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| Boilerpipe Text | National Basketball Association
Current season, competition or edition:
2025–26 NBA season
Sport
Basketball
Founded
June 6, 1946
; 79 years ago
(as
BAA
),
New York City
, New York, U.S.
[
1
]
First season
1946–47
Commissioner
Adam Silver
No. of teams
30
Countries
United States (29 teams)
Canada (1 team)
Headquarters
645 Fifth Avenue
New York City, New York, U.S.
100 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
[
2
]
Most recent
champions
Oklahoma City Thunder
(2nd title)
Most titles
Boston Celtics
(18 titles)
Broadcasters
United States:
ABC
/
ESPN
/
Disney+
NBC
/
Peacock
Amazon Prime Video
NBA TV
Canada:
TSN
/
TSN2
Sportsnet
/
Sportsnet One
NBA TV Canada
International:
See list
Official website
www
.nba
.com
The
National Basketball Association
(
NBA
) is a professional
basketball
league in
North America
composed of 30 teams (29 in the
United States
and 1 in
Canada
).
[
3
]
The NBA is one of the
major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada
and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.
[
4
]
The league is headquartered in
New York City
and
Secaucus, New Jersey
.
[
5
]
The NBA was created on August 3, 1949, with the merger of the
Basketball Association of America
(BAA) and the
National Basketball League
(NBL). The league later adopted the BAA's history and considers its founding on June 6, 1946, as its own.
[
6
]
[
1
]
[
7
]
In 1976, the NBA and the
American Basketball Association
(ABA)
merged
, adding four franchises to the NBA. The NBA's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The
league's playoff tournament
extends into June, culminating with the
NBA Finals
championship series.
The NBA is a member of
USA Basketball
(USAB),
[
8
]
which is recognized by the
International Basketball Federation
(FIBA) as the
governing body
for basketball in the United States. The NBA is the second-wealthiest
professional sports
league in the world
by revenue
after the
National Football League
(NFL).
[
9
]
As of 2020
, NBA players are the world's highest paid athletes by average annual salary per player.
[
10
]
[
11
]
[
12
]
In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the
Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA). The NBA also operates the
NBA G League
,
NBA 2K League
, and the
Basketball Africa League
.
The
Boston Celtics
have the most
NBA championships
with 18, winning most recently in 2024. The
Oklahoma City Thunder
are the reigning league champions, having defeated the
Indiana Pacers
in the
2025 NBA Finals
.
History
Creation and BAA–NBL merger (1946–1956)
Maple Leaf Gardens
in
Toronto
, site of the first-ever NBA game on November 1, 1946
The NBA began as the
Basketball Association of America
(BAA), which was founded in 1946 by owners of the major
ice hockey
arenas in the
Northeastern
and
Midwestern United States
and Canada. On November 1, 1946, in
Toronto
, Ontario, Canada, the
Toronto Huskies
hosted the
New York Knickerbockers
at
Maple Leaf Gardens
, in a game the league now calls the first game played in NBA history.
[
13
]
The first basket was made by
Ossie Schectman
of the Knickerbockers.
[
14
]
Although there had been earlier attempts at professional basketball leagues, including the
American Basketball League
(ABL) and the
National Basketball League
(NBL), the BAA was the first league to attempt to play primarily in large arenas in major cities. During its early years, the quality of play in the BAA was not significantly better than in competing leagues or among leading independent clubs such as the
Harlem Globetrotters
. For instance, the 1947 ABL finalist
Baltimore Bullets
moved to the BAA and won that league's 1948 title,
[
15
]
[
16
]
and the 1948 NBL champion
Minneapolis Lakers
won the 1949 BAA title.
[
17
]
Before the 1948–49 season, the BAA lured away several NBL teams—the
Fort Wayne Pistons
,
Indianapolis Kautskys
,
Minneapolis Lakers
, and
Rochester Royals
—with the prospect of playing in major venues such as
Boston Garden
and
Madison Square Garden
.
[
18
]
The NBL hit back by outbidding the BAA for the services of several players, including
Al Cervi
, rookie
Dolph Schayes
and five stars from the
University of Kentucky
, while also gaining the upper hand in Indianapolis with the creation of the
Indianapolis Olympians
while the Kautskys folded.
[
6
]
[
19
]
With several teams facing financial difficulties,
[
20
]
the BAA and the NBL agreed to merge on August 3, 1949, to create the National Basketball Association. BAA president
Maurice Podoloff
became the president of the NBA while NBL chairman
Ike Duffey
became the chairman.
[
21
]
[
22
]
The NBA later adopted the BAA's history and statistics as its own but did not do the same for NBL records and statistics.
[
23
]
Asian American point guard
Wat Misaka
broke BAA/NBA's
color barrier
as the first non-white player to play in the BAA in 1947.
The new league had 17 franchises located in a mix of large and small cities,
[
24
]
as well as large arenas and smaller gymnasiums and
armories
. In 1950, the NBA consolidated to 11 franchises, then in 1954–55 shrank to eight
[
25
]
: the
New York Knicks
,
Boston Celtics
,
Philadelphia Warriors
,
Minneapolis Lakers
,
Rochester Royals
,
Fort Wayne Pistons
,
Milwaukee Hawks
, and
Syracuse Nationals
. All of these teams remain in the league today, albeit the latter six in new cities. During the contraction, the league's smaller-city franchises moved to larger cities. The Hawks shifted from the
Tri-Cities
to
Milwaukee
in 1951, then to
St. Louis
in 1955. In 1957, the Rochester Royals moved from
Rochester, New York
, to
Cincinnati
and the Pistons moved from
Fort Wayne, Indiana
, to Detroit.
[
26
]
Japanese-American
Wataru Misaka
is considered to have broken the
NBA color barrier
in the
1947–48 season
, when he played for the
New York Knicks
in the BAA. He remained the league's only non-white player until the first African-American,
Harold Hunter
, signed with the
Washington Capitols
in 1950.
[
27
]
[
28
]
Hunter was cut from the team during training camp,
[
27
]
[
29
]
but several other African Americans played in the league later that year, including
Chuck Cooper
with the Celtics,
Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton
with the Knicks, and
Earl Lloyd
with the
Washington Capitols
. During this period, the Minneapolis Lakers won five
NBA championships
and established themselves as the league's first
dynasty
;
[
30
]
their squad was led by center
George Mikan
, the NBA's first
superstar
.
[
31
]
In 1954, the league introduced the 24-second
shot clock
to encourage shooting and discourage stalling.
[
32
]
Celtics' dominance, league expansion and competition (1956–1979)
In 1957, rookie center
Bill Russell
joined the
Boston Celtics
, which already had guard
Bob Cousy
and coach
Red Auerbach
, and went on to lead the franchise to 11 NBA titles in thirteen seasons.
[
33
]
Center
Wilt Chamberlain
entered the league with the Warriors in 1959 and became a star of the 1960s, setting single-game records in scoring (
100
) and rebounding (55).
Russell's rivalry with Chamberlain
became one of the greatest rivalries in the history of American team sports.
[
34
]
Bill Russell
defending against
Wilt Chamberlain
in 1966
The 1960s were dominated by the Celtics. Led by Russell, Cousy, and Auerbach, Boston won eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966—the longest championship streak in American professional sports.
[
35
]
They did not win the title in
1966–67
, but regained it in the
1967–68 season
and repeated in
1969
, earning nine of the decade's championship banners.
[
36
]
Through this period, the NBA continued to evolve with the shift of the
Minneapolis Lakers
to Los Angeles, the
Philadelphia Warriors
to San Francisco, the
Syracuse Nationals
to
Philadelphia
to become the
Philadelphia 76ers
, and the
St. Louis Hawks
moving to
Atlanta
, as well as the addition of its first expansion franchises. The Chicago Packers (now
Washington Wizards
) became the ninth NBA team in 1961.
[
37
]
From 1966 to 1968, the league expanded from 9 to 14 teams, introducing the
Chicago Bulls
,
Seattle SuperSonics
(now
Oklahoma City Thunder
),
San Diego Rockets
(who moved to
Houston
four years later),
Milwaukee Bucks
, and
Phoenix Suns
.
In 1967, the league faced a new external threat with the formation of the
American Basketball Association
(ABA). The leagues engaged in a bidding war.
[
38
]
[
39
]
The NBA landed the most important college star of the era,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
(then known as Lew Alcindor), who went on to become the league's best player of the 1970s.
[
40
]
However, the NBA's leading scorer,
Rick Barry
, jumped to the ABA, as did four veteran referees—
Norm Drucker
,
Earl Strom
, John Vanak, and Joe Gushue.
[
41
]
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
, shown shooting his signature "
skyhook
" shot, was a record six-time
MVP
winner.
[
42
]
In 1969,
Alan Siegel
, who oversaw the design of Jerry Dior's
Major League Baseball logo
the previous year, created the modern NBA logo inspired by the MLB's. It incorporates the silhouette of
Jerry West
, based on a photo by Wen Roberts. The NBA would not confirm that a particular player was used because, according to Siegel, "They want to institutionalize it rather than individualize it. It's become such a ubiquitous, classic symbol and focal point of their identity and their licensing program that they don't necessarily want to identify it with one player." The logo debuted in 1971 (with a small change to the typeface on the NBA wordmark in 2017) and would remain a fixture of the NBA brand.
[
43
]
The ABA signed a number of major stars in the 1970s, including
Julius Erving
of the
Virginia Squires
, in part because it allowed teams to sign college undergraduates. From 1966 to 1974, the NBA grew from nine franchises to 18.
[
38
]
In 1970, the
Portland Trail Blazers
,
Cleveland Cavaliers
, and
Buffalo Braves
(now the
Los Angeles Clippers
) expanded the league to 17.
[
44
]
The New Orleans Jazz (now in
Utah
) came aboard in 1974. After the 1976 season,
the leagues reached a settlement
that would add four ABA franchises to the NBA—the
San Antonio Spurs
,
Denver Nuggets
,
Indiana Pacers
, and
New York Nets
(now the Brooklyn Nets)—bringing the number of NBA teams to 22.
[
45
]
Some of the biggest stars of this era were Abdul-Jabbar, Barry,
Dave Cowens
, Erving,
Elvin Hayes
,
Walt Frazier
,
Moses Malone
,
Artis Gilmore
,
George Gervin
,
Dan Issel
, and
Pete Maravich
. The end of the decade saw declining television ratings, low attendance, and drug-related player issues – both perceived and real – that threatened to derail the league.
[
46
]
Surging popularity and Bulls' dynasty (1979–1998)
The league added the ABA's
three-point field goal
in 1979.
[
47
]
That same year, rookies
Larry Bird
and
Magic Johnson
joined the
Boston Celtics
and
Los Angeles Lakers
respectively, helping to draw fans to the league.
[
48
]
The two had faced each other in the
1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game
, and they later played against each other in three NBA Finals (1984, 1985, and 1987).
[
48
]
In the 10 seasons of the 1980s, Johnson led the Lakers to five titles
[
49
]
while Bird led the Celtics to three titles.
[
50
]
Also in the early 1980s, the NBA added another expansion franchise, the
Dallas Mavericks
,
[
51
]
bringing the league to 23 teams. Later, Bird won the first three three-point shooting contests.
[
52
]
On February 1, 1984
David Stern
became commissioner of the NBA; he would lead the league to new heights of popularity and profitability.
[
53
]
[
54
]
[
55
]
Michael Jordan
became the league's most popular player during the 1990s, while leading the
Chicago Bulls
to six championships.
Michael Jordan
entered the league in 1984 with the
Chicago Bulls
, spurring more interest.
[
56
]
In 1988 and 1989, the
Charlotte Hornets
,
Miami Heat
,
Orlando Magic
, and
Minnesota Timberwolves
made their NBA debuts, bringing the league to 27 teams.
[
57
]
The
Detroit Pistons
won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, led by coach
Chuck Daly
and guard
Isiah Thomas
.
[
58
]
Jordan and
Scottie Pippen
led the Bulls to two three-peats in eight years during the 1991–1998 seasons.
[
59
]
[
60
]
Hakeem Olajuwon
won back-to-back titles with the
Houston Rockets
in 1994 and 1995.
[
61
]
The
1992 Olympic
basketball
Dream Team
, the first to use current NBA stars, featured Jordan as the anchor, along with Bird, Johnson,
David Robinson
,
Patrick Ewing
, Scottie Pippen,
Clyde Drexler
,
Karl Malone
,
John Stockton
,
Chris Mullin
,
Charles Barkley
, and star NCAA amateur
Christian Laettner
.
[
62
]
The team was elected to the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
, while 11 of the 12 players (along with three out of four coaches) have been inducted as individuals in their own right.
[
63
]
In 1995, the NBA expanded to Canada with the addition of the
Vancouver Grizzlies
and the
Toronto Raptors
.
[
64
]
[
65
]
In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the
Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA).
[
66
]
Lakers' and Spurs' dynasties (1998–2014)
In 1998, the
NBA owners
began
a lockout that suspended all league business
until a new labor agreement could be reached, which led to the season being shortened to 50 games.
[
67
]
[
68
]
After the breakup of the
Chicago Bulls
championship roster in the summer of 1998, the
Western Conference
dominated much of the next two decades.
[
69
]
The
Los Angeles Lakers
, coached by
Phil Jackson
, and the
San Antonio Spurs
, coached by
Gregg Popovich
, combined to make 13 Finals in 16 seasons, with 10 titles.
[
70
]
"
Twin Towers
"
Tim Duncan
and
David Robinson
won the
1999 championship
with the
Spurs
, becoming the first former ABA team to win the NBA championship.
[
71
]
Shaquille O'Neal
and
Kobe Bryant
started the 2000s with three consecutive championships for the Lakers.
[
72
]
The Spurs
reclaimed the title in 2003
against the
Nets
.
[
73
]
In 2004, the Lakers
returned to the Finals
, only to lose in five games to the
Detroit Pistons
.
[
74
]
After the Hornets moved to
New Orleans
in 2002, the NBA returned to North Carolina, as the
Charlotte Bobcats
were formed as an
expansion team
in 2004.
[
75
]
New Orleans then
temporarily moved
to
Oklahoma City
in 2005 for two seasons due to damage caused to their arena by
Hurricane Katrina
.
[
76
]
The team returned to New Orleans in 2007.
[
77
]
The league's image was marred by a
violent incident between players and fans
in a November 2004 game between the
Indiana Pacers
and Detroit Pistons.
[
78
]
In response, players were suspended for a total of 146 games with $11 million total lost in salary, and the league tightened security and limited the sale of alcohol.
[
78
]
On May 19, 2005, Commissioner Stern testified before the
U.S. House of Representatives
' Committee on Government Reform about the NBA's actions to combat the use of
steroids
and other performance-enhancing drugs. The NBA started its drug-testing program in 1983 and substantially improved it in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season, all players were randomly tested during training camp, and all rookies were additionally tested three more times during the regular season. Of the nearly 4,200 tests for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs conducted over six seasons, only three players were confirmed positive for NBA's drug program, all were immediately suspended, and as of the time of the testimony, none were playing in the NBA.
[
79
]
After the Spurs
won the championship again in 2005
, the
2006 Finals
featured two franchises making their inaugural Finals appearances.
[
80
]
The
Miami Heat
, led by their star shooting guard,
Dwyane Wade
, and Shaquille O'Neal, who had been traded from the Lakers during the summer of 2004,
[
81
]
won the series over the
Dallas Mavericks
.
[
82
]
The Lakers/Spurs dominance
continued in 2007 with a four-game sweep
by the Spurs over the
LeBron James
-led
Cleveland Cavaliers
.
[
83
]
The
2008 Finals
saw a rematch of the league's
highest profile rivalry
, the
Boston Celtics
and Los Angeles Lakers, with the Celtics winning their 17th championship.
[
84
]
The NBA Board of Governors approved the request of the
Seattle SuperSonics
to
move to Oklahoma City
on April 18, 2008.
[
85
]
The team, however, could not move until it had settled a lawsuit filed by the city of
Seattle
, which was intended to keep the SuperSonics in Seattle for the remaining two seasons of the team's lease at
KeyArena
. Following a court case, the city of Seattle settled with the
ownership group
of the SuperSonics on July 2, 2008, allowing the team to move to Oklahoma City immediately in exchange for terminating the final two seasons of the team's lease at KeyArena.
[
86
]
The
Oklahoma City Thunder
began playing in the 2008–09 season.
The Lakers won back-to-back championships in
2009
and
2010
, against the
Orlando Magic
and the Celtics.
[
87
]
[
88
]
The
2010 NBA All-Star Game
was held at
Cowboys Stadium
in front of the largest crowd ever: 108,713.
[
89
]
A referee lockout began on September 1, 2009, when the contract between the NBA and its referees expired. The first preseason games were played on October 1, 2009, and replacement referees from the
WNBA
and
NBA Development League
were used, the first time replacement referees had been used since the beginning of the 1995–96 season. The NBA and the regular referees reached a deal on October 23, 2009.
[
90
]
[
91
]
At the start of the 2010–11 season, free agents LeBron James and
Chris Bosh
signed with the Miami Heat, joining Dwyane Wade to form the "
Big Three
".
[
92
]
The Heat dominated the league,
[
93
]
reaching the Finals for four straight years.
[
94
]
In
2011
, they faced a re-match with the Dallas Mavericks but lost to the
Dirk Nowitzki
-led team.
[
95
]
They won back-to-back titles in
2012
and
2013
against the
Oklahoma City Thunder
and the Spurs,
[
96
]
and lost in a re-match with the Spurs in the
2014 Finals
.
[
97
]
The 2011–12 season began with
another lockout
, the league's fourth.
[
98
]
After the first few weeks of the season were canceled, the players and owners ratified a new collective bargaining agreement on December 8, 2011, setting up a shortened 66-game season.
[
99
]
After the 2012–13 season, the New Orleans Hornets were renamed the
Pelicans
.
[
100
]
By May 2014, the Bobcats officially reclaimed the Hornets name, and by agreement with the league and the Pelicans, also received sole ownership of all history, records, and statistics from the Pelicans' time in Charlotte. As a result, the Hornets are now officially considered to have been founded in 1988, suspended operations in 2002, and resumed in 2004 as the Bobcats, while the Pelicans are officially treated as a 2002 expansion team.
[
101
]
(This is somewhat similar to the relationship between the
Cleveland Browns
and
Baltimore Ravens
in the
NFL
.)
On February 1, 2014, commissioner David Stern retired after 30 years in the position, and was succeeded by his deputy,
Adam Silver
.
[
102
]
Warriors' dynasty (2014–2022)
LeBron James
became an era-defining star during the 2010s, while leading the
Cleveland Cavaliers
to a historic title in 2016.
After four seasons with the Miami Heat,
LeBron James
returned to the
Cleveland Cavaliers
for the 2014–15 season.
[
103
]
He led the team to their second Finals appearance with the help of
Kyrie Irving
and
Kevin Love
. The
Golden State Warriors
defeated the Cavaliers in six games, led by the "
Splash Brothers
"
Stephen Curry
and
Klay Thompson
. The Cavaliers and the Warriors faced each other in the Finals a record
four consecutive times
.
[
104
]
In the 2015–16 season, the Warriors finished the season 73–9, the
best season record in NBA history
.
[
105
]
However, the Cavaliers overcame a 3–1 deficit in the Finals to win
their first championship
that season,
[
106
]
and end a
52-year professional sports championship drought
for the city of
Cleveland
.
[
107
]
In the 2016–17 season, the Warriors recruited free agent
Kevin Durant
[
108
]
and went on to win the
2017
and
2018
Finals against the Cavaliers.
[
109
]
After the departure of James in free agency in 2018, the Cavaliers' streak of playoff and Finals appearances ended. The Warriors returned for a
fifth consecutive Finals appearance in 2019
but lost to the Toronto Raptors, who won their first championship after acquiring
Kawhi Leonard
in a trade.
[
110
]
The 2019–20 season was
suspended indefinitely
on March 11, 2020, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
, after Utah Jazz center
Rudy Gobert
tested positive for the coronavirus.
[
111
]
[
112
]
On June 4, 2020, the NBA Board of Governors voted to resume the season in a 22-team format with 8 seeding games per team and a regular playoffs format, with
all games played in a "bubble"
in
Walt Disney World
without any fans present.
[
113
]
[
114
]
[
115
]
Stephen Curry
revolutionized the NBA during the 2010s, while leading the
Golden State Warriors
to four championships between 2015 and 2022.
This era also saw the continuous near year-over-year decline in NBA viewership. Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. While some of it can be attributed to "cable-cutting", other professional leagues, like the NFL and MLB have retained stable viewership demographics. The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the
Los Angeles Lakers
and
Miami Heat
brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That is reportedly the lowest
viewership seen for the Finals
since at least 1994, when total viewers began to be regularly recorded and is a 45 percent decline from game one between the Golden State Warriors and
Toronto Raptors
, which had 13.51 million viewers a year earlier. Some attribute this decline to the political stances the league and its players are taking, while others consider load management, the uneven talent distribution between the conferences and the cord-cutting of younger viewers as the main reason for the decline.
[
116
]
[
117
]
[
118
]
[
119
]
[
120
]
During the
2020–21
and
2021–22
seasons, the
Milwaukee Bucks
would defeat the
Phoenix Suns
in the
2021 NBA Finals
, securing their second NBA championship since 1971, and the Golden State Warriors made their sixth appearance in the finals defeating the
Boston Celtics
in the
2022 NBA Finals
, their fourth championship in eight years.
[
121
]
[
122
]
Parity era (2023–present)
2023 saw the ratification of a new
collective bargaining agreement
, which will penalize teams who exceed the luxury tax above certain "apron" thresholds, making it significantly more difficult for teams to sign multiple superstars to maximum contracts.
[
123
]
Seven different champions were crowned in seven years from 2019 to 2025, the longest such stretch in league history, leading numerous outlets to dub this the "
parity
era" in contrast to the dynasties which dominated previous decades.
[
124
]
[
125
]
We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league. The goal being to have 30 teams all in the position, if well managed, to compete for championships. And that's what we're seeing here.
— NBA Commissioner
Adam Silver
on the NBA's new era of parity
[
126
]
The
2022–23 season
saw the
Denver Nuggets
, led by center
Nikola Jokić
, make the
franchise's first NBA Finals appearance
and defeat the Miami Heat in five games to win their first NBA championship.
[
127
]
The
2023–24 NBA season
saw the star-studded Boston Celtics, winning a championship over the Dallas Mavericks, after five
conference finals appearances
, and a finals appearance marking their 18th championship, their first since 2008.
[
128
]
The
2025 NBA playoffs
featured four teams (
Knicks
,
Pacers
,
Thunder
and
Timberwolves
) who had championship droughts spanning several decades or who had never won a championship. The Thunder would ultimately defeat the Pacers in seven games in the
2025 NBA Finals
to win their second title in franchise history and their first in Oklahoma City.
[
129
]
Affiliated leagues
In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the
Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA).
[
130
]
In 2001, an affiliated
minor league
, the National Basketball Development League, now called the
NBA G League
, was created.
[
131
]
The NBA also operates the
NBA 2K League
and the
Basketball Africa League
.
[
132
]
Teams
450km
280miles
Divisions
The NBA originated in 1946 with 11 teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, reductions, and relocations, consists of 30 teams – 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
The current league organization divides 30 teams into two 15-team conferences
[
133
]
of three divisions with five teams each. The current divisional alignment was introduced in the
2004–05 season
.
[
134
]
Reflecting the population distribution of the United States and Canada as a whole, most teams are in the eastern half of the country: 13 teams are in the
Eastern Time Zone
, nine in the
Central
, three in the
Mountain
, and five in the
Pacific
.
Notes
:
An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.
The
Fort Wayne Pistons
,
Minneapolis Lakers
and
Rochester Royals
all joined the NBA (
BAA
) in 1948 from the
NBL
.
The
Syracuse Nationals
and
Tri-Cities Blackhawks
joined the NBA in 1949 as part of the BAA-NBL merger.
The Indiana Pacers,
New York Nets
, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets all joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the
ABA–NBA merger
.
The
Charlotte Hornets
are regarded as a continuation of the original Charlotte franchise, which suspended operations in 2002 and rejoined the league in 2004. They were known as the Bobcats from 2004 to 2014. The New Orleans Pelicans are regarded as being established as an expansion team in 2002, originally known as the New Orleans Hornets until 2013.
Regular season
Following the summer break, teams begin training camps in late September.
[
135
]
Training camps allow the coaching staff to evaluate players (especially rookies), scout the team's strengths and weaknesses, prepare the players for the rigorous regular season and determine the 12-man active roster (and a 3-man inactive list) with which they will begin the regular season. Teams have the ability to assign players with less than two years of experience to the
NBA G League
. After training camp, a series of preseason exhibition games are held. Preseason matches are sometimes held in non-NBA cities, both in the United States and overseas. The NBA regular season begins in mid-October.
[
133
]
During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, 41 each home and away.
[
136
]
A team faces opponents in its own division four times a year (16 games).
[
136
]
Each team plays six of the teams from the other two divisions in its conference four times (24 games), and the remaining four teams three times (12 games).
[
136
]
Finally, each team plays all the teams in the other conference twice apiece (30 games).
[
136
]
This asymmetrical structure means the
strength of schedule
will vary between teams (but not as significantly as the
NFL
or
MLB
). Over five seasons, each team will have played 80 games against their division (20 games against each opponent, 10 at home, 10 on the road), 180 games against the rest of their conference (18 games against each opponent, 9 at home, 9 on the road), and 150 games against the other conference (10 games against each team, 5 at home, 5 on the road).
Starting with the
2023–24 season
, the regular season includes an
in-season tournament
, in which all games in the tournament (except for the final) count towards the regular season.
[
137
]
The NBA is also the only league that regularly schedules
games on Christmas Day
.
[
138
]
[
original research
]
The league has been playing games regularly on the holiday since 1947,
[
139
]
though the first Christmas Day games were not televised until
1983–84
.
[
140
]
Games played on this day have featured some of the best teams and players.
[
138
]
[
139
]
[
140
]
Christmas is also notable for NBA on television, as the holiday is when the first NBA games air on network television each season.
[
139
]
[
140
]
Games played on this day have been some of the highest-rated games during a particular season.
The NBA has also played
games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
(MLK Day) every year since the holiday was first observed in 1986.
[
141
]
In February, the regular season pauses to celebrate the annual
NBA All-Star Game
.
[
142
]
Fans vote throughout the United States, Canada, and on the Internet, and the top vote-getters in each conference are named captains. Fan votes determine the rest of the All-Star starters. Coaches vote to choose the remaining 14 All-Stars. The player with the best performance during the game is rewarded with a
Game MVP award
. Other attractions of the All-Star break include the
Rising Stars Challenge
(originally Rookie Challenge), where the top rookies and second-year players in the NBA play in a 5-on-5 basketball game, with the current format pitting U.S. players against those from the rest of the world; the
Skills Challenge
, where players compete to finish an obstacle course consisting of shooting, passing, and dribbling in the fastest time; the
Three Point Contest
, where players compete to score the highest number of three-point field goals in a given time; and the
NBA Slam Dunk Contest
, where players compete to dunk the ball in the most entertaining way according to the judges. These other attractions have varying names which include the names of the various sponsors who have paid for naming rights.
Shortly after the All-Star break is the
trade deadline
, which is set to fall on the 16th Thursday of the season (usually in February) at 3 pm
Eastern Time
.
[
143
]
After this date, teams are not allowed to exchange players with each other for the remainder of the season, although they may still sign and release players. Major trades are often completed right before the trading deadline, making that day a hectic time for
general managers
.
Around the middle of April, the regular season ends.
[
133
]
It is during this time that voting begins for individual awards, as well as the selection of the honorary, league-wide, postseason teams. The
Sixth Man of the Year Award
is given to the best player coming off the bench (must have more games coming off the bench than actual games started). The
Rookie of the Year Award
is awarded to the most outstanding first-year player. The
Most Improved Player Award
is awarded to the player who is deemed to have shown the most improvement from the previous season. The
Defensive Player of the Year Award
is awarded to the league's best defender. The
Coach of the Year Award
is awarded to the coach that has made the most positive difference to a team. The
Most Valuable Player Award
is given to the player deemed the most valuable for (his team) that season. Additionally,
Sporting News
awards an unofficial (but widely recognized)
Executive of the Year Award
to the general manager who is adjudged to have performed the best job for the benefit of his franchise.
The postseason teams are the
All-NBA Team
, the
All-Defensive Team
, and the
All-Rookie Team
; each consists of five players. There are three All-NBA teams, consisting of the top players at each position, with first-team status being the most desirable. There are two All-Defensive teams, consisting of the top defenders at each position. There are also two All-Rookie teams, consisting of the top first-year players regardless of position.
[
144
]
[
145
]
Playoffs
The
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
is awarded annually to the winning team of the
NBA Finals
, the league's championship series that concludes the playoffs.
The NBA playoffs begin in April after the conclusion of the regular season and
play-in tournament
with the top eight teams in each conference,
[
133
]
regardless of divisional alignment, competing for the league's championship title, the
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
.
Seeds
are awarded in strict order of regular season record (with a tiebreaker system used as needed).
Having a higher seed offers several advantages. Since the first seed begins the playoffs playing against the eighth seed, the second seed plays the seventh seed, the third seed plays the sixth seed, and the fourth seed plays the fifth seed, having a higher seed typically means a team faces a weaker opponent in the first round. The team in each series with the better record has home-court advantage, including the First Round.
The league began using its current format, with the top eight teams in each conference advancing regardless of divisional alignment, in the 2015–16 season. Previously, the top three seeds went to the division winners.
[
146
]
The playoffs follow a tournament format. Each team plays an opponent in a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games advancing into the next round, while the other team is eliminated from the playoffs. In the next round, the successful team plays against another advancing team of the same conference. All but one team in each conference are eliminated from the playoffs. Since the NBA does not re-seed teams, the playoff bracket in each conference uses a traditional design, with the winner of the series matching the first- and eighth-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams, and the winner of the series matching the second- and seventh-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the third- and sixth-seeded teams. In every round, the best-of-7 series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 home-court pattern, meaning that one team will have home court in games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the other plays at home in games 3, 4, and 6. From 1985 to 2013, the
NBA Finals
followed a 2–3–2 pattern, meaning that one team had home court in games 1, 2, 6, and 7, while the other played at home in games 3, 4, and 5.
[
147
]
The final playoff round, a best-of-seven series between the victors of both conferences, is known as the
NBA Finals
and is held annually in June (sometimes, the series will start in late May). The winner of the NBA Finals receives the
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
. Each player and major contributor—including coaches and the general manager—on the winning team receive a championship ring. In addition, the league awards the
Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
to the best performing player of the series.
Championships
The
Boston Celtics
have the most championships, with 18
NBA Finals
wins.
[
148
]
The
Los Angeles Lakers
have the second-most with 17; the
Golden State Warriors
and
Chicago Bulls
have the third- and fourth-most, respectively, with seven and six titles.
Overview of NBA champions
Teams
Win
Loss
Total
Year(s) won
Year(s) runner-up
Boston Celtics
18
5
23
1957
,
1959
,
1960
,
1961
,
1962
,
1963
,
1964
,
1965
,
1966
,
1968
,
1969
,
1974
,
1976
,
1981
,
1984
,
1986
,
2008
,
2024
1958
,
1985
,
1987
,
2010
,
2022
Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers
17
15
32
1949
,
1950
,
1952
,
1953
,
1954
,
1972
,
1980
,
1982
,
1985
,
1987
,
1988
,
2000
,
2001
,
2002
,
2009
,
2010
,
2020
1959
,
1962
,
1963
,
1965
,
1966
,
1968
,
1969
,
1970
,
1973
,
1983
,
1984
,
1989
,
1991
,
2004
,
2008
Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors
7
5
12
1947
,
1956
,
1975
,
2015
,
2017
,
2018
,
2022
1948
,
1964
,
1967
,
2016
,
2019
Chicago Bulls
6
0
6
1991
,
1992
,
1993
,
1996
,
1997
,
1998
—
San Antonio Spurs
5
1
6
1999
,
2003
,
2005
,
2007
,
2014
2013
Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers
3
6
9
1955
,
1967
,
1983
1950
,
1954
,
1977
,
1980
,
1982
,
2001
Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons
3
4
7
1989
,
1990
,
2004
1955
,
1956
,
1988
,
2005
Miami Heat
3
4
7
2006
,
2012
,
2013
2011
,
2014
,
2020
,
2023
New York Knicks
2
6
8
1970
,
1973
1951
,
1952
,
1953
,
1972
,
1994
,
1999
Seattle SuperSonics
/
Oklahoma City Thunder
2
3
5
1979
,
2025
1978
,
1996
,
2012
Houston Rockets
2
2
4
1994
,
1995
1981
,
1986
Milwaukee Bucks
2
1
3
1971
,
2021
1974
Cleveland Cavaliers
1
4
5
2016
2007
,
2015
,
2017
,
2018
St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks
1
3
4
1958
1957
,
1960
,
1961
Baltimore/Washington Bullets
(now Washington Wizards)
1
3
4
1978
1971
,
1975
,
1979
Portland Trail Blazers
1
2
3
1977
1990
,
1992
Dallas Mavericks
1
2
3
2011
2006
,
2024
Baltimore Bullets (original)
(
folded
in 1954)
1
0
1
1948
—
Rochester Royals
(now Sacramento Kings)
1
0
1
1951
—
Toronto Raptors
1
0
1
2019
—
Denver Nuggets
1
0
1
2023
—
Phoenix Suns
0
3
3
—
1976
,
1993
,
2021
Utah Jazz
(formerly New Orleans Jazz)
0
2
2
—
1997
,
1998
New Jersey Nets
(now Brooklyn Nets)
0
2
2
—
2002
,
2003
Orlando Magic
0
2
2
—
1995
,
2009
Indiana Pacers
0
2
2
—
2000
,
2025
Chicago Stags
(
folded
in 1950)
0
1
1
—
1947
Washington Capitols
(
folded
in 1951)
0
1
1
—
1949
Current teams that have no
NBA Finals
appearances:
[
149
]
Charlotte Hornets
(formerly Charlotte Bobcats)
Los Angeles Clippers
(formerly
Buffalo Braves
, San Diego Clippers)
Memphis Grizzlies
(formerly
Vancouver Grizzlies
)
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
(formerly New Orleans Hornets,
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
)
As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the NBA has a long history of partnerships with television networks in the United States. The NBA signed a contract with
DuMont Television Network
in its eighth season, the
1953–54 season
, marking the first year the NBA had a national television broadcaster.
[
150
]
Similar to the
National Football League
, the lack of television stations led to
NBC
taking over the rights from the
1954–55 season
until April 1962–NBC's first tenure with the NBA.
[
151
]
The
2025–26 season
marks the first year of 11-year agreements with broadcast networks
ABC
and NBC, pay television network
ESPN
, and streaming services
Peacock
and
Amazon Prime Video
to nationally televise games in the United States.
[
152
]
Games that are not broadcast nationally are usually aired over
regional sports networks
specific to the area where the teams are located.
Marketing and social responsibility
The NBA announced on April 15, 2016, that it would allow all 30 of its teams to sell corporate sponsor advertisement patches on official game uniforms, beginning with the 2017–18 season. The sponsorship advertisement patches would appear on the left front of jerseys, opposite
Nike
's logo, marking the first time a manufacturer's logo would appear on NBA jerseys, and would measure approximately 2.5 by 2.5 inches. The NBA would become the first
major North American professional sports league
to allow corporate sponsorship logos on official team uniforms, and the last to have a uniform manufacturer logo appear on its team uniforms.
[
153
]
The first team to announce a jersey sponsorship was the
Philadelphia 76ers
, who agreed to a deal with
StubHub
.
[
154
]
On July 6, 2017, the NBA unveiled an updated rendition of its logo; it was largely identical to the previous design, except with revised typography and a "richer" color scheme. The league began to phase in the updated logo across its properties during the
2017 NBA Summer League
.
[
155
]
The NBA also officially released new
Nike
uniforms for all 30 teams beginning with the 2017–18 season, replacing the previous supplier,
Adidas
. All team jerseys included the Nike logo except for the
Charlotte Hornets
, whose jerseys instead had the
Jumpman
logo associated with longtime Nike endorser
Michael Jordan
, who owns the Hornets.
[
156
]
In addition, the league eliminated "home" and "away" uniform designations. Instead, each team would have four or six uniforms: the "Association" edition, which is the team's white uniform, the "Icon" edition, which is the team's color uniform, and the "Statement" and "City" uniforms, which most teams use as an alternate uniform.
[
157
]
In 2018, the NBA added the "Earned" uniform.
[
158
]
NBA Cares
The league has a global social responsibility program, NBA Cares, that is responsible for the league's stated mission of addressing important social issues worldwide.
[
159
]
International competitions
The NBA has sporadically participated in international club competitions. The first international competition involving the NBA was a 1978 exhibition game in
Tel Aviv
, Israel between the
Washington Bullets
and Israeli club
Maccabi Tel Aviv
.
[
160
]
From 1987 to 1999 an NBA team played against championship club teams from Asia, Europe and South America in the
McDonald's Championship
. This tournament was won by the NBA invitee every year it was held.
[
161
]
The first regular season NBA league games in Europe took place in 2011. In two matchups, the
New Jersey Nets
faced the
Toronto Raptors
at the
O2 Arena
in London in front of over 20,000 fans.
[
citation needed
]
On March 10, 2025, NBA and Australia's
National Basketball League
(NBL) announced that in October 2025, the
New Orleans Pelicans
would play two preseason games at
Rod Laver Arena
in
Melbourne
as part of the
NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series
.
[
162
]
[
163
]
Ticket prices and viewership demographics
In 2022, an average ticket cost $77.75.
