Teams with the most NBA championships

Posted on May 18, 2020 by List World

#10 New York Knicks

2 Championships

Starting off the list are the New York Knicks, with their two championship wins in 1970 & 1973. Willis Reed tore a muscle in his right leg in the second quarter of game five, and was lost for the rest of the game, as well as game six. Determined to play through the pain of his injury, Reed limped onto the court for the seventh game. He scored New York’s first two baskets before going scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Reed’s heroics inspired his teammates, and they won the game by a score of 113–99. Reed had been named the All-Star MVP & the league’s MVP that season, & was additionally named MVP of the Finals, becoming the first player to attain all three awards in a single season.
- 1970
- 1973
- #9 Houston Rockets
  
  2 Championships
  
  Throughout the 1994 season, the Houston Rockets, lead by Hakeem Olajuwon, dominated the NBA. His team leadership assisted them in setting a franchise record 58 wins. Taking on Patrick Ewing & the New York Knicks, they won the 1994 championship, & repeated this feat in 1995 defeating Shaquille O’Neal & the Orlando Magic.
  - 1994
  - 1995
- #8 Philadelphia 76ers
  
  3 Championships
  
  The Philadelphia 76ers do not have championship run teams like the others on the list. Each championship that they earned was with completely unique teams. Wilt Chamberlain in his final season 1967 & lastly Julius Erving in 1983. The 1955 championship was prior to the team moving to Philadelphia.
  - 1955
  - 1967
  - 1983
- #7 Miami Heat
  
  3 Championships
  
  With Dwyane Wade & Shaquille O’Neal, Miami was able to earn their first championship in 2006. Then in 2010, LeBron James & Chris Bosh would join Dwayne Wade to create “The Big Three”, & earn two consecutive championships in 2012 & 2013.
  - 2006
  - 2012
  - 2013
- #6 Detroit Pistons
  
  3 Championships
  
  Throughout the history of the team, up until the 1980’s the Detroit Pisons were pretty terrible. Drafting Isiah Thomas in 1981 & trading for Bill Laimbeer in 1982, the team started to turn around. In 1987 they drafted Dennis Rodman, a name you will see below with another championship team. With a very physical, defense-oriented style of play, they eventually became known as the “Bad Boys” & earned two consecutive championships.
  - 1989
  - 1990
  - 2004
- #5 San Antonio Spurs
  
  With superstars like David Robinson & Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs were able to win their first championship in 1999, & a second in 2003. After David Robinson retired after the 2003 season, the addition of Tony Parker & Manu Ginóbili yielded the Spurs winning two more titled in 2005 & 2007.
  - 1999
  - 2003
  - 2005
  - 2007
  - 2014
- #4 Chicago Bulls
  
  6 Championships
  
  The Chicago Bulls were the dream franchise throughout the 1990’s. Winning six championships over the decade with then household names like Michael Joran, Scotty Pippin, & Dennis Rodman. The 1995/1996 Chicago Bulls are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in the history of basketball.
  - 1991
  - 1992
  - 1993
  - 1996
  - 1997
  - 1998
- #3 Golden State Warriors
  
  6 Championships
  
  Within their first two years, the Warriors won the inaugural Basketball Association of America (BAA) championship in 1947! A championship that they then again achieved in the next 9 seasons, & finally again in 1975. In 2015 the Golden State Warriors staffed a team of superstars like Tim Hardaway, Stephen Curry, & former MVP Kevin Durant, landing 3 championships in 4 seasons.
  - 1947
  - 1956
  - 1975
  - 2015
  - 2017
  - 2018
- #2 Los Angeles Lakers
  
  16 Championships
  
  Second only to their Rivals, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers have won an incredibly impressive 16 championships! When the team was relocated from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, they had already racked up 5 championships absolutely dominating the sport through the 1950’s. Then after their move, they continued to compile championships throughout the 1980’s with Magic Johnson. With the duo of Shaquille O’Neal & Kobe Bryant, the Lakers would again become a dominant team in the early 2000’s, as well as earning two more championships back to back in 2009 & 2010.
  - 1949
  - 1950
  - 1952
  - 1953
  - 1954
  - 1972
  - 1980
  - 1982
  - 1985
  - 1987
  - 1988
  - 2000
  - 2001
  - 2002
  - 2009
  - 2010
- #1 Boston Celtics
  
  17 Championships
  
  At the time of writing this list, the Boston Celtics have the most championships of any NBA team, tipping the scales at a whopping 17!
  
  Their first championship came in 1957. They continued their success in the late 50’s, throughout the 60’s, & continued to win limited championships in the 70’s & 80’s. Since their championship in 1986, they have only had a single championship, which was won in 2008.
  
  Championships
  - 1957
  - 1959
  - 1960
  - 1961
  - 1962
  - 1963
  - 1964
  - 1965
  - 1966
  - 1968
  - 1969
  - 1974
  - 1976
  - 1981
  - 1984
  - 1986
  - 2008