NBL Finals

NBL Finals

Current season, competition or edition: 2025 NBL Finals
Logo of the finals sponsored by Hungry Jack's
Sport	Basketball
Founded	1979
No. of teams	6
Most recent champion(s)	Illawarra Hawks (2nd title)
Most titles	Perth Wildcats (10 titles)
TV partner(s)	Australia: ESPN Australia 10 Peach New Zealand: Sky Sport Online: NBL TV Network 10 Kayo Sports
Official website	NBL.com.au

The National Basketball League (NBL) Finals is a tournament held at the end of each NBL season to determine the league champions.

The top six teams qualify for the finals based on their regular season performance. The current Finals format consists of four rounds: two sudden-death play-in games, followed by the best-of-three Semifinals and the best-of-five Grand Final series. ^[1]

Format

1980–1983

	Semifinals					Grand Final
	1
	4
	2
	3

1984

	Preliminary / Elimination finals					Qualifying finals						Semifinals					Grand final
	1
	4
	5
	8
	6
	7
	2
	3

1985

	Elimination Finals					Semifinals					Grand Final
						1
	4
	5
						2
	3
	6

1986

	Elimination Finals					Semifinals					Grand Final
						1
	4
	5
						2
	3
	6

1987–1988

	Elimination Finals					Semifinals							Grand Final
						1
	4
	5
						2
	3
	6

1989–1991

	Elimination Finals							Semifinals							Grand Final
								1
	4
	5
								2
	3
	6

1992–1996

	Quarterfinals							Semifinals							Grand Final
	1
	8
	4
	5
	3
	6
	2
	7

1997–1998

	Elimination Finals							Semifinals							Grand Final
								1
	4
	5
								2
	3
	6

1999

	Qualifying Finals							Semifinals							Grand Final
								1
	1
	6
	2
	5
	3
	6

The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:

• The first round of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes sixth; second plays fifth, and third plays fourth.
• The three teams that win their respective best-of-three first-round series advances, and is joined in the semifinals by the highest-placed losing team from the first round.
• Teams are then seeded again for the best-of-three semifinal series. The three winning teams from the first round are seeded in order of their regular-season finishing positions, and the first-round loser automatically becomes the No. 4 seed.
• The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-three Grand Final series to determine the champion.

2000

	Elimination Finals							Semifinals							Grand Final
								1
	4
	5
								2
	3
	6

2004–2008

	Elimination Finals					Quarterfinals					Semifinals							Grand Final
											1
						4
	5
	8
											2
						3
	6
	7

2009

	Elimination Finals					Semifinals							Grand Final
						1
	4
	5
						2
	3
	6

2010–2016

	Semifinals							Grand Final
	1
	4
	2
	3

2017–2022

	Semifinals							Grand Final
	1
	4
	2
	3

The top four teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:

• The semifinals of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes fourth; and second plays third. All four teams play a best-of-three semifinal series.
• The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-five Grand Final series to determine the champion. ^[2]

2023–present

	Play-in / Seeding qualifier					Play-in game					Semifinals							Grand Final
	5										1
	6
	3										2
	4

List of finals

This is a complete listing of National Basketball League (NBL) Finals series, grouped by franchise. Series featuring relocated and/or renamed teams are kept with their ultimate relocation franchises. Bolded years indicate wins. Years in italics indicate series in progress. Tables are sorted first by the number of series, then the number of wins, and then by year of first occurrence. ^{[3] [4]}

Adelaide 36ers

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	10	1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996 , 1998 , 1999 , 2003, 2014, 2018	25	4–6	.400
Melbourne United	5	1991 , 1994 , 2004, 2014 , 2018	13	3–2	.600
Illawarra Hawks	5	1986 , 1999 , 2001, 2002 , 2017	11	3–2	.600
Victoria Titans	4	1999 , 2000, 2001 , 2002	12	3–1	.750
Brisbane Bullets	4	1985, 1986 , 1994 , 2005	8	2–2	.500
S.E. Melbourne Magic	3	1993, 1996, 1998	6	1–2	.333
Newcastle Falcons	2	1985 , 1995	4	0–2	.000
New Zealand Breakers	2	2009, 2015	3	0–2	.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	1	2002	3	1–0	1.000
Canberra Cannons	1	1988	2	0–2	.000
North Melbourne Giants	1	1994	2	0–1	.000
Nunawading Spectres	1	1984	1	0–1	.000
Cairns Taipans	1	2006	1	0–1	.000
Totals	40		91	17–24	.415

As of the end of the 2018 season

Brisbane Bullets

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	7	1987 , 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2019	14	1–6	.143
Melbourne United	6	1996, 1998 , 1999, 2004 , 2007 , 2008	14	3–3	.500
Sydney Kings	5	1990 , 1992, 2004, 2005, 2007	11	2–3	.400
Adelaide 36ers	4	1985 , 1986, 1994, 2005	8	2–2	.500
Canberra Cannons	3	1984, 1985 , 1986	3	2–1	.667
North Melbourne Giants	2	1984 , 1995	3	1–1	.500
Illawarra Hawks	1	1987	3	1–0	1.000
Newcastle Falcons	1	1993	2	1–0	1.000
Eastside Spectres	1	1990	2	1–0	1.000
S.E. Melbourne Magic	1	1998	2	0–1	.000
Geelong Supercats	1	1984	1	1–0	1.000
Hunter Pirates	1	2005	1	1–0	1.000
New Zealand Breakers	1	2008	1	1–0	1.000
Sydney Supersonics	1	1986	1	1–0	1.000
Launceston Casino City	1	1981	1	0–1	.000
West Adelaide Bearcats	1	1980	1	0–1	.000
Totals	37		68	18–19	.486