[
164
]
Depending on the market and stage of the season—preseason, regular season, postseason—a ticket can range from $10 to $100,000.
[
a
]
[
165
]
[
166
]
Viewership demographics
According to Nielsen's survey, in 2013 the NBA had the youngest audience, with 45 percent of its viewers under 35. As of 2022
, the league remains the least likely to be watched by women, who make up only 30% of the viewership.
[
167
]
As of 2014
, 45 percent of its viewers were
black
, while 40 percent of viewers were
white
, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.
[
168
]
As of 2017
, the NBA's popularity further declined among white Americans, who during the 2016–17 season, made up only 34% of the viewership. At the same time, the black viewership increased to 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. According to the same poll, the NBA was favored more strongly by
Democrats
than
Republicans
.
[
169
]
Outside the U.S., the NBA's biggest international market is in China,
[
170
]
[
171
]
where an estimated 800 million viewers watched the
2017–18 season
.
[
172
]
NBA China
is worth approximately $4 billion.
[
170
]
[
171
]
Criticisms and controversies
Microfiber game ball
A
new official game ball
was introduced on June 28, 2006, for the 2006–07 season, marking the first change to the ball in over 35 years and only the second ball in 60 seasons.
[
173
]
Manufactured by
Spalding
, the new ball featured a new design and new synthetic material that Spalding claimed offered a better grip, feel, and consistency than the original ball. However, many players were vocal in their disdain for the new ball, saying that it was too sticky when dry, and too slippery when wet.
Commissioner
David Stern
announced on December 11, 2006, that beginning January 1, 2007, the NBA would return to the traditional leather basketball in use prior to the 2006–07 season. The change was influenced by frequent player complaints and confirmed hand injuries (cuts) caused by the microfiber ball.
[
174
]
The
Players' Association
filed a suit on behalf of the players against the NBA over the new ball.
[
175
]
Sports betting and illegal gambling
2007 betting scandal
The
Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) began an investigation on July 19, 2007, over allegations that veteran NBA referee
Tim Donaghy
bet on basketball games he officiated over the past two seasons and that he made calls affecting the
point spread
in those games.
[
176
]
On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two
federal charges related to the investigation
. Donaghy claimed in 2008 that certain referees were friendly with players and "company men" for the NBA, and he alleged that referees influenced the outcome of certain playoff and finals games in 2002 and 2005. Commissioner Stern denied the allegations and said Donaghy was a convicted felon and a "singing, cooperating witness".
[
177
]
Donaghy served 15 months in prison and was released in November 2009.
[
178
]
According to an independent study by Ronald Beech of Game 6 of the
2002 Western Conference Finals
between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, although the refs increased the Lakers' chances of winning through foul calls during the game, there was no
collusion
to fix the game. On alleged "star treatment" during Game 6 by the referees toward certain players, Beech claimed, "there does seem to be issues with different standards and allowances for different players."
[
179
]
Sports betting
In 2018, Commissioner
Adam Silver
showed support in the
Supreme Court's
decision to overturn a federal ban on
sports betting
. Silver thought it would bring greater transparency and integrity as well as business opportunities.
[
173
]
Before naming
DraftKings
and
FanDuel
co-official sports betting partners of the NBA in 2021, the NBA first named
MGM
as the exclusive official gaming partner of the NBA and WNBA—the first major American sports league to do so.
[
174
]
[
180
]
With a deal between the 76ers and then-sportsbook FOX Bet as the first agreement between an NBA team and a sportsbook app, more teams partnered with operators thereafter.
[
181
]
This early acceptance of sports betting translated to basketball being the most bet-on sport in the United States over football in 2023.
[
182
]
2025 illegal gambling prosecution
On October 23, 2025,
Miami Heat
player
Terry Rozier
,
Portland Trail Blazers
head coach
Chauncey Billups
, and former player
Damon Jones
were arrested by the FBI in connection with a wider federal investigation into
sports betting and gambling
by various crime families of the
American Mafia
.
[
183
]
[
184
]
Tanking
The NBA has frequently struggled to mitigate
tanking
, the practice of intentionally fielding non-competitive teams to secure a higher position in the upcoming
NBA draft
, with many commentators describing the NBA's tanking problem as the worst out of all the
major North American professional sports leagues
. In 2026, the
Utah Jazz
and
Indiana Pacers
were fined $500,000 and $100,000, respectively, for deliberately benching healthy players with the intention of losing a game.
[
185
]
Commissioner Silver has been especially critical of the practice, and the NBA plans to implement numerous changes starting with the
2026–27 season
to discourage teams from deliberately losing games.
[
186
]
Donald Sterling
Donald Sterling
, who was then-owner of the
Los Angeles Clippers
, received a lifetime ban from the NBA on April 29, 2014, after racist remarks he made became public. Sterling was also fined US$2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA Constitution.
[
187
]
Partnerships
As part of its November 2021 multi-year partnership deal with the
United Arab Emirates
(UAE), the NBA hosted two preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 4 and 6, 2024, marking its third annual trip to the country. However, the
Human Rights Watch
(HRW) raised concerns, citing the UAE's pattern of using high-profile events to enhance its image. HRW accused the league of being complicit in "sportswashing" the UAE's poor human rights record, while the country seeks to display itself as open country, without addressing the abuses.
On September 30, HRW wrote a letter to the NBA, urging it to implement a human rights risk mitigation strategy, and to ensure that the preseason games were not used as a distraction from the UAE's human rights abuses. The rights organization also pointed out that the UAE hosted the games amidst the reports of the country being directly involved in fueling the
Sudanese civil war
. A coalition of human rights groups called upon the NBA to cancel the games in Abu Dhabi in solidarity with Sudanese.
[
188
]
Notable people
Presidents and commissioners
Adam Silver
, the
NBA Commissioner
since 2014
Maurice Podoloff
, President from 1946 to 1963
[
189
]
Walter Kennedy
, President from 1963 to 1967 and Commissioner from 1967 to 1975
[
190
]
Larry O'Brien
, Commissioner from 1975 to 1984
[
191
]
David Stern
, Commissioner from 1984 to 2014
[
192
]
[
193
]
Adam Silver
, Commissioner from 2014 to present
[
194
]
Players
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Lists of National Basketball Association players
Foreign players
Following pioneers like
Vlade Divac
(Serbia) and
Dražen Petrović
(Croatia), who joined the NBA in the late 1980s, an increasing number of international players have moved directly from playing elsewhere in the world to starring in the NBA.
[
195
]
[
196
]
Since 2006, the NBA has faced
EuroLeague
teams
in exhibition matches
in the
NBA Europe Live Tour
,
[
197
]
and since 2009, in the
EuroLeague American Tour
. On November 9, 2007, when the
Houston Rockets
with
Yao Ming
faced off against the
Milwaukee Bucks
with
Yi Jianlian
, over 200 million people in China watched on 19 different networks, making it the most-viewed game in NBA history.
[
198
]
The
2013–14 season
opened with a record 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and comprising over 20 percent of the league.
[
199
]
The NBA defines "international" players as those born outside the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. This means that:
Players born in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands
, most notably USVI native
Tim Duncan
, are counted as "international" even though they are U.S. citizens by birth, and may even have represented the U.S. in international competition (like Duncan).
U.S.-born players are not counted as "international" even if they were born with citizenship in another country and represent that country internationally, such as
Joakim Noah
, and
Kosta Koufos
.
The beginning of the
2017–18 season
saw a record 108 international players representing 42 countries marking 4 consecutive years of at least 100 international players and each team having at least one international player.
[
200
]
In 2018, the
Phoenix Suns
hired Serbian coach
Igor Kokoškov
as their new head coach, replacing Canadian interim coach
Jay Triano
, making Kokoškov the first European coach to become a head coach for a team in the NBA.
[
201
]
In the
2023–24 season
, the Mavericks and the Thunder each had eight international players on their roster.
[
202
]
For seven consecutive seasons from
2018–19
to
2024–25
, the league's
MVP award
has been given to an international player.
[
203
]
[
204
]
Below is a list of foreign players who have won NBA awards or have otherwise been recognized for their contributions to basketball, either currently or formerly active in the league:
Dražen Petrović, Croatia – 2002 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
, four-time
Euroscar
winner, two-time
Mr. Europa
winner, MVP of the
1986 FIBA World Championship
and
EuroBasket 1989
, two-time Olympic silver medalist, World champion, European champion,
50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors
.
[
205
]
Arvydas Sabonis
, Lithuania – 2011 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
, five-time Euroscar winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, Olympic gold medalist in
1988
with the
Soviet Union
and bronze medalist in
1992
and
1996
with
Lithuania
, 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.
[
206
]
Šarūnas Marčiulionis
, Lithuania – 2014 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
. First player from the Soviet Union and one of the first Europeans to sign a contract with an NBA club and to play solidly in the league, helping to lead the way for the internationalization of the league in the late 1990s.
[
207
]
Vlade Divac, Serbia – 2019 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
, two-time Olympic silver medalist, 2001
NBA All-Star
, two-time World champion, three-time European champion, 1989 Mr. Europa winner, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.
[
208
]
Toni Kukoč
, Croatia – 2021 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
, three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998), 1996
Sixth Man Award
winner, named in 2008 as one of the
50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors
.
[
209
]
Peja Stojaković
, Serbia – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the
EuroBasket 2001
, member of the all-tournament team in the
2002 FIBA World Championship
, 2001
Euroscar
winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, two-time
NBA Three-Point Shootout champion
, three-time NBA All-Star.
Dirk Nowitzki
, Germany – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the
2002 FIBA World Championship
and
EuroBasket 2005
, member of the all-tournament team in the
2002 FIBA World Championship
, six-time Euroscar winner, 2005 Mr. Europa, two-time
FIBA Europe Player of the Year
, 2007
NBA MVP
, 2011
Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
, 2006
NBA Three-Point Shootout champion
and 14-time NBA All-Star.
Hedo Türkoğlu
, Turkey – 2008
Most Improved Player Award
winner, member of the all-tournament team in the
2010 FIBA World Championship
.
Pau Gasol
, Spain – two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009 and 2010), six-time
NBA All-Star
, 2002
NBA Rookie of the Year
, two-time Mr. Europa,
2006 FIBA World Championship
MVP, four-time
Euroscar
, two-time
FIBA Europe Player of the Year
, MVP of the
EuroBasket 2009
and
EuroBasket 2015
, winner of the
NBA Citizenship Award
in 2012.
Andrei Kirilenko
, Russia – 2004 NBA All-Star, MVP of the
EuroBasket 2007
, 2007 FIBA Europe Player of the Year.
Tony Parker
, France – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs,
2007 NBA Finals
MVP, six-time NBA All-Star and 2007 Euroscar winner.
Manu Ginóbili
, Argentina – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, 2008 Sixth Man Award winner, two-time NBA All-Star, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors, Olympic gold medalist in
2004
with
Argentina
.
Yao Ming
, China – 2016 inductee into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
,
first overall pick
in the
2002 NBA draft
and eight-time NBA All-Star.
Leandro Barbosa
, Brazil – NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors (2015),
[
210
]
2007 Sixth Man Award winner.
Andrea Bargnani
, Italy – first overall pick in the
2006 NBA draft
by the
Toronto Raptors
.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
, Greece – NBA champion with the
Milwaukee Bucks
(2021),
2021 NBA Finals
MVP, two-time NBA MVP, 2017 Most Improved Player, eight-time NBA All-Star.
Nikola Jokić
, Serbia – NBA champion with the
Denver Nuggets
(2023),
2023 NBA Finals
MVP, three-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, 2016 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Olympic silver medalist.
Luka Dončić
, Slovenia – 2019
NBA Rookie of the Year
, five-time
NBA All-Star
, European champion
On some occasions, young players, most but not all from the English-speaking world, have attended American colleges before playing in the NBA. Notable examples are:
Nigerian
Hakeem Olajuwon
– first overall pick in the
1984 NBA draft
, two-time champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, 1994 NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
(only player to receive the MVP Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and Finals MVP award in the same season,) and Hall of Famer.
Congolese
Dikembe Mutombo
– fourth overall pick in the
1991 NBA draft
, four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer.
Dutchman
Rik Smits
– second overall pick in the
1988 NBA draft
, 1998 NBA All-Star, played 12 years for the Indiana Pacers.
German
Detlef Schrempf
– two-time NBA Sixth Man Award winner, three-time NBA All-Star.
Canadians
Steve Nash
(two-time NBA MVP, eight-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer),
Andrew Wiggins
(first overall pick in the
2014 NBA draft
, 2015
NBA Rookie of the Year
), and
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
(2025 NBA scoring leader, NBA MVP, and
2025 NBA Finals
MVP)
Australians
Luc Longley
(three-time champion with the Chicago Bulls),
Andrew Bogut
(first overall pick in the
2005 NBA draft
, 2015 NBA champion with Golden State Warriors) and
Ben Simmons
(first overall pick in the
2016 NBA draft
, 2018
NBA Rookie of the Year
, three-time NBA All-Star).
Sudanese-born Englishman
Luol Deng
– 2007
NBA Sportsmanship Award
winner, two-time NBA All-Star.
Cameroonians
Joel Embiid
(2023 NBA MVP, four-time NBA All-Star, 2017 NBA All-Rookie First Team) and
Pascal Siakam
(2019 NBA champion with Toronto Raptors, 2019 Most Improved Player, two-time NBA All-Star)
Coaches
List of current NBA head coaches
List of NBA player-coaches
List of NBA championship head coaches
List of foreign NBA coaches
Top 10 Coaches in NBA History
Female coaches
Becky Hammon
was hired by the
San Antonio Spurs
on August 5, 2014, as an assistant coach, becoming the second female coach in NBA history, but the first full-time coach.
[
211
]
[
212
]
She was also the first full-time female coach in any of the
four major professional sports leagues
in North America.
[
212
]
Others
List of NBA team owners
List of NBA referees
See also
List of NBA regular season records
List of NBA awards
List of NBA seasons
NBA cheerleading
List of NBA rivalries
NBA salary cap
List of NBA playoff series
NBA Summer League
List of NBA franchise postseason droughts
List of NBA franchise postseason streaks
NBA Store
Notes
^
During the
2019 NBA Finals
between the
Toronto Raptors
and
Golden State Warriors
, two courtside tickets were sold for $69,287.21 each at
Oracle Arena
.
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Further reading
Havlicek, John (2003).
NBA's Greatest
(1st ed.). DK.
ISBN
0-7894-9977-0
.
Jackson, Phil;
Smith, Sam
(2025).
Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players
. New York:
Penguin Press
.
ISBN
9798217060719
.
Kirchberg, Connie (2007).
Hoop Lore: A History of the National Basketball Association
.
McFarland & Company
.
ISBN
9780786426737
.
Peterson, Robert W. (2002).
Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early Years
. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
ISBN
0-8032-8772-0
.
Rosen, Charley (2009).
The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA
. McGraw-Hill Professional.
ISBN
978-0-07-148785-6
.
Surdam, David George (2012).
The Rise of the National Basketball Association
.
University of Illinois Press
.
ISBN
9780252037139
.
External links
Official website
"Official NBA Stats"
.
NBA
. Retrieved
February 23,
2026
.
"NBA Rulebook"
.
NBA
. October 15, 2018
. Retrieved
February 23,
2026
.
"Constitution and By-Laws of the National Basketball Association"
(PDF)
.
NBA
. May 29, 2012
. Retrieved
February 23,
2026
.
"Collective Bargaining Agreement"
(PDF)
. July 2023
. Retrieved
February 23,
2026
. |
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association)
- [1 History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#History)
Toggle History subsection
- [1\.1 Creation and BAA–NBL merger (1946–1956)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Creation_and_BAA%E2%80%93NBL_merger_\(1946%E2%80%931956\))
- [1\.2 Celtics' dominance, league expansion and competition (1956–1979)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Celtics'_dominance,_league_expansion_and_competition_\(1956%E2%80%931979\))
- [1\.3 Surging popularity and Bulls' dynasty (1979–1998)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Surging_popularity_and_Bulls'_dynasty_\(1979%E2%80%931998\))
- [1\.4 Lakers' and Spurs' dynasties (1998–2014)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Lakers'_and_Spurs'_dynasties_\(1998%E2%80%932014\))
- [1\.5 Warriors' dynasty (2014–2022)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Warriors'_dynasty_\(2014%E2%80%932022\))
- [1\.6 Parity era (2023–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Parity_era_\(2023%E2%80%93present\))
- [1\.7 Affiliated leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Affiliated_leagues)
- [2 Teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Teams)
- [3 Regular season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Regular_season)
- [4 Playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Playoffs)
- [5 Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Championships)
- [6 Media coverage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Media_coverage)
- [7 Marketing and social responsibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Marketing_and_social_responsibility)
Toggle Marketing and social responsibility subsection
- [7\.1 NBA Cares](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#NBA_Cares)
- [8 International competitions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#International_competitions)
- [9 Ticket prices and viewership demographics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Ticket_prices_and_viewership_demographics)
Toggle Ticket prices and viewership demographics subsection
- [9\.1 Viewership demographics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Viewership_demographics)
- [10 Criticisms and controversies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Criticisms_and_controversies)
Toggle Criticisms and controversies subsection
- [10\.1 Microfiber game ball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Microfiber_game_ball)
- [10\.2 Sports betting and illegal gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Sports_betting_and_illegal_gambling)
- [10\.2.1 2007 betting scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#2007_betting_scandal)
- [10\.2.2 Sports betting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Sports_betting)
- [10\.2.3 2025 illegal gambling prosecution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#2025_illegal_gambling_prosecution)
- [10\.3 Tanking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Tanking)
- [10\.4 Donald Sterling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Donald_Sterling)
- [10\.5 Partnerships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Partnerships)
- [11 Notable people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Notable_people)
Toggle Notable people subsection
- [11\.1 Presidents and commissioners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Presidents_and_commissioners)
- [11\.2 Players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Players)
- [11\.2.1 Foreign players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Foreign_players)
- [11\.3 Coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Coaches)
- [11\.3.1 Female coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Female_coaches)
- [11\.4 Others](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Others)
- [12 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#See_also)
- [13 Notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Notes)
- [14 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#References)
- [15 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#Further_reading)
- [16 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# National Basketball Association
100 languages
- [Адыгабзэ](https://ady.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Adyghe")
- [Aragonés](https://an.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Aragonese")
- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A5%D9%86_%D8%A8%D9%8A_%D8%A3%D9%8A "إن بي أي – Arabic")
- [مصرى](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%86_%D8%A8%D9%89_%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%87 "اين بى ايه – Egyptian Arabic")
- [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Asturian")
- [Azərbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milli_Basketbol_Assosiasiyas%C4%B1 "Milli Basketbol Assosiasiyası – Azerbaijani")
- [Žemaitėška](https://bat-smg.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Samogitian")
- [Bikol Central](https://bcl.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Central Bikol")
- [Беларуская (тарашкевіца)](https://be-tarask.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F "Нацыянальная баскетбольная асацыяцыя – Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)")
- [Беларуская](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F%D1%86%D1%8B%D1%8F "Нацыянальная баскетбольная асацыяцыя – Belarusian")
- [Български](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F "Национална баскетболна асоциация – Bulgarian")
- [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Breton")
- [Bosanski](https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Bosnian")
- [Català](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Catalan")
- [閩東語 / Mìng-dĕ̤ng-ngṳ̄](https://cdo.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Mindong")
- [Нохчийн](https://ce.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%8A%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8 "Къоман баскетболан ассоциаци – Chechen")
- [Cebuano](https://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Cebuano")
- [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Czech")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – German")
- [Zazaki](https://diq.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Dimli")
- [Ελληνικά](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Greek")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Esperanto")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Spanish")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Estonian")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Basque")
- [Estremeñu](https://ext.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Extremaduran")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C "انبیای – Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Finnish")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – French")
- [Furlan](https://fur.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Friulian")
- [Frysk](https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Western Frisian")
- [Gaeilge](https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Irish")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Galician")
- [Hausa](https://ha.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Hausa")
- [客家語 / Hak-kâ-ngî](https://hak.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Hakka Chinese")
- [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Hebrew")
- [हिन्दी](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%89%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8 "नेशनल बास्केटबॉल असोसिएशन – Hindi")
- [Fiji Hindi](https://hif.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association_\(NBA\) "National Basketball Association (NBA) – Fiji Hindi")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Croatian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Hungarian")
- [Հայերեն](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D4%B2%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%AF%D5%A5%D5%BF%D5%A2%D5%B8%D5%AC%D5%AB_%D5%A1%D5%A6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6_%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%B8%D6%81%D5%AB%D5%A1%D6%81%D5%AB%D5%A1_\(NBA\) "Բասկետբոլի ազգային ասոցիացիա (NBA) – Armenian")
- [Արեւմտահայերէն](https://hyw.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D4%BF%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%A3%D5%B6%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%AB_%D4%B1%D5%A6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6_%D5%84%D5%AB%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%AB%D6%82%D5%B6 "Կողովագնդակի Ազգային Միութիւն – Western Armenian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Indonesian")
- [Ido](https://io.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Ido")
- [Íslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Icelandic")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Italian")
- [日本語](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Japanese")
- [ქართული](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%9A%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98_%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%99%E1%83%90%E1%83%9A%E1%83%90%E1%83%97%E1%83%91%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%9D_%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1%E1%83%9D%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%90 "ნაციონალური საკალათბურთო ასოციაცია – Georgian")
- [Қазақша](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D2%B0%D0%BB%D1%82%D1%82%D1%8B%D2%9B_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB_%D2%9B%D0%B0%D1%83%D1%8B%D0%BC%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8B%D2%93%D1%8B "Ұлттық баскетбол қауымдастығы – Kazakh")
- [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%A0%84%EB%AF%B8_%EB%86%8D%EA%B5%AC_%ED%98%91%ED%9A%8C "전미 농구 협회 – Korean")
- [Kurdî](https://ku.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Kurdish")
- [Lëtzebuergesch](https://lb.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Luxembourgish")
- [Lietuvių](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Lithuanian")
- [Latviešu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacion%C4%81l%C4%81_basketbola_asoci%C4%81cija "Nacionālā basketbola asociācija – Latvian")
- [Македонски](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0 "Национална кошаркарска асоцијација – Macedonian")
- [മലയാളം](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B7%E0%B4%A3%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%AC%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AC%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BE_%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B7%E0%B5%BB "നാഷണൽ ബാസ്ക്കറ്റ്ബോൾ അസോസിയേഷൻ – Malayalam")
- [Монгол](https://mn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D2%AE%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%8D%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%B3%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0%91%D3%A9%D0%BC%D0%B1%D3%A9%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%B9%D0%BD_%D0%A5%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BE "Үндэсний Сагсан Бөмбөгийн Холбоо – Mongolian")
- [मराठी](https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%85%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%89%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8 "नॅशनल बास्केटबॉल असोसिएशन – Marathi")
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persatuan_Bola_Keranjang_Kebangsaan "Persatuan Bola Keranjang Kebangsaan – Malay")
- [مازِرونی](https://mzn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C "انبیای – Mazanderani")
- [Napulitano](https://nap.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Neapolitan")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Dutch")
- [Norsk bokmål](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Norwegian Bokmål")
- [Occitan](https://oc.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Occitan")
- [Oromoo](https://om.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Oromo")
- [ਪੰਜਾਬੀ](https://pa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A8%A8%E0%A9%88%E0%A8%B8%E0%A8%BC%E0%A8%A8%E0%A8%B2_%E0%A8%AC%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B8%E0%A8%95%E0%A8%9F%E0%A8%AC%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B2_%E0%A8%90%E0%A8%B8%E0%A9%8B%E0%A8%B8%E0%A9%80%E0%A8%8F%E0%A8%B8%E0%A8%BC%E0%A8%A8 "ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਬਾਸਕਟਬਾਲ ਐਸੋਸੀਏਸ਼ਨ – Punjabi")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Polish")
- [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Portuguese")
- [Română](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Romanian")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F "Национальная баскетбольная ассоциация – Russian")
- [Sicilianu](https://scn.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Sicilian")
- [Scots](https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Scots")
- [Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Serbo-Croatian")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Simple English")
- [Slovenčina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Slovak")
- [Slovenščina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Slovenian")
- [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Albanian")
- [Српски / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%91%D0%90 "НБА – Serbian")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Swedish")
- [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chama_cha_Mpira_wa_Kikapu_Marekani "Chama cha Mpira wa Kikapu Marekani – Swahili")
- [Sakizaya](https://szy.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Sakizaya")
- [தமிழ்](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D._%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF._%E0%AE%8F._\(%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D\) "என். பி. ஏ. (தேசிய கூடைப்பந்தாட்டச் சங்கம்) – Tamil")
- [Тоҷикӣ](https://tg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%91%D0%90 "НБА – Tajik")
- [ไทย](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4 "สมาคมบาสเกตบอลแห่งชาติ – Thai")
- [Türkmençe](https://tk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milli_Basketbol_Asossasi%C3%BDasy "Milli Basketbol Asossasiýasy – Turkmen")
- [Tagalog](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Tagalog")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Turkish")
- [Татарча / tatarça](https://tt.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B8_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB_%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%81%D0%B5 "Милли баскетбол ассоциациясе – Tatar")
- [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%96%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%86%D1%96%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%96%D1%8F "Національна баскетбольна асоціація – Ukrainian")
- [Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Uzbek")
- [Vèneto](https://vec.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Venetian")
- [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Vietnamese")
- [West-Vlams](https://vls.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – West Flemish")
- [吴语](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Wu")
- [მარგალური](https://xmf.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%9A%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98_%E1%83%9D%E1%83%99%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%90%E1%83%A9%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%91%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%94_%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1%E1%83%9D%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%AA%E1%83%98%E1%83%90 "ნაციონალური ოკარაჩხაბურთე ასოციაცია – Mingrelian")
- [Yorùbá](https://yo.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association "National Basketball Association – Yoruba")
- [閩南語 / Bân-lâm-gí](https://zh-min-nan.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Minnan")
- [粵語](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Cantonese")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA "NBA – Chinese")
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
North American professional basketball league
"NBA" redirects here. For other uses, see [NBA (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_\(disambiguation\) "NBA (disambiguation)").
| | |
|---|---|
| **Current season, competition or edition:**  *[2025–26 NBA season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season "2025–26 NBA season")* | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Basketball_Association_logo.svg) | |
| Sport | [Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball "Basketball") |
| Founded | June 6, 1946; 79 years ago (1946-06-06) (as [BAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America")), [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City"), New York, U.S.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-NBAFoundingDate-1) |
| First season | [1946–47](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946%E2%80%9347_BAA_season "1946–47 BAA season") |
| Commissioner | [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") |
| No. of teams | 30 |
| Countries | United States (29 teams) Canada (1 team) |
| Headquarters | [645 Fifth Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Tower "Olympic Tower") New York City, New York, U.S. 100 Plaza Drive Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-2) |
| Most recent champions | [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") (2nd title) |
| Most titles | [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") (18 titles) |
| Broadcasters | **United States:** [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_ABC "NBA on ABC")/[ESPN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_ESPN "NBA on ESPN")/[Disney+](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney%2B "Disney+") [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_NBC "NBA on NBC")/[Peacock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_\(streaming_service\) "Peacock (streaming service)") [Amazon Prime Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_Prime "NBA on Prime") [NBA TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV "NBA TV") **Canada:** [TSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sports_Network "The Sports Network")/[TSN2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSN2 "TSN2") [Sportsnet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportsnet "Sportsnet")/[Sportsnet One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportsnet_One "Sportsnet One") [NBA TV Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV_Canada "NBA TV Canada") **International:** [See list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_broadcasters#International_broadcasters "List of current NBA broadcasters") |
| Official website | [www.nba.com](https://www.nba.com/) [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155223#P856 "Edit this at Wikidata") |
The **National Basketball Association** (**NBA**) is a professional [basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball "Basketball") league in [North America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America "North America") composed of 30 teams (29 in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and 1 in [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada")).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-3) The NBA is one of the [major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-4) The league is headquartered in [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") and [Secaucus, New Jersey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secaucus,_New_Jersey "Secaucus, New Jersey").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-5)
The NBA was created on August 3, 1949, with the merger of the [Basketball Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America") (BAA) and the [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)") (NBL). The league later adopted the BAA's history and considers its founding on June 6, 1946, as its own.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-wp-2022-01-02-6)[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-NBAFoundingDate-1)[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-7) In 1976, the NBA and the [American Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") (ABA) [merged](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger"), adding four franchises to the NBA. The NBA's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The [league's playoff tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_playoffs "NBA playoffs") extends into June, culminating with the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") championship series.
The NBA is a member of [USA Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Basketball "USA Basketball") (USAB),[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-8) which is recognized by the [International Basketball Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA "FIBA") (FIBA) as the [governing body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_governing_body "Sports governing body") for basketball in the United States. The NBA is the second-wealthiest [professional sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_sports "Professional sports") league in the world [by revenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_sports_leagues_by_revenue "List of professional sports leagues by revenue") after the [National Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League") (NFL).[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-9) As of 2020[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Basketball_Association&action=edit), NBA players are the world's highest paid athletes by average annual salary per player.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-urlThe_Worlds_Highest-Paid_Athletes_2020-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-11)[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-12) In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA). The NBA also operates the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"), [NBA 2K League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_2K_League "NBA 2K League"), and the [Basketball Africa League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Africa_League "Basketball Africa League").
The [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") have the most [NBA championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions "List of NBA champions") with 18, winning most recently in 2024. The [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") are the reigning league champions, having defeated the [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") in the [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals").
## History
### Creation and BAA–NBL merger (1946–1956)
Main article: [Basketball Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_Leaf_Gardens_2023.jpg)
[Maple Leaf Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_Gardens "Maple Leaf Gardens") in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), site of the first-ever NBA game on November 1, 1946
The NBA began as the [Basketball Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America") (BAA), which was founded in 1946 by owners of the major [ice hockey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey "Ice hockey") arenas in the [Northeastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_United_States "Northeastern United States") and [Midwestern United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States "Midwestern United States") and Canada. On November 1, 1946, in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), Ontario, Canada, the [Toronto Huskies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Huskies "Toronto Huskies") hosted the [New York Knickerbockers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") at [Maple Leaf Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_Gardens "Maple Leaf Gardens"), in a game the league now calls the first game played in NBA history.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-firstgame-13) The first basket was made by [Ossie Schectman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossie_Schectman "Ossie Schectman") of the Knickerbockers.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-14)
Although there had been earlier attempts at professional basketball leagues, including the [American Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_League_\(1925%E2%80%9355\) "American Basketball League (1925–55)") (ABL) and the [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)") (NBL), the BAA was the first league to attempt to play primarily in large arenas in major cities. During its early years, the quality of play in the BAA was not significantly better than in competing leagues or among leading independent clubs such as the [Harlem Globetrotters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Globetrotters "Harlem Globetrotters"). For instance, the 1947 ABL finalist [Baltimore Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Bullets_\(1944%E2%80%9354\) "Baltimore Bullets (1944–54)") moved to the BAA and won that league's 1948 title,[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-15)[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-16) and the 1948 NBL champion [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers") won the 1949 BAA title.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-17)
Before the 1948–49 season, the BAA lured away several NBL teams—the [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne_Pistons "Fort Wayne Pistons"), [Indianapolis Kautskys](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Kautskys "Indianapolis Kautskys"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers"), and [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Royals "Rochester Royals")—with the prospect of playing in major venues such as [Boston Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Garden "Boston Garden") and [Madison Square Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden "Madison Square Garden").[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-encyc-18) The NBL hit back by outbidding the BAA for the services of several players, including [Al Cervi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Cervi "Al Cervi"), rookie [Dolph Schayes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolph_Schayes "Dolph Schayes") and five stars from the [University of Kentucky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Kentucky "University of Kentucky"), while also gaining the upper hand in Indianapolis with the creation of the [Indianapolis Olympians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Olympians "Indianapolis Olympians") while the Kautskys folded.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-wp-2022-01-02-6)[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-19) With several teams facing financial difficulties,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-20) the BAA and the NBL agreed to merge on August 3, 1949, to create the National Basketball Association. BAA president [Maurice Podoloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Podoloff "Maurice Podoloff") became the president of the NBA while NBL chairman [Ike Duffey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ike_Duffey "Ike Duffey") became the chairman.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-21)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-22) The NBA later adopted the BAA's history and statistics as its own but did not do the same for NBL records and statistics.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-23)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wat_Misaka.jpg)
Asian American point guard [Wat Misaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Misaka "Wat Misaka") broke BAA/NBA's [color barrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_segregation "Racial segregation") as the first non-white player to play in the BAA in 1947.
The new league had 17 franchises located in a mix of large and small cities,[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-history-24) as well as large arenas and smaller gymnasiums and [armories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal "Arsenal"). In 1950, the NBA consolidated to 11 franchises, then in 1954–55 shrank to eight[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-25): the [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks"), [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics"), [Philadelphia Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Warriors "Philadelphia Warriors"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers"), [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Royals "Rochester Royals"), [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne_Pistons "Fort Wayne Pistons"), [Milwaukee Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Hawks "Milwaukee Hawks"), and [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_Nationals "Syracuse Nationals"). All of these teams remain in the league today, albeit the latter six in new cities. During the contraction, the league's smaller-city franchises moved to larger cities. The Hawks shifted from the [Tri-Cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_Cities "Quad Cities") to [Milwaukee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee "Milwaukee") in 1951, then to [St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis "St. Louis") in 1955. In 1957, the Rochester Royals moved from [Rochester, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York "Rochester, New York"), to [Cincinnati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati "Cincinnati") and the Pistons moved from [Fort Wayne, Indiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne,_Indiana "Fort Wayne, Indiana"), to Detroit.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-26)
[Japanese-American](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-American "Japanese-American") [Wataru Misaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wataru_Misaka "Wataru Misaka") is considered to have broken the [NBA color barrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_color_barrier "NBA color barrier") in the [1947–48 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947%E2%80%9348_NBA_season "1947–48 NBA season"), when he played for the [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") in the BAA. He remained the league's only non-white player until the first African-American, [Harold Hunter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Hunter_\(basketball\) "Harold Hunter (basketball)"), signed with the [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols") in 1950.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-kcstar-27)[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-timespicayune-28) Hunter was cut from the team during training camp,[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-kcstar-27)[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-citypaper-29) but several other African Americans played in the league later that year, including [Chuck Cooper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Cooper_\(basketball\) "Chuck Cooper (basketball)") with the Celtics, [Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_%22Sweetwater%22_Clifton "Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Clifton") with the Knicks, and [Earl Lloyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd "Earl Lloyd") with the [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols"). During this period, the Minneapolis Lakers won five [NBA championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") and established themselves as the league's first [dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasty_\(sports\) "Dynasty (sports)");[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-30) their squad was led by center [George Mikan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan "George Mikan"), the NBA's first [superstar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstar "Superstar").[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-31) In 1954, the league introduced the 24-second [shot clock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_clock "Shot clock") to encourage shooting and discourage stalling.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-32)
### Celtics' dominance, league expansion and competition (1956–1979)
In 1957, rookie center [Bill Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell "Bill Russell") joined the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics"), which already had guard [Bob Cousy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cousy "Bob Cousy") and coach [Red Auerbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Auerbach "Red Auerbach"), and went on to lead the franchise to 11 NBA titles in thirteen seasons.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-33) Center [Wilt Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain "Wilt Chamberlain") entered the league with the Warriors in 1959 and became a star of the 1960s, setting single-game records in scoring ([100](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain%27s_100-point_game "Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game")) and rebounding (55). [Russell's rivalry with Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%E2%80%93Chamberlain_rivalry "Russell–Chamberlain rivalry") became one of the greatest rivalries in the history of American team sports.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-34)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wilt_Chamberlain_Bill_Russell_\(lighting_fixed\).jpg)
[Bill Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell "Bill Russell") defending against [Wilt Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain "Wilt Chamberlain") in 1966
The 1960s were dominated by the Celtics. Led by Russell, Cousy, and Auerbach, Boston won eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966—the longest championship streak in American professional sports.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-35) They did not win the title in [1966–67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966%E2%80%9367_NBA_season "1966–67 NBA season"), but regained it in the [1967–68 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967%E2%80%9368_NBA_season "1967–68 NBA season") and repeated in [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968%E2%80%9369_NBA_season "1968–69 NBA season"), earning nine of the decade's championship banners.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-36)
Through this period, the NBA continued to evolve with the shift of the [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers") to Los Angeles, the [Philadelphia Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Warriors "Philadelphia Warriors") to San Francisco, the [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_Nationals "Syracuse Nationals") to [Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia "Philadelphia") to become the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers"), and the [St. Louis Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Hawks "St. Louis Hawks") moving to [Atlanta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta "Atlanta"), as well as the addition of its first expansion franchises. The Chicago Packers (now [Washington Wizards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")) became the ninth NBA team in 1961.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-37) From 1966 to 1968, the league expanded from 9 to 14 teams, introducing the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls"), [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics") (now [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")), [San Diego Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Rockets "San Diego Rockets") (who moved to [Houston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston "Houston") four years later), [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks"), and [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns").
