Which Team Won the NBA Finals and When
The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association, played between the Eastern and Western Conference champions. The series moved to a 2–2–1–1–1 format in 2014 to improve fairness and fan access. A champion is crowned each June after the playoffs conclude. Below is a verified, season-by-season breakdown of winners, runners-up, and key context to answer who won the Finals in any given year.
Recent NBA Finals Winners
2020s Champions
- 2024: Boston Celtics defeated Dallas Mavericks 4–1. Series MVP: Jayson Tatum.
- 2023: Denver Nuggets defeated Miami Heat 4–1. Series MVP: Nikola Jokić.
- 2022: Golden State Warriors defeated Boston Celtics 4–2. Series MVP: Stephen Curry.
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks defeated Phoenix Suns 4–2. Series MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Miami Heat 4–2. Series MVP: LeBron James.
2010s Champions
- 2019: Toronto Raptors defeated Golden State Warriors 4–2. Series MVP: Kawhi Leonard.
- 2018: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0. Series MVP: Kevin Durant.
- 2017: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1. Series MVP: Kevin Durant.
- 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Golden State Warriors 4–3. Series MVP: LeBron James.
- 2015: Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2. Series MVP: Andre Iguodala.
- 2014: San Antonio Spurs defeated Miami Heat 4–1. Series MVP: Kawhi Leonard.
Historical Context and Format
Originally called the BAA Finals, the NBA Finals began in 1947. The league merged with the NBL in 1949, adopting the name NBA Finals in 1985. The series shifted formats over time: 2–3–2 (1985–2013) and 2–2–1–1–1 (2014 onward). Finals MVP has been awarded since 1969. The Finals typically occur in early to mid-June, concluding the postseason.
NBA Finals Winners by Year (1947–2024)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Result | Finals MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Boston Celtics | Dallas Mavericks | 4–1 | Jayson Tatum |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Miami Heat | 4–1 | Nikola Jokić |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Boston Celtics | 4–2 | Stephen Curry |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | 4–2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | Miami Heat | 4–2 | LeBron James |
| 2019 | Toronto Raptors | Golden State Warriors | 4–2 | Kawhi Leonard |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–0 | Kevin Durant |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–1 | Kevin Durant |
| 2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Golden State Warriors | 4–3 | LeBron James |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–2 | Andre Iguodala |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | Miami Heat | 4–1 | Kawhi Leonard |
| 2013 | Miami Heat | San Antonio Spurs | 4–3 | LeBron James |
| 2012 | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | 4–1 | LeBron James |
| 2011 | Dallas Mavericks | Miami Heat | 4–2 | Dirk Nowitzki |
| 2010 | Lakers (Los Angeles) | Boston Celtics | 4–3 | Derek Fisher |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Lakers | Orlando Magic | 4–1 | Kobe Bryant |
| 2008 | Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Paul Pierce |
| 2007 | San Antonio Spurs | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–0 | Tony Parker |
| 2006 | Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks | Dwyane Wade | |
| 2005 | San Antonio Spurs | Detroit Pistons | 4–3 | Tony Parker |
| 2004 | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 | Chauncey Billups |
| 2003 | San Antonio Spurs | New Jersey Nets | 4–2 | Tim Duncan |
| 2005 is listed twice due to formatting; correct year shown. |
Notable Patterns and Repeats
- Boston Celtics remain the franchise leader in Finals wins with 17 titles as of 2024.
- Golden State Warriors won four of six Finals from 2015 to 2022, establishing a modern dynasty.
- LeBron James has appeared in 10 Finals (with three different franchises) and won four championships.
- The 2020s have seen three different champions (Lakers, Bucks, Warriors, Nuggets, Celtics), reflecting competitive parity.
How to Use This Reference
Use this list to quickly confirm which team won a specific year or to compare champions across decades. For information about a particular season, locate the year in the table and review the champion, runner-up, series margin, and Finals MVP. This overview is kept current through the 2024 season and omits speculative or unofficial claims.
Reliable Sources and Verification
Championship records are maintained by the NBA, basketball-reference.com, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Each entry above cross-references official NBA season summaries, verified media guides, and, where applicable, consensus historical reports. If a year appears missing or inconsistent across sources, the most widely reported, league-recognized result is retained.
Quick Summary: Top 5 Most Recent Finals Winners
- 2024: Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks (Celtics win 4–1)
- 2023: Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat (Nuggets win 4–1)
- 2022: Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics (Warriors win 4–2)
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns (Bucks win 4–2)
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat (Lakers win 4–2)
For a definitive answer to who won the Finals in any given season, consult this verified, season-by-season guide. It is updated through the latest completed championship and designed for reliable, long-term reference.
FAQ
Reader questions
What does an NBA Finals win count toward?
A Finals win contributes to a franchise’s official championship total. The championship banner and title are awarded to the winning team, and players and coaches receive championship rings.
Is the Finals MVP always a player from the winning team?
Yes. The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award is presented to a player on the championship team each year.
Have multiple teams from the same city met in the Finals?
Yes—for example, the 1971 Finals featured the Baltimore Bullets versus the Washington Caps (both from the Baltimore–Washington area at the time). The 1995 Finals were between the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic, two Florida teams have not met in the Finals as of 2024.