NBA Teams with the Most Championships: The Real Story Behind the Rings

If you've ever spent five minutes in a sports bar or scrolling through NBA Twitter (well, X), you know the "rings" argument is the end-all, be-all. It's the ultimate trump card. But when you actually sit down to look at what NBA teams have the most championships, the list is surprisingly top-heavy. Seriously. Two teams basically own half the history of the league.

It’s kinda wild. We’re talking about a league that’s been around since 1946, yet the parity we see today is a relatively new phenomenon. For decades, the Larry O'Brien trophy lived in just two zip codes. As of 2026, the hierarchy hasn't shifted as much as you'd think, though some new blood has definitely started to crash the party lately.

The Green Machine: Boston Celtics (18 Titles)

Let’s be real. The Boston Celtics are the gold standard. Or the green standard, I guess. After their dominant run in 2024, they officially broke the tie with their West Coast rivals to stand alone with 18 championships.

Most people look at that number and think of Jayson Tatum or Paul Pierce. But honestly, the bulk of that history belongs to a guy named Bill Russell. Between 1957 and 1969, the Celtics won 11 titles. Eleven. That's not a dynasty; that's a monopoly. They won eight of those in a row. In the modern era of salary caps and player movement, that kind of streak is literally impossible.

The Celtics' championships are spread out like this:

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• The Russell Era: 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969.
• The Cowens/White Years: 1974, 1976.
• The Larry Bird Era: 1981, 1984, 1986.
• The Modern Resurgence: 2008 (the Big Three) and 2024 (the Jays).

It’s worth noting that the 2024 title was huge for the city. It ended a 16-year drought and finally let Celtics fans brag about having more hardware than the Lakers again.

Showtime and Silverware: Los Angeles Lakers (17 Titles)

The Los Angeles Lakers are right on Boston’s heels with 17 championships. If you ask a Lakers fan, they’ll remind you they’ve been to the Finals way more often (32 appearances compared to Boston’s 23). They’re the "glamour" franchise. While Boston built their legacy on grit and team defense, the Lakers have always been about the superstars.

Mikan. West. Kareem. Magic. Shaq. Kobe. LeBron.

The Lakers' trophy case is unique because five of those titles actually happened in Minneapolis before the team moved to California in 1960. Some purists try to discount those, but the NBA counts 'em, so we do too. The "Showtime" era in the 80s was probably the peak of their cultural relevance, but the Shaq and Kobe three-peat from 2000-2002 is what most millennials remember as the most dominant stretch of basketball in their lifetimes.

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The "Everyone Else" Category: Warriors, Bulls, and Spurs

Once you get past the "Big Two," there is a massive drop-off. It’s like the NBA is two separate leagues.

The Golden State Warriors currently sit in third place with 7 titles. Most of those are recent, thanks to the Steph Curry revolution, but they also have roots in Philadelphia (1947 and 1956) and a lone 1975 trophy from the Rick Barry days. They really redefined what modern basketball looks like.

Then you have the Chicago Bulls with 6 titles. The crazy thing about the Bulls? All six came in an eight-year span during the 90s. If Michael Jordan hadn’t taken a baseball hiatus, it might have been eight in a row. They’ve never won a title without MJ. That’s a heavy stat.

The San Antonio Spurs have 5 titles. They are the outliers here. No flashy trades, no "Showtime" drama. Just 20 years of Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, and a boringly efficient way of winning. They represent the only time a "small market" team truly became a sustained dynasty.

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The Surprising Rise of the "Others"

So, what NBA teams have the most championships after the blue bloods? It starts getting crowded.

1. Philadelphia 76ers (3): Including the 1955 Syracuse Nationals title.
2. Detroit Pistons (3): The "Bad Boys" and the 2004 upset crew.
3. Miami Heat (3): D-Wade and the "Heatles" era.
4. New York Knicks (2): It’s been a long wait since 1973.
5. Houston Rockets (2): Hakeem Olajuwon’s back-to-back masterpieces.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (2): One for Kareem (1971), one for Giannis (2021).
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (2): This is the newest addition to the multi-ring club. They have the 1979 title from their days as the Seattle SuperSonics, but their 2025 championship victory finally brought hardware to OKC.

Teams like the Denver Nuggets (2023), Toronto Raptors (2019), and Cleveland Cavaliers (2016) all have one. It just goes to show how hard it is to actually win one of these things.

Why the Gap is Closing (Sorta)

We’re in a weird era. The days of the Celtics or Lakers winning 8 out of 10 titles are over. The league has better scouting, more international talent, and a "luxury tax" that makes it really expensive to keep a winning team together for a decade.

Since 2010, we’ve seen teams like the Mavericks, Cavs, Raptors, Bucks, Nuggets, and Thunder all get their first rings (or first in 50 years). The talent is spread out. However, history still favors the old guard. Even when they aren't winning, the Lakers and Celtics are usually in the conversation because they have the money and the "brand" to attract free agents.

Actionable Insights for NBA Fans

If you're looking to track who's next or just want to win your next sports debate, keep these things in mind:

• Watch the Draft Capital: Teams like the Thunder and Spurs have stocked up on picks. In the modern NBA, championships are built through the draft because you can't just buy a "Superteam" as easily anymore.
• Context Matters: When someone says the Lakers have 17 titles, ask them how they feel about the Minneapolis years. It’s a great way to start a (very heated) debate.
• The "Jayson Tatum Era" is Just Starting: With the Celtics having a young core locked into long-term deals, they are the most likely team to hit 19 before the Lakers hit 18.
• Check the Injury Reports: If history has taught us anything, it's that 50% of winning a championship is just being the healthiest team in June.

The landscape of what NBA teams have the most championships is a living document. While the Celtics currently wear the crown, the Lakers are always one blockbuster trade away from tying it back up. For now, the parity in the league makes it more exciting than ever, but the shadows of those 18 green banners still loom large over everyone else.