In 1967, the league faced a new external threat with the formation of the [American Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") (ABA). The leagues engaged in a bidding war.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-jozsa-38)[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-39) The NBA landed the most important college star of the era, [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar") (then known as Lew Alcindor), who went on to become the league's best player of the 1970s.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-40) However, the NBA's leading scorer, [Rick Barry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Barry "Rick Barry"), jumped to the ABA, as did four veteran referees—[Norm Drucker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Drucker "Norm Drucker"), [Earl Strom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Strom "Earl Strom"), John Vanak, and Joe Gushue.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-41)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wes_Unseld_and_Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar.jpeg)
[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar"), shown shooting his signature "[skyhook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_shot#Skyhook "Hook shot")" shot, was a record six-time [MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player "NBA Most Valuable Player") winner.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-42)
In 1969, [Alan Siegel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Siegel "Alan Siegel"), who oversaw the design of Jerry Dior's [Major League Baseball logo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_logo "Major League Baseball logo") the previous year, created the modern NBA logo inspired by the MLB's. It incorporates the silhouette of [Jerry West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_West "Jerry West"), based on a photo by Wen Roberts. The NBA would not confirm that a particular player was used because, according to Siegel, "They want to institutionalize it rather than individualize it. It's become such a ubiquitous, classic symbol and focal point of their identity and their licensing program that they don't necessarily want to identify it with one player." The logo debuted in 1971 (with a small change to the typeface on the NBA wordmark in 2017) and would remain a fixture of the NBA brand.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-43)
The ABA signed a number of major stars in the 1970s, including [Julius Erving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Erving "Julius Erving") of the [Virginia Squires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Squires "Virginia Squires"), in part because it allowed teams to sign college undergraduates. From 1966 to 1974, the NBA grew from nine franchises to 18.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-jozsa-38) In 1970, the [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers"), [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers"), and [Buffalo Braves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Braves "Buffalo Braves") (now the [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")) expanded the league to 17.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-44) The New Orleans Jazz (now in [Utah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")) came aboard in 1974. After the 1976 season, [the leagues reached a settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger") that would add four ABA franchises to the NBA—the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs"), [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets"), [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers"), and [New York Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Nets "New York Nets") (now the Brooklyn Nets)—bringing the number of NBA teams to 22.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-45) Some of the biggest stars of this era were Abdul-Jabbar, Barry, [Dave Cowens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Cowens "Dave Cowens"), Erving, [Elvin Hayes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvin_Hayes "Elvin Hayes"), [Walt Frazier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Frazier "Walt Frazier"), [Moses Malone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Malone "Moses Malone"), [Artis Gilmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artis_Gilmore "Artis Gilmore"), [George Gervin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gervin "George Gervin"), [Dan Issel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Issel "Dan Issel"), and [Pete Maravich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Maravich "Pete Maravich"). The end of the decade saw declining television ratings, low attendance, and drug-related player issues – both perceived and real – that threatened to derail the league.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-46)
### Surging popularity and Bulls' dynasty (1979–1998)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Johnson_Steve_Lipofsky.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Larry_Bird_Lipofsky_\(high_quality\)_\(cropped\).jpg)
Both [Magic Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Johnson "Magic Johnson") and [Larry Bird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird "Larry Bird") became key stars for the NBA during the 1980s.
The league added the ABA's [three-point field goal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-point_field_goal "Three-point field goal") in 1979.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-47) That same year, rookies [Larry Bird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird "Larry Bird") and [Magic Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Johnson "Magic Johnson") joined the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") and [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") respectively, helping to draw fans to the league.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ESPN-48) The two had faced each other in the [1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NCAA_Division_I_Basketball_Championship_Game "1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game"), and they later played against each other in three NBA Finals (1984, 1985, and 1987).[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ESPN-48) In the 10 seasons of the 1980s, Johnson led the Lakers to five titles[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-49) while Bird led the Celtics to three titles.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-50) Also in the early 1980s, the NBA added another expansion franchise, the [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks"),[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-51) bringing the league to 23 teams. Later, Bird won the first three three-point shooting contests.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-52) On February 1, 1984 [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern") became commissioner of the NBA; he would lead the league to new heights of popularity and profitability.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-53)[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-54)[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-55)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Lipfosky_--_Michael_Jordan_\(1997\).jpg)
[Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan") became the league's most popular player during the 1990s, while leading the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") to six championships.
[Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan") entered the league in 1984 with the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls"), spurring more interest.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-56) In 1988 and 1989, the [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets"), [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat"), [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic"), and [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves") made their NBA debuts, bringing the league to 27 teams.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-57) The [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, led by coach [Chuck Daly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Daly "Chuck Daly") and guard [Isiah Thomas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isiah_Thomas "Isiah Thomas").[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-58) Jordan and [Scottie Pippen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottie_Pippen "Scottie Pippen") led the Bulls to two three-peats in eight years during the 1991–1998 seasons.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-59)[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-60) [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Olajuwon "Hakeem Olajuwon") won back-to-back titles with the [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") in 1994 and 1995.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-61)
The [1992 Olympic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Summer_Olympics "1992 Summer Olympics") basketball [Dream Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_men%27s_Olympic_basketball_team "1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team"), the first to use current NBA stars, featured Jordan as the anchor, along with Bird, Johnson, [David Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Robinson_\(basketball\) "David Robinson (basketball)"), [Patrick Ewing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ewing "Patrick Ewing"), Scottie Pippen, [Clyde Drexler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Drexler "Clyde Drexler"), [Karl Malone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malone "Karl Malone"), [John Stockton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stockton "John Stockton"), [Chris Mullin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mullin_\(basketball\) "Chris Mullin (basketball)"), [Charles Barkley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Barkley "Charles Barkley"), and star NCAA amateur [Christian Laettner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Laettner "Christian Laettner").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-62) The team was elected to the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), while 11 of the 12 players (along with three out of four coaches) have been inducted as individuals in their own right.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-63)
In 1995, the NBA expanded to Canada with the addition of the [Vancouver Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Grizzlies "Vancouver Grizzlies") and the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors").[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-64)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-65) In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA).[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-66)
### Lakers' and Spurs' dynasties (1998–2014)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kobe_Bryant_7144_adjusted.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Duncan_Walks_Verizon_Center%27s_Floor_\(cropped\).jpg)
Between 1998 and 2014, [Kobe Bryant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant "Kobe Bryant") of the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") and [Tim Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Duncan "Tim Duncan") of the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") led their teams to five championships each.
In 1998, the [NBA owners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_team_owners "List of NBA team owners") began [a lockout that suspended all league business](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_NBA_lockout "1998–99 NBA lockout") until a new labor agreement could be reached, which led to the season being shortened to 50 games.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Wise1998-67)[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-68)
After the breakup of the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") championship roster in the summer of 1998, the [Western Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_\(NBA\) "Western Conference (NBA)") dominated much of the next two decades.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-69) The [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers"), coached by [Phil Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson "Phil Jackson"), and the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs"), coached by [Gregg Popovich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich "Gregg Popovich"), combined to make 13 Finals in 16 seasons, with 10 titles.[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-70) "[Twin Towers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Towers_\(San_Antonio_Spurs\) "Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)")" [Tim Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Duncan "Tim Duncan") and [David Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Robinson_\(basketball\) "David Robinson (basketball)") won the [1999 championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals") with the [Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_San_Antonio_Spurs_season "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season"), becoming the first former ABA team to win the NBA championship.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-71) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaquille_O%27Neal "Shaquille O'Neal") and [Kobe Bryant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant "Kobe Bryant") started the 2000s with three consecutive championships for the Lakers.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-72) The Spurs [reclaimed the title in 2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals") against the [Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets "New Jersey Nets").[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-73) In 2004, the Lakers [returned to the Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals"), only to lose in five games to the [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons").[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-74)
After the Hornets moved to [New Orleans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans "New Orleans") in 2002, the NBA returned to North Carolina, as the [Charlotte Bobcats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") were formed as an [expansion team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_team "Expansion team") in 2004.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-75) New Orleans then [temporarily moved](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_the_New_Orleans_Hornets "Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets") to [Oklahoma City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City "Oklahoma City") in 2005 for two seasons due to damage caused to their arena by [Hurricane Katrina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina "Hurricane Katrina").[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-76) The team returned to New Orleans in 2007.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-77)
The league's image was marred by a [violent incident between players and fans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Malice_at_the_Palace "The Malice at the Palace") in a November 2004 game between the [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") and Detroit Pistons.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-prunty-78) In response, players were suspended for a total of 146 games with \$11 million total lost in salary, and the league tightened security and limited the sale of alcohol.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-prunty-78)
On May 19, 2005, Commissioner Stern testified before the [U.S. House of Representatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives "United States House of Representatives")' Committee on Government Reform about the NBA's actions to combat the use of [steroids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid "Anabolic steroid") and other performance-enhancing drugs. The NBA started its drug-testing program in 1983 and substantially improved it in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season, all players were randomly tested during training camp, and all rookies were additionally tested three more times during the regular season. Of the nearly 4,200 tests for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs conducted over six seasons, only three players were confirmed positive for NBA's drug program, all were immediately suspended, and as of the time of the testimony, none were playing in the NBA.[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-79)
After the Spurs [won the championship again in 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals"), the [2006 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals") featured two franchises making their inaugural Finals appearances.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-80) The [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat"), led by their star shooting guard, [Dwyane Wade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwyane_Wade "Dwyane Wade"), and Shaquille O'Neal, who had been traded from the Lakers during the summer of 2004,[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-81) won the series over the [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks").[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-82) The Lakers/Spurs dominance [continued in 2007 with a four-game sweep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals") by the Spurs over the [LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James")\-led [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers").[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-83) The [2008 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals") saw a rematch of the league's [highest profile rivalry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtics%E2%80%93Lakers_rivalry "Celtics–Lakers rivalry"), the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") and Los Angeles Lakers, with the Celtics winning their 17th championship.[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-84)
The NBA Board of Governors approved the request of the [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics") to [move to Oklahoma City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics_relocation_to_Oklahoma_City "Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City") on April 18, 2008.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-85) The team, however, could not move until it had settled a lawsuit filed by the city of [Seattle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle "Seattle"), which was intended to keep the SuperSonics in Seattle for the remaining two seasons of the team's lease at [KeyArena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeyArena "KeyArena"). Following a court case, the city of Seattle settled with the [ownership group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Basketball_Club "Professional Basketball Club") of the SuperSonics on July 2, 2008, allowing the team to move to Oklahoma City immediately in exchange for terminating the final two seasons of the team's lease at KeyArena.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-86) The [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") began playing in the 2008–09 season.
The Lakers won back-to-back championships in [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals") and [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), against the [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") and the Celtics.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-87)[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-game7-88) The [2010 NBA All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_All-Star_Game "2010 NBA All-Star Game") was held at [Cowboys Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboys_Stadium "Cowboys Stadium") in front of the largest crowd ever: 108,713.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-89)
A referee lockout began on September 1, 2009, when the contract between the NBA and its referees expired. The first preseason games were played on October 1, 2009, and replacement referees from the [WNBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") and [NBA Development League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Development_League "NBA Development League") were used, the first time replacement referees had been used since the beginning of the 1995–96 season. The NBA and the regular referees reached a deal on October 23, 2009.[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-90)[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-91)
At the start of the 2010–11 season, free agents LeBron James and [Chris Bosh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bosh "Chris Bosh") signed with the Miami Heat, joining Dwyane Wade to form the "[Big Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Three_\(Miami_Heat\) "Big Three (Miami Heat)")".[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-92) The Heat dominated the league,[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-93) reaching the Finals for four straight years.[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-94) In [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals"), they faced a re-match with the Dallas Mavericks but lost to the [Dirk Nowitzki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki "Dirk Nowitzki")\-led team.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-95) They won back-to-back titles in [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals") and [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") against the [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") and the Spurs,[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-96) and lost in a re-match with the Spurs in the [2014 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals").[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-97)
The 2011–12 season began with [another lockout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_lockout "2011 NBA lockout"), the league's fourth.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-98) After the first few weeks of the season were canceled, the players and owners ratified a new collective bargaining agreement on December 8, 2011, setting up a shortened 66-game season.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-99)
After the 2012–13 season, the New Orleans Hornets were renamed the [Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans").[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-100) By May 2014, the Bobcats officially reclaimed the Hornets name, and by agreement with the league and the Pelicans, also received sole ownership of all history, records, and statistics from the Pelicans' time in Charlotte. As a result, the Hornets are now officially considered to have been founded in 1988, suspended operations in 2002, and resumed in 2004 as the Bobcats, while the Pelicans are officially treated as a 2002 expansion team.[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-hornets_name_returns-101) (This is somewhat similar to the relationship between the [Cleveland Browns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns "Cleveland Browns") and [Baltimore Ravens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens "Baltimore Ravens") in the [NFL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League").)
On February 1, 2014, commissioner David Stern retired after 30 years in the position, and was succeeded by his deputy, [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver").[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-102)
### Warriors' dynasty (2014–2022)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LeBron_James_\(15847318851\).jpg)
[LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James") became an era-defining star during the 2010s, while leading the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") to a historic title in 2016.
After four seasons with the Miami Heat, [LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James") returned to the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") for the 2014–15 season.[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-103) He led the team to their second Finals appearance with the help of [Kyrie Irving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie_Irving "Kyrie Irving") and [Kevin Love](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Love "Kevin Love"). The [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") defeated the Cavaliers in six games, led by the "[Splash Brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splash_Brothers "Splash Brothers")" [Stephen Curry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Curry "Stephen Curry") and [Klay Thompson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klay_Thompson "Klay Thompson"). The Cavaliers and the Warriors faced each other in the Finals a record [four consecutive times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavaliers%E2%80%93Warriors_rivalry "Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry").[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-104) In the 2015–16 season, the Warriors finished the season 73–9, the [best season record in NBA history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_teams_by_single_season_win_percentage "List of NBA teams by single season win percentage").[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-105) However, the Cavaliers overcame a 3–1 deficit in the Finals to win [their first championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals") that season,[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-106) and end a [52-year professional sports championship drought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_sports_curse "Cleveland sports curse") for the city of [Cleveland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland "Cleveland").[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-107) In the 2016–17 season, the Warriors recruited free agent [Kevin Durant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Durant "Kevin Durant")[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-108) and went on to win the [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals") and [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals") Finals against the Cavaliers.[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-109)
After the departure of James in free agency in 2018, the Cavaliers' streak of playoff and Finals appearances ended. The Warriors returned for a [fifth consecutive Finals appearance in 2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") but lost to the Toronto Raptors, who won their first championship after acquiring [Kawhi Leonard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawhi_Leonard "Kawhi Leonard") in a trade.[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-110)
The 2019–20 season was [suspended indefinitely](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_the_2020_NBA_regular_season "Suspension of the 2020 NBA regular season") on March 11, 2020, due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic"), after Utah Jazz center [Rudy Gobert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Gobert "Rudy Gobert") tested positive for the coronavirus.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-111)[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-112) On June 4, 2020, the NBA Board of Governors voted to resume the season in a 22-team format with 8 seeding games per team and a regular playoffs format, with [all games played in a "bubble"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Bubble "2020 NBA Bubble") in [Walt Disney World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World "Walt Disney World") without any fans present.[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-113)[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-114)[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-115)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stephen_Curry_\(24511268640\)_\(cropped\)_\(b\).jpg)
[Stephen Curry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Curry "Stephen Curry") revolutionized the NBA during the 2010s, while leading the [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") to four championships between 2015 and 2022.
This era also saw the continuous near year-over-year decline in NBA viewership. Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. While some of it can be attributed to "cable-cutting", other professional leagues, like the NFL and MLB have retained stable viewership demographics. The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") and [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That is reportedly the lowest [viewership seen for the Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals_television_ratings "NBA Finals television ratings") since at least 1994, when total viewers began to be regularly recorded and is a 45 percent decline from game one between the Golden State Warriors and [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors"), which had 13.51 million viewers a year earlier. Some attribute this decline to the political stances the league and its players are taking, while others consider load management, the uneven talent distribution between the conferences and the cord-cutting of younger viewers as the main reason for the decline.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-116)[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-117)[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-118)[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-119)[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-120)
During the [2020–21](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season "2020–21 NBA season") and [2021–22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_NBA_season "2021–22 NBA season") seasons, the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") would defeat the [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") in the [2021 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals"), securing their second NBA championship since 1971, and the Golden State Warriors made their sixth appearance in the finals defeating the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") in the [2022 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals"), their fourth championship in eight years.[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-121)[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-122)
### Parity era (2023–present)
2023 saw the ratification of a new [collective bargaining agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_collective_bargaining_agreement "NBA collective bargaining agreement"), which will penalize teams who exceed the luxury tax above certain "apron" thresholds, making it significantly more difficult for teams to sign multiple superstars to maximum contracts.[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-123) Seven different champions were crowned in seven years from 2019 to 2025, the longest such stretch in league history, leading numerous outlets to dub this the "[parity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parity_\(sports\) "Parity (sports)") era" in contrast to the dynasties which dominated previous decades.[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-124)[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-125)
> We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league. The goal being to have 30 teams all in the position, if well managed, to compete for championships. And that's what we're seeing here.
— NBA Commissioner [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") on the NBA's new era of parity[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-126)
The [2022–23 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%9323_NBA_season "2022–23 NBA season") saw the [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets"), led by center [Nikola Jokić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Joki%C4%87 "Nikola Jokić"), make the [franchise's first NBA Finals appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") and defeat the Miami Heat in five games to win their first NBA championship.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-127)
The [2023–24 NBA season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season") saw the star-studded Boston Celtics, winning a championship over the Dallas Mavericks, after five [conference finals appearances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_conference_finals "NBA conference finals"), and a finals appearance marking their 18th championship, their first since 2008.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-128)
The [2025 NBA playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_playoffs "2025 NBA playoffs") featured four teams ([Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks"), [Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers"), [Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") and [Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")) who had championship droughts spanning several decades or who had never won a championship. The Thunder would ultimately defeat the Pacers in seven games in the [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") to win their second title in franchise history and their first in Oklahoma City.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-129)
### Affiliated leagues
In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA).[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-130) In 2001, an affiliated [minor league](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_league "Minor league"), the National Basketball Development League, now called the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"), was created.[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-131) The NBA also operates the [NBA 2K League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_2K_League "NBA 2K League") and the [Basketball Africa League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Africa_League "Basketball Africa League").[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-132)
## Teams
See also: [List of defunct NBA teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_NBA_teams "List of defunct NBA teams"), [List of relocated NBA teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_relocated_NBA_teams "List of relocated NBA teams"), [Timeline of the National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_National_Basketball_Association "Timeline of the National Basketball Association"), and [Expansion of the NBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_the_NBA "Expansion of the NBA")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Map/4/38/-97/en)
[](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright "About OpenStreetMaps")
[](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Maps_Terms_of_Use "Maps: terms of use")
450km
280miles
**[Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs")
**[Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans")
**[Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies")
**[Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets")
**[Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks")
**[Kings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings")
**[Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns")
**[Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers")
**[Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")
**[Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors")
**[Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")
**[Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers")
**[Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")
**[Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
**[Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets")
**[Wizards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")
**[Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic")
**[Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat")
**[Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets")
**[Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks")
**[Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks")
**[Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers")
**[Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons")
**[Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers")
**[Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls")
**[Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors")
**[76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers")
**[Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks")
**[Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets")
**[Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics")**
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics")
**Divisions**
**[Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Division_\(NBA\) "Atlantic Division (NBA)")**
**[Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Division_\(NBA\) "Central Division (NBA)")**
**[Southeast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Division_\(NBA\) "Southeast Division (NBA)")**
**[Northwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Northwest Division (NBA)")**
**[Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Division_\(NBA\) "Pacific Division (NBA)")**
**[Southwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Southwest Division (NBA)")**
**Map all coordinates using** [OpenStreetMap](https://tools.wmflabs.org/osm4wiki/cgi-bin/wiki/wiki-osm.pl?project=en&article=National_Basketball_Association)
**Download coordinates as:**
- [KML](https://tools.wmflabs.org/kmlexport?article=National_Basketball_Association)
- [GPX (all coordinates)](https://geoexport.toolforge.org/gpx?project=en.wikipedia.org&coprimary=all&titles=National_Basketball_Association)
- [GPX (primary coordinates)](https://geoexport.toolforge.org/gpx?project=en.wikipedia.org&coprimary=primary&titles=National_Basketball_Association)
- [GPX (secondary coordinates)](https://geoexport.toolforge.org/gpx?project=en.wikipedia.org&coprimary=secondary&titles=National_Basketball_Association)
The NBA originated in 1946 with 11 teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, reductions, and relocations, consists of 30 teams – 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
The current league organization divides 30 teams into two 15-team conferences[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) of three divisions with five teams each. The current divisional alignment was introduced in the [2004–05 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season "2004–05 NBA season").[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-134) Reflecting the population distribution of the United States and Canada as a whole, most teams are in the eastern half of the country: 13 teams are in the [Eastern Time Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Time_Zone "Eastern Time Zone"), nine in the [Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Time_Zone_\(North_America\) "Central Time Zone (North America)"), three in the [Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Time_Zone "Mountain Time Zone"), and five in the [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Time_Zone "Pacific Time Zone").
| Conference | Division | Team | Location | [Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_arenas "List of NBA arenas") | Capacity | Coordinates | Founded | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Eastern Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Conference_\(NBA\) "Eastern Conference (NBA)") | [Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Division_\(NBA\) "Atlantic Division (NBA)") | [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") | [Boston, Massachusetts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston "Boston") | [TD Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD_Garden "TD Garden") | 19,156 | [42°21′59″N 71°03′44″W / 42\.366303°N 71.062228°W / 42\.366303; -71.062228 (Boston Celtics)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=42.366303_N_71.062228_W_type:landmark&title=Boston+Celtics) | 1946 | |
| [Brooklyn Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets") | [Brooklyn, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn "Brooklyn") | [Barclays Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barclays_Center "Barclays Center") | 17,732 | [40°40′58″N 73°58′29″W / 40\.68265°N 73.974689°W / 40\.68265; -73.974689 (Brooklyn Nets)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=40.68265_N_73.974689_W_type:landmark&title=Brooklyn+Nets) | 1967\* | 1976 | | |
| [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") | [New York, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") | [Madison Square Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden "Madison Square Garden") | 19,812 | [40°45′02″N 73°59′37″W / 40\.750556°N 73.993611°W / 40\.750556; -73.993611 (New York Knicks)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=40.750556_N_73.993611_W_type:landmark&title=New+York+Knicks) | 1946 | | | |
| [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") | [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia "Philadelphia") | [Xfinity Mobile Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xfinity_Mobile_Arena "Xfinity Mobile Arena") | 20,478 | [39°54′04″N 75°10′19″W / 39\.901111°N 75.171944°W / 39\.901111; -75.171944 (Philadelphia 76ers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=39.901111_N_75.171944_W_type:landmark&title=Philadelphia+76ers) | 1946\* | 1949 | | |
| [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") | [Toronto, Ontario](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto") | [Scotiabank Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotiabank_Arena "Scotiabank Arena") | 19,800 | [43°38′36″N 79°22′45″W / 43\.643333°N 79.379167°W / 43\.643333; -79.379167 (Toronto Raptors)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=43.643333_N_79.379167_W_type:landmark&title=Toronto+Raptors) | 1995 | | | |
| [Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Division_\(NBA\) "Central Division (NBA)") | [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") | [Chicago, Illinois](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago "Chicago") | [United Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Center "United Center") | 20,917 | [41°52′50″N 87°40′27″W / 41\.880556°N 87.674167°W / 41\.880556; -87.674167 (Chicago Bulls)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=41.880556_N_87.674167_W_type:landmark&title=Chicago+Bulls) | 1966 | | |
| [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") | [Cleveland, Ohio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland "Cleveland") | [Rocket Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Arena "Rocket Arena") | 19,432 | [41°29′47″N 81°41′17″W / 41\.496389°N 81.688056°W / 41\.496389; -81.688056 (Cleveland Cavaliers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=41.496389_N_81.688056_W_type:landmark&title=Cleveland+Cavaliers) | 1970 | | | |
| [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") | [Detroit, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit "Detroit") | [Little Caesars Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Caesars_Arena "Little Caesars Arena") | 20,332 | [42°20′28″N 83°03′18″W / 42\.341111°N 83.055°W / 42\.341111; -83.055 (Detroit Pistons)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=42.341111_N_83.055_W_type:landmark&title=Detroit+Pistons) | 1937\* | 1948 | | |
| [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") | [Indianapolis, Indiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis "Indianapolis") | [Gainbridge Fieldhouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gainbridge_Fieldhouse "Gainbridge Fieldhouse") | 17,923 | [39°45′50″N 86°09′20″W / 39\.763889°N 86.155556°W / 39\.763889; -86.155556 (Indiana Pacers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=39.763889_N_86.155556_W_type:landmark&title=Indiana+Pacers) | 1967 | 1976 | | |
| [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") | [Milwaukee, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee "Milwaukee") | [Fiserv Forum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiserv_Forum "Fiserv Forum") | 17,341 | [43°02′37″N 87°55′01″W / 43\.043611°N 87.916944°W / 43\.043611; -87.916944 (Milwaukee Bucks)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=43.043611_N_87.916944_W_type:landmark&title=Milwaukee+Bucks) | 1968 | | | |
| [Southeast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Division_\(NBA\) "Southeast Division (NBA)") | [Atlanta Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") | [Atlanta, Georgia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta "Atlanta") | [State Farm Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Farm_Arena "State Farm Arena") | 16,600 | [33°45′26″N 84°23′47″W / 33\.757222°N 84.396389°W / 33\.757222; -84.396389 (Atlanta Hawks)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=33.757222_N_84.396389_W_type:landmark&title=Atlanta+Hawks) | 1946\* | 1949 | |
| [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") | [Charlotte, North Carolina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte,_North_Carolina "Charlotte, North Carolina") | [Spectrum Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum_Center "Spectrum Center") | 19,077 | [35°13′30″N 80°50′21″W / 35\.225°N 80.839167°W / 35\.225; -80.839167 (Charlotte Hornets)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=35.225_N_80.839167_W_type:landmark&title=Charlotte+Hornets) | 1988\* | | | |
| [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") | [Miami, Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami "Miami") | [Kaseya Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaseya_Center "Kaseya Center") | 19,600 | [25°46′53″N 80°11′17″W / 25\.781389°N 80.188056°W / 25\.781389; -80.188056 (Miami Heat)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=25.781389_N_80.188056_W_type:landmark&title=Miami+Heat) | 1988 | | | |
| [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") | [Orlando, Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando,_Florida "Orlando, Florida") | [Kia Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Center "Kia Center") | 18,846 | [28°32′21″N 81°23′01″W / 28\.539167°N 81.383611°W / 28\.539167; -81.383611 (Orlando Magic)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=28.539167_N_81.383611_W_type:landmark&title=Orlando+Magic) | 1989 | | | |
| [Washington Wizards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards") | [Washington, D.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C. "Washington, D.C.") | [Capital One Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One_Arena "Capital One Arena") | 20,356 | [38°53′53″N 77°01′15″W / 38\.898056°N 77.020833°W / 38\.898056; -77.020833 (Washington Wizards)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=38.898056_N_77.020833_W_type:landmark&title=Washington+Wizards) | 1961\* | | | |
| [Western Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_\(NBA\) "Western Conference (NBA)") | [Northwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Northwest Division (NBA)") | [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") | [Denver, Colorado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver "Denver") | [Ball Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_Arena "Ball Arena") | 19,520 | [39°44′55″N 105°00′27″W / 39\.748611°N 105.0075°W / 39\.748611; -105.0075 (Denver Nuggets)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=39.748611_N_105.0075_W_type:landmark&title=Denver+Nuggets) | 1967 | 1976 |
| [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves") | [Minneapolis, Minnesota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis "Minneapolis") | [Target Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Center "Target Center") | 18,798 | [44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44\.979444°N 93.276111°W / 44\.979444; -93.276111 (Minnesota Timberwolves)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=44.979444_N_93.276111_W_type:landmark&title=Minnesota+Timberwolves) | 1989 | | | |
| [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") | [Oklahoma City, Oklahoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City "Oklahoma City") | [Paycom Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paycom_Center "Paycom Center") | 18,203 | [35°27′48″N 97°30′54″W / 35\.463333°N 97.515°W / 35\.463333; -97.515 (Oklahoma City Thunder)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=35.463333_N_97.515_W_type:landmark&title=Oklahoma+City+Thunder) | 1967\* | | | |
| [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") | [Portland, Oregon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon "Portland, Oregon") | [Moda Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moda_Center "Moda Center") | 19,393 | [45°31′54″N 122°40′00″W / 45\.531667°N 122.666667°W / 45\.531667; -122.666667 (Portland Trail Blazers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=45.531667_N_122.666667_W_type:landmark&title=Portland+Trail+Blazers) | 1970 | | | |
| [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") | [Salt Lake City, Utah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Lake_City "Salt Lake City") | [Delta Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Center "Delta Center") | 18,306 | [40°46′06″N 111°54′04″W / 40\.768333°N 111.901111°W / 40\.768333; -111.901111 (Utah Jazz)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=40.768333_N_111.901111_W_type:landmark&title=Utah+Jazz) | 1974\* | | | |
| [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Division_\(NBA\) "Pacific Division (NBA)") | [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") | [San Francisco, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco "San Francisco") | [Chase Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Center "Chase Center") | 18,064 | [37°46′05″N 122°23′15″W / 37\.768056°N 122.3875°W / 37\.768056; -122.3875 (Golden State Warriors)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=37.768056_N_122.3875_W_type:landmark&title=Golden+State+Warriors) | 1946\* | | |
| [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers") | [Inglewood, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglewood,_California "Inglewood, California") | [Intuit Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intuit_Dome "Intuit Dome") | 18,000 | [33°56′42″N 118°20′35″W / 33\.9451°N 118.3431°W / 33\.9451; -118.3431 (Los Angeles Clippers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=33.9451_N_118.3431_W_type:landmark&title=Los+Angeles+Clippers) | 1970\* | | | |
| [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") | [Los Angeles, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles "Los Angeles") | [Crypto.com Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypto.com_Arena "Crypto.com Arena") | 19,079 | [34°02′35″N 118°16′02″W / 34\.043056°N 118.267222°W / 34\.043056; -118.267222 (Los Angeles Lakers)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=34.043056_N_118.267222_W_type:landmark&title=Los+Angeles+Lakers) | 1947\* | 1948 | | |
| [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") | [Phoenix, Arizona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix,_Arizona "Phoenix, Arizona") | [Mortgage Matchup Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage_Matchup_Center "Mortgage Matchup Center") | 16,645 | [33°26′45″N 112°04′17″W / 33\.445833°N 112.071389°W / 33\.445833; -112.071389 (Phoenix Suns)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=33.445833_N_112.071389_W_type:landmark&title=Phoenix+Suns) | 1968 | | | |
| [Sacramento Kings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") | [Sacramento, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento,_California "Sacramento, California") | [Golden 1 Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_1_Center "Golden 1 Center") | 17,608 | [38°38′57″N 121°31′05″W / 38\.649167°N 121.518056°W / 38\.649167; -121.518056 (Sacramento Kings)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=38.649167_N_121.518056_W_type:landmark&title=Sacramento+Kings) | 1923\* | 1948 | | |
| [Southwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Southwest Division (NBA)") | [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks") | [Dallas, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas "Dallas") | [American Airlines Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Center "American Airlines Center") | 19,200 | [32°47′26″N 96°48′37″W / 32\.790556°N 96.810278°W / 32\.790556; -96.810278 (Dallas Mavericks)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=32.790556_N_96.810278_W_type:landmark&title=Dallas+Mavericks) | 1980 | | |
| [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") | [Houston, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston "Houston") | [Toyota Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Center "Toyota Center") | 18,055 | [29°45′03″N 95°21′44″W / 29\.750833°N 95.362222°W / 29\.750833; -95.362222 (Houston Rockets)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=29.750833_N_95.362222_W_type:landmark&title=Houston+Rockets) | 1967\* | | | |
| [Memphis Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies") | [Memphis, Tennessee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Tennessee "Memphis, Tennessee") | [FedExForum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FedExForum "FedExForum") | 18,119 | [35°08′18″N 90°03′02″W / 35\.138333°N 90.050556°W / 35\.138333; -90.050556 (Memphis Grizzlies)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=35.138333_N_90.050556_W_type:landmark&title=Memphis+Grizzlies) | 1995\* | | | |
| [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") | [New Orleans, Louisiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans "New Orleans") | [Smoothie King Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothie_King_Center "Smoothie King Center") | 16,867 | [29°56′56″N 90°04′55″W / 29\.948889°N 90.081944°W / 29\.948889; -90.081944 (New Orleans Pelicans)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=29.948889_N_90.081944_W_type:landmark&title=New+Orleans+Pelicans) | 2002\* | | | |
| [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") | [San Antonio, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio "San Antonio") | [Frost Bank Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost_Bank_Center "Frost Bank Center") | 18,418 | [29°25′37″N 98°26′15″W / 29\.426944°N 98.4375°W / 29\.426944; -98.4375 (San Antonio Spurs)](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=National_Basketball_Association¶ms=29.426944_N_98.4375_W_type:landmark&title=San+Antonio+Spurs) | 1967\* | 1976 | | |
**Notes**:
- An asterisk (\*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.
- The [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") and [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") all joined the NBA ([BAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America")) in 1948 from the [NBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)").
- The [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") and [Tri-Cities Blackhawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") joined the NBA in 1949 as part of the BAA-NBL merger.
- The Indiana Pacers, [New York Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets"), San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets all joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the [ABA–NBA merger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger").
- The [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") are regarded as a continuation of the original Charlotte franchise, which suspended operations in 2002 and rejoined the league in 2004. They were known as the Bobcats from 2004 to 2014. The New Orleans Pelicans are regarded as being established as an expansion team in 2002, originally known as the New Orleans Hornets until 2013.
## Regular season
| | |
|---|---|
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Main article: [List of NBA seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons "List of NBA seasons")
Following the summer break, teams begin training camps in late September.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-135) Training camps allow the coaching staff to evaluate players (especially rookies), scout the team's strengths and weaknesses, prepare the players for the rigorous regular season and determine the 12-man active roster (and a 3-man inactive list) with which they will begin the regular season. Teams have the ability to assign players with less than two years of experience to the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"). After training camp, a series of preseason exhibition games are held. Preseason matches are sometimes held in non-NBA cities, both in the United States and overseas. The NBA regular season begins in mid-October.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133)
During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, 41 each home and away.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) A team faces opponents in its own division four times a year (16 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) Each team plays six of the teams from the other two divisions in its conference four times (24 games), and the remaining four teams three times (12 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) Finally, each team plays all the teams in the other conference twice apiece (30 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) This asymmetrical structure means the [strength of schedule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strength_of_schedule "Strength of schedule") will vary between teams (but not as significantly as the [NFL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League") or [MLB](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball "Major League Baseball")). Over five seasons, each team will have played 80 games against their division (20 games against each opponent, 10 at home, 10 on the road), 180 games against the rest of their conference (18 games against each opponent, 9 at home, 9 on the road), and 150 games against the other conference (10 games against each team, 5 at home, 5 on the road).
Starting with the [2023–24 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season"), the regular season includes an [in-season tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_In-Season_Tournament "NBA In-Season Tournament"), in which all games in the tournament (except for the final) count towards the regular season.[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-137)
The NBA is also the only league that regularly schedules [games on Christmas Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Christmas_games "NBA Christmas games").[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Christmas-138)\[*[original research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research "Wikipedia:No original research")*\] The league has been playing games regularly on the holiday since 1947,[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139) though the first Christmas Day games were not televised until [1983–84](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983%E2%80%9384_NBA_season "1983–84 NBA season").[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Games played on this day have featured some of the best teams and players.[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Christmas-138)[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Christmas is also notable for NBA on television, as the holiday is when the first NBA games air on network television each season.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Games played on this day have been some of the highest-rated games during a particular season.
The NBA has also played [games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_MLK_Day_games "NBA MLK Day games") (MLK Day) every year since the holiday was first observed in 1986.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-141)
In February, the regular season pauses to celebrate the annual [NBA All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game "NBA All-Star Game").[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-142) Fans vote throughout the United States, Canada, and on the Internet, and the top vote-getters in each conference are named captains. Fan votes determine the rest of the All-Star starters. Coaches vote to choose the remaining 14 All-Stars. The player with the best performance during the game is rewarded with a [Game MVP award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game_MVP "NBA All-Star Game MVP"). Other attractions of the All-Star break include the [Rising Stars Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_Stars_Challenge "Rising Stars Challenge") (originally Rookie Challenge), where the top rookies and second-year players in the NBA play in a 5-on-5 basketball game, with the current format pitting U.S. players against those from the rest of the world; the [Skills Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Weekend_Skills_Challenge "NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge"), where players compete to finish an obstacle course consisting of shooting, passing, and dribbling in the fastest time; the [Three Point Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Point_Contest "Three Point Contest"), where players compete to score the highest number of three-point field goals in a given time; and the [NBA Slam Dunk Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Slam_Dunk_Contest "NBA Slam Dunk Contest"), where players compete to dunk the ball in the most entertaining way according to the judges. These other attractions have varying names which include the names of the various sponsors who have paid for naming rights.
Shortly after the All-Star break is the [trade deadline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_deadline "Trade deadline"), which is set to fall on the 16th Thursday of the season (usually in February) at 3 pm [Eastern Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Time_Zone "Eastern Time Zone").[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-143) After this date, teams are not allowed to exchange players with each other for the remainder of the season, although they may still sign and release players. Major trades are often completed right before the trading deadline, making that day a hectic time for [general managers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_general_managers "List of National Basketball Association general managers").
Around the middle of April, the regular season ends.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) It is during this time that voting begins for individual awards, as well as the selection of the honorary, league-wide, postseason teams. The [Sixth Man of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sixth_Man_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award") is given to the best player coming off the bench (must have more games coming off the bench than actual games started). The [Rookie of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award") is awarded to the most outstanding first-year player. The [Most Improved Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Improved_Player_Award "NBA Most Improved Player Award") is awarded to the player who is deemed to have shown the most improvement from the previous season. The [Defensive Player of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award") is awarded to the league's best defender. The [Coach of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Coach_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Coach of the Year Award") is awarded to the coach that has made the most positive difference to a team. The [Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "NBA Most Valuable Player Award") is given to the player deemed the most valuable for (his team) that season. Additionally, *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")* awards an unofficial (but widely recognized) [Executive of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Executive_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Executive of the Year Award") to the general manager who is adjudged to have performed the best job for the benefit of his franchise.
