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Ranking Every NBA Finals Since 2000!

Geoff Magliocchetti 1,750 June 15, 2026Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli Be First

Where does the recent NBA Finals fracas between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs rank in the new millennium? 

Best. Finals. Ever?

You won't get much argument from New York Knicks fans, who recently watched their team end one of the lengthiest championship droughts in professional sports. While it was far from easy, New York stifled the San Antonio Spurs by a 4-1 final, securing the final triumph with a 94-90 decision on Saturday. It marks the first time a men's professional basketball banner will be raised in Manhattan since 1973, closing out the fifth-longest active title drought on the Association ledgers. 

With another Finals in the books, Ballislife looks back at the first 27 stagings of the new century, pondering the perfect place to put the Knicks' fabulous five in a de facto power rankings. The excitement factor and the breakout of individual performances were obviously placed at the forefront, along with the historical implications of the past, present, and future ...

2013 NBA Finals. Miami Heat defeat San Antonio Spurs.
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

1. 2013

Miami Heat 4, San Antonio Spurs 3

For all they've accomplished in the Finals, the Spurs have certainly produced some heartbreakers at the start of summer.

Despite a generational aura, LeBron James' transfer of his talents to South Beach in the name of controversial collaboration with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade is generally granted mixed reviews, thanks in part to a failure to fulfill the King's royal promise of "not one, not two, not three ..." rings. The latter of the two championships likely serves as the peak of the so-called "Heatles" era, with Miami famously bestowing some generational blows into the impenetrable San Antonio armor in a classic Game 6.

Securing a 13-point lead under the watch of Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan was one of the few assurances left on the Association ledgers, and Heat fans seemed to know it, flocking to the exits. Those that left missed history: the Heat burned down the San Antonio lead before Ray Allen, a villain-turned hero of the James cause, sank a thrilling corner three that forced an extra session.

While Allen's triple and James' breakout among the South Beach superstars rightfully stole the show, Allen was also responsible for a crucial defensive play, one that saw him handcuff and rob the driving Manu Ginobili, who was seeking to be a hero. One last sterling effort from James, namely a 37-point showing in Game 7 (tying Tommy Heinsohn's 1957 record for most in a victorious Finals Game 7), made Larry O'Brien take his own talents to South Beach and capped off what stands as one of the greatest championship showings. 

2. 2016

Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Golden State Warriors 3

Game 7 of this series carries a lot of weight at the top: the first six games were decided by an average of just under 20 points. The absence of Draymond Green in Game 5, earned via excessive postseason flagrant fouls, is also enough to at least warrant discussion of an asterisk as a result.

But Cleveland's comeback from 3-1 down against one of the winningest teams in league history remains unique on the Finals ledger. LeBron James' chasedown block of Andre Iguodala, perhaps subliminal revenge for the prior edition's MVP vote, and Kyrie Irving's subsequent go-ahead 3-pointer over Stephen Curry remain two of the mainstays in Finals highlight montages come June and have come to define each player's wider on-floor legacy.

The aftershocks of the finale continue to be felt on both a social and hardwood level: this game led Golden State to tip off its Kevin Durant era, as Green and general manager Bob Myers were said to be oiling up the KD machine mere minutes after the 93-89 defeat in Oakland. While pretty much all participants in the NBA's GOAT debate are mostly steadfast in their professions at this point in time, James' performances in the final hours of this series are a primary reason why the arguments persist to this day. 

3. 2026

New York Knicks 4, San Antonio Spurs 1

Placing a five-game series toward the top of a list like this feels like the definition of recency bias, and it can easily fall if this proves to be a one-and-done deal. But the historical happenings and implications on display create natural elevation. For starters, the final point differential of 12 in New York's favor is tied for the narrowest gap in Finals history for a series that went only four or five games (the 2024 set between Boston and Dallas is the other).

The Knicks not only ended their 53-year championship drought but did so in style, erasing double-figure deficits in each of their four wins (and even their one loss). It was capped off by what has to stand as one of the most emphatic momentum shifts in championship history.

