A decade of drama: Ranking the 10 best NBA Finals

After a thrilling Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday — one that saw the New York Knicks steal home-court advantage from the San Antonio Spurs — it's a good time to appreciate the remarkable run of championship series fans have witnessed over the past decade. 

The past 10 NBA Finals have produced dynasties, cemented legacies and delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in league history. With that in mind, which Finals series stands above the rest? And could this year's NBA Finals crack this list?

10. Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat (2023)

Nuggets win in five: Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat were the Eastern Conference's eighth seed. Meanwhile, Denver superstar Nikola Jokic was a two-time MVP but without an NBA title. The Nuggets knocked out the Heat as Finals MVP Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists and led the franchise to its first NBA title. 

9. Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2018)

Warriors win in four: The unstoppable "KD Warriors" featured Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Meanwhile, James and the Cavaliers endured two seven-game series in the Eastern Conference playoffs heading into the Finals. Although James had an impressive 51-point performance in Game 1, the Warriors swept the Cavaliers with ease. Durant averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists and was named Finals MVP. 

8. Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2017)

Warriors win in five: Durant changed the landscape of the NBA by signing with the Warriors in the summer of 2016. This Finals saw Durant rise above the criticism of his decision to earn his first NBA title. He was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points and 8.2 rebounds.

7. Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors (2019)

Raptors win in six: Kawhi Leonard only needed one season to deliver Toronto's first NBA title. The Raptors had a thrilling route to the Finals that included a miraculous winning shot by Leonard in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors aimed to win their third consecutive title, but Durant and Thompson suffered injuries. Leonard, who averaged 28.5 points, earned Finals MVP. 

6. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat (2020)

Lakers win in six: COVID-19 reshaped the NBA landscape as the NBA suspended its season in March and held the playoffs with few fans that summer in Orlando, Florida. Butler led the fifth-seeded Heat against James and a red-hot Anthony Davis. In the postseason, Davis averaged 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. But James earned Finals MVP, averaging 28.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists. 

5. Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics (2022)

Warriors win in six: Curry had already solidified himself as one of the all-time greats. But in his three previous championships, a Finals MVP eluded him. In this series, Curry led the Warriors back to the NBA Finals without Durant, and won Finals MVP against a young Boston Celtics team. The four-time champion averaged 31.2 points, six rebounds and five assists and shot 48.2% from the field. 

4. Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics (2024)

Celtics win in five: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to another NBA Finals appearance against two of arguably the most skilled offensive players in the league in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Boston held Dallas under 100 points in four of the five games. Brown earned Finals MVP, averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and five assists. 

3. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns (2021)

Bucks win in six: Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo rose to the occasion to win his first NBA title. He closed the series with a 50-point performance and earned Finals MVP by averaging 35.2 points. He didn't need a "super team" to get the job done. 

2. Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2025)

Thunder win in seven: Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers went on a magical run to the NBA Finals. But Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7, crippling Indiana's hopes. Fortunately for the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped the franchise win its first NBA championship. The Finals MVP averaged 30.3 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds to cement himself as arguably the greatest Canadian-born player.

1. Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)

Cavaliers win in seven: The Warriors were arguably the greatest regular-season team in league history. Golden State, led by the first unanimous MVP in Curry and Defensive Player of the Year in Green, finished the regular season with an all-time best 73-9 record. The Cavaliers were down 3-1, but heroics from Irving and James catapulted Cleveland to the franchise's first NBA title. James led both teams in points (29.7), assists (8.9), rebounds (11.3), blocks (2.3) and steals (2.6).