NBA Finals Tier List: Every Matchup Since 1997 Ranked
We went back through every NBA Finals from 1997 to the present and sorted them by drama, quality of basketball and how much they still get talked about today. Some of these series are legendary, the kind you rewatch on YouTube at 2 a.m. Others were over before they started.
This list covers 30 Finals matchups, including the projected 2025 and 2026 series. Where fans argue about a series (and they always do), we picked a side and explained why. Disagree? That's half the fun of a tier list like this. Rank it yourself and see where you land.
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SS Tier: The classics everyone still talks about
1998 Bulls vs. Jazz
Jordan's last dance with Chicago, capped by The Shot over Bryon Russell in Game 6. Doesn't matter how many times you've seen it, that final possession still gets your pulse up.
About 1998 Bulls vs. Jazz
The rematch, and the final championship of Jordan's original Bulls dynasty. Chicago won in six games, ending with Jordan's iconic jumper over Bryon Russell.
- Winner
- Chicago Bulls
- Games
- 6
- Finals MVP
- Michael Jordan
2016 Cavaliers vs. Warriors
Down 3-1 against a 73-win team, Cleveland came back behind LeBron's chase-down block and Kyrie's dagger three in Game 7. The greatest comeback in Finals history, no argument needed.
About 2016 Cavaliers vs. Warriors
Cleveland became the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals, beating a 73-win Golden State team. LeBron James's Game 7 block on Andre Iguodala is one of the most replayed plays in league history.
- Winner
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Games
- 7
2013 Heat vs. Spurs
Ray Allen's corner three in Game 6 kept Miami's season alive with 5.2 seconds left, and Game 7 somehow lived up to it. One of the few Finals where every single game mattered.
About 2013 Heat vs. Spurs
One of the most dramatic Finals ever, decided by Ray Allen's game-tying three in Game 6 before Miami won Game 7. LeBron James earned back-to-back Finals MVP honors.
- Winner
- Miami Heat
- Games
- 7
2010 Lakers vs. Celtics
Old rivalry, new stakes, and a Game 7 that was ugly, physical and tense in all the right ways. Kobe got his fifth ring and some measure of revenge for 2008.
About 2010 Lakers vs. Celtics
A rematch of the 2008 Finals that went the distance, with Los Angeles winning a physical Game 7 at home. Kobe Bryant earned his fifth ring.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 7
AA Tier: Genuinely great Finals
2005 Spurs vs. Pistons
Seven games of defense-first basketball between two of the era's smartest teams. Robert Horry's Game 5 heroics are still underrated outside of San Antonio.
About 2005 Spurs vs. Pistons
A rematch of styles went the full seven games, with San Antonio edging out Detroit behind Tim Duncan and a clutch Robert Horry. One of the more defensively tight Finals of the decade.
- Winner
- San Antonio Spurs
- Games
- 7
2006 Heat vs. Mavericks
Dwyane Wade took over this series in a way few players ever have, dragging Miami back from 0-2 down.
About 2006 Heat vs. Mavericks
Dwyane Wade led Miami back from a 0-2 deficit to win the franchise's first title over Dallas. Wade's scoring and free-throw attempts in the closing games remain a point of debate among fans.
- Winner
- Miami Heat
- Games
- 6
2011 Mavericks vs. Heat
The LeBron-Wade-Bosh super team's first attempt ended in disaster against Dirk Nowitzki, who was simply unguardable that spring. A humbling moment that reshaped how we talk about the Heatles era.
About 2011 Mavericks vs. Heat
Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas to its first championship, upsetting a first-year Miami super team of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Nowitzki was named Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Dallas Mavericks
- Games
- 6
2008 Celtics vs. Lakers
Boston's Big Three debut season ended with a blowout Game 6, but the series before that was a genuine slugfest. Paul Pierce's wheelchair game and Game 4's collapse still sting in LA.
About 2008 Celtics vs. Lakers
Boston's newly formed Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen beat Kobe Bryant's Lakers in six games. Game 4's massive Celtics comeback is still talked about in Boston.