Facing a potentially tied series in Game 4, the Knicks completed a comeback that now stands as the largest of the Finals variety (29 points) through an OG Anunoby tip-in that generated Manhattan madness under Madison Square Garden's iconic roof. The series was capped off by one of the finest closeout performances in recent hardwood memory, as Jalen Brunson secured MVP honors by scoring nearly half of the metropolitan tallies in a 94-90 Game 5 victory that wouldn't have been out of place in the teams' prior Finals meeting in 1999. 

4. 2011

Dallas Mavericks 4, Miami Heat 2

For better and worse, the argument around James' legacy continues to persist. While 2013 and 2016 show that the possibility of dethroning Michael Jordan remains a lingering possibility, his detractors still have ample ammunition in the form of 2011. 

Having fully embraced a heel-turn about heading south in the summer of 2010, the stage seemed perfectly set for James' first Finals toast: they were facing a North Texas group notorious for its postseason shortcomings, something Miami took full advantage of back in 2006. Mavericks' franchise face Dirk Nowitzki was also said to be dealing with an illness during the series, which was placed in a further spotlight when James and Wade appeared to mock the diagnosis prior to a Game 5 tiebreaker.

While it wasn't exactly a "flu game," Nowitzki proved that laughter ... and Larry ... was the best medicine. A 29-point performance in Game 5, capped off by a driving double that victimized Bosh, cooled the Heat, as did standout defensive performances from J.J. Barea and Jason Terry, both of whom drew James duty in his first Finals foray with the Heat. Terry would later serve as the leading scorer of the Mavericks' Game 6 clincher while Nowitzki took home MVP honors. 

5. 2005

San Antonio Spurs 4, Detroit Pistons 3

The basketball world probably wasn't ready for this one ... but their kids probably love it.

This defensive clinic (one where 100 points was broken but once, when Detroit took a 102-71 decision in Game 4) wasn't appreciated in its time but could be viewed as refreshing by modern viewers fatigued by constant 3-point contests.

While the opening quartet was split in one-sided fashion, the final three games were all decided by less than 10, a streak that began with the most famous example of "Big Shot Bob" antics: a late three from Robert Horry, who was scoreless until a 21-point stretch began late in the third quarter, forcing overtime that doomed Detroit in what became a 96-95 defeat. 

While the Pistons extended the series with a 95-86 victory in Game 6 (setting up the first instance of a winner-take-all Finals game in 11 years), a Duncan breakout finally dragged the Spurs back to the top for the third time in seven tours. The Big Fundamental averaged 20.6 points and 14.1 rebounds over the sensational seven, capping things off with a respective 25 and 11 in the finale.

6. 2010

Los Angeles Lakers 4, Boston Celtics 3

Summer reboots with new casts often prove disappointing. But the Celtics and Lakers ensured there was little, if any, drop-off in the brief, yet thrilling, third iteration of their Finals fracas.

The latter of the two meetings gets the edge thanks to the presence of the late Kobe Bryant: the seven-game victory produced his fifth and eventually final Finals ring, and the closer in Los Angeles has come to serve as a talking point in his legacy for better and worse. Bryant infamously shot 6-of-24 in the 83-79 victory but scored 10 points in the final period and also played a role in crashing the boards to keep the ball out of Bostonian hands. The finale is best known for the clutch antics of Metta World Peace, whose last-minute 3-pointer helped put the game out of reach.

This Finals also gets a leg up because of the impact it had on the green NBA landscape: it wound up being the last hurrah for the Celtics' revamped big three of Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. While their win in the prior Laker meeting was no doubt impressive (more on that shortly), one can't help but question the staying power of their collaboration with only one Finals win to their name. The fact that a similar denial came against the hated Lakers only twists the shamrocked knife in deeper.

7. 2008

Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2

The Celtics stopped feeling 22 in the finest way possible, raising the franchise's first banner since 1986.

