If you woke up this morning and typed "who won NBA Finals today" into your search bar, you're probably a little confused—or maybe just a time traveler. Honestly, it's a common mix-up. We get so caught up in the 24/7 news cycle that sometimes the calendar trips us up.
Basically, nobody won the NBA Finals today, January 17, 2026. Why? Because we're currently smack-dab in the middle of the regular season. The Larry O’Brien trophy won't be hoisted for another five months.
However, if you're looking for the reigning champion—the team that currently holds the title of NBA King—that answer is definitive. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the current champions of the basketball world. They took down the Indiana Pacers in a grueling seven-game series that ended back in June 2025.
The Reigning Champs: Who Won NBA Finals Today in the Literal Sense?
While no one is popping champagne today, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the ones walking around with the rings. That 2025 Finals run was something else. It wasn't just a "small market team makes good" story; it was a total tactical demolition led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
SGA didn't just win; he dominated. He became the first player since Shaq in 2002 to sweep the scoring title, the regular-season MVP, and the Finals MVP in a single calendar year. If you watched that Game 7 on June 22, 2025, you saw a masterclass. He dropped 29 points and 12 assists, effectively ending the Pacers' "Cinderella" season after Tyrese Haliburton went down with that heartbreaking Achilles injury early in the first quarter.
Right now, the Thunder aren't resting on those laurels. As of mid-January 2026, they are sitting at the top of the Western Conference again with a 35-7 record. They aren't just the answer to who won NBA Finals today in terms of current status; they are the heavy favorites to do it all over again in June 2026.
Why People Get the Dates Confused
The NBA schedule is a bit of a beast. You've got the pre-season in October, the new-ish NBA Cup (the In-Season Tournament) that wraps up in December, and then the long grind to April.
- The NBA Cup Hangover: The New York Knicks actually just won the NBA Cup in December 2025, beating the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas. Some fans see "Championship" headlines and think the season is over.
- The International Games: Just two days ago, on January 15, the Orlando Magic played the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin. Tomorrow, they play again in London. These high-profile "events" can make it feel like playoff season.
- Regular Season Fatigue: We're currently in the "dog days" of January. The trade deadline is approaching (February 5), and the All-Star break in Los Angeles is just around the corner.
Who is the Favorite for the 2026 Finals?
If you're asking about the Finals because you want to know who is going to win next, the oddsmakers have a very clear picture. The Thunder are currently +225 favorites. It's hard to bet against a team that has Shai, a defensive monster like Chet Holmgren, and a Jalen Williams who is playing like an All-NBA lock.
But don't sleep on the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Pistons—yes, the Pistons—are actually the top seed in the East right now at 29-10. It sounds wild if you haven't been paying attention for the last two years, but their young core has finally clicked. Then you have the usual suspects like the Boston Celtics and the Knicks, who are always a trade away from a deep run.
What Really Happened with the Pacers?
A lot of people asking about the most recent Finals winner are actually Pacers fans looking for closure. Indiana's 2025 run was legendary. They took down the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals and pushed the 68-win Thunder to a Game 7.
The "what if" regarding Tyrese Haliburton’s injury in that final game still haunts Indianapolis. Without their floor general, Bennedict Mathurin tried to carry the load with a 24-point effort, but it wasn't enough to stop the OKC juggernaut. Currently, the Pacers are struggling a bit, sitting at the bottom of the East as they manage Haliburton’s recovery and a shifting roster.
How to Track the Real 2026 NBA Finals
If you want to be ready for when someone actually wins the NBA Finals in 2026, mark these dates on your phone:
- April 12, 2026: The regular season ends.
- April 14–17, 2026: The Play-In Tournament (where the real chaos happens).
- April 18, 2026: The Playoffs officially begin.
- June 4, 2026: Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Basically, check back in early June. That's when we'll have a new (or repeat) champion. Until then, we’re just watching the best athletes in the world battle for seeding and trade leverage.
If you're looking for live action right now, the Boston Celtics are playing the Atlanta Hawks today at State Farm Arena. It’s not a Finals game, but with the Celtics trying to catch the Pistons for that #1 seed, it’s got plenty of stakes.
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To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the top four teams in each conference. In the modern NBA, the team that wins the Finals isn't always the "best" team—it's usually the healthiest one left standing in June. Start watching the minutes played for guys like SGA and Jayson Tatum now; those numbers usually tell you more about June success than a random January box score ever will.
Check the current standings on the official NBA site to see how your team is positioning itself for the spring. Pay special attention to the "Games Behind" column in the West; the gap between the Thunder and the rest of the pack is the story of the season.