The goal for every team in the NBA is to win a championship.
Some have more immediate championship aspirations than others, but all 30 teams are building toward a shot at one day hoisting the elusive Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Lakers have had by far the most shots at winning an NBA title with 32 Finals appearances. The Celtics rank second with a total of 23 Finals appearances.
Together, the Lakers and Celtics have combined to win 34 of the NBA’s 76 championships.
The Celtics captured most of their championships in the Bill Russell era. The Lakers’ championships have been more spaced out, winning their most recent title in 2020.
Which NBA team has won the most championships?
The Celtics and Lakers are tied for the most championships in NBA history with 17 each. Boston has a chance at capturing elusive No. 18 with a win against the Mavericks on Friday.
In 2022, the Warriors won the franchise’s seventh title, defeating the C’s in six games capture the gold…and break a tie with the Bulls (6) for sole possession of third place on the all-time list.
The only other team in NBA history with five or more championships is the Spurs (5).
| Team | Championships | Finals appearances | Years won |
| Celtics | 17 | 23 | 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 |
| Lakers | 17 | 32 | 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020 |
| Warriors | 7 | 12 | 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Bulls | 6 | 6 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Spurs | 5 | 6 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 |
| 76ers | 3 | 9 | 1955, 1967, 1983 |
| Pistons | 3 | 7 | 1989, 1990, 2004 |
| Heat | 3 | 7 | 2006, 2012, 2013 |
| Rockets | 2 | 4 | 1994, 1995 |
| Knicks | 2 | 8 | 1970, 1973 |
| Bucks | 2 | 3 | 1971, 2021 |
Ten of the NBA’s current 30 teams have never won a title, including the Suns, Jazz, Nets, Hornets and Pelicans.