While Allen and Garnett lived up to their respective reputations as Beantown basketball saviors, it was the tenured Celtic Pierce that delivered the coup de grace in the form of an MVP outing that featured a 6-of-6 performance from the field following his return from an apparent injury in Game 1. Boston depth stars Eddie House and James Posey also broke loose with deep ball shooting that helped Boston overcome a 24-point deficit in a pivotal Game 4 in SoCal.

Honestly, it feels like this series should be ranked higher, what with its starpower and drama, but various elements have somewhat dulled its shine over the years: again, this wound up being the lone flash of glory for the Boston Three Party, Pierce has since admitted that his dramatic medical exit (featuring a wheelchair) was primarily brought on by a bathroom break, and the Game 4 comeback is no longer the largest in Finals history after the rival Knicks upped it by five against San Antonio last week.

8. 2021

Milwaukee Bucks 4, Phoenix Suns 2

Nestled in the awkward spot of post-social distancing and a return to the ball game, it feels hard to fully assess the Bucks' breakout. What can't be denied, however, is the brilliant individual effort of Giannis Antetokounmpo, which helped Milwaukee end its lasting championship mush and overcome an 0-2 deficit. 

With both sides seeking to end half-century title droughts, the Suns drew first burn, propelled by the equally denied efforts of Chris Paul. A 41-point, 13-rebound effort from Antetokounmpo changed the course of the series in Game 3, but he saved the best for the finale: a 50-point, 14-rebound double-double was intimidating enough. But defense wins championships, and Antetokounmpo firmly made the case with a showstopping block of a DeAndre Ayton alley-oop that cooled the Suns' re-entry once and for all. 

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks haven't fully fulfilled the potential on display in the 2021 title win. But the "Greek Freak" was particularly deadly in these Finals, and it feels wrong to deny such an effort on a list such as this.

9. 2000 

Los Angeles Lakers 4, Indiana Pacers 2

One that looms large on the historic docket as the first of what stands as the most recent NBA three-peat, the world believed a man could fry.

Respectable as the Pacers' effort may have been (past met present with Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose complementing each other well on the scoring ledgers), Shaquille O'Neal broke loose for a 38-point, 16.7-rebound, 2.7-block performance that silenced doubters of his ability to win a title.

That included three 40-point performances, including a 41-12 output in the closer and, perhaps more importantly, evaded the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy of a narrow Game 2, going an above-average 9-of-16 in a fourth quarter that eventually produced a seven-point win.

These Finals also featured a post-credit scene of sorts that introduced a new hero: Market Square Arena had its eyes on a tie after O'Neal fouled out with time to spare in Game 4 of the series, but a clutch late effort from Bryant, plagued by ankle issues earlier in the series (thanks to some sketchy defense from Rose), kept momentum gold-and-purple and allowed the Lakers to roll to the vital (and then-insurmountable) 3-1 lead.

10. 2001

Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 1

Another five-game series that had merit amidst its brevity.

The hardwood jesters likely owe their lives to this series thanks to Allen Iverson punctuating his 48-point Game 1 performance with the famed step-over of Lakers reserve guard and would-be defender Tyronn Lue. What's mostly forgotten is that his step over Lue was part of a stretch of seven consecutive overtime points that helped Philadelphia deal the Lakers its first ... and only ... loss of the postseason.

The individual greatness still helps this series shine relatively bright: O'Neal, who helped Game 1 get to an extra session in the first place, responded with a near-quadruple-double in Game 2 and a 34-14 output in Game 4 essentially killed off all realistic hopes of an upset. It was enough to secure MVP honors for the second consecutive season and rendered the shortcomings of his first Finals appearance in 1995 all but forgotten.

11. 2004

Detroit Pistons 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1

Once again playing on the theme of fantastic fives, the Pistons secured one of the more notable upsets in recent pro hardwood memory over two decades ago.

