All NBA teams are divided into two conferences — the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The winner from each conference competes in the NBA Finals, which is a best-of-seven format. The Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship in the 2022-23 season, their first in franchise history. However, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in the 2023-24 season.
Since 1946, there have been 78 NBA seasons, and 21 different teams have won the NBA title. As of May 2025, the Eastern Conference has an upper hand with 41 NBA Championships over the 36 championships of the Western Conference.
Teams with the Most NBA Championships
The Boston Celtics, with the win in the 2023-24 season, have the most NBA Championships, i.e. 18 in the NBA as of May 2025. However, the Los Angeles Lakers are just behind the Boston Celtics with 17 NBA Championships. The Boston Celtics are the team with the most consecutive championship wins, i.e., eight from 1959 to 1966.
| Team | Wins | Appearances in NBA Finals | Year(s) won |
| Boston Celtics | 18 | 23 | 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, 2024 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17 | 32 | 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020 |
| Golden State Warriors | 7 | 12 | 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 | 6 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 5 | 6 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 3 | 9 | 1955, 1967, 1983 |
| Detroit Pistons | 3 | 7 | 1989, 1990, 2004 |
| Miami Heat | 3 | 7 | 2006, 2012, 2013 |
| New York Knicks | 2 | 8 | 1970, 1973 |
| Houston Rockets | 2 | 4 | 1994, 1995 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2 | 3 | 1971, 2021 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 1 | 5 | 2016 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 1 | 4 | 1958 |
| Washington Wizards | 1 | 4 | 1978 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 | 4 | 1979 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1 | 3 | 1977 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1 | 3 | 2011 |
| Baltimore Bullets (original) (folded in 1954) | 1 | 1 | 1948 |
| Sacramento Kings | 1 | 1 | 1951 |
| Toronto Raptors | 1 | 1 | 2019 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Phoenix Suns | 0 | 3 | — |
| Utah Jazz | 0 | 2 | — |
| Brooklyn Nets | 0 | 2 | — |
| Orlando Magic | 0 | 2 | — |
| Chicago Stags (folded in 1950) | 0 | 1 | — |
| Washington Capitols (folded in 1951) | 0 | 1 | — |
| Indiana Pacers | 0 | 1 | — |
FAQs on Most NBA Championships
A. The Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the New Orleans Pelicans are the teams who have never won an NBA championship.
A. LeBron has won four rings till date, last one coming with the Lakers in 2020.
A. Los Angeles Lakers have lost 15 NBA finals, which is the most by any other team.
A. Michael Jordan won six Finals MVPs, which is the most by any NBA player.