As of the end of the 2019 season

Cairns Taipans

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	5	2004 , 2007 , 2015 , 2017, 2020, 2023	10	4–2	.667
New Zealand Breakers	3	2008, 2011, 2015	6	0–3	.000
Sydney Kings	2	2006, 2023	5	0–2	.000
Townsville Crocodiles	1	2011	3	1–0	1.000
Melbourne United	1	2007	2	0–1	.000
Adelaide 36ers	1	2006	1	1–0	1.000
Hunter Pirates	1	2006	1	1–0	1.000
South Dragons	1	2007	1	1–0	1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers	1	2023	1	0–1	.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	1	2004	1	0–1	.000
Totals	18		31	8–10	.444

As of the end of the 2023 season

Illawarra Hawks

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	10	1998, 2001 , 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021	24	1–9	.100
Adelaide 36ers	5	1986, 1999, 2001 , 2002, 2017	11	2–3	.400
Townsville Crocodiles	4	2001 , 2003 , 2005 2010	10	4–0	1.000
Melbourne United	3	1993, 1994, 2024	7	0–3	.000
Sydney Kings	2	2005, 2022	5	0–2	.000
North Melbourne Giants	2	1987 , 1992	3	1–1	.500
Brisbane Bullets	1	1987	3	0–1	.000
S.E. Melbourne Magic	1	1995	3	0–1	.000
Victoria Titans	1	1999	2	0–1	.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	1	2004	2	0–1	.000
New Zealand Breakers	1	2024	1	1–0	1.000
West Sydney Westars	1	1986	1	1–0	1.000
Newcastle Falcons	1	1984	1	0–1	.000
Tasmania JackJumpers	1	2024	1	0–1	.000
Totals	34		74	10–24	.294

As of the end of the 2024 season

Melbourne United

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	8	1990, 1992 , 1993 , 1995, 2005 , 2006 , 2019, 2021	21	5–3	.625
Sydney Kings	7	1989, 1992 , 2003, 2006 , 2008 , 2019 , 2020	22	4–3	.571
Brisbane Bullets	6	1996 , 1998, 1999 , 2004, 2007, 2008	14	3–3	.500
Adelaide 36ers	5	1991, 1994, 2004 , 2014, 2018	13	2–3	.400
S.E. Melbourne Magic	4	1992, 1993 , 1996, 1997	11	2–2	.500
Victoria Titans	3	1999, 2000, 2002	8	1–2	.333
Illawarra Hawks	3	1993 , 1994 , 2024	7	3–0	1.000
New Zealand Breakers	3	2009 , 2016, 2018	6	2–1	.667
Tasmania JackJumpers	2	2022, 2024	8	0–2	.000
South Dragons	1	2009	5	0–1	.000
Canberra Cannons	1	1996	3	1–0	1.000
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	1	2021	3	1–0	1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	1	2002	3	0–1	.000
Cairns Taipans	1	2007	2	1–0	1.000
North Melbourne Giants	1	1997	2	1–0	1.000
Townsville Crocodiles	1	2005	1	0–1	.000
Totals	48		129	26–22	.542

As of the end of the 2024 season

New Zealand Breakers

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Perth Wildcats	4	2011 , 2012 , 2013 , 2016	11	3–1	.750
Sydney Kings	3	2013 , 2023, 2024	8	2–1	.667
Cairns Taipans	3	2008 , 2011 , 2015	6	3–0	1.000
Melbourne United	3	2009, 2016 , 2018	6	1–2	.333
Adelaide 36ers	2	2009 , 2015	3	2–0	1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers	1	2023	3	1–0	1.000
Townsville Crocodiles	1	2012	3	1–0	1.000
Brisbane Bullets	1	2008	1	0–1	.000
Illawarra Hawks	1	2024	1	0–1	.000
Totals	19		42	13–6	.684

