The Rating of NBA teams is based on the number of championships won. In the league’s existence, 21 franchises have won the NBA title, with Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers with the most – 34 titles between them. Five teams have clinched more than three titles and 11 teams have never won the championships.
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Which NBA teams have won the most championships? Let’s take a look.
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1. Los Angeles Lakers – 17 titles
The Los Angeles Lakers is the NBA team with the most championships. It won the title in the 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s. Its most recent championship came in 2020. This demonstrates a high level of consistency as a result of the talent the team manages to bring in.
The Staples Centre in Atlanta has been graced by some of the best basketball players in the world. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain among others.
During this period, the team played in a total of 32 championship finals, the most of any team in the league.
2. Boston Celtics – 17 titles
The Boston Celtics are the NBA team with the most championships with 17 titles. Celtics clinched its first in 1957, the second two years later and won the next eight championships back-to-back.
This period of success was overseen by coach Red Auerbach. He had a talented squad that included legendary players Bill Russell, Robert Parish, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. The last time the Celtics lifted the title was in 2008.
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3. Golden State Warriors – 7 titles
In recent times, the Golden State Warriors have been in the spotlight, particularly after their recent championship victories in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
The team’s first title was won when the league was the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and they were known as the Philadelphia Warriors. This was in 1947 and they were the first to win the Championship.
The next title came in 1956 and then came a 19-year trophy drought. Their next title came in 1975 followed by another trophyless stint. The arrival of head coach Steve Kerr brought GSW back to the fans’ consciousness, winning three titles in five years. Their last came in 2022.
4. Chicago Bulls – 6 titles
No one can forget the dominance of the Bulls in the 1990s. For some reason, even though the team hasn’t won a championship title since its last in 1998, the team’s success is held in high regard.
Chicago Bulls signed one of the best basketball players in the world Michael Jordan in 1984. He didn’t hit the ground running. But once he hit his stride, everything fell into place. This explains their six titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
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5. San Antonio Spurs – 5 titles
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the NBA teams with the most championships. Their first title came in 1999 and their latest in 2014. This has seen them play in six championship finals. Some of their most notable players include Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
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6. Miami Heat – 3 titles
The Miami Heat got the rub of the green in 2006, 2012 and 2013, when they won the NBA Championships. They have been to the championship final seven times and have failed to go all the way four times including this year (2023). Some of the team’s most notable players include LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch.
7. Detroit Pistons – 3 titles
The Pistons’ last championship ring came in 2004 after winning two consecutive titles in 1989 and 1990. Their last championship finals came in 2005 having played in a total of six NBA championships.
8. Philadelphia 76ers – 3 titles.
Philadelphia 76ers is the other team that has three NBA championships. The first title came in 1955 when they were called Syracuse Nationals. They rebranded in 1963 after new owners came in and moved them from New York to Philadelphia.
The team won its first title under their new name in 1967 and their third in 1983. Since then, the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t won a championship since their last in 2001.
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9. Houston Rockets – 2 titles
The Houston Rockets won their titles in quick succession, in 1994 and 1995, after which they have not tasted success again. They’ve been to four championship finals, all of which happened in the 1980s and 1990s (1981, 1986, 1994, 1995). This means that they are yet to repeat this feat..
10. Milwaukee Bucks – 2 titles
You probably remember the wild celebrations that went on after Bucks clinched the Championship title in 2021 against the Phoenix Suns. It took the team 50 years to win the title again after their first in 1971. This was only their third final after 1971 and 1974.
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11. New York Knicks – 2 titles
Both of their championship titles came in the 1970s (1970 and 1973). Despite playing in eight championships (1951, 1952, 1953, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1994, 1999) they haven’t managed to recapture their title-winning years.
The fight for the NBA team with the most championships is something to watch out for. Who between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will break the tie?
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