After one year away from the Finals, the Lakers returned with a vengeance ... against each other. The Bryant-O'Neal feud was at its peak and the Lakers attempted to dust rumors under the rug by signing established, if not aging, NBA legends Karl Malone and Gary Payton. Despite the frequent headlines, Los Angeles rolled into the Finals to face a breakout Pistons group comprised mostly of misfit toys.

But the Pistons were perfectly synched: the offense of Chauncey Billups was roundly complemented by the defensive work of Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, united in tenacity only. The Pistons put up a marvelous sense of dominance to the point where their five-game victory is generally regarded as a sweep due to the Lakers' sole win coming in overtime. The new "Showtime" was canceled shortly after, as Bryant was quickly rendered the last man standing upon the instant departures of O'Neal, Malone, and Payton.

12. 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder 4, Indiana Pacers 3

The concept of "what if" obviously casts a pall on every addition of the Finals, particularly the losing side. It may be most prevalent in last year's edition, where the injury bug bit one of the most intriguing storylines.

Fresh off a thrilling conference finals series against the future champion Knicks, Tyrese Haliburton picked up right where he left off, sinking a buzzer-beating three that set an instant tone for the series. Alas, Haliburton was unable to finish what he started: he tore his Achilles in the early stages of the winner-take-all finale, allowing Oklahoma City a relatively easy path to the final victory.

Those who were left behind did their best to pick up the pieces: Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, and TJ McConnell engaged in their own defensive clinic while the polarizing play of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander officially reached the mainstream and earned equally debatable vindication with a ring and the Finals MVP award. Alas, one can't help but wonder the instant classic that lingers in an alternate universe with a healthy Haliburton in tow.

13. 2022

Golden State Warriors 4, Boston Celtics 2

History in hindsight always bites a team on a list such as this, but the 2022 Warriors frankly have the most optimistic outlook in terms of their championship increasing in value: for all they know, this could be the last of four earned under Stephen Curry, and the famed sharpshooter went out in style.

While these games were low on drama (none of the six were decided by less than 10 points), the Warriors engineered a comeback from 2-1 down thanks to a vintage output from the 34-year-old Curry. Chastised by the roundball-loving public for being "carried" to prior titles through the efforts of Durant, Iguodala, and other marquee teammates, Curry dazzled with a 43.7% output from deep, even with an 0-of-9 Game 5 performance thrown in (he dished out eight assists while Andrew Wiggins went 26-13). While serving as the face of the modern Warriors' lauded affairs, 2022 marks the only time he took the MVP award at the end.

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14. 2003

San Antonio Spurs 4, New Jersey Nets 2

San Antonio's return to glory was mostly met with a shrug, as many were disappointed not to see the styling and profiling Lakers back in the Finals for a fourth straight season. The replacements at least put on a good show, with the Nets even forcing a surprising tie after Game 4 of the series, fueled by the efforts of Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin.

From there, the Spurs previewed the future with fundamentals, finding their way thanks to dominant efforts from Duncan. Similar to the 1999 title (with Duncan essentially taking over star duties from David Robinson), the Spurs found their way forward with grit and depth, as Stephen Jackson helped snap the line for his former NBA employers with a strong effort in Game 6. The win allowed Robinson to go out on a high note, as he retired during the ensuing offseason.

15. 2019

Toronto Raptors 4, Golden State Warriors 2

On paper, this has the Spielberg-esque storylines to gain permanent status among the greats: the Raptors franchise became the first to smuggle the Larry O'Brien Trophy across the northern border, while Kawhi Leonard perhaps made the perfect case for a number retirement despite lasting just a single season with the local in question.

But the Canadian exchange rate carries some hefty tariffs ... namely those of the medical variety. While it's hard to envision anyone holding a candle to the one-year heater Leonard led, one can't help but wonder if the series would've carried a different ending, or at least an extended seventh game edition, if both Durant and Klay Thompson hadn't gone down with devastating injuries late in the series.