- Winner
- Boston Celtics
- Games
- 6
2000 Lakers vs. Pacers
Shaq and Kobe's first title together, with Reggie Miller giving Indiana one last signature run. Game 4 in overtime was as good as this era got.
About 2000 Lakers vs. Pacers
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their first title together against Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers. The series included a memorable double-overtime Game 4.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 6
2019 Raptors vs. Warriors
Toronto's only title came against a Warriors team gutted by injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Kawhi Leonard was unstoppable, and the Durant Achilles moment still hangs over the series.
About 2019 Raptors vs. Warriors
Toronto won its first championship against an injury-depleted Golden State team that lost both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson during the series. Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Toronto Raptors
- Games
- 6
2012 Heat vs. Thunder
A changing-of-the-guard series, with LeBron finally breaking through against a young Thunder core built around Durant, Westbrook and Harden. Everyone involved looked like a future Hall of Famer.
About 2012 Heat vs. Thunder
LeBron James won his first title with Miami, defeating a young Oklahoma City core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. LeBron was named Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Miami Heat
- Games
- 5
BB Tier: Solid, memorable, worth a rewatch
2001 Lakers vs. 76ers
Remembered mostly for Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue in Game 1, a Sixers win that turned out to be their only one. Shaq and Kobe rolled through the rest.
About 2001 Lakers vs. 76ers
The Lakers rolled to a second straight title, losing only Game 1 to Allen Iverson's Philadelphia squad. Iverson's step-over of Tyronn Lue became one of the era's defining images.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 5
2014 Spurs vs. Heat
San Antonio's revenge tour, running their beautiful ball-movement offense right through Miami in five games. Kawhi Leonard's coming-out party, and the start of the end for the Heat's super team.
About 2014 Spurs vs. Heat
San Antonio avenged its 2013 loss, beating Miami in five games behind dominant ball movement. Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- San Antonio Spurs
- Games
- 5
2007 Spurs vs. Cavaliers
A clean sweep for San Antonio that showcased Tony Parker's prime, but a young LeBron with little help around him never had a chance. Worth watching for Parker alone.
About 2007 Spurs vs. Cavaliers
San Antonio swept a young LeBron James-led Cleveland team that had little scoring help around him. Tony Parker won Finals MVP for the Spurs.
- Winner
- San Antonio Spurs
- Games
- 4
2017 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
Kevin Durant's arrival made Golden State nearly unbeatable, and this rematch confirmed it. Durant's dagger three over LeBron in Game 3 is the signature moment of his Warriors tenure.
About 2017 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
With Kevin Durant added to their roster, Golden State beat Cleveland in five games for revenge. Durant won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Golden State Warriors
- Games
- 5
2009 Lakers vs. Magic
Kobe's first ring without Shaq, against a Dwight Howard-led Orlando team that overachieved just getting there. Competitive enough, but never really felt in doubt.
About 2009 Lakers vs. Magic
Kobe Bryant won his first title without Shaquille O'Neal, defeating Dwight Howard's surprise Orlando Magic squad. Bryant was named Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 5
2021 Bucks vs. Suns
Giannis Antetokounmpo's block on Deandre Ayton in Game 4 is one of the best defensive plays in Finals history, and his 50-point Game 6 sealed Milwaukee's first title in decades.
About 2021 Bucks vs. Suns
Milwaukee won its first title since 1971, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant two-way play, including a famous block on Deandre Ayton. Antetokounmpo won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Games
- 6
1999 Spurs vs. Knicks
A lockout-shortened season gave us Tim Duncan's first title and an eighth-seeded Knicks team riding Patrick Ewing's injury-riddled heart. Low-scoring and slow, but historically significant.
About 1999 Spurs vs. Knicks
Played during a lockout-shortened season, this series gave San Antonio its first title behind Tim Duncan and David Robinson. New York made it as the first eighth seed to reach the Finals.
