year, champion, runner-up, and series result.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Philadelphia Warriors | Chicago Stags | 4–1 |
| 1948 | Baltimore Bullets | Philadelphia Warriors | 4–2 |
| 1949 | Minneapolis Lakers | Washington Capitols | 4–2 |
| 1950 | Minneapolis Lakers | Syracuse Nationals | 4–2 |
| 1951 | Rochester Royals | New York Knicks | 4–3 |
| 1952 | Minneapolis Lakers | New York Knicks | 4–3 |
| 1953 | Minneapolis Lakers | New York Knicks | 4–1 |
| 1954 | Minneapolis Lakers | Syracuse Nationals | 4–3 |
| 1955 | Syracuse Nationals | Fort Wayne Pistons | 4–3 |
| 1956 | Philadelphia Warriors | Fort Wayne Pistons | 4–1 |
| 1957 | Boston Celtics | St. Louis Hawks | 4–3 |
| 1958 | St. Louis Hawks | Boston Celtics | 4–2 |
| 1959 | Boston Celtics | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–0 |
| 1960 | Boston Celtics | St. Louis Hawks | 4–3 |
| 1961 | Boston Celtics | St. Louis Hawks | 4–1 |
| 1962 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 |
| 1963 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 |
| 1964 | Boston Celtics | San Francisco Warriors | 4–1 |
| 1965 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 |
| 1966 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 |
| 1967 | Philadelphia 76ers | San Francisco Warriors | 4–2 |
| 1968 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 |
| 1969 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 |
| 1970 | New York Knicks | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 |
| 1971 | Milwaukee Bucks | Baltimore Bullets | 4–0 |
| 1972 | Los Angeles Lakers | New York Knicks | 4–1 |
| 1973 | New York Knicks | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 |
| 1974 | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | 4–3 |
| 1975 | Golden State Warriors | Washington Bullets | 4–0 |
| 1976 | Boston Celtics | Phoenix Suns | 4–2 |
| 1977 | Portland Trail Blazers | Philadelphia 76ers | 4–2 |
| 1978 | Washington Bullets | Seattle SuperSonics | 4–3 |
| 1979 | Seattle SuperSonics | Washington Bullets | 4–1 |
| 1980 | Los Angeles Lakers | Philadelphia 76ers | 4–2 |
| 1981 | Boston Celtics | Houston Rockets | 4–2 |
| 1982 | Los Angeles Lakers | Philadelphia 76ers | 4–2 |
| 1983 | Philadelphia 76ers | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–0 |
| 1984 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 |
| 1985 | Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | 4–2 |
| 1986 | Boston Celtics | Houston Rockets | 4–2 |
| 1987 | Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | 4–2 |
| 1988 | Los Angeles Lakers | Detroit Pistons | 4–3 |
| 1989 | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–0 |
| 1990 | Detroit Pistons | Portland Trail Blazers | 4–1 |
| 1991 | Chicago Bulls | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 |
| 1992 | Chicago Bulls | Portland Trail Blazers | 4–2 |
| 1993 | Chicago Bulls | Phoenix Suns | 4–2 |
| 1994 | Houston Rockets | New York Knicks | 4–3 |
| 1995 | Houston Rockets | Orlando Magic | 4–0 |
| 1996 | Chicago Bulls | Seattle SuperSonics | 4–2 |
| 1997 | Chicago Bulls | Utah Jazz | 4–2 |
| 1998 | Chicago Bulls | Utah Jazz | 4–2 |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs | New York Knicks | 4–1 |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Lakers | Indiana Pacers | 4–2 |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Lakers | Philadelphia 76ers | 4–1 |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Lakers | New Jersey Nets | 4–0 |
| 2003 | San Antonio Spurs | New Jersey Nets | 4–2 |
| 2004 | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 |
| 2005 | San Antonio Spurs | Detroit Pistons | 4–3 |
| 2006 | Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks | 4–2 |
| 2007 | San Antonio Spurs | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–0 |
| 2008 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Lakers | Orlando Magic | 4–1 |
| 2010 | Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics | 4–3 |
| 2011 | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat | 4–2 |
| 2012 | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | 4–1 |
| 2013 | Miami Heat | San Antonio Spurs | 4–3 |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | Miami Heat | 4–1 |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–2 |
| 2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Golden State Warriors | 4–3 |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–1 |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–0 |
| 2019 | Toronto Raptors | Golden State Warriors | 4–2 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | Miami Heat | 4–2 |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | 4–2 |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Boston Celtics | 4–2 |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Miami Heat | 4–1 |
| 2024 | Boston Celtics | Dallas Mavericks | 4–1 |
Note: The NBA was known as the BAA (Basketball Association of America) from 1947 to 1949. It officially became the NBA in 1949 after merging with the NBL.