16. 2012

Miami Heat 4, Oklahoma City Thunder 1

The early meme-makers on NBA Twitter/X endured an early apocalypse, as James' first championship eliminated a good bit of their material. Facing an upstart OKC squad, James kept busy with a 28.6-point, 10.2-rebound double-double in the five-game set. The spotlight was obviously turned to James in the win, but Miami depth stars like Shane Battier and Mike Miller also had their chance to shine, the latter shooting a scoring 63% from deep to beat the offensive-minded Thunder at their own game.

Miami gets a little extra credit for formally denying the thunderous era of OKC's original big three of Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, as this wound up being their only foray into the championship round. While SGA and Co. offered them delayed redemption, the beginning of the end came about the following offseason when Harden forced his way to Houston.

17. 2023

Denver Nuggets 4, Miami Heat 1

If you put an eight seed in the Finals, what did you expect?

All credit to Butler's Heat, who rose from Play-In darlings to conference champions after an arduous road that worked through past and present champions alike (Milwaukee, New York, Boston). But any hope of taking down dominant Denver (well-rested after sweeping its own conference final from the Los Angeles Lakers) was quickly silenced with relatively one-sided wins and sheer dominance from Nikola Jokić (30.2 points on over 58% with 14 rebounds). The Heat at least kept things respectable, but asking them to scale the rested Rockies was just a little too much to ask for.

18. 2017 

Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 1

While there's no doubt something worth watching when it comes to Durant finally getting his hands on NBA gold, to call the anticipated third part of the Cavs-Warriors series anticlimactic would be the understatement of the year.

So powerful was Golden State upon its addition of Durant that it was able to go most of its playoff run sans head coach Steve Kerr and still post a perfect 12-0 record entering the Finals. Cleveland at least managed to make the 1972 Miami Dolphins proud with a one-sided Game 4 win, but the outcome was never truly in doubt, even with James getting assistance from a healthy Irving and Kevin Love. The series gets a little more love (pun intended) thanks to Durant immediately proving his worth, as he sank a go-ahead triple at the end of a Game 3 run (which also featured Iguodala getting a quantum of revenge with a block on James).

19. 2015

Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2

It's often said that the original is the best, but that wasn't the case with the Cavs-Dubs quadrilogy. 

While the starpower likely assured a large viewership no matter what, hopes for a competitive series dimmed with injuries to both Irving and Kevin Love. To his credit, James did what he could to will the Cavs to at least a sixth game, as he averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. That perhaps made it a bit difficult to fathom the idea of his primary defender Iguodala getting the MVP award but any and all efforts to curb James, no matter how small, likely saved the Association from the awkward situation of bestowing the title to a rep from the losing team.

20. 2006

Miami Heat 4, Dallas Mavericks 2

Your local SGA analyst could well claim that Wade walked so the Canadian import could run ... to the foul line. Foul shooting marred what could've been a grand cause for celebration, namely Miami's first title and O'Neal earning a Bryant-less ring upon taking his own talents to South Beach before James made it mainstream.

Staged just over a year before the Association betting scandal, headlined by the involvement of official Tim Donaghy, went public, many were perplexed by the excessive free throw attempts awarded to Miami, particularly those that landed in the hands of eventual MVP Wade. During the particularly controversial Game 5, Wade took 25 free throws alone (including the game winners), matching the Mavericks' combined output. Wade attempted 97 singles throughout the six-game set, third-most in any singles Finals behind Bob Pettit and Elgin Baylor, who played seven in 1957 and 1962, respectively. 

21. 2009

Los Angeles Lakers 4, Orlando Magic 1

Another series marred by whistles and lack thereof (the latter defined by Jameer Nelson drawing no call from a Bryant elbow during overtime of Game 4), this one at least felt more decided on the floor. Orlando's decision not to foul the Lakers in a 3-point Game 4 came back to haunt them as Derek Fisher sank an overtime-forcing triple that essentially ended the chances of an upset. 

One could also take solace in the individual efforts of Bryant, who silenced his own critics by winning a ring sans O'Neal while averaging 32.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in an MVP effort. The triumph was equally historic for Lakers boss Phil Jackson, who donned his 10th championship ring to pass Red Auerbach for most among NBA head coaches. 