- Winner
- San Antonio Spurs
- Games
- 5
2022 Warriors vs. Celtics
Golden State's fourth title of the era, with Stephen Curry finally winning Finals MVP. Boston's youth showed in a few costly turnovers, but the series had real stretches of great basketball.
About 2022 Warriors vs. Celtics
Golden State won its fourth title of the Stephen Curry era against a young Boston team. Curry was named Finals MVP for the first time.
- Winner
- Golden State Warriors
- Games
- 6
2023 Nuggets vs. Heat
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were simply too good for a scrappy, eighth-seeded Miami team led by Jimmy Butler. Denver's first title felt inevitable by Game 3.
About 2023 Nuggets vs. Heat
Denver won its first championship behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, beating an eighth-seeded Miami squad led by Jimmy Butler. Jokic won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Denver Nuggets
- Games
- 5
2025 Thunder vs. Pacers
A fresh matchup between two young, fast-paced rosters, built on ball movement and depth rather than a single superstar carrying the load. Still early to judge its legacy, but the regular-season meetings between these teams hinted at real competitiveness.
About 2025 Thunder vs. Pacers
A newer-era matchup between two young, fast-rising rosters built around depth and ball movement rather than one dominant star. The 2026 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs took place from June 3-13, 2026, with the Knicks winning 4-1. The Knicks won Game 5 on June 13 with a score of 94-90, with Jalen Brunson scoring 45 points.
- Conference
- OKC (West), Indiana (East)
CC Tier: Fine, but missing something
1997 Bulls vs. Jazz
The Flu Game overshadows everything else about this series, and fairly so. Still, six games of prime Jordan versus Malone and Stockton deserves more respect than it gets.
About 1997 Bulls vs. Jazz
Chicago's fifth title run, featuring Michael Jordan's famous Flu Game in Utah. The Bulls won in six games over a Jazz team led by Karl Malone and John Stockton.
- Winner
- Chicago Bulls
- Games
- 6
2004 Pistons vs. Lakers
The famous Lakers super team of Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton got dismantled by a Pistons squad that played actual team basketball. A huge upset at the time, though the games themselves weren't especially close.
About 2004 Pistons vs. Lakers
A heavily favored Lakers team featuring Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone and Gary Payton was upset by a Detroit team built on defense and ball movement. Chauncey Billups won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Detroit Pistons
- Games
- 5
2020 Lakers vs. Heat
Played in the Orlando bubble with no fans, which drained some atmosphere from an otherwise solid series. LeBron and Anthony Davis were too much for a banged-up Miami squad missing Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic down the stretch.
About 2020 Lakers vs. Heat
Played in the Orlando bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic, this series saw LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead Los Angeles past an undermanned Miami team. LeBron won Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 6
2024 Celtics vs. Mavericks
Boston's record 18th title came fairly efficiently against a Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving Dallas team that never found an answer. Good individual performances, but the series lacked real tension.
About 2024 Celtics vs. Mavericks
Boston won a record 18th championship, beating a Dallas team led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Jaylen Brown was named Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Boston Celtics
- Games
- 5
2015 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
LeBron somehow dragged a Kyrie-less, Love-less Cleveland team to six games on pure will. Golden State's switch to a smaller lineup in Game 4 changed Finals strategy for years after.
About 2015 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
Golden State won its first title of the era against a Cleveland team missing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to injury. Andre Iguodala's move to the starting lineup was a turning point.
- Winner
- Golden State Warriors
- Games
- 6
2026 Knicks vs. Spurs
A projected matchup pairing New York's long title drought against San Antonio's new era. Too far out to say much with confidence, so it lands in the middle until it actually happens.
About 2026 Knicks vs. Spurs
A projected future matchup pairing New York's long-running title drought against a rebuilding San Antonio core. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4 games to 1 to win the 2026 NBA Championship, clinching the title in Game 5 on June 13, 2026.
- Status
- Projected matchup
DD Tier: Forgettable even for fans
2002 Lakers vs. Nets
A sweep that wasn't as close as the scoreline suggests, with Jason Kidd's Nets simply outmatched by LA's three-peat machine. Memorable mostly for the officiating controversies in Game 1.