The postseason teams are the [All-NBA Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Team "All-NBA Team"), the [All-Defensive Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Defensive_Team "NBA All-Defensive Team"), and the [All-Rookie Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Rookie_Team "NBA All-Rookie Team"); each consists of five players. There are three All-NBA teams, consisting of the top players at each position, with first-team status being the most desirable. There are two All-Defensive teams, consisting of the top defenders at each position. There are also two All-Rookie teams, consisting of the top first-year players regardless of position.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-144)[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-145)
## Playoffs
Main article: [NBA playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_playoffs "NBA playoffs")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_State_Warriors_hold_Hoops_for_Troops_event_at_129th_Rescue_Wing_\(10\).jpg)
The [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy") is awarded annually to the winning team of the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals"), the league's championship series that concludes the playoffs.
The NBA playoffs begin in April after the conclusion of the regular season and [play-in tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_play-in_tournament "NBA play-in tournament") with the top eight teams in each conference,[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) regardless of divisional alignment, competing for the league's championship title, the [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy"). [Seeds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeding_\(sports\) "Seeding (sports)") are awarded in strict order of regular season record (with a tiebreaker system used as needed).
Having a higher seed offers several advantages. Since the first seed begins the playoffs playing against the eighth seed, the second seed plays the seventh seed, the third seed plays the sixth seed, and the fourth seed plays the fifth seed, having a higher seed typically means a team faces a weaker opponent in the first round. The team in each series with the better record has home-court advantage, including the First Round.
The league began using its current format, with the top eight teams in each conference advancing regardless of divisional alignment, in the 2015–16 season. Previously, the top three seeds went to the division winners.[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-146)
The playoffs follow a tournament format. Each team plays an opponent in a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games advancing into the next round, while the other team is eliminated from the playoffs. In the next round, the successful team plays against another advancing team of the same conference. All but one team in each conference are eliminated from the playoffs. Since the NBA does not re-seed teams, the playoff bracket in each conference uses a traditional design, with the winner of the series matching the first- and eighth-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams, and the winner of the series matching the second- and seventh-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the third- and sixth-seeded teams. In every round, the best-of-7 series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 home-court pattern, meaning that one team will have home court in games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the other plays at home in games 3, 4, and 6. From 1985 to 2013, the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") followed a 2–3–2 pattern, meaning that one team had home court in games 1, 2, 6, and 7, while the other played at home in games 3, 4, and 5.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-147)
The final playoff round, a best-of-seven series between the victors of both conferences, is known as the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") and is held annually in June (sometimes, the series will start in late May). The winner of the NBA Finals receives the [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy"). Each player and major contributor—including coaches and the general manager—on the winning team receive a championship ring. In addition, the league awards the [Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award") to the best performing player of the series.
## Championships
Main article: [List of NBA champions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions "List of NBA champions")
The [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") have the most championships, with 18 [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") wins.[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-148) The [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") have the second-most with 17; the [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") and [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") have the third- and fourth-most, respectively, with seven and six titles.
| Teams | Win | Loss | Total | Year(s) won | Year(s) runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") | 18 | 5 | 23 | [1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_NBA_Finals "1957 NBA Finals"), [1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_NBA_Finals "1959 NBA Finals"), [1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_NBA_Finals "1960 NBA Finals"), [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_Finals "1961 NBA Finals"), [1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_NBA_Finals "1962 NBA Finals"), [1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_NBA_Finals "1963 NBA Finals"), [1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_NBA_Finals "1964 NBA Finals"), [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NBA_Finals "1965 NBA Finals"), [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_Finals "1966 NBA Finals"), [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_Finals "1968 NBA Finals"), [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_NBA_Finals "1969 NBA Finals"), [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_Finals "1974 NBA Finals"), [1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_NBA_Finals "1976 NBA Finals"), [1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_NBA_Finals "1981 NBA Finals"), [1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_Finals "1984 NBA Finals"), [1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_NBA_Finals "1986 NBA Finals"), [2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals"), [2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_Finals "2024 NBA Finals") | [1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_NBA_Finals "1958 NBA Finals"), [1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NBA_Finals "1985 NBA Finals"), [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_NBA_Finals "1987 NBA Finals"), [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals") |
| [Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") | 17 | 15 | 32 | [1949](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949_BAA_Finals "1949 BAA Finals"), [1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NBA_Finals "1950 NBA Finals"), [1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_NBA_Finals "1952 NBA Finals"), [1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_NBA_Finals "1953 NBA Finals"), [1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_NBA_Finals "1954 NBA Finals"), [1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_NBA_Finals "1972 NBA Finals"), [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_Finals "1980 NBA Finals"), [1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NBA_Finals "1982 NBA Finals"), [1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NBA_Finals "1985 NBA Finals"), [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_NBA_Finals "1987 NBA Finals"), [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_Finals "1988 NBA Finals"), [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_Finals "2000 NBA Finals"), [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Finals "2001 NBA Finals"), [2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_Finals "2002 NBA Finals"), [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals"), [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Finals "2020 NBA Finals") | [1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_NBA_Finals "1959 NBA Finals"), [1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_NBA_Finals "1962 NBA Finals"), [1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_NBA_Finals "1963 NBA Finals"), [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NBA_Finals "1965 NBA Finals"), [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_Finals "1966 NBA Finals"), [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_Finals "1968 NBA Finals"), [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_NBA_Finals "1969 NBA Finals"), [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_Finals "1970 NBA Finals"), [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_NBA_Finals "1973 NBA Finals"), [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NBA_Finals "1983 NBA Finals"), [1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_Finals "1984 NBA Finals"), [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_Finals "1989 NBA Finals"), [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_Finals "1991 NBA Finals"), [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals"), [2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals") |
| [Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") | 7 | 5 | 12 | [1947](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_BAA_Finals "1947 BAA Finals"), [1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NBA_Finals "1956 NBA Finals"), [1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_Finals "1975 NBA Finals"), [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBA_Finals "2015 NBA Finals"), [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals"), [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals"), [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals") | [1948](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_BAA_Finals "1948 BAA Finals"), [1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_NBA_Finals "1964 NBA Finals"), [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_Finals "1967 NBA Finals"), [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals"), [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") |
| [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") | 6 | 0 | 6 | [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_Finals "1991 NBA Finals"), [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NBA_Finals "1992 NBA Finals"), [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_NBA_Finals "1993 NBA Finals"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_Finals "1996 NBA Finals"), [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NBA_Finals "1997 NBA Finals"), [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NBA_Finals "1998 NBA Finals") | — |
| [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") | 5 | 1 | 6 | [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals"), [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals"), [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals"), [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals"), [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals") | [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") |
| [Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") | 3 | 6 | 9 | [1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_NBA_Finals "1955 NBA Finals"), [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_Finals "1967 NBA Finals"), [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NBA_Finals "1983 NBA Finals") | [1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NBA_Finals "1950 NBA Finals"), [1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_NBA_Finals "1954 NBA Finals"), [1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NBA_Finals "1977 NBA Finals"), [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_Finals "1980 NBA Finals"), [1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NBA_Finals "1982 NBA Finals"), [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Finals "2001 NBA Finals") |
| [Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") | 3 | 4 | 7 | [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_Finals "1989 NBA Finals"), [1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NBA_Finals "1990 NBA Finals"), [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals") | [1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_NBA_Finals "1955 NBA Finals"), [1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NBA_Finals "1956 NBA Finals"), [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_Finals "1988 NBA Finals"), [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals") |
| [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") | 3 | 4 | 7 | [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals"), [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals"), [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") | [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals"), [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals"), [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Finals "2020 NBA Finals"), [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") |
| [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") | 2 | 6 | 8 | [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_Finals "1970 NBA Finals"), [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_NBA_Finals "1973 NBA Finals") | [1951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NBA_Finals "1951 NBA Finals"), [1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_NBA_Finals "1952 NBA Finals"), [1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_NBA_Finals "1953 NBA Finals"), [1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_NBA_Finals "1972 NBA Finals"), [1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_Finals "1994 NBA Finals"), [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals") |
| [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics")/[Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") | 2 | 3 | 5 | [1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NBA_Finals "1979 NBA Finals"), [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") | [1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_NBA_Finals "1978 NBA Finals"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_Finals "1996 NBA Finals"), [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals") |
| [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") | 2 | 2 | 4 | [1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_Finals "1994 NBA Finals"), [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_Finals "1995 NBA Finals") | [1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_NBA_Finals "1981 NBA Finals"), [1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_NBA_Finals "1986 NBA Finals") |
| [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") | 2 | 1 | 3 | [1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NBA_Finals "1971 NBA Finals"), [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") | [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_Finals "1974 NBA Finals") |
| [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") | 1 | 4 | 5 | [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals") | [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals"), [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBA_Finals "2015 NBA Finals"), [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals"), [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals") |
| [St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") | 1 | 3 | 4 | [1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_NBA_Finals "1958 NBA Finals") | [1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_NBA_Finals "1957 NBA Finals"), [1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_NBA_Finals "1960 NBA Finals"), [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_Finals "1961 NBA Finals") |
| [Baltimore/Washington Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards") (now Washington Wizards) | 1 | 3 | 4 | [1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_NBA_Finals "1978 NBA Finals") | [1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NBA_Finals "1971 NBA Finals"), [1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_Finals "1975 NBA Finals"), [1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NBA_Finals "1979 NBA Finals") |
| [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") | 1 | 2 | 3 | [1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NBA_Finals "1977 NBA Finals") | [1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NBA_Finals "1990 NBA Finals"), [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NBA_Finals "1992 NBA Finals") |
| [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks") | 1 | 2 | 3 | [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals") | [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals"), [2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_Finals "2024 NBA Finals") |
| [Baltimore Bullets (original)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Bullets_\(1944%E2%80%9354\) "Baltimore Bullets (1944–54)") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1954) | 1 | 0 | 1 | [1948](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_BAA_Finals "1948 BAA Finals") | — |
| [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") (now Sacramento Kings) | 1 | 0 | 1 | [1951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NBA_Finals "1951 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") | 1 | 0 | 1 | [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") | 1 | 0 | 1 | [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | [1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_NBA_Finals "1976 NBA Finals"), [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_NBA_Finals "1993 NBA Finals"), [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") |
| [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") (formerly New Orleans Jazz) | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NBA_Finals "1997 NBA Finals"), [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NBA_Finals "1998 NBA Finals") |
| [New Jersey Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets") (now Brooklyn Nets) | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_Finals "2002 NBA Finals"), [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals") |
| [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_Finals "1995 NBA Finals"), [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals") |
| [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_Finals "2000 NBA Finals"), [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") |
| [Chicago Stags](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Stags "Chicago Stags") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1950) | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | [1947](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_BAA_Finals "1947 BAA Finals") |
| [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1951) | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | [1949](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949_BAA_Finals "1949 BAA Finals") |
Current teams that have no [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") appearances:[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-149)
- [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") (formerly Charlotte Bobcats)
- [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers") (formerly [Buffalo Braves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Braves "Buffalo Braves"), San Diego Clippers)
- [Memphis Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies") (formerly [Vancouver Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Grizzlies "Vancouver Grizzlies"))
- [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
- [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") (formerly New Orleans Hornets, [New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_the_New_Orleans_Hornets "Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets"))
## Media coverage
Main article: [NBA on television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_television "NBA on television")
See also: [List of current NBA broadcasters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_broadcasters "List of current NBA broadcasters")
As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the NBA has a long history of partnerships with television networks in the United States. The NBA signed a contract with [DuMont Television Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuMont_Television_Network "DuMont Television Network") in its eighth season, the [1953–54 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%E2%80%9354_NBA_season "1953–54 NBA season"), marking the first year the NBA had a national television broadcaster.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-150) Similar to the [National Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League"), the lack of television stations led to [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") taking over the rights from the [1954–55 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954-55_NBA_season "1954-55 NBA season") until April 1962–NBC's first tenure with the NBA.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-151) The [2025–26 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025-26_NBA_season "2025-26 NBA season") marks the first year of 11-year agreements with broadcast networks [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company "American Broadcasting Company") and NBC, pay television network [ESPN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN "ESPN"), and streaming services [Peacock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_\(streaming_service\) "Peacock (streaming service)") and [Amazon Prime Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Prime_Video "Amazon Prime Video") to nationally televise games in the United States.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-152) Games that are not broadcast nationally are usually aired over [regional sports networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_sports_network "Regional sports network") specific to the area where the teams are located.
## Marketing and social responsibility
The NBA announced on April 15, 2016, that it would allow all 30 of its teams to sell corporate sponsor advertisement patches on official game uniforms, beginning with the 2017–18 season. The sponsorship advertisement patches would appear on the left front of jerseys, opposite [Nike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. "Nike, Inc.")'s logo, marking the first time a manufacturer's logo would appear on NBA jerseys, and would measure approximately 2.5 by 2.5 inches. The NBA would become the first [major North American professional sports league](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") to allow corporate sponsorship logos on official team uniforms, and the last to have a uniform manufacturer logo appear on its team uniforms.[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-153) The first team to announce a jersey sponsorship was the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers"), who agreed to a deal with [StubHub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StubHub "StubHub").[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-154)
On July 6, 2017, the NBA unveiled an updated rendition of its logo; it was largely identical to the previous design, except with revised typography and a "richer" color scheme. The league began to phase in the updated logo across its properties during the [2017 NBA Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Summer_League "2017 NBA Summer League").[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-155)
The NBA also officially released new [Nike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. "Nike, Inc.") uniforms for all 30 teams beginning with the 2017–18 season, replacing the previous supplier, [Adidas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas "Adidas"). All team jerseys included the Nike logo except for the [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets"), whose jerseys instead had the [Jumpman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumpman_\(logo\) "Jumpman (logo)") logo associated with longtime Nike endorser [Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan"), who owns the Hornets.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-156) In addition, the league eliminated "home" and "away" uniform designations. Instead, each team would have four or six uniforms: the "Association" edition, which is the team's white uniform, the "Icon" edition, which is the team's color uniform, and the "Statement" and "City" uniforms, which most teams use as an alternate uniform.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-157) In 2018, the NBA added the "Earned" uniform.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-158)
### NBA Cares
The league has a global social responsibility program, NBA Cares, that is responsible for the league's stated mission of addressing important social issues worldwide.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-159)
## International competitions
Main article: [List of games played between NBA and international teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_played_between_NBA_and_international_teams "List of games played between NBA and international teams")
The NBA has sporadically participated in international club competitions. The first international competition involving the NBA was a 1978 exhibition game in [Tel Aviv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv "Tel Aviv"), Israel between the [Washington Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Bullets "Washington Bullets") and Israeli club [Maccabi Tel Aviv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabi_Tel_Aviv_B.C. "Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.").[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-160) From 1987 to 1999 an NBA team played against championship club teams from Asia, Europe and South America in the [McDonald's Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s_Championship "McDonald's Championship"). This tournament was won by the NBA invitee every year it was held.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-161)
The first regular season NBA league games in Europe took place in 2011. In two matchups, the [New Jersey Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets "New Jersey Nets") faced the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") at the [O2 Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_O2_Arena_\(London\) "The O2 Arena (London)") in London in front of over 20,000 fans.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
On March 10, 2025, NBA and Australia's [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Australia\) "National Basketball League (Australia)") (NBL) announced that in October 2025, the [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") would play two preseason games at [Rod Laver Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Laver_Arena "Rod Laver Arena") in [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne") as part of the [NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_x_NBL:_Melbourne_Series "NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series").[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-162)[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-163)
## Ticket prices and viewership demographics
In 2022, an average ticket cost \$77.75.[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-164) Depending on the market and stage of the season—preseason, regular season, postseason—a ticket can range from \$10 to \$100,000.[\[a\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-165)[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-166)[\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-167)
### Viewership demographics
According to Nielsen's survey, in 2013 the NBA had the youngest audience, with 45 percent of its viewers under 35. As of 2022[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Basketball_Association&action=edit), the league remains the least likely to be watched by women, who make up only 30% of the viewership.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-168) As of 2014[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Basketball_Association&action=edit), 45 percent of its viewers were [black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans "African Americans"), while 40 percent of viewers were [white](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_American "White American"), making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-169)
As of 2017[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Basketball_Association&action=edit), the NBA's popularity further declined among white Americans, who during the 2016–17 season, made up only 34% of the viewership. At the same time, the black viewership increased to 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. According to the same poll, the NBA was favored more strongly by [Democrats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_\(United_States\) "Democratic Party (United States)") than [Republicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_\(United_States\) "Republican Party (United States)").[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-170)
Outside the U.S., the NBA's biggest international market is in China,[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for-171)[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift-172) where an estimated 800 million viewers watched the [2017–18 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_NBA_season "2017–18 NBA season").[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-173) [NBA China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_in_China "Basketball in China") is worth approximately \$4 billion.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for-171)[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift-172)
## Criticisms and controversies
Main article: [NBA criticisms and controversies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_criticisms_and_controversies "NBA criticisms and controversies")
### Microfiber game ball
A [new official game ball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_criticisms_and_controversies#Microfiber_game_ball "NBA criticisms and controversies") was introduced on June 28, 2006, for the 2006–07 season, marking the first change to the ball in over 35 years and only the second ball in 60 seasons.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-newball2006-174) Manufactured by [Spalding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding_\(sports_equipment\) "Spalding (sports equipment)"), the new ball featured a new design and new synthetic material that Spalding claimed offered a better grip, feel, and consistency than the original ball. However, many players were vocal in their disdain for the new ball, saying that it was too sticky when dry, and too slippery when wet.
Commissioner [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern") announced on December 11, 2006, that beginning January 1, 2007, the NBA would return to the traditional leather basketball in use prior to the 2006–07 season. The change was influenced by frequent player complaints and confirmed hand injuries (cuts) caused by the microfiber ball.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-leatherball2007-175) The [Players' Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Players_Association "NBA Players Association") filed a suit on behalf of the players against the NBA over the new ball.[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-176)
### Sports betting and illegal gambling
#### 2007 betting scandal
Main article: [2007 NBA betting scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal "2007 NBA betting scandal")
The [Federal Bureau of Investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation "Federal Bureau of Investigation") (FBI) began an investigation on July 19, 2007, over allegations that veteran NBA referee [Tim Donaghy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Donaghy "Tim Donaghy") bet on basketball games he officiated over the past two seasons and that he made calls affecting the [point spread](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_spread "Point spread") in those games.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-177) On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two [federal charges related to the investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal "2007 NBA betting scandal"). Donaghy claimed in 2008 that certain referees were friendly with players and "company men" for the NBA, and he alleged that referees influenced the outcome of certain playoff and finals games in 2002 and 2005. Commissioner Stern denied the allegations and said Donaghy was a convicted felon and a "singing, cooperating witness".[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-178) Donaghy served 15 months in prison and was released in November 2009.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-179)
According to an independent study by Ronald Beech of Game 6 of the [2002 Western Conference Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_playoffs#Western_Conference_finals "2002 NBA playoffs") between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, although the refs increased the Lakers' chances of winning through foul calls during the game, there was no [collusion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collusion "Collusion") to fix the game. On alleged "star treatment" during Game 6 by the referees toward certain players, Beech claimed, "there does seem to be issues with different standards and allowances for different players."[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-180)
#### Sports betting
In 2018, Commissioner [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") showed support in the [Supreme Court's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States "Supreme Court of the United States") decision to overturn a federal ban on [sports betting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_betting "Sports betting"). Silver thought it would bring greater transparency and integrity as well as business opportunities.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-newball2006-174) Before naming [DraftKings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DraftKings "DraftKings") and [FanDuel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FanDuel "FanDuel") co-official sports betting partners of the NBA in 2021, the NBA first named [MGM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Resorts_International "MGM Resorts International") as the exclusive official gaming partner of the NBA and WNBA—the first major American sports league to do so.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-leatherball2007-175)[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-181) With a deal between the 76ers and then-sportsbook FOX Bet as the first agreement between an NBA team and a sportsbook app, more teams partnered with operators thereafter.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-182) This early acceptance of sports betting translated to basketball being the most bet-on sport in the United States over football in 2023.[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-183)
#### 2025 illegal gambling prosecution
Main article: [2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_illegal_gambling_prosecution "2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution")
On October 23, 2025, [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") player [Terry Rozier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Rozier "Terry Rozier"), [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") head coach [Chauncey Billups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauncey_Billups "Chauncey Billups"), and former player [Damon Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_Jones "Damon Jones") were arrested by the FBI in connection with a wider federal investigation into [sports betting and gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_illegal_gambling_prosecution "2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution") by various crime families of the [American Mafia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia "American Mafia").[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-184)[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-185)
### Tanking
The NBA has frequently struggled to mitigate [tanking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanking "Tanking"), the practice of intentionally fielding non-competitive teams to secure a higher position in the upcoming [NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft "NBA draft"), with many commentators describing the NBA's tanking problem as the worst out of all the [major North American professional sports leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada"). In 2026, the [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") and [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") were fined \$500,000 and \$100,000, respectively, for deliberately benching healthy players with the intention of losing a game.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-186) Commissioner Silver has been especially critical of the practice, and the NBA plans to implement numerous changes starting with the [2026–27 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026%E2%80%9327_NBA_season "2026–27 NBA season") to discourage teams from deliberately losing games.[\[186\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-187)
### Donald Sterling
[Donald Sterling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Sterling "Donald Sterling"), who was then-owner of the [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers"), received a lifetime ban from the NBA on April 29, 2014, after racist remarks he made became public. Sterling was also fined US\$2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA Constitution.[\[187\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-188)
### Partnerships
As part of its November 2021 multi-year partnership deal with the [United Arab Emirates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates "United Arab Emirates") (UAE), the NBA hosted two preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 4 and 6, 2024, marking its third annual trip to the country. However, the [Human Rights Watch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch "Human Rights Watch") (HRW) raised concerns, citing the UAE's pattern of using high-profile events to enhance its image. HRW accused the league of being complicit in "sportswashing" the UAE's poor human rights record, while the country seeks to display itself as open country, without addressing the abuses.
On September 30, HRW wrote a letter to the NBA, urging it to implement a human rights risk mitigation strategy, and to ensure that the preseason games were not used as a distraction from the UAE's human rights abuses. The rights organization also pointed out that the UAE hosted the games amidst the reports of the country being directly involved in fueling the [Sudanese civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudanese_civil_war_\(2023%E2%80%93present\) "Sudanese civil war (2023–present)"). A coalition of human rights groups called upon the NBA to cancel the games in Abu Dhabi in solidarity with Sudanese.[\[188\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-189)
## Notable people
Further information: [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")
### Presidents and commissioners
Further information: [Commissioner of the NBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissioner_of_the_NBA "Commissioner of the NBA")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Silver.jpg)
[Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver"), the [NBA Commissioner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Commissioner "NBA Commissioner") since 2014
- [Maurice Podoloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Podoloff "Maurice Podoloff"), President from 1946 to 1963[\[189\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-190)
- [Walter Kennedy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Walter_Kennedy "J. Walter Kennedy"), President from 1963 to 1967 and Commissioner from 1967 to 1975[\[190\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-191)
- [Larry O'Brien](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien "Larry O'Brien"), Commissioner from 1975 to 1984[\[191\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-192)
- [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern"), Commissioner from 1984 to 2014[\[192\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-193)[\[193\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-194)
- [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver"), Commissioner from 2014 to present[\[194\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-195)
### Players
- [NBA 75th Anniversary Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_75th_Anniversary_Team "NBA 75th Anniversary Team")
- [Lists of National Basketball Association players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_National_Basketball_Association_players "Lists of National Basketball Association players")
#### Foreign players
Further information: [List of foreign NBA players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_NBA_players "List of foreign NBA players")
Following pioneers like [Vlade Divac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlade_Divac "Vlade Divac") (Serbia) and [Dražen Petrović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dra%C5%BEen_Petrovi%C4%87 "Dražen Petrović") (Croatia), who joined the NBA in the late 1980s, an increasing number of international players have moved directly from playing elsewhere in the world to starring in the NBA.[\[195\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-196)[\[196\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-197) Since 2006, the NBA has faced [EuroLeague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague "EuroLeague") teams [in exhibition matches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_vs._EuroLeague_games "NBA vs. EuroLeague games") in the [NBA Europe Live Tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Europe_Live_Tour "NBA Europe Live Tour"),[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-198) and since 2009, in the [EuroLeague American Tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague_American_Tour "EuroLeague American Tour"). On November 9, 2007, when the [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") with [Yao Ming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao_Ming "Yao Ming") faced off against the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") with [Yi Jianlian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Jianlian "Yi Jianlian"), over 200 million people in China watched on 19 different networks, making it the most-viewed game in NBA history.[\[198\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-199)
The [2013–14 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_NBA_season "2013–14 NBA season") opened with a record 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and comprising over 20 percent of the league.[\[199\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Helin2013-200) The NBA defines "international" players as those born outside the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. This means that:
- Players born in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the [U.S. Virgin Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Virgin_Islands "United States Virgin Islands"), most notably USVI native [Tim Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Duncan "Tim Duncan"), are counted as "international" even though they are U.S. citizens by birth, and may even have represented the U.S. in international competition (like Duncan).
- U.S.-born players are not counted as "international" even if they were born with citizenship in another country and represent that country internationally, such as [Joakim Noah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joakim_Noah "Joakim Noah"), and [Kosta Koufos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosta_Koufos "Kosta Koufos").
The beginning of the [2017–18 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_NBA_season "2017–18 NBA season") saw a record 108 international players representing 42 countries marking 4 consecutive years of at least 100 international players and each team having at least one international player.[\[200\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-201) In 2018, the [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") hired Serbian coach [Igor Kokoškov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Koko%C5%A1kov "Igor Kokoškov") as their new head coach, replacing Canadian interim coach [Jay Triano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Triano "Jay Triano"), making Kokoškov the first European coach to become a head coach for a team in the NBA.[\[201\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-202)
In the [2023–24 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season"), the Mavericks and the Thunder each had eight international players on their roster.[\[202\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-international_expansion-203) For seven consecutive seasons from [2018–19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_NBA_season "2018–19 NBA season") to [2024–25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_NBA_season "2024–25 NBA season"), the league's [MVP award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "NBA Most Valuable Player Award") has been given to an international player.[\[203\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-204)[\[204\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-205)
Below is a list of foreign players who have won NBA awards or have otherwise been recognized for their contributions to basketball, either currently or formerly active in the league:
- Dražen Petrović, Croatia – 2002 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), four-time [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar "Euroscar") winner, two-time [Mr. Europa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Europa "Mr. Europa") winner, MVP of the [1986 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIBA_World_Championship "1986 FIBA World Championship") and [EuroBasket 1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_1989 "EuroBasket 1989"), two-time Olympic silver medalist, World champion, European champion, [50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_EuroLeague_Contributors_\(2008\) "50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008)").[\[205\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-206)
- [Arvydas Sabonis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvydas_Sabonis "Arvydas Sabonis"), Lithuania – 2011 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), five-time Euroscar winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, Olympic gold medalist in [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1988_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics") with the [Soviet Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union_national_basketball_team "Soviet Union national basketball team") and bronze medalist in [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics") and [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1996_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics") with [Lithuania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania_men%27s_national_basketball_team "Lithuania men's national basketball team"), 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.[\[206\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-207)
- [Šarūnas Marčiulionis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0ar%C5%ABnas_Mar%C4%8Diulionis "Šarūnas Marčiulionis"), Lithuania – 2014 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"). First player from the Soviet Union and one of the first Europeans to sign a contract with an NBA club and to play solidly in the league, helping to lead the way for the internationalization of the league in the late 1990s.[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-208)
- Vlade Divac, Serbia – 2019 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), two-time Olympic silver medalist, 2001 [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), two-time World champion, three-time European champion, 1989 Mr. Europa winner, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-209)
- [Toni Kukoč](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Kuko%C4%8D "Toni Kukoč"), Croatia – 2021 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998), 1996 [Sixth Man Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sixth_Man_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award") winner, named in 2008 as one of the [50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_EuroLeague_Contributors "50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors").[\[209\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-210)
- [Peja Stojaković](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja_Stojakovi%C4%87 "Peja Stojaković"), Serbia – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the [EuroBasket 2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2001 "EuroBasket 2001"), member of the all-tournament team in the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship"), 2001 [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar "Euroscar") winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, two-time [NBA Three-Point Shootout champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Three-Point_Shootout_champion "NBA Three-Point Shootout champion"), three-time NBA All-Star.
- [Dirk Nowitzki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki "Dirk Nowitzki"), Germany – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship") and [EuroBasket 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2005 "EuroBasket 2005"), member of the all-tournament team in the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship"), six-time Euroscar winner, 2005 Mr. Europa, two-time [FIBA Europe Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe_Player_of_the_Year "FIBA Europe Player of the Year"), 2007 [NBA MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award"), 2011 [Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award"), 2006 [NBA Three-Point Shootout champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Three-Point_Shootout_champion "NBA Three-Point Shootout champion") and 14-time NBA All-Star.
- [Hedo Türkoğlu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedo_T%C3%BCrko%C4%9Flu "Hedo Türkoğlu"), Turkey – 2008 [Most Improved Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Improved_Player_Award "NBA Most Improved Player Award") winner, member of the all-tournament team in the [2010 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIBA_World_Championship "2010 FIBA World Championship").
- [Pau Gasol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau_Gasol "Pau Gasol"), Spain – two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009 and 2010), six-time [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), 2002 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), two-time Mr. Europa, [2006 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIBA_World_Championship "2006 FIBA World Championship") MVP, four-time [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar_Award "Euroscar Award"), two-time [FIBA Europe Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe_Player_of_the_Year_Award "FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award"), MVP of the [EuroBasket 2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2009 "EuroBasket 2009") and [EuroBasket 2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2015 "EuroBasket 2015"), winner of the [NBA Citizenship Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Walter_Kennedy_Citizenship_Award "J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award") in 2012.
- [Andrei Kirilenko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Kirilenko "Andrei Kirilenko"), Russia – 2004 NBA All-Star, MVP of the [EuroBasket 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2007 "EuroBasket 2007"), 2007 FIBA Europe Player of the Year.
- [Tony Parker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Parker "Tony Parker"), France – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, [2007 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals") MVP, six-time NBA All-Star and 2007 Euroscar winner.
- [Manu Ginóbili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_Gin%C3%B3bili "Manu Ginóbili"), Argentina – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, 2008 Sixth Man Award winner, two-time NBA All-Star, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors, Olympic gold medalist in [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2004_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament "Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament") with [Argentina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_national_basketball_team "Argentine national basketball team").
- [Yao Ming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao_Ming "Yao Ming"), China – 2016 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), [first overall pick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_NBA_draft_picks "List of first overall NBA draft picks") in the [2002 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_draft "2002 NBA draft") and eight-time NBA All-Star.
- [Leandro Barbosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leandro_Barbosa "Leandro Barbosa"), Brazil – NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors (2015),[\[210\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-barbosachamp-211) 2007 Sixth Man Award winner.
- [Andrea Bargnani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Bargnani "Andrea Bargnani"), Italy – first overall pick in the [2006 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_draft "2006 NBA draft") by the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors").
- [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giannis_Antetokounmpo "Giannis Antetokounmpo"), Greece – NBA champion with the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") (2021), [2021 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") MVP, two-time NBA MVP, 2017 Most Improved Player, eight-time NBA All-Star.
- [Nikola Jokić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Joki%C4%87 "Nikola Jokić"), Serbia – NBA champion with the [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") (2023), [2023 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") MVP, three-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, 2016 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Olympic silver medalist.
- [Luka Dončić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Don%C4%8Di%C4%87 "Luka Dončić"), Slovenia – 2019 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), five-time [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), European champion
On some occasions, young players, most but not all from the English-speaking world, have attended American colleges before playing in the NBA. Notable examples are:
- Nigerian [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Olajuwon "Hakeem Olajuwon") – first overall pick in the [1984 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_draft "1984 NBA draft"), two-time champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, 1994 NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time [NBA Defensive Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award") (only player to receive the MVP Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and Finals MVP award in the same season,) and Hall of Famer.
- Congolese [Dikembe Mutombo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikembe_Mutombo "Dikembe Mutombo") – fourth overall pick in the [1991 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_draft "1991 NBA draft"), four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer.
- Dutchman [Rik Smits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Smits "Rik Smits") – second overall pick in the [1988 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_draft "1988 NBA draft"), 1998 NBA All-Star, played 12 years for the Indiana Pacers.
- German [Detlef Schrempf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detlef_Schrempf "Detlef Schrempf") – two-time NBA Sixth Man Award winner, three-time NBA All-Star.
- Canadians [Steve Nash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Nash "Steve Nash") (two-time NBA MVP, eight-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer), [Andrew Wiggins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wiggins "Andrew Wiggins") (first overall pick in the [2014 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_draft "2014 NBA draft"), 2015 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award")), and [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shai_Gilgeous-Alexander "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander") (2025 NBA scoring leader, NBA MVP, and [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") MVP)
- Australians [Luc Longley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Longley "Luc Longley") (three-time champion with the Chicago Bulls), [Andrew Bogut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bogut "Andrew Bogut") (first overall pick in the [2005 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_draft "2005 NBA draft"), 2015 NBA champion with Golden State Warriors) and [Ben Simmons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Simmons "Ben Simmons") (first overall pick in the [2016 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_draft "2016 NBA draft"), 2018 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), three-time NBA All-Star).
- Sudanese-born Englishman [Luol Deng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luol_Deng "Luol Deng") – 2007 [NBA Sportsmanship Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sportsmanship_Award "NBA Sportsmanship Award") winner, two-time NBA All-Star.
- Cameroonians [Joel Embiid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Embiid "Joel Embiid") (2023 NBA MVP, four-time NBA All-Star, 2017 NBA All-Rookie First Team) and [Pascal Siakam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Siakam "Pascal Siakam") (2019 NBA champion with Toronto Raptors, 2019 Most Improved Player, two-time NBA All-Star)
### Coaches
- [List of current NBA head coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_head_coaches "List of current NBA head coaches")
- [List of NBA player-coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_player-coaches "List of NBA player-coaches")
- [List of NBA championship head coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_championship_head_coaches "List of NBA championship head coaches")
- [List of foreign NBA coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_NBA_coaches "List of foreign NBA coaches")
- [Top 10 Coaches in NBA History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_Players_in_NBA_History#Top_10_Coaches_in_NBA_History "50 Greatest Players in NBA History")
#### Female coaches
See also: [List of female NBA coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_NBA_coaches "List of female NBA coaches")
[Becky Hammon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becky_Hammon "Becky Hammon") was hired by the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") on August 5, 2014, as an assistant coach, becoming the second female coach in NBA history, but the first full-time coach.[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-212)[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-borntocoach-213) She was also the first full-time female coach in any of the [four major professional sports leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") in North America.[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-borntocoach-213)
### Others
- [List of NBA team owners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_team_owners "List of NBA team owners")
- [List of NBA referees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_referees "List of NBA referees")
## See also
- [List of NBA regular season records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_regular_season_records "List of NBA regular season records")
- [List of NBA awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_awards "List of NBA awards")
- [List of NBA seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons "List of NBA seasons")
- [NBA cheerleading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_cheerleading "NBA cheerleading")
- [List of NBA rivalries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_rivalries "List of NBA rivalries")
- [NBA salary cap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap "NBA salary cap")
- [List of NBA playoff series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_playoff_series "List of NBA playoff series")
- [NBA Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Summer_League "NBA Summer League")
- [List of NBA franchise postseason droughts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_postseason_droughts "List of NBA franchise postseason droughts")
- [List of NBA franchise postseason streaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_postseason_streaks "List of NBA franchise postseason streaks")
- [NBA Store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Store "NBA Store")
## Notes
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-165)** During the [2019 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") between the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") and [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors"), two courtside tickets were sold for \$69,287.21 each at [Oracle Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_Arena "Oracle Arena").
## References
1. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-NBAFoundingDate_1-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-NBAFoundingDate_1-1)
["This Date in the NBA: June"](https://www.nba.com/news/history-this-date-in-nba-june). National Basketball Association. Retrieved March 4, 2022. "June 6, 1946–The National Basketball Association was founded at the Commodore Hotel in New York. Maurice Podoloff was the league's first president, a title later changed to commissioner."
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-2)**
["NBA Directories"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191026000042/https://www.nba.com/assets/pdfs/2019-20-NBA-Guide.pdf) (PDF). National Basketball Association. October 17, 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.nba.com/assets/pdfs/2019-20-NBA-Guide.pdf#page=6) (PDF) on October 26, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-3)**
["About The NBA"](https://www.nba.com/news/about). *NBA.com*. June 18, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-4)**
Rathborn, Jack (November 18, 2020). ["NBA Draft 2020: What time does it start in the UK, who has the No 1 pick and how can I watch it?"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/nba/draft-2020-what-time-start-uk-b1725070.html). *The Independent*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/nba/draft-2020-what-time-start-uk-b1725070.html) from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2020. "The 2020 NBA Draft is here after days of juicy gossip surrounding trades as the world's greatest basketball league dominates the headlines during its offseason."
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-5)** [NBA Office Locations](https://careers.nba.com/locations/)
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Writer, Matthew Impelli (November 25, 2019). ["Philadelphia 76ers Partner With Mobile Sports Betting Brand, FOX Bet"](https://www.newsweek.com/philadelphia-76ers-become-first-nba-team-partner-online-sports-betting-brand-1473968). *Newsweek*. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
182. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-183)**
Molter, Michael (January 25, 2024). ["Basketball Eclipsing Football As Most Bet On Sport In USA"](https://www.usaonlinegambling.com/news/basketball-eclipsing-football-as-most-bet-on-sport-in-usa-01-25-2024/). Retrieved January 30, 2024.
183. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-184)**
Clemente, Alberto (October 23, 2025). ["NBA chaos as FBI arrests Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones..."](https://en.as.com/nba/nba-chaos-as-fbi-arrests-two-big-names-f202510-n/) *AS USA*. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
184. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-185)**
Morik, Ryan; Gaydos, Ryan (October 23, 2025). ["NBA legend Chauncey Billups, Heat's Terry Rozier arrested as part of FBI gambling probe"](https://www.fox4news.com/news/heats-terry-rozier-arrested-part-fbi-sports-betting-probe). *FOX 4 KDFW*. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
185. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-186)**
Toporek, Bryan (February 20, 2026). ["The NBA's Tanking Problem Has No Easy Fixes"](http://web.archive.org/web/20260221102921/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2026/02/20/the-nbas-tanking-problem-has-no-easy-fixes/). *Forbes*. Archived from [the original](https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2026/02/20/the-nbas-tanking-problem-has-no-easy-fixes/) on February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
186. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-187)**
Charania, Shams (February 19, 2026). ["NBA plans to enact anti-tanking rules next season, sources say"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47979919/nba-set-enact-anti-tanking-rules-next-season-sources-say). *ESPN*. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
187. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-188)**
["Clippers owner Sterling banned for life by the NBA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181229050022/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/29/nba-bans-donald-sterling.ap/). National Basketball Association. Associated Press. April 29, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/29/nba-bans-donald-sterling.ap/) on December 29, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
188. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-189)**
["UAE: NBA Games Risk "Sportswashing" Abuses"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241006054231/https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/03/uae-nba-games-risk-sportswashing-abuses). October 3, 2024. Archived from [the original](https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/03/uae-nba-games-risk-sportswashing-abuses) on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
189. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-190)**
["Maurice Podoloff Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/maurice-podoloff). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
190. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-191)**
["James Walter Kennedy Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/james-walter-kennedy/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
191. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-192)**
Goldaper, Sam (November 10, 1983). ["O'Brien Steps Down As Commissioner of N.B.A."](https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/10/sports/o-brien-steps-down-as-commissioner-of-nba.html) *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
192. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-193)**
Mahoney, Brian (January 2, 2020). ["NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern dies at 77"](https://www.nba.com/news/david-stern-passes-away-77). *[NBA.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA.com "NBA.com")*. [Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press "Associated Press"). Retrieved December 6, 2023.
193. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-194)**
Gregory, Sean (January 2, 2020). ["How David Stern Rescued the NBA and Turned Basketball Into a Global Force"](https://time.com/5757570/david-sterm-rescued-nba/). *[Time Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Magazine "Time Magazine")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
194. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-195)**
["Adam Silver replaces David Stern"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10387067/adam-silver-replaces-david-stern-nba-commissioner). *[ESPN.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN.com "ESPN.com")*. February 1, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
195. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-196)**
Freeman, Mike (June 9, 1993). ["Pro Basketball; Details Emerge, but Petrovic's Death Still Baffles"](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/09/sports/pro-basketball-details-emerge-but-petrovic-s-death-still-baffles.html). *[New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times "New York Times")*. Retrieved May 27, 2024. "…Petrovic 'paved the way for other international players to compete successfully in this league.'"
196. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-197)**
Ham, James (September 5, 2019). ["How Vlade Divac Made Global Impact, Paved Basketball Hall of Fame Path"](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/how_vlade_divac_made_global_impact__paved_basketball_hall_of_fame_path_bay/215090/?amp=1). *[NBC Bay Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Bay_Area "NBC Bay Area")*. Retrieved May 27, 2024. "His pioneering spirit as one of the first Europeans to transition to the NBA in the late 1980s opened a floodgate that allowed the league to expand to countries around the world."
197. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-198)**
Thomas, Niklas; Neuhas, Till, eds. (January 3, 2024). [*Interdisciplinary Analyses of Professional Basketball: Investigating the Hardwood*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1DvsEAAAQBAJ). [Springer Nature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springer_Nature "Springer Nature") Switzerland. p. 281. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9783031416569](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783031416569 "Special:BookSources/9783031416569")
.
198. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-199)**
Riess, Steven A. (March 26, 2015). [*Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DnCsBwAAQBAJ). [Taylor & Francis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_%26_Francis "Taylor & Francis"). p. 57. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9781317459477](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781317459477 "Special:BookSources/9781317459477")
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199. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-Helin2013_200-0)**
Helin, Kurt (October 29, 2013). ["Record 92 foreign players on NBA rosters to start season"](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2013/10/29/record-92-foreign-players-on-nba-rosters-to-start-season/). Retrieved December 8, 2016.
200. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-201)**
["NBA rosters feature 108 international players from record 42 countries and territories"](http://www.nba.com/article/2017/10/17/nba-international-players-2017-18-season-record-countries) (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 17, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
201. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-202)**
["Phoenix Suns hire Igor Kokoskov as first European-born NBA coach"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/05/02/suns-hire-igor-kokoskov-first-european-born-nba-coach/575475002/). *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")*. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
202. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-international_expansion_203-0)**
["Record 125 international players on NBA opening-night rosters"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38734176/record-125-international-players-nba-opening-night-rosters). *ESPN*. October 24, 2023.
203. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-204)**
Pasciolla, Anthony (May 9, 2024). ["Nikola Jokić marks sixth consecutive international NBA MVP"](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/denver-nuggets/news/nba-mvp-international-jokic-giannis-embiid/5d7f1d55e738def69d874324). *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")*. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
204. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-205)**
McGregor, Gilbert (May 21, 2025). ["Canadians to win NBA MVP: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Steve Nash in rare company"](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/news/canadians-nba-mvp-shai-gilgeous-alexander-steve-nash/55dc82f222c69bd881417567). *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")*. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
205. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-206)**
["Drazen Petrovic Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/drazen-petrovic/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
206. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-207)**
["Arvydas Sabonis Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/arvydas-sabonis/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
207. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-208)**
["Sarūnas Marciulionis Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/sarunas-marciulionis/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
208. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-209)**
["Vlade Divac Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/vlade-divac/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
209. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-210)**
["Toni Kukoc Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/toni-kukoc). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
210. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-barbosachamp_211-0)**
Salvadore, Damon (June 17, 2015). ["Leandro Barbosa Makes NBA History as Golden State Warriors Defeat Cleveland Cavaliers in Finals"](http://www.latinpost.com/articles/60324/20150617/leandro-barbosa-makes-nba-history-as-golden-state-warriors-defeat-cleveland-cavaliers.htm). *Latin Post*. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
211. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-212)**
["Spurs make WNBA's Hammon first female NBA assistant"](http://www.nba.com/2014/news/08/05/spurs-becky-hammon.ap/). National Basketball Association. Associated Press. August 5, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
212. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-borntocoach_213-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-borntocoach_213-1)
Fagan, Kate (August 5, 2014). ["Becky Hammon was born to coach"](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/11313239/wnba-san-antonio-stars-future-spurs-assistant-becky-hammon-was-born-coach). ESPN. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
## Further reading
- Havlicek, John (2003). [*NBA's Greatest*](https://archive.org/details/nbasgreatest00hare) (1st ed.). DK. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-7894-9977-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7894-9977-0 "Special:BookSources/0-7894-9977-0")
.
- Jackson, Phil; [Smith, Sam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Smith_\(sportswriter\) "Sam Smith (sportswriter)") (2025). *Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players*. New York: [Penguin Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin_Press "Penguin Press"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9798217060719](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9798217060719 "Special:BookSources/9798217060719")
.
- Kirchberg, Connie (2007). [*Hoop Lore: A History of the National Basketball Association*](https://books.google.com/books?id=spJT3VxogqIC). [McFarland & Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McFarland_%26_Company "McFarland & Company"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780786426737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780786426737 "Special:BookSources/9780786426737")
.
- Peterson, Robert W. (2002). *Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early Years*. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-8032-8772-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8032-8772-0 "Special:BookSources/0-8032-8772-0")
.
- Rosen, Charley (2009). *The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA*. McGraw-Hill Professional. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-07-148785-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-07-148785-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-07-148785-6")
.
- Surdam, David George (2012). [*The Rise of the National Basketball Association*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-dfZcRHk1kwC). [University of Illinois Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Illinois_Press "University of Illinois Press"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780252037139](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780252037139 "Special:BookSources/9780252037139")
.
## External links
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Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[National Basketball Association](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/National_Basketball_Association "q:Special:Search/National Basketball Association")***.
- [Official website](https://www.nba.com/) [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155223#P856 "Edit this at Wikidata")
- ["Official NBA Stats"](https://www.nba.com/stats/alltime). *NBA*. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["NBA Rulebook"](https://official.nba.com/rulebook/). *NBA*. October 15, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["Constitution and By-Laws of the National Basketball Association"](https://ak-static-int.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/12/NBA-Constitution-and-By-Laws.pdf) (PDF). *NBA*. May 29, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["Collective Bargaining Agreement"](https://imgix.cosmicjs.com/25da5eb0-15eb-11ee-b5b3-fbd321202bdf-Final-2023-NBA-Collective-Bargaining-Agreement-6-28-23.pdf) (PDF). July 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
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|---|---|
| [Eastern Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Conference_\(NBA\) "Eastern Conference (NBA)") | |
| | |
| [Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Division_\(NBA\) "Atlantic Division (NBA)") | [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") [Brooklyn Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets") [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") |
| [Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Division_\(NBA\) "Central Division (NBA)") | [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") |
| [Southeast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Division_\(NBA\) "Southeast Division (NBA)") | [Atlanta Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") [Washington Wizards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards") |
| [Western Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_\(NBA\) "Western Conference (NBA)") | |
| | |
| [Northwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Northwest Division (NBA)") | [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves") [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") |
| [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Division_\(NBA\) "Pacific Division (NBA)") | [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers") [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") [Sacramento Kings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") |
| [Southwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Southwest Division (NBA)") | [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks") [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") [Memphis Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies") [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") |
| Annual events | [Draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft "NBA draft") [eligibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligibility_for_the_NBA_draft "Eligibility for the NBA draft") [Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Summer_League "NBA Summer League") [Christmas games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Christmas_games "NBA Christmas games") [All-Star weekend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_weekend "NBA All-Star weekend") [game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game "NBA All-Star Game") [Global Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Global_Games "NBA Global Games") [Cup tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Cup "NBA Cup") [Play-in](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_play-in_tournament "NBA play-in tournament") [Playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_playoffs "NBA playoffs") [list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_playoff_series "List of NBA playoff series") [Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") [champions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions "List of NBA champions") |
| History | Predecessors [BAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America") [NBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)") [ABA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") [merger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association%E2%80%93National_Basketball_Association_merger "American Basketball Association–National Basketball Association merger") [dispersal draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_ABA_dispersal_draft "1976 ABA dispersal draft") [Walter A. Brown Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_A._Brown_Trophy "Walter A. Brown Trophy") [Criticisms and controversies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_criticisms_and_controversies "NBA criticisms and controversies") [Malice at the Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malice_at_the_Palace "Malice at the Palace") [Donaghy betting scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal "2007 NBA betting scandal") [2025 gambling prosecution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_illegal_gambling_prosecution "2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution") Antitrust cases *[Haywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_v._National_Basketball_Association "Haywood v. National Basketball Association")* *[Robertson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_v._National_Basketball_Ass%27n "Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n")* [Lockouts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_lockout "NBA lockout") Former divisions [Eastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Division_\(NBA\) "Eastern Division (NBA)") [Midwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Midwest Division (NBA)") [Western](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Division_\(NBA\) "Western Division (NBA)") Teams [defunct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_NBA_teams "List of defunct NBA teams") [expansion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_the_NBA "Expansion of the NBA") [relocated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_relocated_NBA_teams "List of relocated NBA teams") [timeline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_NBA "Timeline of the NBA") [Seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons "List of NBA seasons") [2019–20 suspension](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_the_2019%E2%80%9320_NBA_season "Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season") and [bubble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Bubble "2020 NBA Bubble") Records [regular season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_regular_season_records "List of NBA regular season records") [postseason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_post-season_records "List of NBA post-season records") [All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_All-Star_Game_records "List of NBA All-Star Game records") [win–loss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_all-time_NBA_win%E2%80%93loss_records "List of all-time NBA win–loss records") |
| People | [Players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_NBA_players "Lists of NBA players") current rosters [Eastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_Eastern_Conference_team_rosters "List of current NBA Eastern Conference team rosters") [Western](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_Western_Conference_team_rosters "List of current NBA Western Conference team rosters") [foreign players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_players_born_outside_the_United_States "List of NBA players born outside the United States") [race and ethnicity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA "Race and ethnicity in the NBA") [first overall draft picks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_NBA_draft_picks "List of first overall NBA draft picks") [highest paid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-paid_NBA_players_by_season "List of highest-paid NBA players by season") [banned or suspended](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_banned_or_suspended_by_the_NBA "List of people banned or suspended by the NBA") [NBPA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Players_Association "National Basketball Players Association") [Head coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_head_coaches_with_500_games_coached "List of NBA head coaches with 500 games coached") [current](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_head_coaches "List of current NBA head coaches") [player-coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_player-coaches "List of NBA player-coaches") [champions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_championship_head_coaches "List of NBA championship head coaches") [foreign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_NBA_coaches "List of foreign NBA coaches") [female](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_NBA_coaches "List of female NBA coaches") [NBCA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Coaches_Association "National Basketball Coaches Association") [Owners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_team_owners "List of NBA team owners") [Referees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_referees "List of NBA referees") [NBRA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Referees_Association "National Basketball Referees Association") [Commissioner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissioner_of_the_NBA "Commissioner of the NBA") [Broadcasters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_broadcasters "List of current NBA broadcasters") |
| [Awards and honors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_awards "List of NBA awards") | [Larry O'Brien Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy") [Maurice Podoloff Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Podoloff_Trophy "Maurice Podoloff Trophy") [All-NBA Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Team "All-NBA Team") [MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player "NBA Most Valuable Player") [Finals MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player "NBA Finals Most Valuable Player") [All-Star MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game_Kobe_Bryant_Most_Valuable_Player "NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player") [Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame") [Members](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "List of members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame") [Anniversary teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_anniversary_teams "NBA anniversary teams") [Retired numbers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_retired_numbers "List of NBA retired numbers") |
| Others | Arenas [NBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_arenas "List of NBA arenas") [ABA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Basketball_Association_arenas "List of American Basketball Association arenas") Business [collective bargaining agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_collective_bargaining_agreement "NBA collective bargaining agreement") [jersey sponsors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_jersey_sponsors "List of NBA jersey sponsors") [*Motorola* lawsuit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Ass%27n_v._Motorola,_Inc. "National Basketball Ass'n v. Motorola, Inc.") [salary cap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap "NBA salary cap") [NBA Store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Store "NBA Store") [team valuations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_teams_by_valuation "List of NBA teams by valuation") Culture [mascots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_mascots "List of National Basketball Association mascots") [rivalries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_rivalries "List of NBA rivalries") [cheerleading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_cheerleading "NBA cheerleading") [dress code](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_dress_code "NBA dress code") [sleep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_in_the_NBA "Sleep in the NBA") [superteams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superteams_in_the_NBA "Superteams in the NBA") [Pride Night](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Night#National_Basketball_Association "Pride Night") [G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League") Media [TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_television "NBA on television") [NBA TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV "NBA TV") [NBA Academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Academy "NBA Academy") [NBA Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Africa "NBA Africa") [Rivalries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_rivalries "List of NBA rivalries") [WNBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") |
|  [Basketball portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Basketball "Portal:Basketball")  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:National_Basketball_Association "Category:National Basketball Association") [2025–26 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season "2025–26 NBA season") | |
| Links to related articles | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:NBA_statistical_leaders "Template:NBA statistical leaders") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:NBA_statistical_leaders "Template talk:NBA statistical leaders") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:NBA_statistical_leaders "Special:EditPage/Template:NBA statistical leaders")[NBA]() statistical leaders | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Players | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Career | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Regular season | [Points](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career scoring leaders") [Franchise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_career_scoring_leaders "List of NBA franchise career scoring leaders") [Rebounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_rebounding_leaders "List of NBA career rebounding leaders") [Assists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_assists_leaders "List of NBA career assists leaders") [Steals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_steals_leaders "List of NBA career steals leaders") [Blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_blocks_leaders "List of NBA career blocks leaders") [Turnovers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_turnovers_leaders "List of NBA career turnovers leaders") Fouls [Personal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_personal_fouls_leaders "List of NBA career personal fouls leaders") [Technical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_technical_fouls_leaders "List of NBA career technical fouls leaders") [Field goal percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_field_goal_percentage_leaders "List of NBA career field goal percentage leaders") [3-point field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_3-point_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career 3-point scoring leaders") [3-point field goal percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_3-point_field_goal_percentage_leaders "List of NBA career 3-point field goal percentage leaders") [Free throws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_free_throw_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders") [Free throw percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_free_throw_percentage_leaders "List of NBA career free throw percentage leaders") [Seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons_played_leaders "List of NBA seasons played leaders") [Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_games_played_leaders "List of NBA career games played leaders") [Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_minutes_played_leaders "List of NBA career minutes played leaders") [Ejections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_ejections_leaders "List of NBA career ejections leaders") [Triple-doubles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_triple-double_leaders "List of NBA career triple-double leaders") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Playoffs | [Points](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders") [Rebounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_rebounding_leaders "List of NBA career playoff rebounding leaders") [Assists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_assists_leaders "List of NBA career playoff assists leaders") [Steals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_steals_leaders "List of NBA career playoff steals leaders") [Blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_blocks_leaders "List of NBA career playoff blocks leaders") [Turnovers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_turnovers_leaders "List of NBA career playoff turnovers leaders") [3-point field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_3-point_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career playoff 3-point scoring leaders") [Free throws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_free_throw_scoring_leaders "List of NBA career playoff free throw scoring leaders") [Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_games_played_leaders "List of NBA career playoff games played leaders") [Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_minutes_leaders "List of NBA career playoff minutes leaders") [Triple-doubles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_career_playoff_triple-double_leaders "List of NBA career playoff triple-double leaders") [Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_players_with_most_championships "List of NBA players with most championships") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Annual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_statistical_leaders "List of NBA annual statistical leaders") | [Points](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_scoring_leaders "List of NBA annual scoring leaders") [Rebounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_rebounding_leaders "List of NBA annual rebounding leaders") [Assists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_assists_leaders "List of NBA annual assists leaders") [Steals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_steals_leaders "List of NBA annual steals leaders") [Blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_blocks_leaders "List of NBA annual blocks leaders") [Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_minutes_played_leaders "List of NBA annual minutes played leaders") [Field goal percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_field_goal_percentage_leaders "List of NBA annual field goal percentage leaders") [3-point field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_3-point_scoring_leaders "List of NBA annual 3-point scoring leaders") [3-point field goal percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_3-point_field_goal_percentage_leaders "List of NBA annual 3-point field goal percentage leaders") [Free throws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_free_throw_scoring_leaders "List of NBA annual free throw scoring leaders") [Free throw percentage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_annual_free_throw_percentage_leaders "List of NBA annual free throw percentage leaders") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Season | [Points](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_scoring_leaders "List of NBA single-season scoring leaders") [Rookie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_rookie_single-season_scoring_leaders "List of NBA rookie single-season scoring leaders") [Rebounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_rebounding_leaders "List of NBA single-season rebounding leaders") [Assists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_assists_per_game_leaders "List of NBA single-season assists per game leaders") [Steals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_steals_per_game_leaders "List of NBA single-season steals per game leaders") [Blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_blocks_per_game_leaders "List of NBA single-season blocks per game leaders") [3-point field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-season_3-point_scoring_leaders "List of NBA single-season 3-point scoring leaders") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Game | [Points](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_scoring_leaders "List of NBA single-game scoring leaders") [Playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_playoff_scoring_leaders "List of NBA single-game playoff scoring leaders") [Rebounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_rebounding_leaders "List of NBA single-game rebounding leaders") [Assists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_assists_leaders "List of NBA single-game assists leaders") [Steals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_steals_leaders "List of NBA single-game steals leaders") [Blocks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_blocks_leaders "List of NBA single-game blocks leaders") [3-point field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_single-game_3-point_scoring_leaders "List of NBA single-game 3-point scoring leaders") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Misc | [Entire career with one franchise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_players_who_have_spent_their_entire_career_with_one_franchise "List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise") [Tallest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_players_in_NBA_history "List of tallest players in NBA history") [Shortest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shortest_players_in_NBA_history "List of shortest players in NBA history") [Oldest and youngest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_and_youngest_NBA_players "List of oldest and youngest NBA players") [Highest-paid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-paid_NBA_players_by_season "List of highest-paid NBA players by season") [Longest field goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_NBA_field_goals "List of longest NBA field goals") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Coaches | [Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_head_coaches_with_400_games_coached "List of NBA head coaches with 400 games coached") [Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_championship_head_coaches "List of NBA championship head coaches") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Teams | [All-time win–loss records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_all-time_NBA_win%E2%80%93loss_records "List of all-time NBA win–loss records") [Winningest teams by season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_teams_by_single_season_win_percentage "List of NBA teams by single season win percentage") [Winning streaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_longest_winning_streaks "List of NBA longest winning streaks") [Losing streaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_longest_losing_streaks "List of NBA longest losing streaks") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Misc | [Highest-scoring games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-scoring_NBA_games "List of highest-scoring NBA games") Records [Regular season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_regular_season_records "List of NBA regular season records") [Playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_post-season_records "List of NBA post-season records") [All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_All-Star_Game_records "List of NBA All-Star Game records") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season_by_team "Template:2025–26 NBA season by team") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season_by_team "Template talk:2025–26 NBA season by team") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season_by_team "Special:EditPage/Template:2025–26 NBA season by team")[2025–26 NBA season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season "2025–26 NBA season") by team | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_draft "2025 NBA draft") [Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Summer_League "2025 NBA Summer League") [NBA Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Cup "2025 NBA Cup") [Championship game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Cup_championship_game "2025 NBA Cup championship game") [All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_All-Star_Game "2026 NBA All-Star Game") [Play-in Tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_play-in_tournament "NBA play-in tournament") [Playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_playoffs "2026 NBA playoffs") [Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_Finals "2026 NBA Finals") [Transactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season_transactions "List of 2025–26 NBA season transactions") [G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_G_League_season "2025–26 NBA G League season") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Eastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Conference_\(NBA\) "Eastern Conference (NBA)") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Atlantic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Division_\(NBA\) "Atlantic Division (NBA)") | [Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Boston_Celtics_season "2025–26 Boston Celtics season") [Brooklyn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Brooklyn_Nets_season "2025–26 Brooklyn Nets season") [New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_New_York_Knicks_season "2025–26 New York Knicks season") [Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Philadelphia_76ers_season "2025–26 Philadelphia 76ers season") [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Toronto_Raptors_season "2025–26 Toronto Raptors season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Division_\(NBA\) "Central Division (NBA)") | [Chicago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Chicago_Bulls_season "2025–26 Chicago Bulls season") [Cleveland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Cleveland_Cavaliers_season "2025–26 Cleveland Cavaliers season") [Detroit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Detroit_Pistons_season "2025–26 Detroit Pistons season") [Indiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Indiana_Pacers_season "2025–26 Indiana Pacers season") [Milwaukee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Milwaukee_Bucks_season "2025–26 Milwaukee Bucks season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Southeast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Division_\(NBA\) "Southeast Division (NBA)") | [Atlanta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Atlanta_Hawks_season "2025–26 Atlanta Hawks season") [Charlotte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Charlotte_Hornets_season "2025–26 Charlotte Hornets season") [Miami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Miami_Heat_season "2025–26 Miami Heat season") [Orlando](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Orlando_Magic_season "2025–26 Orlando Magic season") [Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Washington_Wizards_season "2025–26 Washington Wizards season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Western](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_\(NBA\) "Western Conference (NBA)") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Northwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Northwest Division (NBA)") | [Denver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Denver_Nuggets_season "2025–26 Denver Nuggets season") [Minnesota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Minnesota_Timberwolves_season "2025–26 Minnesota Timberwolves season") [Oklahoma City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Oklahoma_City_Thunder_season "2025–26 Oklahoma City Thunder season") [Portland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Portland_Trail_Blazers_season "2025–26 Portland Trail Blazers season") [Utah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Utah_Jazz_season "2025–26 Utah Jazz season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Division_\(NBA\) "Pacific Division (NBA)") | [Golden State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Golden_State_Warriors_season "2025–26 Golden State Warriors season") [L.A. Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Los_Angeles_Clippers_season "2025–26 Los Angeles Clippers season") [L.A. Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Los_Angeles_Lakers_season "2025–26 Los Angeles Lakers season") [Phoenix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Phoenix_Suns_season "2025–26 Phoenix Suns season") [Sacramento](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Sacramento_Kings_season "2025–26 Sacramento Kings season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Southwest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Division_\(NBA\) "Southwest Division (NBA)") | [Dallas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Dallas_Mavericks_season "2025–26 Dallas Mavericks season") [Houston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Houston_Rockets_season "2025–26 Houston Rockets season") [Memphis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Memphis_Grizzlies_season "2025–26 Memphis Grizzlies season") [New Orleans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_New_Orleans_Pelicans_season "2025–26 New Orleans Pelicans season") [San Antonio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_San_Antonio_Spurs_season "2025–26 San Antonio Spurs season") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:NBA_seasons "Template:NBA seasons") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:NBA_seasons "Template talk:NBA seasons") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:NBA_seasons "Special:EditPage/Template:NBA seasons")[NBA seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons "List of NBA seasons") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1940s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | [1946–47](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946%E2%80%9347_BAA_season "1946–47 BAA season") | [1947–48](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947%E2%80%9348_BAA_season "1947–48 BAA season") | [1948–49](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948%E2%80%9349_BAA_season "1948–49 BAA season") | | |
| 1950s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1949–50](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949%E2%80%9350_NBA_season "1949–50 NBA season") | [1950–51](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950%E2%80%9351_NBA_season "1950–51 NBA season") | [1951–52](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951%E2%80%9352_NBA_season "1951–52 NBA season") | [1952–53](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952%E2%80%9353_NBA_season "1952–53 NBA season") | [1953–54](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%E2%80%9354_NBA_season "1953–54 NBA season") | [1954–55](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954%E2%80%9355_NBA_season "1954–55 NBA season") | [1955–56](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955%E2%80%9356_NBA_season "1955–56 NBA season") | [1956–57](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956%E2%80%9357_NBA_season "1956–57 NBA season") | [1957–58](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957%E2%80%9358_NBA_season "1957–58 NBA season") | [1958–59](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958%E2%80%9359_NBA_season "1958–59 NBA season") | | |
| 1960s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1959–60](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959%E2%80%9360_NBA_season "1959–60 NBA season") | [1960–61](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960%E2%80%9361_NBA_season "1960–61 NBA season") | [1961–62](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961%E2%80%9362_NBA_season "1961–62 NBA season") | [1962–63](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962%E2%80%9363_NBA_season "1962–63 NBA season") | [1963–64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963%E2%80%9364_NBA_season "1963–64 NBA season") | [1964–65](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964%E2%80%9365_NBA_season "1964–65 NBA season") | [1965–66](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965%E2%80%9366_NBA_season "1965–66 NBA season") | [1966–67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966%E2%80%9367_NBA_season "1966–67 NBA season") | [1967–68](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967%E2%80%9368_NBA_season "1967–68 NBA season") | [1968–69](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968%E2%80%9369_NBA_season "1968–69 NBA season") | | |
| 1970s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1969–70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969%E2%80%9370_NBA_season "1969–70 NBA season") | [1970–71](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970%E2%80%9371_NBA_season "1970–71 NBA season") | [1971–72](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971%E2%80%9372_NBA_season "1971–72 NBA season") | [1972–73](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972%E2%80%9373_NBA_season "1972–73 NBA season") | [1973–74](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973%E2%80%9374_NBA_season "1973–74 NBA season") | [1974–75](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974%E2%80%9375_NBA_season "1974–75 NBA season") | [1975–76](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975%E2%80%9376_NBA_season "1975–76 NBA season") | [1976–77](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976%E2%80%9377_NBA_season "1976–77 NBA season") | [1977–78](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977%E2%80%9378_NBA_season "1977–78 NBA season") | [1978–79](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E2%80%9379_NBA_season "1978–79 NBA season") | | |
| 1980s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1979–80](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979%E2%80%9380_NBA_season "1979–80 NBA season") | [1980–81](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980%E2%80%9381_NBA_season "1980–81 NBA season") | [1981–82](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981%E2%80%9382_NBA_season "1981–82 NBA season") | [1982–83](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982%E2%80%9383_NBA_season "1982–83 NBA season") | [1983–84](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983%E2%80%9384_NBA_season "1983–84 NBA season") | [1984–85](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NBA_season "1984–85 NBA season") | [1985–86](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985%E2%80%9386_NBA_season "1985–86 NBA season") | [1986–87](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986%E2%80%9387_NBA_season "1986–87 NBA season") | [1987–88](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987%E2%80%9388_NBA_season "1987–88 NBA season") | [1988–89](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988%E2%80%9389_NBA_season "1988–89 NBA season") | | |
| 1990s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1989–90](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989%E2%80%9390_NBA_season "1989–90 NBA season") | [1990–91](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990%E2%80%9391_NBA_season "1990–91 NBA season") | [1991–92](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991%E2%80%9392_NBA_season "1991–92 NBA season") | [1992–93](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992%E2%80%9393_NBA_season "1992–93 NBA season") | [1993–94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993%E2%80%9394_NBA_season "1993–94 NBA season") | [1994–95](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994%E2%80%9395_NBA_season "1994–95 NBA season") | [1995–96](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995%E2%80%9396_NBA_season "1995–96 NBA season") | [1996–97](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996%E2%80%9397_NBA_season "1996–97 NBA season") | [1997–98](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997%E2%80%9398_NBA_season "1997–98 NBA season") | [1998–99](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_NBA_season "1998–99 NBA season") | | |
| 2000s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1999–2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%E2%80%932000_NBA_season "1999–2000 NBA season") | [2000–01](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_NBA_season "2000–01 NBA season") | [2001–02](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001%E2%80%9302_NBA_season "2001–02 NBA season") | [2002–03](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002%E2%80%9303_NBA_season "2002–03 NBA season") | [2003–04](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_NBA_season "2003–04 NBA season") | [2004–05](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season "2004–05 NBA season") | [2005–06](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005%E2%80%9306_NBA_season "2005–06 NBA season") | [2006–07](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006%E2%80%9307_NBA_season "2006–07 NBA season") | [2007–08](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%9308_NBA_season "2007–08 NBA season") | [2008–09](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_NBA_season "2008–09 NBA season") | | |
| 2010s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [2009–10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_NBA_season "2009–10 NBA season") | [2010–11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_NBA_season "2010–11 NBA season") | [2011–12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_NBA_season "2011–12 NBA season") | [2012–13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_NBA_season "2012–13 NBA season") | [2013–14](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_NBA_season "2013–14 NBA season") | [2014–15](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014%E2%80%9315_NBA_season "2014–15 NBA season") | [2015–16](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%9316_NBA_season "2015–16 NBA season") | [2016–17](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_NBA_season "2016–17 NBA season") | [2017–18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_NBA_season "2017–18 NBA season") | [2018–19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_NBA_season "2018–19 NBA season") | | |
| 2020s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [2019–20](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_NBA_season "2019–20 NBA season") | [2020–21](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season "2020–21 NBA season") | [2021–22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_NBA_season "2021–22 NBA season") | [2022–23](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%9323_NBA_season "2022–23 NBA season") | [2023–24](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season") | [2024–25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_NBA_season "2024–25 NBA season") | [2025–26](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season "2025–26 NBA season") | *[2026–27](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026%E2%80%9327_NBA_season "2026–27 NBA season")* | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:NBA_drafts "Template:NBA drafts") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:NBA_drafts "Template talk:NBA drafts") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:NBA_drafts "Special:EditPage/Template:NBA drafts")[NBA drafts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft "NBA draft") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Draft lottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft_lottery "NBA draft lottery") [Draft combine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft_combine "NBA draft combine") [Eligibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligibility_for_the_NBA_draft "Eligibility for the NBA draft") [Territorial picks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_territorial_pick "NBA territorial pick") [First overall picks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_NBA_draft_picks "List of first overall NBA draft picks") [High school draftees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_high_school_draftees "NBA high school draftees") [Undrafted players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_undrafted_NBA_players "List of undrafted NBA players") [Supreme Court case](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_v._National_Basketball_Association "Haywood v. National Basketball Association") [WNBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WNBA_draft "WNBA draft") [1976 ABA dispersal draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_ABA_dispersal_draft "1976 ABA dispersal draft") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1940s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | [1947](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_BAA_draft "1947 BAA draft") | [1948](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_BAA_draft "1948 BAA draft") | [1949](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949_BAA_draft "1949 BAA draft") | | |
| 1950s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NBA_draft "1950 NBA draft") | [1951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NBA_draft "1951 NBA draft") | [1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_NBA_draft "1952 NBA draft") | [1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_NBA_draft "1953 NBA draft") | [1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_NBA_draft "1954 NBA draft") | [1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_NBA_draft "1955 NBA draft") | [1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NBA_draft "1956 NBA draft") | [1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_NBA_draft "1957 NBA draft") | [1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_NBA_draft "1958 NBA draft") | [1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_NBA_draft "1959 NBA draft") | | |
| 1960s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_NBA_draft "1960 NBA draft") | [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_draft "1961 NBA draft") | [1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_NBA_draft "1962 NBA draft") | [1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_NBA_draft "1963 NBA draft") | [1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_NBA_draft "1964 NBA draft") | [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NBA_draft "1965 NBA draft") | [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_draft "1966 NBA draft") | [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_draft "1967 NBA draft") | [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_draft "1968 NBA draft") | [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_NBA_draft "1969 NBA draft") | | |
| 1970s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_draft "1970 NBA draft") | [1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NBA_draft "1971 NBA draft") | [1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_NBA_draft "1972 NBA draft") | [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_NBA_draft "1973 NBA draft") | [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_draft "1974 NBA draft") | [1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_draft "1975 NBA draft") | [1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_NBA_draft "1976 NBA draft") | [1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NBA_draft "1977 NBA draft") | [1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_NBA_draft "1978 NBA draft") | [1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NBA_draft "1979 NBA draft") | | |
| 1980s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_draft "1980 NBA draft") | [1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_NBA_draft "1981 NBA draft") | [1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NBA_draft "1982 NBA draft") | [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NBA_draft "1983 NBA draft") | [1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_draft "1984 NBA draft") | [1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NBA_draft "1985 NBA draft") | [1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_NBA_draft "1986 NBA draft") | [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_NBA_draft "1987 NBA draft") | [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_draft "1988 NBA draft") | [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_draft "1989 NBA draft") | | |
| 1990s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NBA_draft "1990 NBA draft") | [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_draft "1991 NBA draft") | [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NBA_draft "1992 NBA draft") | [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_NBA_draft "1993 NBA draft") | [1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_draft "1994 NBA draft") | [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_draft "1995 NBA draft") | [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_draft "1996 NBA draft") | [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NBA_draft "1997 NBA draft") | [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NBA_draft "1998 NBA draft") | [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_draft "1999 NBA draft") | | |
| 2000s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_draft "2000 NBA draft") | [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_draft "2001 NBA draft") | [2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_draft "2002 NBA draft") | [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_draft "2003 NBA draft") | [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_draft "2004 NBA draft") | [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_draft "2005 NBA draft") | [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_draft "2006 NBA draft") | [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_draft "2007 NBA draft") | [2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_draft "2008 NBA draft") | [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_draft "2009 NBA draft") | | |
| 2010s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_draft "2010 NBA draft") | [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_draft "2011 NBA draft") | [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_draft "2012 NBA draft") | [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_draft "2013 NBA draft") | [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_draft "2014 NBA draft") | [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBA_draft "2015 NBA draft") | [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_draft "2016 NBA draft") | [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_draft "2017 NBA draft") | [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_draft "2018 NBA draft") | [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_draft "2019 NBA draft") | | |
