You’re sitting at a bar in the Mission or maybe just arguing with your cousin on the couch, and someone asks: "Wait, how many championships do Golden State Warriors have exactly?"
Seven.
That’s the number. Seven rings.
But honestly, if you only started watching basketball when Stephen Curry began launching shots from the parking lot, you might think the number is four. Or maybe five if you’re counting that 73-win season where they... well, you know. But the history of this franchise is way weirder and longer than the Chase Center era suggests. They didn't even start in California.
The Philadelphia Origins (The Two You Probably Forgot)
Long before Oakland or San Francisco claimed them, the Warriors were a powerhouse in Philadelphia. In fact, they won the very first championship in league history back in 1947. Back then, the league was called the BAA (Basketball Association of America), which later merged to become the NBA we know today.
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Joe Fulks was the man back then. He averaged over 23 points a game in an era where teams barely scored 70. They beat the Chicago Stags 4-1.
Then came 1956. This was the era of Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston. They took down the Fort Wayne Pistons. It’s wild to think about now, but the Warriors were basically the kings of the East Coast before they ever looked at a map of the Pacific.
Rick Barry and the 1975 Miracle
If you ask an old-school Bay Area fan about their favorite title, they might not say 2015. They might say 1975.
This was the first one they won as the "Golden State" Warriors. They had moved to San Francisco in '62 and then to Oakland in '71. By 1975, nobody expected them to do anything. They went up against the Washington Bullets in the Finals, a team that had won 60 games and looked absolutely terrifying.
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The Warriors swept them. 4-0.
Rick Barry was shooting free throws underhanded and scoring at will. Al Attles was coaching the squad. It was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport. And then? A forty-year desert.
How Many Championships Do Golden State Warriors Have in the Modern Era?
This is where the math gets fun for the modern fan. Between 2015 and 2022, the Warriors pulled off a run that changed how basketball is played.
- 2015: The breakthrough. They beat LeBron James and the Cavs. Steph Curry officially became a superstar, and Andre Iguodala took home a Finals MVP that people still debate at 2:00 AM.
- 2017: The "unfair" year. After the 2016 heartbreak (we don't talk about the 3-1 lead), they added Kevin Durant. They went 16-1 in the playoffs. It was basically a video game.
- 2018: The repeat. Another win over Cleveland. This was the peak of the "Hamptons Five" era.
- 2022: The most emotional one. After two years of being at the bottom of the league due to injuries, Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green proved everyone wrong by beating the Boston Celtics.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think the Warriors have six championships because they only count the "NBA" era or they forget the Philly years. But the NBA officially recognizes that 1947 BAA title.
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Also, it’s easy to forget just how close they came to having more. They lost in the Finals in 1948, 1964 (with Wilt Chamberlain!), 1967, 2016, and 2019. If a few bounces go the other way, we're talking about a double-digit trophy case.
They currently sit at third all-time for most championships. Only the Boston Celtics (18) and the Los Angeles Lakers (17) have more. That’s elite company. You're talking about a franchise that has outpaced the Bulls and the Spurs.
Why the Number Seven Matters Right Now
As we head deeper into 2026, the "how many" question carries a lot of weight. The core of the dynasty is aging. Every season feels like a frantic dash to see if they can grab number eight before the window slams shut.
Whether they get another one or not, seven is a massive legacy. It spans three different cities and nearly 80 years of basketball. From Joe Fulks' set shots to Steph Curry’s moonballs, the Warriors have defined excellence in three different centuries.
Next Steps for Dubs Fans:
Check the current Western Conference standings to see where the Warriors sit in the playoff race. If you're looking to dive deeper into the history, look up the 1975 Finals highlights—seeing Rick Barry's underhand free throw in a championship setting is something every basketball fan needs to witness at least once.