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Every NBA Finals Matchup, Results, and MVP Since 1947

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

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Every NBA Finals Matchup, Results, and MVP Since 1947

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Licata | Last updated May 8, 2026 12:11 PM ET

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The winner of the NBA's Eastern Conference and Western Conference meet annually in the Finals, which dates back to 1947 through the days of the original Basketball Association of America (BAA) and American Basketball Association (ABA).

The 2026 Finals will be the 79th edition of pro basketball's best-of-seven championship series.

A lot of history has been made over the years, so Athlon Sports has put together a snapshot of the key facts and figures to know, as well as every Finals matchup, result, total games, and Most Valuable Player award winner.

NBA Finals Fast Facts

The Boston Celtics celebrate with the Larry O’Brien trophy after winning the 2024 NBA Finals.Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Teams With Most NBA Finals Appearances: Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (32), Boston Celtics (23)
Most Consecutive NBA Finals Appearances: Boston Celtics (10 from 1957-1966)
Teams With Most NBA Championships: Boston Celtics (18), Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (17)
Players With Most NBA Championships: Bill Russell (11), Sam Jones (10), four players (8)
Most NBA Finals Points in History: Jerry West (1,679), LeBron James (1,562)
Most Points in One NBA Finals Game: Elgin Baylor (61 in 1962)
Most NBA Finals MVP Awards: Michael Jordan (6), LeBron James (4)

Every NBA Finals Matchup and Finals MVP Winner

Year	Matchup (Games)	MVP
2025	Thunder def. Pacers (7)	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2024	Celtics def. Mavericks (5)	Jaylen Brown
2023	Nuggets def. Heat (5)	Nikola Jokić
2022	Warriors def. Celtics (6)	Stephen Curry
2021	Bucks def. Suns (6)	Giannis Antetokounmpo
2020	Lakers def. Heat (6)	Lebron James
2019	Raptors def. Warriors (6)	Kawhi Leonard
2018	Warriors def. Cavaliers (4)	Kevin Durant
2017	Warriors def. Cavaliers (5)	Kevin Durant
2016	Cavaliers def. Warriors (7)	Lebron James
2015	Warriors def. Cavaliers (6)	Andre Iguodala
2014	Spurs def. Heat (5)	Kawhi Leonard
2013	Heat def. Spurs (7)	Lebron James
2012	Heat def. Thunder (5)	Lebron James
2011	Mavericks def. Heat (6)	Dirk Nowitzki
2010	Lakers def. Celtics (7)	Kobe Bryant
2009	Lakers def. Magic (5)	Kobe Bryant
2008	Celtics def. Lakers (6)	Paul Pierce
2007	Spurs def. Cavaliers (4)	Tony Parker
2006	Heat def. Mavericks (6)	Dwayne Wade
2005	Spurs def. Pistons (7)	Tim Duncan
2004	Pistons def. Lakers (5)	Chauncey Billups
2003	Spurs def. Nets (6)	Tim Duncan
2002	Lakers def. Nets (4)	Shaquille O'Neal
2001	Lakers def. 76ers (5)	Shaquille O'Neal
2000	Lakers def. Pacers (6)	Shaquille O'Neal
1999	Spurs def. Knicks (5)	Tim Duncan
1998	Bulls def. Jazz (6)	Michael Jordan
1997	Bulls def. Jazz (6)	Michael Jordan
1996	Bulls def. SuperSonics (6)	Michael Jordan
1995	Rockets def. Magic (4)	Hakeem Olajuwon
1994	Rockets def. Knicks (7)	Hakeem Olajuwon
1993	Bulls def. Suns (6)	Michael Jordan
1992	Bulls def. Trail Blazers (6)	Michael Jordan
1991	Bulls def. Lakers (5)	Michael Jordan
1990	Pistons def. Trail Blazers (5)	Isiah Thomas
1989	Pistons def. Lakers (4)	Joe Dumars
1988	Lakers def. Pistons (7)	James Worthy
1987	Lakers def. Celtics (6)	Magic Johnson
1986	Celtics def. Rockets (6)	Larry Bird
1985	Lakers def. Celtics (6)	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1984	Celtics def. Lakers (7)	Larry Bird
1983	76ers def. Lakers (4)	Moses Malone
1982	Lakers def. 76ers (6)	Magic Johnson
1981	Celtics def. Rockets (6)	Cedric Maxwell
1980	Lakers def. 76ers (6)	Magic Johnson
1979	SuperSonics def. Bullets (5)	Dennis Johnson
1978	Bullets def. SuperSonics (7)	Wes Unseld
1977	Trail Blazers def. 76ers (6)	Bill Walton
1976	Celtics def. Suns (6)	Jo Jo White
1975	Warriors def. Bullets (4)	Rick Barry
1974	Celtics def. Bucks (7)	John Havlicek
1973	Knicks def. Lakers (5)	Willis Reed
1972	Lakers def. Knicks (5)	Wilt Chamberlain
1971	Bucks def. Bullets (4)	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1970	Knicks def. Lakers (7)	Willis Reed
1969	Celtics def. Lakers (7)	Jerry West
1968	Celtics def. Lakers (6)	-
1967	76ers def. Warriors (6)	-
1966	Celtics def. Lakers (7)	-
1965	Celtics def. Lakers (5)	-
1964	Celtics def. Warriors (5)	-
1963	Celtics def. Lakers (6)	-
1962	Celtics def. Lakers (7)	-
1961	Celtics def. Hawks (5)	-
1960	Celtics def. Hawks (7)	-
1959	Celtics def. Lakers (4)	-
1958	Hawks def. Celtics (6)	-
1957	Celtics def. Hawks (7)	-
1956	Warriors def. Pistons (5)	-
1955	Nationals def. Pistons (7)	-
1954	Lakers def. Nationals (7)	-
1953	Lakers def. Knicks (5)	-
1952	Lakers def. Knicks (7)	-
1951	Royals def. Knicks (7)	-
1950	Lakers def. Nationals (6)	-
1949	Lakers def. Capitols (6)	-
1948	Bullets def. Warriors (6)	-
1947	Warriors def. Stags (5)	-