| 2020s | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_draft "2020 NBA draft") | [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_draft "2021 NBA draft") | [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_draft "2022 NBA draft") | [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_draft "2023 NBA draft") | [2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_draft "2024 NBA draft") | [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_draft "2025 NBA draft") | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| **[Expansion drafts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_draft "Expansion draft")** | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_expansion_draft "1961 NBA expansion draft") | [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_expansion_draft "1966 NBA expansion draft") | [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_expansion_draft "1967 NBA expansion draft") | [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_expansion_draft "1968 NBA expansion draft") | [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_expansion_draft "1970 NBA expansion draft") | [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_expansion_draft "1974 NBA expansion draft") | [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_expansion_draft "1980 NBA expansion draft") | [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_expansion_draft "1988 NBA expansion draft") | [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_expansion_draft "1989 NBA expansion draft") | [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_expansion_draft "1995 NBA expansion draft") | [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_expansion_draft "2004 NBA expansion draft") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Men%27s_basketball_leagues "Template:Men's basketball leagues") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Men%27s_basketball_leagues "Template talk:Men's basketball leagues") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Men%27s_basketball_leagues "Special:EditPage/Template:Men's basketball leagues")Men's [basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball "Basketball") [leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_basketball_leagues "List of basketball leagues") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [FIBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA "FIBA") [FIBA Intercontinental Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Intercontinental_Cup "FIBA Intercontinental Cup") [NBA vs. international teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_played_between_NBA_and_international_teams "List of games played between NBA and international teams") [NBA vs. EuroLeague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_versus_EuroLeague_games "NBA versus EuroLeague games") [NBA vs. NBL Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBLxNBA "NBLxNBA") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Africa "FIBA Africa") | [Algeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_Basketball_Championship "Algerian Basketball Championship") [Angola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolan_Basketball_League "Angolan Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola_Second_Division_Basketball_Championship "Angola Second Division Basketball Championship") [Benin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_Basketball_Super_League "Benin Basketball Super League") [Botswana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_Basketball_League "Botswana Basketball League") [Burundi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundian_Basketball_Championship "Burundian Basketball Championship") [Cameroon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_Messieurs "Elite Messieurs") [Central African Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangui_Basketball_League "Bangui Basketball League") [Comoros](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comoros_Basketball_Championship "Comoros Basketball Championship") [Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Basketball_Premier_League "Egyptian Basketball Premier League") [Guinea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_1_\(Guinea\) "Ligue 1 (Guinea)") [Ivory Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_d%27Or "Ligue d'Or") [Kenya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KBF_Premier_League "KBF Premier League") [Liberia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia_Basketball_Association "Liberia Basketball Association") [Libya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_Division_I_Basketball_League "Libyan Division I Basketball League") [Madagascar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malagasy_N1A "Malagasy N1A") [Malawi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASMAL_National_Championship "BASMAL National Championship") [Mali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_1_\(Mali\) "Ligue 1 (Mali)") [Morocco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_Excellence "Division Excellence") [Mozambique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Mo%C3%A7ambicana_de_Basquetebol "Liga Moçambicana de Basquetebol") [Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KBA_Premier_League "KBA Premier League") [Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Premier_League_\(basketball\) "Nigerian Premier League (basketball)") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBBF_National_Division_One "NBBF National Division One") [Rwanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda_Basketball_League "Rwanda Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda_Basketball_League_Division_2 "Rwanda Basketball League Division 2") [Senegal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationale_1_Masculin "Nationale 1 Masculin") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationale_2_\(Senegal\) "Nationale 2 (Senegal)") [Seychelles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles_Basketball_League "Seychelles Basketball League") South Africa [BNL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_National_League "Basketball National League") [National](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_National_Basketball_Championship "South African National Basketball Championship") [Tanzania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Tanzania\) "National Basketball League (Tanzania)") [Tunisia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championnat_Pro_A "Championnat Pro A") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championnat_Nationale_1_\(Tunisia\) "Championnat Nationale 1 (Tunisia)") [Uganda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Uganda\) "National Basketball League (Uganda)") [Zambia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia_Basketball_League "Zambia Basketball League") [Zimbabwe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BUZ_National_Championship "BUZ National Championship") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Americas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Americas "FIBA Americas") | [Argentina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Nacional_de_B%C3%A1squetbol "Liga Nacional de Básquetbol") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Liga_Argentina_de_B%C3%A1squet "La Liga Argentina de Básquet") [Bolivia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libobasquet "Libobasquet") [Brazil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novo_Basquete_Brasil "Novo Basquete Brasil") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Ouro_de_Basquete "Liga Ouro de Basquete") [Canada]() [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League") [BSL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Super_League_\(North_America\) "Basketball Super League (North America)") [CEBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Elite_Basketball_League "Canadian Elite Basketball League") [Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Nacional_de_B%C3%A1squetbol_de_Chile "Liga Nacional de Básquetbol de Chile") [Colombia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloncesto_Profesional_Colombiano "Baloncesto Profesional Colombiano") [Cuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Superior_de_Baloncesto_\(Cuba\) "Liga Superior de Baloncesto (Cuba)") [Dominican Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Nacional_de_Baloncesto "Liga Nacional de Baloncesto") ([Torneo Superior de Baloncesto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torneo_Superior_de_Baloncesto "Torneo Superior de Baloncesto")) [Ecuador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Ecuatoriana_de_Baloncesto "Liga Ecuatoriana de Baloncesto") [El Salvador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Mayor_de_Baloncesto "Liga Mayor de Baloncesto") [Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Nacional_de_Baloncesto_Profesional "Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional") [CIBACOPA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuito_de_Baloncesto_de_la_Costa_del_Pac%C3%ADfico "Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico") [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League") [Nicaragua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Superior_de_Baloncesto_\(Nicaragua\) "Liga Superior de Baloncesto (Nicaragua)") [Panama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Profesional_de_Baloncesto_\(Panama\) "Liga Profesional de Baloncesto (Panama)") [Paraguay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Nacional_de_B%C3%A1squetbol_\(Paraguay\) "Liga Nacional de Básquetbol (Paraguay)") [Peru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_de_Basket_de_Lima "Liga de Basket de Lima") [Puerto Rico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloncesto_Superior_Nacional "Baloncesto Superior Nacional") [United States]() [ABA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association_\(2000%E2%80%93present\) "American Basketball Association (2000–present)") [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League") [TBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Basketball_League "The Basketball League") [Uruguay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Uruguaya_de_B%C3%A1squetbol "Liga Uruguaya de Básquetbol") [Venezuela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superliga_Profesional_de_Baloncesto "Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Asia "FIBA Asia") | [Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahraini_Premier_League_\(basketball\) "Bahraini Premier League (basketball)") [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Basketball_Association "Chinese Basketball Association") [NBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(China\) "National Basketball League (China)") [Hong Kong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_A1_Division_Championship "Hong Kong A1 Division Championship") [India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Basketball_League "Indian National Basketball League") [Indonesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Basketball_League "Indonesian Basketball League") [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Basketball_Super_League "Iranian Basketball Super League") [Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_Professional_Basketball_League "Iraqi Professional Basketball League") [Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.League "B.League") [Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian_Premier_Basketball_League "Jordanian Premier Basketball League") [Kazakhstan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan_Basketball_Championship "Kazakhstan Basketball Championship") [Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Division_I_Basketball_League "Kuwaiti Division I Basketball League") [Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_Basketball_League "Lebanese Basketball League") [Malaysia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Basketball_League_Malaysia "Major Basketball League Malaysia") [Mongolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_National_Basketball_Association "Mongolian National Basketball Association") [Oman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman_Basketball_League "Oman Basketball League") Philippines [PBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Basketball_Association "Philippine Basketball Association") [PBA D-League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBA_D-League "PBA D-League") [MPBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharlika_Pilipinas_Basketball_League "Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League") [NBL–Pilipinas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Philippines\) "National Basketball League (Philippines)") [PSL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilipinas_Super_League "Pilipinas Super League") [Qatar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_Basketball_League "Qatari Basketball League") [Saudi Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Basketball_League "Saudi Basketball League") [Singapore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-Am_Singapore_Basketball_League "Pro-Am Singapore Basketball League") [South Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Basketball_League "Korean Basketball League") [Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Basketball_League "Syrian Basketball League") Taiwan [P. League+](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._League%2B "P. League+") [TPBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Professional_Basketball_League "Taiwan Professional Basketball League") [SBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Basketball_League "Super Basketball League") [Thailand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand_Basketball_League "Thailand Basketball League") [United Arab Emirates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAE_National_Basketball_League "UAE National Basketball League") [Vietnam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Basketball_Association "Vietnam Basketball Association") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe "FIBA Europe") | [Albania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Basketball_League "Albanian Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_Basketball_First_Division "Albanian Basketball First Division") [Austria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Basketball_Superliga "Austrian Basketball Superliga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Zweite_Liga "Basketball Zweite Liga") [Armenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia_Basketball_League_A "Armenia Basketball League A") [Azerbaijan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan_Basketball_League "Azerbaijan Basketball League") [Belarus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarusian_Premier_League_\(basketball\) "Belarusian Premier League (basketball)") [Belgium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNXT_League "BNXT League") [Bosnia and Herzegovina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Championship_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina "Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_level_basketball_leagues_in_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina "Second level basketball leagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina") – [RS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_League_of_Republika_Srpska_\(basketball\) "First League of Republika Srpska (basketball)") [Bulgaria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Bulgaria\) "National Basketball League (Bulgaria)") [Croatia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HT_Premijer_liga "HT Premijer liga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Men%27s_Basketball_League "First Men's Basketball League") [Cyprus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Basketball_Division_A "Cyprus Basketball Division A") [North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erkekler_Basketbol_S%C3%BCper_Ligi "Erkekler Basketbol Süper Ligi") [Czech Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Czech_Republic\) "National Basketball League (Czech Republic)") [Denmark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketligaen "Basketligaen") [Estonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korvpalli_Meistriliiga "Korvpalli Meistriliiga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_liiga_\(Estonia\) "I liiga (Estonia)") [Finland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korisliiga "Korisliiga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koripallon_I-divisioona "Koripallon I-divisioona") [France](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNB_%C3%89lite "LNB Élite") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNB_Pro_B "LNB Pro B") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationale_Masculine_1 "Nationale Masculine 1") [Georgia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Superliga "Georgian Superliga") [Germany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Bundesliga "Basketball Bundesliga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProA "ProA") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProB "ProB") [Great Britain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_League_Basketball "Super League Basketball") [England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(England\) "National Basketball League (England)") [Scotland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Basketball_Championship_Men "Scottish Basketball Championship Men") [Greece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Basketball_League "Greek Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_A2_Basket_League "Greek A2 Basket League") [Hungary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemzeti_Bajnoks%C3%A1g_I/A "Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A") [Iceland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Arvalsdeild_karla_\(basketball\) "Úrvalsdeild karla (basketball)") [Ireland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_League_\(Ireland\) "Super League (Ireland)") [Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Basketball_Premier_League "Israeli Basketball Premier League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Leumit_\(basketball\) "Liga Leumit (basketball)") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Artzit_\(basketball\) "Liga Artzit (basketball)") [Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lega_Basket_Serie_A "Lega Basket Serie A") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serie_A2_\(basketball\) "Serie A2 (basketball)") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serie_B_Basket "Serie B Basket") [Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Basketball_Superleague "Kosovo Basketball Superleague") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Basketball_First_League "Kosovo Basketball First League") [Latvia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvijas_Basketbola_l%C4%ABga "Latvijas Basketbola līga") [Lithuania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lietuvos_krep%C5%A1inio_lyga "Lietuvos krepšinio lyga") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Lithuania\) "National Basketball League (Lithuania)") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_Basketball_League_\(Lithuania\) "Regional Basketball League (Lithuania)") [Luxembourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_Basketball_League "Luxembourg Basketball League") [Moldova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldovan_National_Division_\(basketball\) "Moldovan National Division (basketball)") [Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prva_A_Liga "Prva A Liga") [Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNXT_League "BNXT League") [North Macedonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonian_First_League_\(basketball\) "Macedonian First League (basketball)") [Norway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketligaen_Norge "Basketligaen Norge") [Poland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Basketball_League "Polish Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Liga_\(basketball\) "I Liga (basketball)") [Portugal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Portuguesa_de_Basquetebol "Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proliga_\(Portugal\) "Proliga (Portugal)") [Romania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Na%C8%9Bional%C4%83_\(men%27s_basketball\) "Liga Națională (men's basketball)") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_I_\(men%27s_basketball\) "Liga I (men's basketball)") [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTB_United_League "VTB United League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Basketball_Super_League_1 "Russian Basketball Super League 1") [Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_League_of_Serbia "Basketball League of Serbia") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Basketball_League_of_Serbia "Second Basketball League of Serbia") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Regional_Basketball_League "First Regional Basketball League") [4th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Regional_Basketball_League "Second Regional Basketball League") [Slovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Basketball_League "Slovak Basketball League") [Slovenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenian_Basketball_League "Slovenian Basketball League") [Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_ACB "Liga ACB") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Espa%C3%B1ola_de_Baloncesto "Liga Española de Baloncesto") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEB_Plata "LEB Plata") [Sweden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Basketball_League "Swedish Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superettan_\(basketball\) "Superettan (basketball)") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketettan "Basketettan") [Switzerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Basketball_League "Swiss Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championnat_LNB "Championnat LNB") [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketbol_S%C3%BCper_Ligi "Basketbol Süper Ligi") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrkiye_Basketbol_Ligi "Türkiye Basketbol Ligi") [3rd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Basketball_Second_League "Turkish Basketball Second League") [Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Basketball_SuperLeague "Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Higher_League_\(basketball\) "Ukrainian Higher League (basketball)") | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Oceania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Oceania "FIBA Oceania") | [Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Australia\) "National Basketball League (Australia)") [New Zealand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(New_Zealand\) "National Basketball League (New Zealand)") | | | | | | | | | | |
| International tournaments | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Africa | *[Basketball Africa League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Africa_League "Basketball Africa League")* [Arab Club Basketball Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Club_Basketball_Championship "Arab Club Basketball Championship") [East Africa Basketball Championship Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Africa_Basketball_Championship_Cup "East Africa Basketball Championship Cup") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Americas | *[FIBA Champions League Americas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Champions_League_Americas "Basketball Champions League Americas")* [FIBA South American League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Sudamericana_de_Baloncesto "Liga Sudamericana de Baloncesto") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asia | *[Basketball Champions League Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Champions_League_Asia "Basketball Champions League Asia")* [East Asia Super League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asia_Super_League "East Asia Super League") [West Asia Super League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Asia_Super_League "West Asia Super League") [Arab Club Basketball Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Club_Basketball_Championship "Arab Club Basketball Championship") [AsiaBasket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AsiaBasket "AsiaBasket") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Europe | *[EuroLeague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague "EuroLeague")* *[EuroCup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroCup_Basketball "EuroCup Basketball")* *[FIBA Champions League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Champions_League "Basketball Champions League")* *[FIBA Europe Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe_Cup "FIBA Europe Cup")* [Adriatic League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA_League "ABA League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA_League_Second_Division "ABA League Second Division") [Balkan League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_International_Basketball_League "Balkan International Basketball League") [Caucasus Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caucasus_Basketball_League&action=edit&redlink=1 "Caucasus Basketball League (page does not exist)") [European North Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_North_Basketball_League "European North Basketball League") [Latvian–Estonian Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvian%E2%80%93Estonian_Basketball_League "Latvian–Estonian Basketball League") [Liga Unike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Unike "Liga Unike") [VTB United League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTB_United_League "VTB United League") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Defunct tournaments | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Africa | *[FIBA Africa Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Africa_Basketball_League "FIBA Africa Basketball League")* | | | | | | | | | | |
| Americas | *[FIBA Americas League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Americas_League "FIBA Americas League")* [Pan American Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Panamericano_de_Clubes_de_B%C3%A1squetbol "Campeonato Panamericano de Clubes de Básquetbol") [South American Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Sudamericano_de_Clubes_Campeones_de_B%C3%A1squetbol "Campeonato Sudamericano de Clubes Campeones de Básquetbol") [Torneo InterLigas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torneo_Interligas_de_B%C3%A1squet "Torneo Interligas de Básquet") [Argentina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Argentino_de_Clubes_de_B%C3%A1squet "Campeonato Argentino de Clubes de Básquet") [Brazil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Brasileiro_de_Basquete "Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete") [Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divisi%C3%B3n_Mayor_del_B%C3%A1squetbol_de_Chile "División Mayor del Básquetbol de Chile") Canada [NBLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_of_Canada "National Basketball League of Canada") United States [ABA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") [CBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Basketball_Association "Continental Basketball Association") [USBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Basketball_League "United States Basketball League") [Uruguay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campeonato_Uruguayo_Federal_de_B%C3%A1squetbol "Campeonato Uruguayo Federal de Básquetbol") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asia | *[ABA Club Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA_Club_Championship "ABA Club Championship")* [ASEAN League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN_Basketball_League "ASEAN Basketball League") *[WABA Champions Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WABA_Champions_Cup "WABA Champions Cup")* Japan [bj league](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bj_league "Bj league") [NBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Japan\) "National Basketball League (Japan)") [NBDL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Development_League_\(Japan\) "National Basketball Development League (Japan)") [JBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Basketball_League "Japan Basketball League") Taiwan [Chinese Basketball Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Basketball_Alliance "Chinese Basketball Alliance") [T1 League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T1_League "T1 League") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Europe | *[SuproLeague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_FIBA_SuproLeague "2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague")* *[Saporta Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Saporta_Cup "FIBA Saporta Cup")* *[Korać Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Kora%C4%87_Cup "FIBA Korać Cup")* *[EuroChallenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_EuroChallenge "FIBA EuroChallenge")* *[EuroCup Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_EuroCup_Challenge "FIBA EuroCup Challenge")* [Alpe Adria Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpe_Adria_Cup "Alpe Adria Cup") [Baltic League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Basketball_League "Baltic Basketball League") [Central European League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Basketball_League "Central European Basketball League") [Latin Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Cup_\(basketball\) "Latin Cup (basketball)") [North European League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_European_Basketball_League "North European Basketball League") [Czechoslovakia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czechoslovak_Basketball_League "Czechoslovak Basketball League") [England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(England\) "National Basketball League (England)") [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Professional_Basketball_League "Russian Professional Basketball League") [Serbia and Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YUBA_League "YUBA League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YUBA_B_League "YUBA B League") [Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Espa%C3%B1ola_de_Baloncesto_\(1957%E2%80%931983\) "Liga Española de Baloncesto (1957–1983)") [Soviet Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USSR_Premier_Basketball_League "USSR Premier Basketball League") [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Basketball_Championship "Turkish Basketball Championship") [Yugoslavia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Federal_Basketball_League "First Federal Basketball League") [2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_B_Federal_Basketball_League "First B Federal Basketball League") | | | | | | | | | | |
|  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Basketball_leagues "Category:Basketball leagues") | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Template:Professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Template talk:Professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Special:EditPage/Template:Professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada")Top-level professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Men's | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| [Majors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_of_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues of the United States and Canada") | [Major League Baseball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball "Major League Baseball") [National Basketball Association]() [National Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League") [National Hockey League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hockey_League "National Hockey League") [Major League Soccer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer "Major League Soccer") [Canadian Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Football_League "Canadian Football League") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other top-flight leagues | [Canadian Premier League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Premier_League "Canadian Premier League") [Canadian Elite Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Elite_Basketball_League "Canadian Elite Basketball League") [Major League Cricket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Cricket "Major League Cricket") [Major Arena Soccer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Arena_Soccer_League "Major Arena Soccer League") [National Volleyball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Volleyball_Association "National Volleyball Association") [Arena Football One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_Football_One "Arena Football One") [Indoor Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_Football_League "Indoor Football League") [National Lacrosse League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Lacrosse_League "National Lacrosse League") [Premier Lacrosse League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Lacrosse_League "Premier Lacrosse League") [Major League Rugby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Rugby "Major League Rugby") [USA Rugby League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Rugby_League "USA Rugby League") [Premier Rugby Sevens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Rugby_Sevens "Premier Rugby Sevens") [Ultimate Frisbee Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Frisbee_Association "Ultimate Frisbee Association") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Women's | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Majors | [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") [National Women's Soccer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Women%27s_Soccer_League "National Women's Soccer League") [Professional Women's Hockey League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Women%27s_Hockey_League "Professional Women's Hockey League") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other top-flight leagues | [Women's Pro Baseball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Pro_Baseball_League "Women's Pro Baseball League") [Women's Football Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Football_Alliance "Women's Football Alliance") [Women's Lacrosse League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Lacrosse_League "Women's Lacrosse League") [National Ringette League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Ringette_League "National Ringette League") [Women's Elite Rugby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Elite_Rugby "Women's Elite Rugby") [Premier Rugby Sevens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Rugby_Sevens "Premier Rugby Sevens") Soccer [USLS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USL_Super_League "USL Super League") [NSL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Super_League "Northern Super League") Softball [AUSL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletes_Unlimited_Softball_League "Athletes Unlimited Softball League") [WPF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Professional_Fastpitch "Women's Professional Fastpitch") Ultimate [PUL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Ultimate_League "Premier Ultimate League") [WUL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ultimate_League "Western Ultimate League") Volleyball [LOVB Pro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOVB_Pro "LOVB Pro") [Major League Volleyball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Volleyball_\(2026\) "Major League Volleyball (2026)") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Others | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Individual | Bowling [PBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Bowlers_Association "Professional Bowlers Association") [PWBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Women%27s_Bowling_Association "Professional Women's Bowling Association") Bull riding [PBR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Bull_Riders "Professional Bull Riders") [WPRA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Professional_Rodeo_Association "Women's Professional Rodeo Association") Golf [PGA Tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGA_Tour "PGA Tour") [LPGA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LPGA "LPGA") Tennis [ATP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Tennis_Professionals "Association of Tennis Professionals") [WTA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Tennis_Association "Women's Tennis Association") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Motorsports | [IndyCar Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IndyCar_Series "IndyCar Series") [NASCAR Cup Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Cup_Series "NASCAR Cup Series") | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other | [Major League Eating](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Eating "Major League Eating") | | | | | | | | | | |
|  [USA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States "Category:Professional sports leagues in the United States")  [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Professional_sports_leagues_in_Canada "Category:Professional sports leagues in Canada") | | | | | | | | | | | |
[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals "Wikipedia:Contents/Portals"):
-  [Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Basketball "Portal:Basketball")
-  [Sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Sports "Portal:Sports")
-  [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States "Portal:United States")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_Leaf_\(from_roundel\).svg) [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Canada "Portal:Canada")
| [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control") [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155223#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata") | |
|---|---|
| International | [ISNI](https://isni.org/isni/0000000404727354) [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/122790672) [GND](https://d-nb.info/gnd/5103713-0) |
| National | [United States](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n50063691) [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12472374f) [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12472374f) [Czech Republic](https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=find-c&local_base=aut&ccl_term=ica=kn20010711293&CON_LNG=ENG) [Israel](https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007475344405171) [Catalonia](https://cantic.bnc.cat/registre/981058524610006706) |
| Artists | [MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/4fdefe75-1086-42ee-8c61-8748a16fdb5c) |
| Other | [IdRef](https://www.idref.fr/033915261) [Yale LUX](https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/group/eaa530fc-320c-4d1e-942d-f48ba75e4a12) |
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National Basketball Association
100 languages
[Add topic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association) |
| Readable Markdown | | | |
|---|---|
| **Current season, competition or edition:**  *[2025–26 NBA season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NBA_season "2025–26 NBA season")* | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Basketball_Association_logo.svg) | |
| Sport | [Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball "Basketball") |
| Founded | June 6, 1946; 79 years ago (as [BAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America")), [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City"), New York, U.S.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-NBAFoundingDate-1) |
| First season | [1946–47](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946%E2%80%9347_BAA_season "1946–47 BAA season") |
| Commissioner | [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") |
| No. of teams | 30 |
| Countries | United States (29 teams) Canada (1 team) |
| Headquarters | [645 Fifth Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Tower "Olympic Tower") New York City, New York, U.S. 100 Plaza Drive Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-2) |
| Most recent champions | [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") (2nd title) |
| Most titles | [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") (18 titles) |
| Broadcasters | **United States:** [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_ABC "NBA on ABC")/[ESPN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_ESPN "NBA on ESPN")/[Disney+](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney%2B "Disney+") [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_NBC "NBA on NBC")/[Peacock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_\(streaming_service\) "Peacock (streaming service)") [Amazon Prime Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_on_Prime "NBA on Prime") [NBA TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV "NBA TV") **Canada:** [TSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sports_Network "The Sports Network")/[TSN2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSN2 "TSN2") [Sportsnet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportsnet "Sportsnet")/[Sportsnet One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sportsnet_One "Sportsnet One") [NBA TV Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_TV_Canada "NBA TV Canada") **International:** [See list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_broadcasters#International_broadcasters "List of current NBA broadcasters") |
| Official website | [www.nba.com](https://www.nba.com/) [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155223#P856 "Edit this at Wikidata") |
The **National Basketball Association** (**NBA**) is a professional [basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball "Basketball") league in [North America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America "North America") composed of 30 teams (29 in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and 1 in [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada")).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-3) The NBA is one of the [major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-4) The league is headquartered in [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City "New York City") and [Secaucus, New Jersey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secaucus,_New_Jersey "Secaucus, New Jersey").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-5)
The NBA was created on August 3, 1949, with the merger of the [Basketball Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America") (BAA) and the [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)") (NBL). The league later adopted the BAA's history and considers its founding on June 6, 1946, as its own.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-wp-2022-01-02-6)[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-NBAFoundingDate-1)[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-7) In 1976, the NBA and the [American Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") (ABA) [merged](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger"), adding four franchises to the NBA. The NBA's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The [league's playoff tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_playoffs "NBA playoffs") extends into June, culminating with the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") championship series.
The NBA is a member of [USA Basketball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Basketball "USA Basketball") (USAB),[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-8) which is recognized by the [International Basketball Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA "FIBA") (FIBA) as the [governing body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_governing_body "Sports governing body") for basketball in the United States. The NBA is the second-wealthiest [professional sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_sports "Professional sports") league in the world [by revenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_sports_leagues_by_revenue "List of professional sports leagues by revenue") after the [National Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League") (NFL).[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-9) As of 2020, NBA players are the world's highest paid athletes by average annual salary per player.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-urlThe_Worlds_Highest-Paid_Athletes_2020-10)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-11)[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-12) In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA). The NBA also operates the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"), [NBA 2K League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_2K_League "NBA 2K League"), and the [Basketball Africa League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Africa_League "Basketball Africa League").
The [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") have the most [NBA championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_champions "List of NBA champions") with 18, winning most recently in 2024. The [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") are the reigning league champions, having defeated the [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") in the [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals").
History
Creation and BAA–NBL merger (1946–1956)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_Leaf_Gardens_2023.jpg)
[Maple Leaf Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_Gardens "Maple Leaf Gardens") in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), site of the first-ever NBA game on November 1, 1946
The NBA began as the [Basketball Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America") (BAA), which was founded in 1946 by owners of the major [ice hockey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey "Ice hockey") arenas in the [Northeastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_United_States "Northeastern United States") and [Midwestern United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States "Midwestern United States") and Canada. On November 1, 1946, in [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), Ontario, Canada, the [Toronto Huskies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Huskies "Toronto Huskies") hosted the [New York Knickerbockers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") at [Maple Leaf Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_Leaf_Gardens "Maple Leaf Gardens"), in a game the league now calls the first game played in NBA history.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-firstgame-13) The first basket was made by [Ossie Schectman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossie_Schectman "Ossie Schectman") of the Knickerbockers.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-14)
Although there had been earlier attempts at professional basketball leagues, including the [American Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_League_\(1925%E2%80%9355\) "American Basketball League (1925–55)") (ABL) and the [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)") (NBL), the BAA was the first league to attempt to play primarily in large arenas in major cities. During its early years, the quality of play in the BAA was not significantly better than in competing leagues or among leading independent clubs such as the [Harlem Globetrotters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Globetrotters "Harlem Globetrotters"). For instance, the 1947 ABL finalist [Baltimore Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Bullets_\(1944%E2%80%9354\) "Baltimore Bullets (1944–54)") moved to the BAA and won that league's 1948 title,[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-15)[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-16) and the 1948 NBL champion [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers") won the 1949 BAA title.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-17)
Before the 1948–49 season, the BAA lured away several NBL teams—the [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne_Pistons "Fort Wayne Pistons"), [Indianapolis Kautskys](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Kautskys "Indianapolis Kautskys"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers"), and [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Royals "Rochester Royals")—with the prospect of playing in major venues such as [Boston Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Garden "Boston Garden") and [Madison Square Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden "Madison Square Garden").[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-encyc-18) The NBL hit back by outbidding the BAA for the services of several players, including [Al Cervi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Cervi "Al Cervi"), rookie [Dolph Schayes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolph_Schayes "Dolph Schayes") and five stars from the [University of Kentucky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Kentucky "University of Kentucky"), while also gaining the upper hand in Indianapolis with the creation of the [Indianapolis Olympians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Olympians "Indianapolis Olympians") while the Kautskys folded.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-wp-2022-01-02-6)[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-19) With several teams facing financial difficulties,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-20) the BAA and the NBL agreed to merge on August 3, 1949, to create the National Basketball Association. BAA president [Maurice Podoloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Podoloff "Maurice Podoloff") became the president of the NBA while NBL chairman [Ike Duffey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ike_Duffey "Ike Duffey") became the chairman.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-21)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-22) The NBA later adopted the BAA's history and statistics as its own but did not do the same for NBL records and statistics.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-23)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wat_Misaka.jpg)
Asian American point guard [Wat Misaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Misaka "Wat Misaka") broke BAA/NBA's [color barrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_segregation "Racial segregation") as the first non-white player to play in the BAA in 1947.
The new league had 17 franchises located in a mix of large and small cities,[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-history-24) as well as large arenas and smaller gymnasiums and [armories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal "Arsenal"). In 1950, the NBA consolidated to 11 franchises, then in 1954–55 shrank to eight[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-25): the [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks"), [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics"), [Philadelphia Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Warriors "Philadelphia Warriors"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers"), [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_Royals "Rochester Royals"), [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne_Pistons "Fort Wayne Pistons"), [Milwaukee Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Hawks "Milwaukee Hawks"), and [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_Nationals "Syracuse Nationals"). All of these teams remain in the league today, albeit the latter six in new cities. During the contraction, the league's smaller-city franchises moved to larger cities. The Hawks shifted from the [Tri-Cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_Cities "Quad Cities") to [Milwaukee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee "Milwaukee") in 1951, then to [St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis "St. Louis") in 1955. In 1957, the Rochester Royals moved from [Rochester, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York "Rochester, New York"), to [Cincinnati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati "Cincinnati") and the Pistons moved from [Fort Wayne, Indiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne,_Indiana "Fort Wayne, Indiana"), to Detroit.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-26)
[Japanese-American](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese-American "Japanese-American") [Wataru Misaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wataru_Misaka "Wataru Misaka") is considered to have broken the [NBA color barrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_color_barrier "NBA color barrier") in the [1947–48 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947%E2%80%9348_NBA_season "1947–48 NBA season"), when he played for the [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") in the BAA. He remained the league's only non-white player until the first African-American, [Harold Hunter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Hunter_\(basketball\) "Harold Hunter (basketball)"), signed with the [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols") in 1950.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-kcstar-27)[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-timespicayune-28) Hunter was cut from the team during training camp,[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-kcstar-27)[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-citypaper-29) but several other African Americans played in the league later that year, including [Chuck Cooper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Cooper_\(basketball\) "Chuck Cooper (basketball)") with the Celtics, [Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_%22Sweetwater%22_Clifton "Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Clifton") with the Knicks, and [Earl Lloyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd "Earl Lloyd") with the [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols"). During this period, the Minneapolis Lakers won five [NBA championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") and established themselves as the league's first [dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasty_\(sports\) "Dynasty (sports)");[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-30) their squad was led by center [George Mikan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikan "George Mikan"), the NBA's first [superstar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstar "Superstar").[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-31) In 1954, the league introduced the 24-second [shot clock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_clock "Shot clock") to encourage shooting and discourage stalling.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-32)
Celtics' dominance, league expansion and competition (1956–1979)
In 1957, rookie center [Bill Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell "Bill Russell") joined the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics"), which already had guard [Bob Cousy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cousy "Bob Cousy") and coach [Red Auerbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Auerbach "Red Auerbach"), and went on to lead the franchise to 11 NBA titles in thirteen seasons.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-33) Center [Wilt Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain "Wilt Chamberlain") entered the league with the Warriors in 1959 and became a star of the 1960s, setting single-game records in scoring ([100](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain%27s_100-point_game "Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game")) and rebounding (55). [Russell's rivalry with Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%E2%80%93Chamberlain_rivalry "Russell–Chamberlain rivalry") became one of the greatest rivalries in the history of American team sports.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-34)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wilt_Chamberlain_Bill_Russell_\(lighting_fixed\).jpg)
[Bill Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell "Bill Russell") defending against [Wilt Chamberlain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilt_Chamberlain "Wilt Chamberlain") in 1966
The 1960s were dominated by the Celtics. Led by Russell, Cousy, and Auerbach, Boston won eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966—the longest championship streak in American professional sports.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-35) They did not win the title in [1966–67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966%E2%80%9367_NBA_season "1966–67 NBA season"), but regained it in the [1967–68 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967%E2%80%9368_NBA_season "1967–68 NBA season") and repeated in [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968%E2%80%9369_NBA_season "1968–69 NBA season"), earning nine of the decade's championship banners.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-36)
Through this period, the NBA continued to evolve with the shift of the [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Lakers "Minneapolis Lakers") to Los Angeles, the [Philadelphia Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Warriors "Philadelphia Warriors") to San Francisco, the [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_Nationals "Syracuse Nationals") to [Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia "Philadelphia") to become the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers"), and the [St. Louis Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Hawks "St. Louis Hawks") moving to [Atlanta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta "Atlanta"), as well as the addition of its first expansion franchises. The Chicago Packers (now [Washington Wizards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")) became the ninth NBA team in 1961.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-37) From 1966 to 1968, the league expanded from 9 to 14 teams, introducing the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls"), [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics") (now [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")), [San Diego Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Rockets "San Diego Rockets") (who moved to [Houston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston "Houston") four years later), [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks"), and [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns").
In 1967, the league faced a new external threat with the formation of the [American Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Basketball_Association "American Basketball Association") (ABA). The leagues engaged in a bidding war.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-jozsa-38)[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-39) The NBA landed the most important college star of the era, [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar") (then known as Lew Alcindor), who went on to become the league's best player of the 1970s.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-40) However, the NBA's leading scorer, [Rick Barry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Barry "Rick Barry"), jumped to the ABA, as did four veteran referees—[Norm Drucker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Drucker "Norm Drucker"), [Earl Strom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Strom "Earl Strom"), John Vanak, and Joe Gushue.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-41)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wes_Unseld_and_Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar.jpeg)
[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar"), shown shooting his signature "[skyhook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_shot#Skyhook "Hook shot")" shot, was a record six-time [MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player "NBA Most Valuable Player") winner.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-42)
In 1969, [Alan Siegel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Siegel "Alan Siegel"), who oversaw the design of Jerry Dior's [Major League Baseball logo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_logo "Major League Baseball logo") the previous year, created the modern NBA logo inspired by the MLB's. It incorporates the silhouette of [Jerry West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_West "Jerry West"), based on a photo by Wen Roberts. The NBA would not confirm that a particular player was used because, according to Siegel, "They want to institutionalize it rather than individualize it. It's become such a ubiquitous, classic symbol and focal point of their identity and their licensing program that they don't necessarily want to identify it with one player." The logo debuted in 1971 (with a small change to the typeface on the NBA wordmark in 2017) and would remain a fixture of the NBA brand.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-43)
The ABA signed a number of major stars in the 1970s, including [Julius Erving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Erving "Julius Erving") of the [Virginia Squires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Squires "Virginia Squires"), in part because it allowed teams to sign college undergraduates. From 1966 to 1974, the NBA grew from nine franchises to 18.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-jozsa-38) In 1970, the [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers"), [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers"), and [Buffalo Braves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Braves "Buffalo Braves") (now the [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")) expanded the league to 17.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-44) The New Orleans Jazz (now in [Utah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")) came aboard in 1974. After the 1976 season, [the leagues reached a settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger") that would add four ABA franchises to the NBA—the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs"), [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets"), [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers"), and [New York Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Nets "New York Nets") (now the Brooklyn Nets)—bringing the number of NBA teams to 22.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-45) Some of the biggest stars of this era were Abdul-Jabbar, Barry, [Dave Cowens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Cowens "Dave Cowens"), Erving, [Elvin Hayes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvin_Hayes "Elvin Hayes"), [Walt Frazier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Frazier "Walt Frazier"), [Moses Malone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Malone "Moses Malone"), [Artis Gilmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artis_Gilmore "Artis Gilmore"), [George Gervin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gervin "George Gervin"), [Dan Issel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Issel "Dan Issel"), and [Pete Maravich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Maravich "Pete Maravich"). The end of the decade saw declining television ratings, low attendance, and drug-related player issues – both perceived and real – that threatened to derail the league.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-46)
Surging popularity and Bulls' dynasty (1979–1998)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Johnson_Steve_Lipofsky.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Larry_Bird_Lipofsky_\(high_quality\)_\(cropped\).jpg)
The league added the ABA's [three-point field goal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-point_field_goal "Three-point field goal") in 1979.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-47) That same year, rookies [Larry Bird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird "Larry Bird") and [Magic Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Johnson "Magic Johnson") joined the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") and [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") respectively, helping to draw fans to the league.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ESPN-48) The two had faced each other in the [1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NCAA_Division_I_Basketball_Championship_Game "1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game"), and they later played against each other in three NBA Finals (1984, 1985, and 1987).[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ESPN-48) In the 10 seasons of the 1980s, Johnson led the Lakers to five titles[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-49) while Bird led the Celtics to three titles.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-50) Also in the early 1980s, the NBA added another expansion franchise, the [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks"),[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-51) bringing the league to 23 teams. Later, Bird won the first three three-point shooting contests.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-52) On February 1, 1984 [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern") became commissioner of the NBA; he would lead the league to new heights of popularity and profitability.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-53)[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-54)[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-55)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Lipfosky_--_Michael_Jordan_\(1997\).jpg)
[Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan") became the league's most popular player during the 1990s, while leading the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") to six championships.
[Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan") entered the league in 1984 with the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls"), spurring more interest.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-56) In 1988 and 1989, the [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets"), [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat"), [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic"), and [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves") made their NBA debuts, bringing the league to 27 teams.[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-57) The [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, led by coach [Chuck Daly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Daly "Chuck Daly") and guard [Isiah Thomas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isiah_Thomas "Isiah Thomas").[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-58) Jordan and [Scottie Pippen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottie_Pippen "Scottie Pippen") led the Bulls to two three-peats in eight years during the 1991–1998 seasons.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-59)[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-60) [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Olajuwon "Hakeem Olajuwon") won back-to-back titles with the [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") in 1994 and 1995.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-61)
The [1992 Olympic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Summer_Olympics "1992 Summer Olympics") basketball [Dream Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_men%27s_Olympic_basketball_team "1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team"), the first to use current NBA stars, featured Jordan as the anchor, along with Bird, Johnson, [David Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Robinson_\(basketball\) "David Robinson (basketball)"), [Patrick Ewing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ewing "Patrick Ewing"), Scottie Pippen, [Clyde Drexler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Drexler "Clyde Drexler"), [Karl Malone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malone "Karl Malone"), [John Stockton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stockton "John Stockton"), [Chris Mullin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mullin_\(basketball\) "Chris Mullin (basketball)"), [Charles Barkley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Barkley "Charles Barkley"), and star NCAA amateur [Christian Laettner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Laettner "Christian Laettner").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-62) The team was elected to the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), while 11 of the 12 players (along with three out of four coaches) have been inducted as individuals in their own right.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-63)
In 1995, the NBA expanded to Canada with the addition of the [Vancouver Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Grizzlies "Vancouver Grizzlies") and the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors").[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-64)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-65) In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA).[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-66)
Lakers' and Spurs' dynasties (1998–2014)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kobe_Bryant_7144_adjusted.jpg)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Duncan_Walks_Verizon_Center%27s_Floor_\(cropped\).jpg)
In 1998, the [NBA owners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_team_owners "List of NBA team owners") began [a lockout that suspended all league business](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_NBA_lockout "1998–99 NBA lockout") until a new labor agreement could be reached, which led to the season being shortened to 50 games.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Wise1998-67)[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-68)
After the breakup of the [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") championship roster in the summer of 1998, the [Western Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_\(NBA\) "Western Conference (NBA)") dominated much of the next two decades.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-69) The [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers"), coached by [Phil Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson "Phil Jackson"), and the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs"), coached by [Gregg Popovich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich "Gregg Popovich"), combined to make 13 Finals in 16 seasons, with 10 titles.[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-70) "[Twin Towers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Towers_\(San_Antonio_Spurs\) "Twin Towers (San Antonio Spurs)")" [Tim Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Duncan "Tim Duncan") and [David Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Robinson_\(basketball\) "David Robinson (basketball)") won the [1999 championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals") with the [Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_San_Antonio_Spurs_season "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season"), becoming the first former ABA team to win the NBA championship.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-71) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaquille_O%27Neal "Shaquille O'Neal") and [Kobe Bryant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant "Kobe Bryant") started the 2000s with three consecutive championships for the Lakers.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-72) The Spurs [reclaimed the title in 2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals") against the [Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets "New Jersey Nets").[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-73) In 2004, the Lakers [returned to the Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals"), only to lose in five games to the [Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons").[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-74)
After the Hornets moved to [New Orleans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans "New Orleans") in 2002, the NBA returned to North Carolina, as the [Charlotte Bobcats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") were formed as an [expansion team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_team "Expansion team") in 2004.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-75) New Orleans then [temporarily moved](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_the_New_Orleans_Hornets "Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets") to [Oklahoma City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City "Oklahoma City") in 2005 for two seasons due to damage caused to their arena by [Hurricane Katrina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina "Hurricane Katrina").[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-76) The team returned to New Orleans in 2007.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-77)
The league's image was marred by a [violent incident between players and fans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Malice_at_the_Palace "The Malice at the Palace") in a November 2004 game between the [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") and Detroit Pistons.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-prunty-78) In response, players were suspended for a total of 146 games with \$11 million total lost in salary, and the league tightened security and limited the sale of alcohol.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-prunty-78)
On May 19, 2005, Commissioner Stern testified before the [U.S. House of Representatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives "United States House of Representatives")' Committee on Government Reform about the NBA's actions to combat the use of [steroids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid "Anabolic steroid") and other performance-enhancing drugs. The NBA started its drug-testing program in 1983 and substantially improved it in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season, all players were randomly tested during training camp, and all rookies were additionally tested three more times during the regular season. Of the nearly 4,200 tests for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs conducted over six seasons, only three players were confirmed positive for NBA's drug program, all were immediately suspended, and as of the time of the testimony, none were playing in the NBA.[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-79)
After the Spurs [won the championship again in 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals"), the [2006 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals") featured two franchises making their inaugural Finals appearances.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-80) The [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat"), led by their star shooting guard, [Dwyane Wade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwyane_Wade "Dwyane Wade"), and Shaquille O'Neal, who had been traded from the Lakers during the summer of 2004,[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-81) won the series over the [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks").[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-82) The Lakers/Spurs dominance [continued in 2007 with a four-game sweep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals") by the Spurs over the [LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James")\-led [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers").[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-83) The [2008 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals") saw a rematch of the league's [highest profile rivalry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtics%E2%80%93Lakers_rivalry "Celtics–Lakers rivalry"), the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") and Los Angeles Lakers, with the Celtics winning their 17th championship.[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-84)
The NBA Board of Governors approved the request of the [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics") to [move to Oklahoma City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics_relocation_to_Oklahoma_City "Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City") on April 18, 2008.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-85) The team, however, could not move until it had settled a lawsuit filed by the city of [Seattle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle "Seattle"), which was intended to keep the SuperSonics in Seattle for the remaining two seasons of the team's lease at [KeyArena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeyArena "KeyArena"). Following a court case, the city of Seattle settled with the [ownership group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Basketball_Club "Professional Basketball Club") of the SuperSonics on July 2, 2008, allowing the team to move to Oklahoma City immediately in exchange for terminating the final two seasons of the team's lease at KeyArena.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-86) The [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") began playing in the 2008–09 season.
The Lakers won back-to-back championships in [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals") and [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), against the [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") and the Celtics.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-87)[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-game7-88) The [2010 NBA All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_All-Star_Game "2010 NBA All-Star Game") was held at [Cowboys Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboys_Stadium "Cowboys Stadium") in front of the largest crowd ever: 108,713.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-89)
A referee lockout began on September 1, 2009, when the contract between the NBA and its referees expired. The first preseason games were played on October 1, 2009, and replacement referees from the [WNBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") and [NBA Development League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Development_League "NBA Development League") were used, the first time replacement referees had been used since the beginning of the 1995–96 season. The NBA and the regular referees reached a deal on October 23, 2009.[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-90)[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-91)
At the start of the 2010–11 season, free agents LeBron James and [Chris Bosh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bosh "Chris Bosh") signed with the Miami Heat, joining Dwyane Wade to form the "[Big Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Three_\(Miami_Heat\) "Big Three (Miami Heat)")".[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-92) The Heat dominated the league,[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-93) reaching the Finals for four straight years.[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-94) In [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals"), they faced a re-match with the Dallas Mavericks but lost to the [Dirk Nowitzki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki "Dirk Nowitzki")\-led team.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-95) They won back-to-back titles in [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals") and [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") against the [Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") and the Spurs,[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-96) and lost in a re-match with the Spurs in the [2014 Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals").[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-97)
The 2011–12 season began with [another lockout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_lockout "2011 NBA lockout"), the league's fourth.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-98) After the first few weeks of the season were canceled, the players and owners ratified a new collective bargaining agreement on December 8, 2011, setting up a shortened 66-game season.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-99)
After the 2012–13 season, the New Orleans Hornets were renamed the [Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans").[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-100) By May 2014, the Bobcats officially reclaimed the Hornets name, and by agreement with the league and the Pelicans, also received sole ownership of all history, records, and statistics from the Pelicans' time in Charlotte. As a result, the Hornets are now officially considered to have been founded in 1988, suspended operations in 2002, and resumed in 2004 as the Bobcats, while the Pelicans are officially treated as a 2002 expansion team.[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-hornets_name_returns-101) (This is somewhat similar to the relationship between the [Cleveland Browns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns "Cleveland Browns") and [Baltimore Ravens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens "Baltimore Ravens") in the [NFL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League").)
On February 1, 2014, commissioner David Stern retired after 30 years in the position, and was succeeded by his deputy, [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver").[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-102)
Warriors' dynasty (2014–2022)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LeBron_James_\(15847318851\).jpg)
[LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James") became an era-defining star during the 2010s, while leading the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") to a historic title in 2016.
After four seasons with the Miami Heat, [LeBron James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James "LeBron James") returned to the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") for the 2014–15 season.[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-103) He led the team to their second Finals appearance with the help of [Kyrie Irving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie_Irving "Kyrie Irving") and [Kevin Love](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Love "Kevin Love"). The [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") defeated the Cavaliers in six games, led by the "[Splash Brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splash_Brothers "Splash Brothers")" [Stephen Curry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Curry "Stephen Curry") and [Klay Thompson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klay_Thompson "Klay Thompson"). The Cavaliers and the Warriors faced each other in the Finals a record [four consecutive times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavaliers%E2%80%93Warriors_rivalry "Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry").[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-104) In the 2015–16 season, the Warriors finished the season 73–9, the [best season record in NBA history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_teams_by_single_season_win_percentage "List of NBA teams by single season win percentage").[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-105) However, the Cavaliers overcame a 3–1 deficit in the Finals to win [their first championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals") that season,[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-106) and end a [52-year professional sports championship drought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_sports_curse "Cleveland sports curse") for the city of [Cleveland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland "Cleveland").[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-107) In the 2016–17 season, the Warriors recruited free agent [Kevin Durant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Durant "Kevin Durant")[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-108) and went on to win the [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals") and [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals") Finals against the Cavaliers.[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-109)
After the departure of James in free agency in 2018, the Cavaliers' streak of playoff and Finals appearances ended. The Warriors returned for a [fifth consecutive Finals appearance in 2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") but lost to the Toronto Raptors, who won their first championship after acquiring [Kawhi Leonard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawhi_Leonard "Kawhi Leonard") in a trade.[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-110)
The 2019–20 season was [suspended indefinitely](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_the_2020_NBA_regular_season "Suspension of the 2020 NBA regular season") on March 11, 2020, due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic"), after Utah Jazz center [Rudy Gobert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Gobert "Rudy Gobert") tested positive for the coronavirus.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-111)[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-112) On June 4, 2020, the NBA Board of Governors voted to resume the season in a 22-team format with 8 seeding games per team and a regular playoffs format, with [all games played in a "bubble"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Bubble "2020 NBA Bubble") in [Walt Disney World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World "Walt Disney World") without any fans present.[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-113)[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-114)[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-115)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stephen_Curry_\(24511268640\)_\(cropped\)_\(b\).jpg)
[Stephen Curry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Curry "Stephen Curry") revolutionized the NBA during the 2010s, while leading the [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") to four championships between 2015 and 2022.
This era also saw the continuous near year-over-year decline in NBA viewership. Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. While some of it can be attributed to "cable-cutting", other professional leagues, like the NFL and MLB have retained stable viewership demographics. The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") and [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That is reportedly the lowest [viewership seen for the Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals_television_ratings "NBA Finals television ratings") since at least 1994, when total viewers began to be regularly recorded and is a 45 percent decline from game one between the Golden State Warriors and [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors"), which had 13.51 million viewers a year earlier. Some attribute this decline to the political stances the league and its players are taking, while others consider load management, the uneven talent distribution between the conferences and the cord-cutting of younger viewers as the main reason for the decline.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-116)[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-117)[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-118)[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-119)[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-120)
During the [2020–21](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season "2020–21 NBA season") and [2021–22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_NBA_season "2021–22 NBA season") seasons, the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") would defeat the [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") in the [2021 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals"), securing their second NBA championship since 1971, and the Golden State Warriors made their sixth appearance in the finals defeating the [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") in the [2022 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals"), their fourth championship in eight years.[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-121)[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-122)
Parity era (2023–present)
2023 saw the ratification of a new [collective bargaining agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_collective_bargaining_agreement "NBA collective bargaining agreement"), which will penalize teams who exceed the luxury tax above certain "apron" thresholds, making it significantly more difficult for teams to sign multiple superstars to maximum contracts.[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-123) Seven different champions were crowned in seven years from 2019 to 2025, the longest such stretch in league history, leading numerous outlets to dub this the "[parity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parity_\(sports\) "Parity (sports)") era" in contrast to the dynasties which dominated previous decades.[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-124)[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-125)
> We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league. The goal being to have 30 teams all in the position, if well managed, to compete for championships. And that's what we're seeing here.
— NBA Commissioner [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") on the NBA's new era of parity[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-126)
The [2022–23 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%9323_NBA_season "2022–23 NBA season") saw the [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets"), led by center [Nikola Jokić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Joki%C4%87 "Nikola Jokić"), make the [franchise's first NBA Finals appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") and defeat the Miami Heat in five games to win their first NBA championship.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-127)
The [2023–24 NBA season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season") saw the star-studded Boston Celtics, winning a championship over the Dallas Mavericks, after five [conference finals appearances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_conference_finals "NBA conference finals"), and a finals appearance marking their 18th championship, their first since 2008.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-128)
The [2025 NBA playoffs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_playoffs "2025 NBA playoffs") featured four teams ([Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks"), [Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers"), [Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") and [Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")) who had championship droughts spanning several decades or who had never won a championship. The Thunder would ultimately defeat the Pacers in seven games in the [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") to win their second title in franchise history and their first in Oklahoma City.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-129)
Affiliated leagues
In 1996, the NBA created a women's league, the [Women's National Basketball Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_National_Basketball_Association "Women's National Basketball Association") (WNBA).[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-130) In 2001, an affiliated [minor league](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_league "Minor league"), the National Basketball Development League, now called the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"), was created.[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-131) The NBA also operates the [NBA 2K League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_2K_League "NBA 2K League") and the [Basketball Africa League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Africa_League "Basketball Africa League").[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-132)
Teams
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Map/4/38/-97/en)
[](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright "About OpenStreetMaps")
[](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Maps_Terms_of_Use "Maps: terms of use")
450km
280miles
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics")
**Divisions**
The NBA originated in 1946 with 11 teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, reductions, and relocations, consists of 30 teams – 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
The current league organization divides 30 teams into two 15-team conferences[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) of three divisions with five teams each. The current divisional alignment was introduced in the [2004–05 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season "2004–05 NBA season").[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-134) Reflecting the population distribution of the United States and Canada as a whole, most teams are in the eastern half of the country: 13 teams are in the [Eastern Time Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Time_Zone "Eastern Time Zone"), nine in the [Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Time_Zone_\(North_America\) "Central Time Zone (North America)"), three in the [Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Time_Zone "Mountain Time Zone"), and five in the [Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Time_Zone "Pacific Time Zone").
**Notes**:
- An asterisk (\*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.
- The [Fort Wayne Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons"), [Minneapolis Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") and [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") all joined the NBA ([BAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_Association_of_America "Basketball Association of America")) in 1948 from the [NBL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(United_States\) "National Basketball League (United States)").
- The [Syracuse Nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") and [Tri-Cities Blackhawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") joined the NBA in 1949 as part of the BAA-NBL merger.
- The Indiana Pacers, [New York Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets"), San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets all joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the [ABA–NBA merger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA%E2%80%93NBA_merger "ABA–NBA merger").
- The [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") are regarded as a continuation of the original Charlotte franchise, which suspended operations in 2002 and rejoined the league in 2004. They were known as the Bobcats from 2004 to 2014. The New Orleans Pelicans are regarded as being established as an expansion team in 2002, originally known as the New Orleans Hornets until 2013.
Regular season
Following the summer break, teams begin training camps in late September.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-135) Training camps allow the coaching staff to evaluate players (especially rookies), scout the team's strengths and weaknesses, prepare the players for the rigorous regular season and determine the 12-man active roster (and a 3-man inactive list) with which they will begin the regular season. Teams have the ability to assign players with less than two years of experience to the [NBA G League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_G_League "NBA G League"). After training camp, a series of preseason exhibition games are held. Preseason matches are sometimes held in non-NBA cities, both in the United States and overseas. The NBA regular season begins in mid-October.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133)
During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, 41 each home and away.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) A team faces opponents in its own division four times a year (16 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) Each team plays six of the teams from the other two divisions in its conference four times (24 games), and the remaining four teams three times (12 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) Finally, each team plays all the teams in the other conference twice apiece (30 games).[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-biclustering-136) This asymmetrical structure means the [strength of schedule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strength_of_schedule "Strength of schedule") will vary between teams (but not as significantly as the [NFL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League") or [MLB](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball "Major League Baseball")). Over five seasons, each team will have played 80 games against their division (20 games against each opponent, 10 at home, 10 on the road), 180 games against the rest of their conference (18 games against each opponent, 9 at home, 9 on the road), and 150 games against the other conference (10 games against each team, 5 at home, 5 on the road).
Starting with the [2023–24 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season"), the regular season includes an [in-season tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_In-Season_Tournament "NBA In-Season Tournament"), in which all games in the tournament (except for the final) count towards the regular season.[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-137)
The NBA is also the only league that regularly schedules [games on Christmas Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Christmas_games "NBA Christmas games").[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Christmas-138)\[*[original research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research "Wikipedia:No original research")*\] The league has been playing games regularly on the holiday since 1947,[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139) though the first Christmas Day games were not televised until [1983–84](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983%E2%80%9384_NBA_season "1983–84 NBA season").[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Games played on this day have featured some of the best teams and players.[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Christmas-138)[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Christmas is also notable for NBA on television, as the holiday is when the first NBA games air on network television each season.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasMatchups-139)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-ChristmasGamesOnTV-140) Games played on this day have been some of the highest-rated games during a particular season.
The NBA has also played [games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_MLK_Day_games "NBA MLK Day games") (MLK Day) every year since the holiday was first observed in 1986.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-141)
In February, the regular season pauses to celebrate the annual [NBA All-Star Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game "NBA All-Star Game").[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-142) Fans vote throughout the United States, Canada, and on the Internet, and the top vote-getters in each conference are named captains. Fan votes determine the rest of the All-Star starters. Coaches vote to choose the remaining 14 All-Stars. The player with the best performance during the game is rewarded with a [Game MVP award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Game_MVP "NBA All-Star Game MVP"). Other attractions of the All-Star break include the [Rising Stars Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_Stars_Challenge "Rising Stars Challenge") (originally Rookie Challenge), where the top rookies and second-year players in the NBA play in a 5-on-5 basketball game, with the current format pitting U.S. players against those from the rest of the world; the [Skills Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star_Weekend_Skills_Challenge "NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge"), where players compete to finish an obstacle course consisting of shooting, passing, and dribbling in the fastest time; the [Three Point Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Point_Contest "Three Point Contest"), where players compete to score the highest number of three-point field goals in a given time; and the [NBA Slam Dunk Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Slam_Dunk_Contest "NBA Slam Dunk Contest"), where players compete to dunk the ball in the most entertaining way according to the judges. These other attractions have varying names which include the names of the various sponsors who have paid for naming rights.
Shortly after the All-Star break is the [trade deadline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_deadline "Trade deadline"), which is set to fall on the 16th Thursday of the season (usually in February) at 3 pm [Eastern Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Time_Zone "Eastern Time Zone").[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-143) After this date, teams are not allowed to exchange players with each other for the remainder of the season, although they may still sign and release players. Major trades are often completed right before the trading deadline, making that day a hectic time for [general managers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_general_managers "List of National Basketball Association general managers").
Around the middle of April, the regular season ends.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) It is during this time that voting begins for individual awards, as well as the selection of the honorary, league-wide, postseason teams. The [Sixth Man of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sixth_Man_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award") is given to the best player coming off the bench (must have more games coming off the bench than actual games started). The [Rookie of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award") is awarded to the most outstanding first-year player. The [Most Improved Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Improved_Player_Award "NBA Most Improved Player Award") is awarded to the player who is deemed to have shown the most improvement from the previous season. The [Defensive Player of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award") is awarded to the league's best defender. The [Coach of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Coach_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Coach of the Year Award") is awarded to the coach that has made the most positive difference to a team. The [Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "NBA Most Valuable Player Award") is given to the player deemed the most valuable for (his team) that season. Additionally, *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")* awards an unofficial (but widely recognized) [Executive of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Executive_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Executive of the Year Award") to the general manager who is adjudged to have performed the best job for the benefit of his franchise.
The postseason teams are the [All-NBA Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Team "All-NBA Team"), the [All-Defensive Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Defensive_Team "NBA All-Defensive Team"), and the [All-Rookie Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Rookie_Team "NBA All-Rookie Team"); each consists of five players. There are three All-NBA teams, consisting of the top players at each position, with first-team status being the most desirable. There are two All-Defensive teams, consisting of the top defenders at each position. There are also two All-Rookie teams, consisting of the top first-year players regardless of position.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-144)[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-145)
Playoffs
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_State_Warriors_hold_Hoops_for_Troops_event_at_129th_Rescue_Wing_\(10\).jpg)
The [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy") is awarded annually to the winning team of the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals"), the league's championship series that concludes the playoffs.
The NBA playoffs begin in April after the conclusion of the regular season and [play-in tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_play-in_tournament "NBA play-in tournament") with the top eight teams in each conference,[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-manning270-133) regardless of divisional alignment, competing for the league's championship title, the [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy"). [Seeds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeding_\(sports\) "Seeding (sports)") are awarded in strict order of regular season record (with a tiebreaker system used as needed).
Having a higher seed offers several advantages. Since the first seed begins the playoffs playing against the eighth seed, the second seed plays the seventh seed, the third seed plays the sixth seed, and the fourth seed plays the fifth seed, having a higher seed typically means a team faces a weaker opponent in the first round. The team in each series with the better record has home-court advantage, including the First Round.
The league began using its current format, with the top eight teams in each conference advancing regardless of divisional alignment, in the 2015–16 season. Previously, the top three seeds went to the division winners.[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-146)
The playoffs follow a tournament format. Each team plays an opponent in a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games advancing into the next round, while the other team is eliminated from the playoffs. In the next round, the successful team plays against another advancing team of the same conference. All but one team in each conference are eliminated from the playoffs. Since the NBA does not re-seed teams, the playoff bracket in each conference uses a traditional design, with the winner of the series matching the first- and eighth-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams, and the winner of the series matching the second- and seventh-seeded teams playing the winner of the series matching the third- and sixth-seeded teams. In every round, the best-of-7 series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 home-court pattern, meaning that one team will have home court in games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the other plays at home in games 3, 4, and 6. From 1985 to 2013, the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") followed a 2–3–2 pattern, meaning that one team had home court in games 1, 2, 6, and 7, while the other played at home in games 3, 4, and 5.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-147)
The final playoff round, a best-of-seven series between the victors of both conferences, is known as the [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") and is held annually in June (sometimes, the series will start in late May). The winner of the NBA Finals receives the [Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien_Championship_Trophy "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy"). Each player and major contributor—including coaches and the general manager—on the winning team receive a championship ring. In addition, the league awards the [Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award") to the best performing player of the series.
Championships
The [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") have the most championships, with 18 [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") wins.[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-148) The [Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") have the second-most with 17; the [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") and [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") have the third- and fourth-most, respectively, with seven and six titles.
| Teams | Win | Loss | Total | Year(s) won | Year(s) runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Boston Celtics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics "Boston Celtics") | 18 | 5 | 23 | [1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_NBA_Finals "1957 NBA Finals"), [1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_NBA_Finals "1959 NBA Finals"), [1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_NBA_Finals "1960 NBA Finals"), [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_Finals "1961 NBA Finals"), [1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_NBA_Finals "1962 NBA Finals"), [1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_NBA_Finals "1963 NBA Finals"), [1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_NBA_Finals "1964 NBA Finals"), [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NBA_Finals "1965 NBA Finals"), [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_Finals "1966 NBA Finals"), [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_Finals "1968 NBA Finals"), [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_NBA_Finals "1969 NBA Finals"), [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_Finals "1974 NBA Finals"), [1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_NBA_Finals "1976 NBA Finals"), [1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_NBA_Finals "1981 NBA Finals"), [1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_Finals "1984 NBA Finals"), [1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_NBA_Finals "1986 NBA Finals"), [2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals"), [2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_Finals "2024 NBA Finals") | [1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_NBA_Finals "1958 NBA Finals"), [1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NBA_Finals "1985 NBA Finals"), [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_NBA_Finals "1987 NBA Finals"), [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals") |
| [Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers "Los Angeles Lakers") | 17 | 15 | 32 | [1949](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949_BAA_Finals "1949 BAA Finals"), [1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NBA_Finals "1950 NBA Finals"), [1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_NBA_Finals "1952 NBA Finals"), [1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_NBA_Finals "1953 NBA Finals"), [1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_NBA_Finals "1954 NBA Finals"), [1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_NBA_Finals "1972 NBA Finals"), [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_Finals "1980 NBA Finals"), [1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NBA_Finals "1982 NBA Finals"), [1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_NBA_Finals "1985 NBA Finals"), [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_NBA_Finals "1987 NBA Finals"), [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_Finals "1988 NBA Finals"), [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_Finals "2000 NBA Finals"), [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Finals "2001 NBA Finals"), [2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_Finals "2002 NBA Finals"), [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals"), [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Finals "2010 NBA Finals"), [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Finals "2020 NBA Finals") | [1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_NBA_Finals "1959 NBA Finals"), [1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_NBA_Finals "1962 NBA Finals"), [1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_NBA_Finals "1963 NBA Finals"), [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NBA_Finals "1965 NBA Finals"), [1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_NBA_Finals "1966 NBA Finals"), [1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_NBA_Finals "1968 NBA Finals"), [1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_NBA_Finals "1969 NBA Finals"), [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_Finals "1970 NBA Finals"), [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_NBA_Finals "1973 NBA Finals"), [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NBA_Finals "1983 NBA Finals"), [1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_Finals "1984 NBA Finals"), [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_Finals "1989 NBA Finals"), [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_Finals "1991 NBA Finals"), [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals"), [2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_Finals "2008 NBA Finals") |
| [Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors") | 7 | 5 | 12 | [1947](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_BAA_Finals "1947 BAA Finals"), [1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NBA_Finals "1956 NBA Finals"), [1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_Finals "1975 NBA Finals"), [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBA_Finals "2015 NBA Finals"), [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals"), [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals"), [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_NBA_Finals "2022 NBA Finals") | [1948](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_BAA_Finals "1948 BAA Finals"), [1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_NBA_Finals "1964 NBA Finals"), [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_Finals "1967 NBA Finals"), [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals"), [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") |
| [Chicago Bulls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls "Chicago Bulls") | 6 | 0 | 6 | [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_Finals "1991 NBA Finals"), [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NBA_Finals "1992 NBA Finals"), [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_NBA_Finals "1993 NBA Finals"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_Finals "1996 NBA Finals"), [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NBA_Finals "1997 NBA Finals"), [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NBA_Finals "1998 NBA Finals") | — |
| [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") | 5 | 1 | 6 | [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals"), [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals"), [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals"), [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals"), [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals") | [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") |
| [Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers") | 3 | 6 | 9 | [1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_NBA_Finals "1955 NBA Finals"), [1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NBA_Finals "1967 NBA Finals"), [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NBA_Finals "1983 NBA Finals") | [1950](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_NBA_Finals "1950 NBA Finals"), [1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_NBA_Finals "1954 NBA Finals"), [1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NBA_Finals "1977 NBA Finals"), [1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_NBA_Finals "1980 NBA Finals"), [1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_NBA_Finals "1982 NBA Finals"), [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Finals "2001 NBA Finals") |
| [Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Pistons "Detroit Pistons") | 3 | 4 | 7 | [1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_NBA_Finals "1989 NBA Finals"), [1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NBA_Finals "1990 NBA Finals"), [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NBA_Finals "2004 NBA Finals") | [1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_NBA_Finals "1955 NBA Finals"), [1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_NBA_Finals "1956 NBA Finals"), [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_Finals "1988 NBA Finals"), [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Finals "2005 NBA Finals") |
| [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") | 3 | 4 | 7 | [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals"), [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals"), [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NBA_Finals "2013 NBA Finals") | [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals"), [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_Finals "2014 NBA Finals"), [2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_NBA_Finals "2020 NBA Finals"), [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") |
| [New York Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") | 2 | 6 | 8 | [1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_NBA_Finals "1970 NBA Finals"), [1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_NBA_Finals "1973 NBA Finals") | [1951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NBA_Finals "1951 NBA Finals"), [1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_NBA_Finals "1952 NBA Finals"), [1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_NBA_Finals "1953 NBA Finals"), [1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_NBA_Finals "1972 NBA Finals"), [1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_Finals "1994 NBA Finals"), [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_NBA_Finals "1999 NBA Finals") |
| [Seattle SuperSonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_SuperSonics "Seattle SuperSonics")/[Oklahoma City Thunder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Thunder "Oklahoma City Thunder") | 2 | 3 | 5 | [1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NBA_Finals "1979 NBA Finals"), [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") | [1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_NBA_Finals "1978 NBA Finals"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_NBA_Finals "1996 NBA Finals"), [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NBA_Finals "2012 NBA Finals") |
| [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") | 2 | 2 | 4 | [1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_Finals "1994 NBA Finals"), [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_Finals "1995 NBA Finals") | [1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_NBA_Finals "1981 NBA Finals"), [1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_NBA_Finals "1986 NBA Finals") |
| [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") | 2 | 1 | 3 | [1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NBA_Finals "1971 NBA Finals"), [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") | [1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_NBA_Finals "1974 NBA Finals") |
| [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers "Cleveland Cavaliers") | 1 | 4 | 5 | [2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_Finals "2016 NBA Finals") | [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals"), [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBA_Finals "2015 NBA Finals"), [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Finals "2017 NBA Finals"), [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NBA_Finals "2018 NBA Finals") |
| [St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Hawks "Atlanta Hawks") | 1 | 3 | 4 | [1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_NBA_Finals "1958 NBA Finals") | [1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_NBA_Finals "1957 NBA Finals"), [1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_NBA_Finals "1960 NBA Finals"), [1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NBA_Finals "1961 NBA Finals") |
| [Baltimore/Washington Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards "Washington Wizards") (now Washington Wizards) | 1 | 3 | 4 | [1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_NBA_Finals "1978 NBA Finals") | [1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_NBA_Finals "1971 NBA Finals"), [1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_Finals "1975 NBA Finals"), [1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_NBA_Finals "1979 NBA Finals") |
| [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") | 1 | 2 | 3 | [1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_NBA_Finals "1977 NBA Finals") | [1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NBA_Finals "1990 NBA Finals"), [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_NBA_Finals "1992 NBA Finals") |
| [Dallas Mavericks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks "Dallas Mavericks") | 1 | 2 | 3 | [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NBA_Finals "2011 NBA Finals") | [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_Finals "2006 NBA Finals"), [2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_Finals "2024 NBA Finals") |
| [Baltimore Bullets (original)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Bullets_\(1944%E2%80%9354\) "Baltimore Bullets (1944–54)") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1954) | 1 | 0 | 1 | [1948](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_BAA_Finals "1948 BAA Finals") | — |
| [Rochester Royals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Kings "Sacramento Kings") (now Sacramento Kings) | 1 | 0 | 1 | [1951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_NBA_Finals "1951 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") | 1 | 0 | 1 | [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") | 1 | 0 | 1 | [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") | — |
| [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | [1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_NBA_Finals "1976 NBA Finals"), [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_NBA_Finals "1993 NBA Finals"), [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") |
| [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") (formerly New Orleans Jazz) | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NBA_Finals "1997 NBA Finals"), [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_NBA_Finals "1998 NBA Finals") |
| [New Jersey Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nets "Brooklyn Nets") (now Brooklyn Nets) | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_Finals "2002 NBA Finals"), [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_NBA_Finals "2003 NBA Finals") |
| [Orlando Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic "Orlando Magic") | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_NBA_Finals "1995 NBA Finals"), [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Finals "2009 NBA Finals") |
| [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_Finals "2000 NBA Finals"), [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") |
| [Chicago Stags](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Stags "Chicago Stags") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1950) | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | [1947](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_BAA_Finals "1947 BAA Finals") |
| [Washington Capitols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Capitols "Washington Capitols") ([folded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_National_Basketball_Association_teams "List of defunct National Basketball Association teams") in 1951) | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | [1949](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949_BAA_Finals "1949 BAA Finals") |
Current teams that have no [NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals "NBA Finals") appearances:[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-149)
- [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets") (formerly Charlotte Bobcats)
- [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers") (formerly [Buffalo Braves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Braves "Buffalo Braves"), San Diego Clippers)
- [Memphis Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Grizzlies "Memphis Grizzlies") (formerly [Vancouver Grizzlies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Grizzlies "Vancouver Grizzlies"))
- [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Timberwolves "Minnesota Timberwolves")
- [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") (formerly New Orleans Hornets, [New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_the_New_Orleans_Hornets "Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets"))
As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the NBA has a long history of partnerships with television networks in the United States. The NBA signed a contract with [DuMont Television Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuMont_Television_Network "DuMont Television Network") in its eighth season, the [1953–54 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%E2%80%9354_NBA_season "1953–54 NBA season"), marking the first year the NBA had a national television broadcaster.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-150) Similar to the [National Football League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League "National Football League"), the lack of television stations led to [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") taking over the rights from the [1954–55 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954-55_NBA_season "1954-55 NBA season") until April 1962–NBC's first tenure with the NBA.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-151) The [2025–26 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025-26_NBA_season "2025-26 NBA season") marks the first year of 11-year agreements with broadcast networks [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company "American Broadcasting Company") and NBC, pay television network [ESPN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN "ESPN"), and streaming services [Peacock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_\(streaming_service\) "Peacock (streaming service)") and [Amazon Prime Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Prime_Video "Amazon Prime Video") to nationally televise games in the United States.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-152) Games that are not broadcast nationally are usually aired over [regional sports networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_sports_network "Regional sports network") specific to the area where the teams are located.
Marketing and social responsibility
The NBA announced on April 15, 2016, that it would allow all 30 of its teams to sell corporate sponsor advertisement patches on official game uniforms, beginning with the 2017–18 season. The sponsorship advertisement patches would appear on the left front of jerseys, opposite [Nike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. "Nike, Inc.")'s logo, marking the first time a manufacturer's logo would appear on NBA jerseys, and would measure approximately 2.5 by 2.5 inches. The NBA would become the first [major North American professional sports league](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") to allow corporate sponsorship logos on official team uniforms, and the last to have a uniform manufacturer logo appear on its team uniforms.[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-153) The first team to announce a jersey sponsorship was the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_76ers "Philadelphia 76ers"), who agreed to a deal with [StubHub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StubHub "StubHub").[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-154)
On July 6, 2017, the NBA unveiled an updated rendition of its logo; it was largely identical to the previous design, except with revised typography and a "richer" color scheme. The league began to phase in the updated logo across its properties during the [2017 NBA Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NBA_Summer_League "2017 NBA Summer League").[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-155)
The NBA also officially released new [Nike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. "Nike, Inc.") uniforms for all 30 teams beginning with the 2017–18 season, replacing the previous supplier, [Adidas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas "Adidas"). All team jerseys included the Nike logo except for the [Charlotte Hornets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Hornets "Charlotte Hornets"), whose jerseys instead had the [Jumpman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumpman_\(logo\) "Jumpman (logo)") logo associated with longtime Nike endorser [Michael Jordan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan "Michael Jordan"), who owns the Hornets.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-156) In addition, the league eliminated "home" and "away" uniform designations. Instead, each team would have four or six uniforms: the "Association" edition, which is the team's white uniform, the "Icon" edition, which is the team's color uniform, and the "Statement" and "City" uniforms, which most teams use as an alternate uniform.[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-157) In 2018, the NBA added the "Earned" uniform.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-158)
NBA Cares
The league has a global social responsibility program, NBA Cares, that is responsible for the league's stated mission of addressing important social issues worldwide.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-159)
International competitions
The NBA has sporadically participated in international club competitions. The first international competition involving the NBA was a 1978 exhibition game in [Tel Aviv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv "Tel Aviv"), Israel between the [Washington Bullets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Bullets "Washington Bullets") and Israeli club [Maccabi Tel Aviv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabi_Tel_Aviv_B.C. "Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.").[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-160) From 1987 to 1999 an NBA team played against championship club teams from Asia, Europe and South America in the [McDonald's Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s_Championship "McDonald's Championship"). This tournament was won by the NBA invitee every year it was held.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-161)
The first regular season NBA league games in Europe took place in 2011. In two matchups, the [New Jersey Nets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets "New Jersey Nets") faced the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") at the [O2 Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_O2_Arena_\(London\) "The O2 Arena (London)") in London in front of over 20,000 fans.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
On March 10, 2025, NBA and Australia's [National Basketball League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_League_\(Australia\) "National Basketball League (Australia)") (NBL) announced that in October 2025, the [New Orleans Pelicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Pelicans "New Orleans Pelicans") would play two preseason games at [Rod Laver Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Laver_Arena "Rod Laver Arena") in [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne") as part of the [NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_x_NBL:_Melbourne_Series "NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series").[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-162)[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-163)
Ticket prices and viewership demographics
In 2022, an average ticket cost \$77.75.[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-164) Depending on the market and stage of the season—preseason, regular season, postseason—a ticket can range from \$10 to \$100,000.[\[a\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-165)[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-166)[\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-167)
Viewership demographics
According to Nielsen's survey, in 2013 the NBA had the youngest audience, with 45 percent of its viewers under 35. As of 2022, the league remains the least likely to be watched by women, who make up only 30% of the viewership.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-168) As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were [black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans "African Americans"), while 40 percent of viewers were [white](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_American "White American"), making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-169)
As of 2017, the NBA's popularity further declined among white Americans, who during the 2016–17 season, made up only 34% of the viewership. At the same time, the black viewership increased to 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. According to the same poll, the NBA was favored more strongly by [Democrats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_\(United_States\) "Democratic Party (United States)") than [Republicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_\(United_States\) "Republican Party (United States)").[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-170)
Outside the U.S., the NBA's biggest international market is in China,[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for-171)[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift-172) where an estimated 800 million viewers watched the [2017–18 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_NBA_season "2017–18 NBA season").[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-173) [NBA China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_in_China "Basketball in China") is worth approximately \$4 billion.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for-171)[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift-172)
Criticisms and controversies
Microfiber game ball
A [new official game ball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_criticisms_and_controversies#Microfiber_game_ball "NBA criticisms and controversies") was introduced on June 28, 2006, for the 2006–07 season, marking the first change to the ball in over 35 years and only the second ball in 60 seasons.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-newball2006-174) Manufactured by [Spalding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding_\(sports_equipment\) "Spalding (sports equipment)"), the new ball featured a new design and new synthetic material that Spalding claimed offered a better grip, feel, and consistency than the original ball. However, many players were vocal in their disdain for the new ball, saying that it was too sticky when dry, and too slippery when wet.
