Last year, the Milwaukee Bucks took home the title for the first time since 1971, preventing the Phoenix Suns from winning their first ever NBA championship. This time around we have the Golden State Warriors pitting themselves against the joint-most successful team in the competition’s history.
"Havlicek stole the ball!"
As we await Game 7 tonight… look back at one of the most iconic plays in East Finals history, when John Havlicek came up with the game-clinching steal in the finals seconds of Game 7 in 1965 to lift the @celtics over the 76ers.pic.twitter.com/BKuGvaWKsL
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 29, 2022
Celtics and Lakers: the most NBA championships
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are tied for the most NBA championship titles in NBA history with 17 championships each. Some would argue the Boston Celtics take home the title for the most NBA championships seeing as the Los Angeles Lakers were once the Minnesota Lakers.
The Lakers became the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960, making history by becoming the first NBA team on the west coast. Prior to becoming the Los Angeles Lakers, the Lakers won five NBA titles in Minnesota, the “land of 10,000 lakes.”
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. 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.
Which years did the LA/Minneapolis Lakers win the NBA championship?
- 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020
- Total wins: 17
- Total championship appearances: 32
Which years did the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship?
- 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008
- Total wins: 17
- Total championship appearances: 21
Fun fact: The Boston Celtics won nine championships in a row. 1956-1969 is known as the Bill Russell Era, as Russell played a large factor in that winning streak. He was a part of the Boston Celtics for all 11 NBA championships won across 13 years. Russell is therefore the most decorated player in the NBA.
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The title of the championship trophy is originally Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy. Once a year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) rewards this championship trophy to the NBA team who succeeds in the NBA finals.
Yet, the first name for the trophy until 1984 was Walter A. Brown Trophy. So which NBA team has the most championships?
The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers rank first regarding the most NBA championships. Both of them achieved 17 championships until 2021.
People often take the number of championships to rank a star player. Such an achievement will absolutely change a basketball player’s legacy. These NBA titles will ensure his standing and create his recognition in NBA history.
It is the same when you are looking for an NBA team. Normally, looking up to an NBA team will require checking the NBA history. You will find how many championship trophies NBA teams achieved in their cabinet.
Obtaining an NBA title in a season or plenty of times will increase the reputation of a franchise. It will lead to a variety of tangible benefits.
Then, because the 2022 NBA finals have ended, let’s discover which NBA teams have won the most championships with Scott Fujita.
Which NBA Team Has The Most Championships?
NBA Teams With Most Championships By Year
| Teams | Number of NBA championship titles | Year |
| Boston Celtics | 17 | 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17 | 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 (As Minneapolis)
1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020 |
| Golden State Warriors | 6 | 1947, 1956 (As Philadelphia Warriors)
1975, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 |
Top 5 NBA teams with the most NBA championships
What team has the most championships in the NBA? The above is the list of franchises with the most NBA championship titles. Generally, 19 NBA teams have achieved a minimum of one NBA championship.
Related: NBA teams without a championship
Only five NBA teams have won more than three NBA championships:
- Boston Celtics.
- Los Angeles Lakers.
- Chicago Bulls.
- San Antonio Spurs.
- Golden State Warriors.
In NBA history, the Boston Celtics, as the most NBA championships team, has achieved 17 championships. The latest NBA title came in 2008.
What team in the NBA has the most championships? Bill Russell had an extraordinary average of 22.5 REB per game. It helped the Boston Celtics win 11 NBA championships from 1957 to 1969. During the 1980s, Larry Bird became a member of Boston. Then, Larry Bird eventually led the team to titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
The Boston Celtics achieved 15 titles to their name, most NBA championship titles at that time in comparison with the Los Angeles Lakers who had gained ten championships by 1986.
Although since then, the Boston Celtics would suffer from a title drought of more than 20 years. Their latest championship was in 2008 when Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen led the Boston Celtics to their glory days one more time.
The following team comes with the Los Angeles Lakers who have won 17 titles. The Lakers were also dubbed Minneapolis Lakers from 1947-1960. The Los Angeles Lakers have joined up to 32 NBA championship series.
The Golden State Warriors have been winning many NBA championships in recent times. Until now, the Golden State Warriors have achieved six NBA championships.
There are two championships that they won as Philadelphia Warriors. In 2019, the Golden State Warriors entered the NBA finals. However, it was sad that the Toronto Raptors defeated them at the NBA finals.
The current successes of the Golden State Warriors are overwhelmingly praiseworthy. Yet, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers hold their standings firmly at the top ranks of the NBA titles.
Other NBA teams with fewer NBA championships
NBA teams with the most championships
The Chicago Bulls have obtained six NBA championships. Famous Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls has earned all of the titles from 1991-1998.
The San Antonio Spurs have the fifth standing in the list with five titles. The NBA team was established in 1967. However, until 1976, it participated in the NBA finals.
Related:
- How many teams are in the NBA
- How many teams make the NBA playoffs
There are three other NBA teams who have won three titles:
- Philadelphia 76ers.
- Detroit Pistons.
- Miami Heat.
There are three franchises that have achieved two titles:
- Milwaukee Bucks.
- New York Knicks.
- Houston rockets.
11 NBA Teams Without Championships
11 NBA franchises with No NBA Title Yet
11 NBA teams have not been capable of making the entry into the NBA Champions yet. Let’s dive in to know who they are.
- Brooklyn Nets.
- Charlotte Hornets.
- Denver Nuggets.
- Indiana Pacers.
- Los Angeles Clippers.
- Memphis Grizzlies.
- Minnesota Timberwolves.
- New Orleans Pelicans.
- Orlando Magic.
- Phoenix Suns.
- Utah Jazz.
After all, these are NBA teams with no NBA championships.
Conclusions
The number of NBA championships is important to judge the capability of each NBA team. It is great to win the most championships like the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers with 17 times. Yet, there are a lot of teams that have not achieved any championship yet.