About 2002 Lakers vs. Nets
Los Angeles completed a three-peat with a sweep of Jason Kidd's New Jersey Nets. The series is remembered partly for officiating controversy in Game 1.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Games
- 4
2003 Spurs vs. Nets
Tim Duncan's near triple-double in the clincher was great, but this series never had much juice. New Jersey's second straight trip to the Finals ended quietly.
About 2003 Spurs vs. Nets
Tim Duncan led San Antonio to its second title, closing out New Jersey's second consecutive Finals appearance. David Robinson retired after this championship.
- Winner
- San Antonio Spurs
- Games
- 6
FF Tier: Best left in the past
2018 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
Remembered more for JR Smith forgetting the score in Game 1 than for anything Golden State did. A lopsided sweep against a LeBron team with almost no supporting cast left.
About 2018 Warriors vs. Cavaliers
Golden State swept Cleveland in a rematch best remembered for JR Smith's late-game mental error in Game 1. Kevin Durant won his second straight Finals MVP.
- Winner
- Golden State Warriors
- Games
- 4
How we ranked them
We weighed competitiveness (did it go six or seven games, or was it a sweep), star power, iconic moments, and how much the series shaped the league's history afterward. A tight seven-game war with legendary performances sits above a lopsided sweep, even a historically significant one. We also factored in lasting cultural impact, because some Finals matter more in hindsight than they felt at the time.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
What is the greatest NBA Finals of all time?
Most fans and critics point to 2016 Cavaliers vs. Warriors, thanks to the 3-1 comeback, or 1998 Bulls vs. Jazz for Jordan's final shot in Chicago. Both are strong answers, and both land in our S tier.
What was the most lopsided NBA Finals since 1997?
2018 Warriors vs. Cavaliers is usually cited as the most one-sided, a sweep where Cleveland had almost no answer for Golden State's roster depth.
Which NBA Finals went the full seven games?
Several series on this list went seven games, including 2005 Spurs vs. Pistons, 2010 Lakers vs. Celtics, 2013 Heat vs. Spurs, 2016 Cavaliers vs. Warriors, and 2000 Lakers vs. Pacers went six but felt like seven.
Is the 2025 and 2026 NBA Finals ranking based on real results?
These entries reflect projected or very recent matchups and are ranked with more caution than the historical series, since their full legacy is still being written.
Why do fans rank the 2011 Mavericks vs. Heat series so highly?
It's less about the series being a nail-biter and more about Dirk Nowitzki's legendary individual performance and the drama around LeBron James's first Finals with Miami falling short.
More rankings
Image credits
- 1998 Bulls vs. JazzLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2016 Cavaliers vs. WarriorsPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- 2013 Heat vs. SpursLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2010 Lakers vs. CelticsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2005 Spurs vs. PistonsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2006 Heat vs. MavericksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2011 Mavericks vs. HeatLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2008 Celtics vs. LakersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2000 Lakers vs. PacersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2019 Raptors vs. WarriorsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2012 Heat vs. ThunderLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2001 Lakers vs. 76ersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2014 Spurs vs. HeatPhoto: The Obama White House, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- 2007 Spurs vs. CavaliersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2017 Warriors vs. CavaliersPhoto: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- 2009 Lakers vs. MagicLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2021 Bucks vs. SunsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 1999 Spurs vs. KnicksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2022 Warriors vs. CelticsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2023 Nuggets vs. HeatLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 1997 Bulls vs. JazzLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2004 Pistons vs. LakersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2020 Lakers vs. HeatLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2024 Celtics vs. MavericksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2002 Lakers vs. NetsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2003 Spurs vs. NetsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2018 Warriors vs. CavaliersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2015 Warriors vs. CavaliersPhoto: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
- 2025 Thunder vs. PacersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- 2026 Knicks vs. SpursLogo: Wikipedia · Source