Commissioner [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern") announced on December 11, 2006, that beginning January 1, 2007, the NBA would return to the traditional leather basketball in use prior to the 2006–07 season. The change was influenced by frequent player complaints and confirmed hand injuries (cuts) caused by the microfiber ball.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-leatherball2007-175) The [Players' Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Players_Association "NBA Players Association") filed a suit on behalf of the players against the NBA over the new ball.[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-176)
Sports betting and illegal gambling
2007 betting scandal
The [Federal Bureau of Investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation "Federal Bureau of Investigation") (FBI) began an investigation on July 19, 2007, over allegations that veteran NBA referee [Tim Donaghy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Donaghy "Tim Donaghy") bet on basketball games he officiated over the past two seasons and that he made calls affecting the [point spread](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_spread "Point spread") in those games.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-177) On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two [federal charges related to the investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_betting_scandal "2007 NBA betting scandal"). Donaghy claimed in 2008 that certain referees were friendly with players and "company men" for the NBA, and he alleged that referees influenced the outcome of certain playoff and finals games in 2002 and 2005. Commissioner Stern denied the allegations and said Donaghy was a convicted felon and a "singing, cooperating witness".[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-178) Donaghy served 15 months in prison and was released in November 2009.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-179)
According to an independent study by Ronald Beech of Game 6 of the [2002 Western Conference Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_playoffs#Western_Conference_finals "2002 NBA playoffs") between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, although the refs increased the Lakers' chances of winning through foul calls during the game, there was no [collusion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collusion "Collusion") to fix the game. On alleged "star treatment" during Game 6 by the referees toward certain players, Beech claimed, "there does seem to be issues with different standards and allowances for different players."[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-180)
Sports betting
In 2018, Commissioner [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver") showed support in the [Supreme Court's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States "Supreme Court of the United States") decision to overturn a federal ban on [sports betting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_betting "Sports betting"). Silver thought it would bring greater transparency and integrity as well as business opportunities.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-newball2006-174) Before naming [DraftKings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DraftKings "DraftKings") and [FanDuel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FanDuel "FanDuel") co-official sports betting partners of the NBA in 2021, the NBA first named [MGM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Resorts_International "MGM Resorts International") as the exclusive official gaming partner of the NBA and WNBA—the first major American sports league to do so.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-leatherball2007-175)[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-181) With a deal between the 76ers and then-sportsbook FOX Bet as the first agreement between an NBA team and a sportsbook app, more teams partnered with operators thereafter.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-182) This early acceptance of sports betting translated to basketball being the most bet-on sport in the United States over football in 2023.[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-183)
2025 illegal gambling prosecution
On October 23, 2025, [Miami Heat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat "Miami Heat") player [Terry Rozier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Rozier "Terry Rozier"), [Portland Trail Blazers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Trail_Blazers "Portland Trail Blazers") head coach [Chauncey Billups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauncey_Billups "Chauncey Billups"), and former player [Damon Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_Jones "Damon Jones") were arrested by the FBI in connection with a wider federal investigation into [sports betting and gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_illegal_gambling_prosecution "2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution") by various crime families of the [American Mafia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia "American Mafia").[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-184)[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-185)
Tanking
The NBA has frequently struggled to mitigate [tanking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanking "Tanking"), the practice of intentionally fielding non-competitive teams to secure a higher position in the upcoming [NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft "NBA draft"), with many commentators describing the NBA's tanking problem as the worst out of all the [major North American professional sports leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada"). In 2026, the [Utah Jazz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz "Utah Jazz") and [Indiana Pacers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pacers "Indiana Pacers") were fined \$500,000 and \$100,000, respectively, for deliberately benching healthy players with the intention of losing a game.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-186) Commissioner Silver has been especially critical of the practice, and the NBA plans to implement numerous changes starting with the [2026–27 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026%E2%80%9327_NBA_season "2026–27 NBA season") to discourage teams from deliberately losing games.[\[186\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-187)
Donald Sterling
[Donald Sterling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Sterling "Donald Sterling"), who was then-owner of the [Los Angeles Clippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers "Los Angeles Clippers"), received a lifetime ban from the NBA on April 29, 2014, after racist remarks he made became public. Sterling was also fined US\$2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA Constitution.[\[187\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-188)
Partnerships
As part of its November 2021 multi-year partnership deal with the [United Arab Emirates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates "United Arab Emirates") (UAE), the NBA hosted two preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 4 and 6, 2024, marking its third annual trip to the country. However, the [Human Rights Watch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch "Human Rights Watch") (HRW) raised concerns, citing the UAE's pattern of using high-profile events to enhance its image. HRW accused the league of being complicit in "sportswashing" the UAE's poor human rights record, while the country seeks to display itself as open country, without addressing the abuses.
On September 30, HRW wrote a letter to the NBA, urging it to implement a human rights risk mitigation strategy, and to ensure that the preseason games were not used as a distraction from the UAE's human rights abuses. The rights organization also pointed out that the UAE hosted the games amidst the reports of the country being directly involved in fueling the [Sudanese civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudanese_civil_war_\(2023%E2%80%93present\) "Sudanese civil war (2023–present)"). A coalition of human rights groups called upon the NBA to cancel the games in Abu Dhabi in solidarity with Sudanese.[\[188\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-189)
Notable people
Presidents and commissioners
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adam_Silver.jpg)
[Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver"), the [NBA Commissioner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Commissioner "NBA Commissioner") since 2014
- [Maurice Podoloff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Podoloff "Maurice Podoloff"), President from 1946 to 1963[\[189\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-190)
- [Walter Kennedy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Walter_Kennedy "J. Walter Kennedy"), President from 1963 to 1967 and Commissioner from 1967 to 1975[\[190\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-191)
- [Larry O'Brien](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_O%27Brien "Larry O'Brien"), Commissioner from 1975 to 1984[\[191\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-192)
- [David Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stern "David Stern"), Commissioner from 1984 to 2014[\[192\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-193)[\[193\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-194)
- [Adam Silver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Silver "Adam Silver"), Commissioner from 2014 to present[\[194\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-195)
Players
- [NBA 75th Anniversary Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_75th_Anniversary_Team "NBA 75th Anniversary Team")
- [Lists of National Basketball Association players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_National_Basketball_Association_players "Lists of National Basketball Association players")
Foreign players
Following pioneers like [Vlade Divac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlade_Divac "Vlade Divac") (Serbia) and [Dražen Petrović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dra%C5%BEen_Petrovi%C4%87 "Dražen Petrović") (Croatia), who joined the NBA in the late 1980s, an increasing number of international players have moved directly from playing elsewhere in the world to starring in the NBA.[\[195\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-196)[\[196\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-197) Since 2006, the NBA has faced [EuroLeague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague "EuroLeague") teams [in exhibition matches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_vs._EuroLeague_games "NBA vs. EuroLeague games") in the [NBA Europe Live Tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Europe_Live_Tour "NBA Europe Live Tour"),[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-198) and since 2009, in the [EuroLeague American Tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroLeague_American_Tour "EuroLeague American Tour"). On November 9, 2007, when the [Houston Rockets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets "Houston Rockets") with [Yao Ming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao_Ming "Yao Ming") faced off against the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") with [Yi Jianlian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Jianlian "Yi Jianlian"), over 200 million people in China watched on 19 different networks, making it the most-viewed game in NBA history.[\[198\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-199)
The [2013–14 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_NBA_season "2013–14 NBA season") opened with a record 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and comprising over 20 percent of the league.[\[199\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-Helin2013-200) The NBA defines "international" players as those born outside the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. This means that:
- Players born in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the [U.S. Virgin Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Virgin_Islands "United States Virgin Islands"), most notably USVI native [Tim Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Duncan "Tim Duncan"), are counted as "international" even though they are U.S. citizens by birth, and may even have represented the U.S. in international competition (like Duncan).
- U.S.-born players are not counted as "international" even if they were born with citizenship in another country and represent that country internationally, such as [Joakim Noah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joakim_Noah "Joakim Noah"), and [Kosta Koufos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosta_Koufos "Kosta Koufos").
The beginning of the [2017–18 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_NBA_season "2017–18 NBA season") saw a record 108 international players representing 42 countries marking 4 consecutive years of at least 100 international players and each team having at least one international player.[\[200\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-201) In 2018, the [Phoenix Suns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns "Phoenix Suns") hired Serbian coach [Igor Kokoškov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Koko%C5%A1kov "Igor Kokoškov") as their new head coach, replacing Canadian interim coach [Jay Triano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Triano "Jay Triano"), making Kokoškov the first European coach to become a head coach for a team in the NBA.[\[201\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-202)
In the [2023–24 season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_NBA_season "2023–24 NBA season"), the Mavericks and the Thunder each had eight international players on their roster.[\[202\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-international_expansion-203) For seven consecutive seasons from [2018–19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_NBA_season "2018–19 NBA season") to [2024–25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_NBA_season "2024–25 NBA season"), the league's [MVP award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "NBA Most Valuable Player Award") has been given to an international player.[\[203\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-204)[\[204\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-205)
Below is a list of foreign players who have won NBA awards or have otherwise been recognized for their contributions to basketball, either currently or formerly active in the league:
- Dražen Petrović, Croatia – 2002 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), four-time [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar "Euroscar") winner, two-time [Mr. Europa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Europa "Mr. Europa") winner, MVP of the [1986 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIBA_World_Championship "1986 FIBA World Championship") and [EuroBasket 1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_1989 "EuroBasket 1989"), two-time Olympic silver medalist, World champion, European champion, [50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_EuroLeague_Contributors_\(2008\) "50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008)").[\[205\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-206)
- [Arvydas Sabonis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvydas_Sabonis "Arvydas Sabonis"), Lithuania – 2011 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), five-time Euroscar winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, Olympic gold medalist in [1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1988_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics") with the [Soviet Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union_national_basketball_team "Soviet Union national basketball team") and bronze medalist in [1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics") and [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1996_Summer_Olympics "Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics") with [Lithuania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania_men%27s_national_basketball_team "Lithuania men's national basketball team"), 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.[\[206\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-207)
- [Šarūnas Marčiulionis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0ar%C5%ABnas_Mar%C4%8Diulionis "Šarūnas Marčiulionis"), Lithuania – 2014 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"). First player from the Soviet Union and one of the first Europeans to sign a contract with an NBA club and to play solidly in the league, helping to lead the way for the internationalization of the league in the late 1990s.[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-208)
- Vlade Divac, Serbia – 2019 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), two-time Olympic silver medalist, 2001 [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), two-time World champion, three-time European champion, 1989 Mr. Europa winner, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-209)
- [Toni Kukoč](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Kuko%C4%8D "Toni Kukoč"), Croatia – 2021 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998), 1996 [Sixth Man Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sixth_Man_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award") winner, named in 2008 as one of the [50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_EuroLeague_Contributors "50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors").[\[209\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-210)
- [Peja Stojaković](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja_Stojakovi%C4%87 "Peja Stojaković"), Serbia – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the [EuroBasket 2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2001 "EuroBasket 2001"), member of the all-tournament team in the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship"), 2001 [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar "Euroscar") winner, two-time Mr. Europa winner, two-time [NBA Three-Point Shootout champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Three-Point_Shootout_champion "NBA Three-Point Shootout champion"), three-time NBA All-Star.
- [Dirk Nowitzki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki "Dirk Nowitzki"), Germany – NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks (2011), MVP of the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship") and [EuroBasket 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2005 "EuroBasket 2005"), member of the all-tournament team in the [2002 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIBA_World_Championship "2002 FIBA World Championship"), six-time Euroscar winner, 2005 Mr. Europa, two-time [FIBA Europe Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe_Player_of_the_Year "FIBA Europe Player of the Year"), 2007 [NBA MVP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award"), 2011 [Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award"), 2006 [NBA Three-Point Shootout champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Three-Point_Shootout_champion "NBA Three-Point Shootout champion") and 14-time NBA All-Star.
- [Hedo Türkoğlu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedo_T%C3%BCrko%C4%9Flu "Hedo Türkoğlu"), Turkey – 2008 [Most Improved Player Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Most_Improved_Player_Award "NBA Most Improved Player Award") winner, member of the all-tournament team in the [2010 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIBA_World_Championship "2010 FIBA World Championship").
- [Pau Gasol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau_Gasol "Pau Gasol"), Spain – two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009 and 2010), six-time [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), 2002 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), two-time Mr. Europa, [2006 FIBA World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIBA_World_Championship "2006 FIBA World Championship") MVP, four-time [Euroscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euroscar_Award "Euroscar Award"), two-time [FIBA Europe Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Europe_Player_of_the_Year_Award "FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award"), MVP of the [EuroBasket 2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2009 "EuroBasket 2009") and [EuroBasket 2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2015 "EuroBasket 2015"), winner of the [NBA Citizenship Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Walter_Kennedy_Citizenship_Award "J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award") in 2012.
- [Andrei Kirilenko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Kirilenko "Andrei Kirilenko"), Russia – 2004 NBA All-Star, MVP of the [EuroBasket 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2007 "EuroBasket 2007"), 2007 FIBA Europe Player of the Year.
- [Tony Parker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Parker "Tony Parker"), France – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, [2007 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals "2007 NBA Finals") MVP, six-time NBA All-Star and 2007 Euroscar winner.
- [Manu Ginóbili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_Gin%C3%B3bili "Manu Ginóbili"), Argentina – four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, 2008 Sixth Man Award winner, two-time NBA All-Star, 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors, Olympic gold medalist in [2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2004_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament "Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament") with [Argentina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_national_basketball_team "Argentine national basketball team").
- [Yao Ming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao_Ming "Yao Ming"), China – 2016 inductee into the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame"), [first overall pick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_NBA_draft_picks "List of first overall NBA draft picks") in the [2002 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_draft "2002 NBA draft") and eight-time NBA All-Star.
- [Leandro Barbosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leandro_Barbosa "Leandro Barbosa"), Brazil – NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors (2015),[\[210\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-barbosachamp-211) 2007 Sixth Man Award winner.
- [Andrea Bargnani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Bargnani "Andrea Bargnani"), Italy – first overall pick in the [2006 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NBA_draft "2006 NBA draft") by the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors").
- [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giannis_Antetokounmpo "Giannis Antetokounmpo"), Greece – NBA champion with the [Milwaukee Bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Bucks "Milwaukee Bucks") (2021), [2021 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NBA_Finals "2021 NBA Finals") MVP, two-time NBA MVP, 2017 Most Improved Player, eight-time NBA All-Star.
- [Nikola Jokić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Joki%C4%87 "Nikola Jokić"), Serbia – NBA champion with the [Denver Nuggets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Nuggets "Denver Nuggets") (2023), [2023 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals "2023 NBA Finals") MVP, three-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, 2016 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Olympic silver medalist.
- [Luka Dončić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Don%C4%8Di%C4%87 "Luka Dončić"), Slovenia – 2019 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), five-time [NBA All-Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_All-Star "NBA All-Star"), European champion
On some occasions, young players, most but not all from the English-speaking world, have attended American colleges before playing in the NBA. Notable examples are:
- Nigerian [Hakeem Olajuwon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Olajuwon "Hakeem Olajuwon") – first overall pick in the [1984 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_NBA_draft "1984 NBA draft"), two-time champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, 1994 NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time [NBA Defensive Player of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award") (only player to receive the MVP Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and Finals MVP award in the same season,) and Hall of Famer.
- Congolese [Dikembe Mutombo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikembe_Mutombo "Dikembe Mutombo") – fourth overall pick in the [1991 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_NBA_draft "1991 NBA draft"), four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer.
- Dutchman [Rik Smits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Smits "Rik Smits") – second overall pick in the [1988 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_NBA_draft "1988 NBA draft"), 1998 NBA All-Star, played 12 years for the Indiana Pacers.
- German [Detlef Schrempf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detlef_Schrempf "Detlef Schrempf") – two-time NBA Sixth Man Award winner, three-time NBA All-Star.
- Canadians [Steve Nash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Nash "Steve Nash") (two-time NBA MVP, eight-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer), [Andrew Wiggins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wiggins "Andrew Wiggins") (first overall pick in the [2014 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NBA_draft "2014 NBA draft"), 2015 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award")), and [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shai_Gilgeous-Alexander "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander") (2025 NBA scoring leader, NBA MVP, and [2025 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Finals "2025 NBA Finals") MVP)
- Australians [Luc Longley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Longley "Luc Longley") (three-time champion with the Chicago Bulls), [Andrew Bogut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bogut "Andrew Bogut") (first overall pick in the [2005 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_draft "2005 NBA draft"), 2015 NBA champion with Golden State Warriors) and [Ben Simmons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Simmons "Ben Simmons") (first overall pick in the [2016 NBA draft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NBA_draft "2016 NBA draft"), 2018 [NBA Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award "NBA Rookie of the Year Award"), three-time NBA All-Star).
- Sudanese-born Englishman [Luol Deng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luol_Deng "Luol Deng") – 2007 [NBA Sportsmanship Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sportsmanship_Award "NBA Sportsmanship Award") winner, two-time NBA All-Star.
- Cameroonians [Joel Embiid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Embiid "Joel Embiid") (2023 NBA MVP, four-time NBA All-Star, 2017 NBA All-Rookie First Team) and [Pascal Siakam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Siakam "Pascal Siakam") (2019 NBA champion with Toronto Raptors, 2019 Most Improved Player, two-time NBA All-Star)
Coaches
- [List of current NBA head coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_head_coaches "List of current NBA head coaches")
- [List of NBA player-coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_player-coaches "List of NBA player-coaches")
- [List of NBA championship head coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_championship_head_coaches "List of NBA championship head coaches")
- [List of foreign NBA coaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_NBA_coaches "List of foreign NBA coaches")
- [Top 10 Coaches in NBA History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Greatest_Players_in_NBA_History#Top_10_Coaches_in_NBA_History "50 Greatest Players in NBA History")
Female coaches
[Becky Hammon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becky_Hammon "Becky Hammon") was hired by the [San Antonio Spurs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs "San Antonio Spurs") on August 5, 2014, as an assistant coach, becoming the second female coach in NBA history, but the first full-time coach.[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-212)[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-borntocoach-213) She was also the first full-time female coach in any of the [four major professional sports leagues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada "Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada") in North America.[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_note-borntocoach-213)
Others
- [List of NBA team owners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_team_owners "List of NBA team owners")
- [List of NBA referees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_referees "List of NBA referees")
See also
- [List of NBA regular season records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_regular_season_records "List of NBA regular season records")
- [List of NBA awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_awards "List of NBA awards")
- [List of NBA seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_seasons "List of NBA seasons")
- [NBA cheerleading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_cheerleading "NBA cheerleading")
- [List of NBA rivalries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_rivalries "List of NBA rivalries")
- [NBA salary cap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap "NBA salary cap")
- [List of NBA playoff series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_playoff_series "List of NBA playoff series")
- [NBA Summer League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Summer_League "NBA Summer League")
- [List of NBA franchise postseason droughts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_postseason_droughts "List of NBA franchise postseason droughts")
- [List of NBA franchise postseason streaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_postseason_streaks "List of NBA franchise postseason streaks")
- [NBA Store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Store "NBA Store")
Notes
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-165)** During the [2019 NBA Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NBA_Finals "2019 NBA Finals") between the [Toronto Raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Raptors "Toronto Raptors") and [Golden State Warriors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_State_Warriors "Golden State Warriors"), two courtside tickets were sold for \$69,287.21 each at [Oracle Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_Arena "Oracle Arena").
References
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["This Date in the NBA: June"](https://www.nba.com/news/history-this-date-in-nba-june). National Basketball Association. Retrieved March 4, 2022. "June 6, 1946–The National Basketball Association was founded at the Commodore Hotel in New York. Maurice Podoloff was the league's first president, a title later changed to commissioner."
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["About The NBA"](https://www.nba.com/news/about). *NBA.com*. June 18, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
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Rathborn, Jack (November 18, 2020). ["NBA Draft 2020: What time does it start in the UK, who has the No 1 pick and how can I watch it?"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/nba/draft-2020-what-time-start-uk-b1725070.html). *The Independent*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/nba/draft-2020-what-time-start-uk-b1725070.html) from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2020. "The 2020 NBA Draft is here after days of juicy gossip surrounding trades as the world's greatest basketball league dominates the headlines during its offseason."
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Curtis Harris (January 21, 2022). ["How the NBA's 75th anniversary sweeps away its early history"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/01/21/nba-history-nbl-baa/). *[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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Teitelbaum, Justin (October 24, 2024). ["The Most Valuable NBA Teams 2024"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2024/10/24/the-most-valuable-nba-teams-2024/). *Forbes*. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
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[Charley Rosen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charley_Rosen "Charley Rosen"). ["NBA pioneer is no old fogey"](https://www.espn.com/page2/s/rosen/030408.html). *[ESPN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN "ESPN")*. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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Dick Robb (April 14, 1949). ["Lakers make city world's pro capital"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star-lakers-make-city-wo/149954500/). *[The Minneapolis Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Minneapolis_Star "The Minneapolis Star")*. p. 45. Retrieved June 24, 2024 – via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access "open access publication – free to read")
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[0-679-43293-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-679-43293-0 "Special:BookSources/0-679-43293-0")
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Glenn Gaff (August 4, 1949). ["Cage peace: Form 18-team league"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-cage-peace-form-18-team-le/149924180/). *[Star Tribune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tribune "Star Tribune")*. p. 20. Retrieved June 23, 2024 – via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
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[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access "open access publication – free to read")
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John Barrington (April 12, 1950). ["NBA plans only 12 clubs; \$50,000 trust bond"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-nba-plans-only-12-clubs-50/149954362/). *[Scranton Tribune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton_Tribune "Scranton Tribune")*. p. 17. Retrieved June 24, 2024 – via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access "open access publication – free to read")
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["A first look at the NBA's refreshed logo"](http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/06/first-look-nbas-refreshed-logo-2017-18-season). National Basketball Association. July 6, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
156. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-156)**
Dator, James (June 26, 2017). ["The Hornets will be the only NBA team to have jerseys licensed by Jumpman"](https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/6/26/15872910/hornets-jumpman-jerseys-nba-nike-license). SB Nation. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
157. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-157)**
Whitaker, Lang (July 18, 2017). ["NBA, Nike unveil new uniforms for 2017–18 season"](http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/18/nba-nike-new-uniforms#/). National Basketball Association. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
158. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-158)**
["Teams unveil Earned Edition uniforms for 2018–19 season"](https://www.nba.com/news/nba-unveils-earned-edition-uniforms) (Press release). National Basketball Association. December 12, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
159. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-159)**
["NBA Cares, coaches clinic to take place ahead of weekend matches"](https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/nba-cares-coaches-clinic-to-take-place-ahead-of-weekend-matches). *Free Press Journal*. October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
160. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-160)**
Conrad, Mark (February 17, 2017). [*The Business of Sports: Off the Field, in the Office, on the News*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ylklDgAAQBAJ). [Taylor & Francis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_%26_Francis "Taylor & Francis"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9781317430520](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781317430520 "Special:BookSources/9781317430520")
.
161. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-161)**
["New club basketball championship to debut in 2010"](https://www.espn.com/olympics/olybb/news/story?id=3754278). ESPN. December 9, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
162. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-162)**
["New Orleans Pelicans to play two NBL teams in first NBA games in Australia this October"](https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/2025-2026-nba-preseason-nbl-nba-games-australia-october-melbourne-united-south-east-melbourne-phoenix). *NBA.com*. March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
163. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-163)**
["Pelicans to play NBL teams in Australia"](https://nbl.com.au/news/pelicans-to-play-nbl-teams-in-australia). *NBL.com.au*. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
164. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-164)**
["Team Market Report Publishes NBA Fan Cost Index; Slight Increase Reported"](https://sportslawexpert.com/2022/05/08/team-market-report-publishes-nba-fan-cost-index-slight-increase-reported/). *Sports Law Expert*. May 8, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
165. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-166)**
May, Jeffrey (November 24, 2021). ["How much are NBA tickets? What's the average price?"](https://en.as.com/en/2021/11/25/nba/1637800806_916397.html). *Diario AS*. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
166. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-167)**
Brooks, Khristopher (February 7, 2023). ["Tickets to watch LeBron James break the NBA scoring record are going for more than \$100,000"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lebron-james-nba-scoring-record-all-time-stats-kareem-abdul-jabbar-ticket-prices/). *CBS News*.
167. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-168)**
["Show Me the Money: Affluent Fans & the Economics of Sports"](https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/knowledge/media-brand-communication/Show-Me-the-Money-Affluent-Fans-the-Economics-of-Sports-recording). Ipsos. April 14, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
168. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-169)**
Thompson, Derek (February 10, 2014). ["Which Sports Have the Whitest/Richest/Oldest Fans?"](https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/02/which-sports-have-the-whitest-richest-oldest-fans/283626/). *The Atlantic*. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
169. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-170)**
Piacenza, Joanna (January 25, 2018). ["The NFL Isn't the Only Divisive Sport in America"](https://morningconsult.com/2018/01/25/nfl-isnt-divisive-sport-america/). Morning Consult.
170. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for_171-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-SCMP_Silver_hopes_for_171-1)
["Silver hopes for 'mutual respect' between NBA and China amid questions"](https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3091336/nba-china-crisis-adam-silver-hopes-mutual-respect-amid-questions-us). *South China Morning Post*. July 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
171. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift_172-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-theguardian_How_the_NBA's_rift_172-1)
["How the NBA's rift with China laid bare the cost of free speech"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/12/how-the-nbas-rift-with-china-laid-bare-the-cost-of-free-speech). *The Guardian*. October 12, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
172. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-173)**
["The NBA Is Seeking Its First Head of Government in China"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nba-seeks-government-point-guard-in-china-amid-u-s-tensions). *Bloomberg.com*. March 20, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
173. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-newball2006_174-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-newball2006_174-1)
["NBA Introduces New Game Ball"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120317211343/http://www.nba.com/news/blackbox_060628.html). National Basketball Association. June 28, 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.nba.com/news/blackbox_060628.html) on March 17, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
174. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-leatherball2007_175-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-leatherball2007_175-1)
[Stein, Marc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Stein_\(reporter\) "Marc Stein (reporter)") (December 12, 2006). ["Leather ball will return on Jan. 1"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2694335). ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
175. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-176)**
[Stein, Marc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Stein_\(reporter\) "Marc Stein (reporter)") (December 8, 2006). ["NBA ball controversy reaches new level"](https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2689744). ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
176. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-177)**
["Donaghy under investigation for betting on NBA games"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2943095). *ESPN.com*. July 20, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
177. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-178)**
["2002 Lakers-Kings Game 6 at heart of Donaghy allegations"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401). June 11, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
178. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-179)**
Virgin, Ryan (April 13, 2010). ["David Stern and Tim Donaghy's Motives Are Not That Different"](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/378154-david-stern-and-tim-donaghys-motives-are-not-that-different). *Bleacher Report*. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
179. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-180)**
Beech, Ronald (2008). ["Reviewing the calls: Lakers-Kings Game 6"](http://www.82games.com/lakerskingsgame6.htm). Retrieved January 3, 2015.
180. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-181)**
["NBA signs deal with MGM to be gaming partner"](https://www.espn.com/sports-betting/story/_/id/24245142/nba-first-league-betting-sponsor-deal-mgm). *ESPN.com*. August 9, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
181. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-182)**
Writer, Matthew Impelli (November 25, 2019). ["Philadelphia 76ers Partner With Mobile Sports Betting Brand, FOX Bet"](https://www.newsweek.com/philadelphia-76ers-become-first-nba-team-partner-online-sports-betting-brand-1473968). *Newsweek*. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
182. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-183)**
Molter, Michael (January 25, 2024). ["Basketball Eclipsing Football As Most Bet On Sport In USA"](https://www.usaonlinegambling.com/news/basketball-eclipsing-football-as-most-bet-on-sport-in-usa-01-25-2024/). Retrieved January 30, 2024.
183. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-184)**
Clemente, Alberto (October 23, 2025). ["NBA chaos as FBI arrests Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones..."](https://en.as.com/nba/nba-chaos-as-fbi-arrests-two-big-names-f202510-n/) *AS USA*. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
184. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-185)**
Morik, Ryan; Gaydos, Ryan (October 23, 2025). ["NBA legend Chauncey Billups, Heat's Terry Rozier arrested as part of FBI gambling probe"](https://www.fox4news.com/news/heats-terry-rozier-arrested-part-fbi-sports-betting-probe). *FOX 4 KDFW*. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
185. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-186)**
Toporek, Bryan (February 20, 2026). ["The NBA's Tanking Problem Has No Easy Fixes"](http://web.archive.org/web/20260221102921/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2026/02/20/the-nbas-tanking-problem-has-no-easy-fixes/). *Forbes*. Archived from [the original](https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2026/02/20/the-nbas-tanking-problem-has-no-easy-fixes/) on February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
186. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-187)**
Charania, Shams (February 19, 2026). ["NBA plans to enact anti-tanking rules next season, sources say"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47979919/nba-set-enact-anti-tanking-rules-next-season-sources-say). *ESPN*. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
187. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-188)**
["Clippers owner Sterling banned for life by the NBA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181229050022/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/29/nba-bans-donald-sterling.ap/). National Basketball Association. Associated Press. April 29, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/29/nba-bans-donald-sterling.ap/) on December 29, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
188. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-189)**
["UAE: NBA Games Risk "Sportswashing" Abuses"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241006054231/https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/03/uae-nba-games-risk-sportswashing-abuses). October 3, 2024. Archived from [the original](https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/03/uae-nba-games-risk-sportswashing-abuses) on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
189. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-190)**
["Maurice Podoloff Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/maurice-podoloff). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
190. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-191)**
["James Walter Kennedy Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/james-walter-kennedy/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
191. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-192)**
Goldaper, Sam (November 10, 1983). ["O'Brien Steps Down As Commissioner of N.B.A."](https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/10/sports/o-brien-steps-down-as-commissioner-of-nba.html) *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
192. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-193)**
Mahoney, Brian (January 2, 2020). ["NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern dies at 77"](https://www.nba.com/news/david-stern-passes-away-77). *[NBA.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA.com "NBA.com")*. [Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press "Associated Press"). Retrieved December 6, 2023.
193. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-194)**
Gregory, Sean (January 2, 2020). ["How David Stern Rescued the NBA and Turned Basketball Into a Global Force"](https://time.com/5757570/david-sterm-rescued-nba/). *[Time Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Magazine "Time Magazine")*. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
194. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-195)**
["Adam Silver replaces David Stern"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10387067/adam-silver-replaces-david-stern-nba-commissioner). *[ESPN.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN.com "ESPN.com")*. February 1, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
195. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-196)**
Freeman, Mike (June 9, 1993). ["Pro Basketball; Details Emerge, but Petrovic's Death Still Baffles"](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/09/sports/pro-basketball-details-emerge-but-petrovic-s-death-still-baffles.html). *[New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times "New York Times")*. Retrieved May 27, 2024. "…Petrovic 'paved the way for other international players to compete successfully in this league.'"
196. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-197)**
Ham, James (September 5, 2019). ["How Vlade Divac Made Global Impact, Paved Basketball Hall of Fame Path"](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/how_vlade_divac_made_global_impact__paved_basketball_hall_of_fame_path_bay/215090/?amp=1). *[NBC Bay Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Bay_Area "NBC Bay Area")*. Retrieved May 27, 2024. "His pioneering spirit as one of the first Europeans to transition to the NBA in the late 1980s opened a floodgate that allowed the league to expand to countries around the world."
197. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-198)**
Thomas, Niklas; Neuhas, Till, eds. (January 3, 2024). [*Interdisciplinary Analyses of Professional Basketball: Investigating the Hardwood*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1DvsEAAAQBAJ). [Springer Nature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springer_Nature "Springer Nature") Switzerland. p. 281. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9783031416569](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783031416569 "Special:BookSources/9783031416569")
.
198. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-199)**
Riess, Steven A. (March 26, 2015). [*Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DnCsBwAAQBAJ). [Taylor & Francis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_%26_Francis "Taylor & Francis"). p. 57. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9781317459477](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781317459477 "Special:BookSources/9781317459477")
.
199. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-Helin2013_200-0)**
Helin, Kurt (October 29, 2013). ["Record 92 foreign players on NBA rosters to start season"](http://nba.nbcsports.com/2013/10/29/record-92-foreign-players-on-nba-rosters-to-start-season/). Retrieved December 8, 2016.
200. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-201)**
["NBA rosters feature 108 international players from record 42 countries and territories"](http://www.nba.com/article/2017/10/17/nba-international-players-2017-18-season-record-countries) (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 17, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
201. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-202)**
["Phoenix Suns hire Igor Kokoskov as first European-born NBA coach"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/05/02/suns-hire-igor-kokoskov-first-european-born-nba-coach/575475002/). *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")*. May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
202. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-international_expansion_203-0)**
["Record 125 international players on NBA opening-night rosters"](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38734176/record-125-international-players-nba-opening-night-rosters). *ESPN*. October 24, 2023.
203. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-204)**
Pasciolla, Anthony (May 9, 2024). ["Nikola Jokić marks sixth consecutive international NBA MVP"](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/denver-nuggets/news/nba-mvp-international-jokic-giannis-embiid/5d7f1d55e738def69d874324). *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")*. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
204. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-205)**
McGregor, Gilbert (May 21, 2025). ["Canadians to win NBA MVP: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Steve Nash in rare company"](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/news/canadians-nba-mvp-shai-gilgeous-alexander-steve-nash/55dc82f222c69bd881417567). *[Sporting News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_News "Sporting News")*. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
205. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-206)**
["Drazen Petrovic Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/drazen-petrovic/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
206. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-207)**
["Arvydas Sabonis Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/arvydas-sabonis/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
207. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-208)**
["Sarūnas Marciulionis Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/sarunas-marciulionis/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
208. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-209)**
["Vlade Divac Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/vlade-divac/). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
209. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-210)**
["Toni Kukoc Biography"](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/toni-kukoc). *[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame")*. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
210. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-barbosachamp_211-0)**
Salvadore, Damon (June 17, 2015). ["Leandro Barbosa Makes NBA History as Golden State Warriors Defeat Cleveland Cavaliers in Finals"](http://www.latinpost.com/articles/60324/20150617/leandro-barbosa-makes-nba-history-as-golden-state-warriors-defeat-cleveland-cavaliers.htm). *Latin Post*. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
211. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-212)**
["Spurs make WNBA's Hammon first female NBA assistant"](http://www.nba.com/2014/news/08/05/spurs-becky-hammon.ap/). National Basketball Association. Associated Press. August 5, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
212. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-borntocoach_213-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association#cite_ref-borntocoach_213-1)
Fagan, Kate (August 5, 2014). ["Becky Hammon was born to coach"](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/11313239/wnba-san-antonio-stars-future-spurs-assistant-becky-hammon-was-born-coach). ESPN. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
Further reading
- Havlicek, John (2003). [*NBA's Greatest*](https://archive.org/details/nbasgreatest00hare) (1st ed.). DK. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-7894-9977-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7894-9977-0 "Special:BookSources/0-7894-9977-0")
.
- Jackson, Phil; [Smith, Sam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Smith_\(sportswriter\) "Sam Smith (sportswriter)") (2025). *Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players*. New York: [Penguin Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin_Press "Penguin Press"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9798217060719](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9798217060719 "Special:BookSources/9798217060719")
.
- Kirchberg, Connie (2007). [*Hoop Lore: A History of the National Basketball Association*](https://books.google.com/books?id=spJT3VxogqIC). [McFarland & Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McFarland_%26_Company "McFarland & Company"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780786426737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780786426737 "Special:BookSources/9780786426737")
.
- Peterson, Robert W. (2002). *Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early Years*. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-8032-8772-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8032-8772-0 "Special:BookSources/0-8032-8772-0")
.
- Rosen, Charley (2009). *The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA*. McGraw-Hill Professional. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-07-148785-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-07-148785-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-07-148785-6")
.
- Surdam, David George (2012). [*The Rise of the National Basketball Association*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-dfZcRHk1kwC). [University of Illinois Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Illinois_Press "University of Illinois Press"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780252037139](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780252037139 "Special:BookSources/9780252037139")
.
External links
- [Official website](https://www.nba.com/) [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155223#P856 "Edit this at Wikidata")
- ["Official NBA Stats"](https://www.nba.com/stats/alltime). *NBA*. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["NBA Rulebook"](https://official.nba.com/rulebook/). *NBA*. October 15, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["Constitution and By-Laws of the National Basketball Association"](https://ak-static-int.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/12/NBA-Constitution-and-By-Laws.pdf) (PDF). *NBA*. May 29, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ["Collective Bargaining Agreement"](https://imgix.cosmicjs.com/25da5eb0-15eb-11ee-b5b3-fbd321202bdf-Final-2023-NBA-Collective-Bargaining-Agreement-6-28-23.pdf) (PDF). July 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2026. |
| Shard | 152 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 17790707453426894952 |
| Unparsed URL | org,wikipedia!en,/wiki/National_Basketball_Association s443 |