As of the end of the 2024 season

Perth Wildcats

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Adelaide 36ers	10	1987 , 1989 , 1991 , 1995 , 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003 , 2014 , 2018	25	6–4	.600
Illawarra Hawks	10	1998 , 2001, 2003 , 2006 , 2010 , 2013 , 2014 , 2016 , 2017 , 2021	24	9–1	.100
Melbourne United	8	1990 , 1992, 1993, 1995 , 2005, 2006, 2019 , 2021	21	3–5	.375
Brisbane Bullets	7	1987, 1988 , 1990 , 1993 , 1997 , 2006 , 2019	14	6–1	.857
Cairns Taipans	6	2004, 2007, 2015, 2017 , 2020 , 2023	10	2–4	.333
North Melbourne Giants	5	1988, 1989, 1990 , 1993 , 1995	15	3–2	.600
New Zealand Breakers	4	2011, 2012, 2013, 2016	11	1–3	.250
Sydney Kings	3	2003, 2008, 2020	8	1–2	.333
Townsville Crocodiles	3	2000 , 2008 , 2009	5	2–1	.667
Gold Coast Blaze	2	2010 , 2012	5	2–0	1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	2	2000 , 2002	5	1–1	.500
S.E. Melbourne Magic	2	1994, 1997	4	0–2	.000
Eastside Spectres	1	1991	3	1–0	1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers	1	2024	3	0–1	.000
Victoria Titans	1	2000	2	1–0	1.000
Canberra Cannons	1	1987	1	1–0	1.000
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	1	2023	1	1–0	1.000
Totals	67		157	40–27	.597

As of the end of the 2024 season

S.E. Melbourne Phoenix

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Melbourne United	1	2021	3	0–1	.000
Perth Wildcats	1	2023	1	0–1	.000
Totals	2		4	0–2	.000

As of the end of the 2023 season

Sydney Kings

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Melbourne United	7	1989 , 1992, 2003 , 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020	22	3–4	.429
Brisbane Bullets	5	1990, 1992 , 2004 , 2005 , 2007	11	3–2	.600
Perth Wildcats	3	2003 , 2008 , 2020	8	2–1	.667
New Zealand Breakers	3	2013, 2023 , 2024	8	1–2	.333
Townsville Crocodiles	3	2001, 2003 , 2007	7	2–1	.667
Canberra Cannons	2	1989, 1996	6	0–2	.000
Cairns Taipans	2	2006 , 2023	5	2–0	1.000
Illawarra Hawks	2	2005 , 2022	5	2–0	1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks	1	2004	5	1–0	1.000
North Melbourne Giants	1	1994	3	0–1	.000
Tasmania JackJumpers	1	2022	3	1–0	1.000
Totals	30		83	17–13	.567

As of the end of the 2024 season

Tasmania JackJumpers

Opponent	S	Occurrences	GP	Rec	%
Melbourne United	2	2022 , 2024	8	2–0	1.000
New Zealand Breakers	1	2023	3	0–1	.000
Perth Wildcats	1	2024	3	1–0	1.000
Sydney Kings	1	2022	3	0–1	.000
Cairns Taipans	1	2023	1	1–0	1.000
Illawarra Hawks	1	2024	1	1–0	1.000
Totals	7		19	5–2	.714

As of the end of the 2024 season

Finals appearances

Team	Appearances	Notes
Perth Wildcats	38	35 straight Finals appearances from 1987 to 2021.
Melbourne United	29	Rebranded as Melbourne United in 2014, and represents the whole of Melbourne.
Adelaide 36ers	26	Formerly the Adelaide City Eagles (1982 only).
Illawarra Hawks	24	Only team to play all seasons since 1979.
Brisbane Bullets	22	Foundation club since 1979.
Sydney Kings	19	Formerly the Sydney Supersonics and the West Sydney Westars.
North Melbourne Giants	15	Last season in 1998. Formed the Victoria Titans in 1998.
Canberra Cannons	11	Last season in 2003. Became the Hunter Pirates in 2003.
New Zealand Breakers	10	Joined the NBL in 2003. First club outside of Australia.
Townsville Crocodiles	10	Competed in the league for 24 seasons. Last season in 2016.
Cairns Taipans	9	Joined the NBL in 1999.
Eastside Spectres	8	Last season in 1991. Formed the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
S.E. Melbourne Magic	7	Last season in 1998. Formed the Victoria Titans in 1998.
Newcastle Falcons	6	Competed in the league for 21 seasons. Last season in 1999.
Geelong Supercats	4	Last season in 1996. Now in NBL1 South.
Victoria Titans	4	Became the Victoria Giants in 2002.
West Adelaide Bearcats	4	Last season in 1984. Now in NBL1 Central.
Gold Coast Blaze	3	Last season in 2012.
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	3	Joined the NBL in 2019.
St. Kilda Saints	3	Last season in 1991. Formed the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
Tasmania JackJumpers	3	Joined the NBL in 2021.
West Sydney Razorbacks	3	Became Sydney Spirit in 2008.
Hunter Pirates	2	Last season in 2006. Became the Singapore Slingers in 2006.
South Dragons	2	Left the NBL in 2009.
Sydney Supersonics	2	Formed the Sydney Kings in 1988.
Launceston Casino City	1	Last season in 1982.
Singapore Slingers	1	Left the NBL in 2008. Joined the ABL in 2009.
West Sydney Westars	1	Formed the Sydney Kings in 1988.

See also

• Australia portal
• Basketball portal

• NBL Grand Final
• NBL Cup
• WNBL Finals
• Basketball
• Basketball in Australia
• Australia men's national basketball team
• List of NBA playoff series
• List of WNBA playoff series

References

1. "New Finals Shake Up". NBL.com.au. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
2. "Finals". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
3. "Finals". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
4. "Finals - the Official Website of the National Basketball League - NBL.com.au". www.nbl.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.