22. 2014 

San Antonio Spurs 4, Miami Heat 1

Yet another sequel that struggled to live up to the hype of its predecessor, this one was partly marred by James cramps setting a sour tone for the series from the get-go. While his trademark greatness nonetheless emerged (namely in the form of a 35-point, 10-rebound double-double in the lone Game 2 victory), the Heat's "big three" era mostly went out with a resounding thud. James took his talents back to Cleveland after this series, while Bosh and Wade lasted only two more years before leaving due to health and free agency, respectively.

This series also wound up being the end of the San Antonio dynasty, which nonetheless managed to formally introduce the world to Leonard before all was said and done. The series is also semi-famous for a five-game breakout from Boris Diaw, who led all participants in assists (5.8) and was behind only Duncan in average rebounds (8.6).

23. 2020

Los Angeles Lakers 4, Miami Heat 2

If anything, the bubbled endeavor at the Walt Disney World Resort will at least go down as one of the more prevailing debates on the NBA landscape. For every claim that the Lakers' latest triumph was the "purest" form of championship, equal follow-ups will claim that LA benefitted from time off for COVID-19 protocols, as well as the fact that it remained stationed in but one location. 

While hardwood purists could at least take in the most dazzling collaboration that James and Anthony Davis wound up mustering (as well as the individual effort of Jimmy Butler on the other end), the series felt doomed from the get-go thanks to Butler losing top collaborators Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragić. A combination of the bubble blues and the ailments cast a sense of apathy over this series that the Lakers have never been able to truly extinguish. 

24. 2024

Boston Celtics 4, Dallas Mavericks 1

Some sequels prove to be so bad that the classic original is tarnished. The fact that there's likely no follow-up on the horizon dilutes what was already a quickly forgotten five between New England and North Texas.

As mentioned above, the margin of Boston's victory was relatively close, but that's primarily thanks in part to the teams trading blowouts in the final two stages. Little more needs to be said about what transpired on the Maverick ledgers less than a year after Luka Doncic's first Finals, but the Celtics engaged in a muted tear-down of their own, as Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis were all bid farewell less than a year after the 18th banner was officially raised. 

25. 2002

Los Angeles Lakers 4, New Jersey Nets 0

While the turn-of-the-century Nets led by Jason Kidd were a nice story, it's clear that their get-together with the mighty Lakers probably should've fallen in the foregone conclusion department. 

While the Nets kept things respectable on the scoreboard (with Kidd living up to his end of the bargain in the box score and the team losing the two Garden State games by a combined nine points), they had little answer for the prowess of the Newark native O'Neal. Returning home to Krypton only made Superman stronger, as O'Neal posted a 36-point, 12-rebound double-double over the quartet.

26. 2018

Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0

Much like a summer blockbuster franchise that has overstayed its welcome, the Cavs-Dubs saga had run both its course and its audience's patience by the time the fourth annual installment came out in 2018. Golden State at least had the decency to make it quick, earning the first Finals sweep since Cleveland's clobbering at the hands of the Spurs eleven years prior. 

While James scored 51 points in the Game 1 defeat, that contest and the series as a whole is most infamous for JR Smith's numerical blunder, which saw him run out the clock of a tied game after a rebounded free throw attempt. The Warriors won the opener's extra session by 10 and had little trouble from there beyond a 110-102 scare in Game 3, one that Durant snuffed out with the last trio of a postseason personal-best 43 points. The quartet stands as James' final hours playing for his hometown in Ohio ... for now.

27. 2007

San Antonio Spurs 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0

Fundamentals vs. Future made for a relatively boring Finals.

James had yet to find his Finals footing, and his relative rawness proved fatal against the seasoned Spurs. Those that struck around were at least rewarded with some late drama in Cleveland: James' first would-be winner in the Finals fell short at Game 3's buzzer while 18-second-half points from Ginobili allowed the Spurs to take down a late Cleveland lead and seal the deal. 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags

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