This article needs additional citations for verification .(July 2014) |
Formerly | Western Division |
---|---|
League | National Basketball Association |
Sport | Basketball |
Founded | 1970 |
No. of teams | 15 |
Most recent champion(s) | Denver Nuggets (1st title) |
Most titles | Los Angeles Lakers (17 titles) |
The Western Conference is one of two conferences that make up the National Basketball Association (NBA), the other being the Eastern Conference. Both conferences consist of 15 teams organized into three divisions.
The current divisional alignment was adopted at the start of the 2004–05 season, when the now Charlotte Hornets began play as the NBA's 30th franchise. This necessitated the move of the New Orleans Pelicans (named New Orleans Hornets at the time) from the Eastern Conference's Central Division to the newly created Southwest Division of the Western Conference.
The NBA first started awarding a Western Conference championship trophy during the 2000–01 season, renaming it after Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in the 2021–22 season. [1] Also in 2021–22, the league began awarding the Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy to the Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player, named after Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. [2]
Western Conference | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
1 | c – Oklahoma City Thunder * | 57 | 25 | .695 | – | 82 |
2 | x – Denver Nuggets | 57 | 25 | .695 | – | 82 |
3 | x – Minnesota Timberwolves | 56 | 26 | .683 | 1.0 | 82 |
4 | y – Los Angeles Clippers * | 51 | 31 | .622 | 6.0 | 82 |
5 | y – Dallas Mavericks * | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7.0 | 82 |
6 | x – Phoenix Suns | 49 | 33 | .598 | 8.0 | 82 |
7 | x – New Orleans Pelicans | 49 | 33 | .598 | 8.0 | 82 |
8 | x – Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10.0 | 82 |
9 | pi – Sacramento Kings | 46 | 36 | .561 | 11.0 | 82 |
10 | pi – Golden State Warriors | 46 | 36 | .561 | 11.0 | 82 |
11 | Houston Rockets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 16.0 | 82 |
12 | Utah Jazz | 31 | 51 | .378 | 26.0 | 82 |
13 | Memphis Grizzlies | 27 | 55 | .329 | 30.0 | 82 |
14 | San Antonio Spurs | 22 | 60 | .268 | 35.0 | 82 |
15 | Portland Trail Blazers | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36.0 | 82 |
Notes
Team | Location | Year | From | Year | To | Current conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joined | Left | |||||
Charlotte Hornets | Charlotte, North Carolina | 1989 | Eastern Conference | 1990 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Chicago Bulls | Chicago, Illinois | 1970 | Western Division | 1980 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Detroit Pistons | Detroit, Michigan | 1970 | Eastern Division | 1978 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Indiana Pacers | Indianapolis, Indiana | 1976 | ABA ‡ | 1979 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Miami Heat | Miami, Florida | 1988 | —† | 1989 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 1970 | Eastern Division | 1980 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Orlando Magic | Orlando, Florida | 1990 | Eastern Conference | 1991 | Eastern Conference | Eastern Conference |
Seattle supersonics
Denotes team that currently in the conference | |
Denotes team that has left the conference |
Bold | Winning team of the NBA Finals |
^ | Had or tied for the best regular season record for that season |
Team | Championships Won | Last |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers | 19 | 2020 |
Golden State Warriors | 7 | 2022 |
San Antonio Spurs | 6 | 2014 |
Houston Rockets | 4 | 1995 |
Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder | 4 | 2012 |
Phoenix Suns | 3 | 2021 |
Portland Trail Blazers | 3 | 1992 |
Dallas Mavericks | 2 | 2011 |
Milwaukee Bucks | 2 | 1974^ |
Utah Jazz | 2 | 1998 |
Denver Nuggets | 1 | 2023 |
Memphis Grizzlies | 0 | N/A |
Minnesota Timberwolves | 0 | N/A |
New Orleans Pelicans | 0 | N/A |
Los Angeles Clippers | 0 | N/A |
Sacramento Kings | 0 | N/A |
^Note: Milwaukee joined the Eastern Conference during the 1980–81 season.
^ | Denotes team that won the NBA championships |
+ | Denotes team that won the Conference finals, but lost the NBA Finals |
* | Denotes team that qualified for the NBA playoffs |
× | Denotes team that qualified for the NBA play-in tournament |
Season | Team (record) | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | |
| |||||||||||||||
1970–71 | Milwaukee^ (66–16) | Los Angeles* (48–34) | Chicago* (51–31) | San Francisco* (41–41) | Phoenix (48–34) | Detroit (45–37) | San Diego (40–42) | Seattle (38–44) | Portland (29–53) | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||
1971–72 | Los Angeles^ (69–13) | Milwaukee* (63–19) | Chicago* (57–25) | Golden State* (51–31) | Phoenix (49–33) | Seattle (47–35) | Houston (34–48) | Detroit (26–56) | Portland (18–64) | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||
1972–73 | Milwaukee* (60–22) | Los Angeles + (60–22) | Chicago* (51–31) | Golden State* (47–35) | Detroit (40–42) | Phoenix (38–44) | Kansas City -Omaha (36–46) | Seattle (26–56) | Portland (21–61) | ||||||
1973–74 | Milwaukee + (59–23) | Los Angeles* (47–35) | Chicago* (54–28) | Detroit* (52–30) | Golden State (44–38) | Seattle (36–46) | Kansas City -Omaha (33–49) | Phoenix (30–52) | Portland (27–55) | ||||||
1974–75 | Golden State^ (48–34) | Chicago* (47–35) | Kansas City -Omaha* (44–38) | Seattle* (43–39) | Detroit* (40–42) | Portland (38–44) | Milwaukee (38–44) | Phoenix (32–50) | Los Angeles (30–52) | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||
1975–76 | Golden State* (59–23) | Milwaukee* (38–44) | Seattle* (43–39) | Phoenix + (42–40) | Detroit* (36–46) | Los Angeles (40–42) | Portland (37–45) | Kansas City (31–51) | Chicago (24–58) | ||||||
| |||||||||||||||
1976–77 | Los Angeles* (53–29) | Denver* (50–32) | Portland^ (49–33) | Golden State* (46–36) | Detroit* (44–38) | Chicago* (44–38) | Seattle (40–42) | Kansas City (40–42) | Indiana (36–46) | Phoenix (34–48) | Milwaukee (30–52) | ||||
1977–78 | Portland* (58–24) | Denver* (50–32) | Phoenix* (49–33) | Seattle + (46–36) | Los Angeles* (44–38) | Milwaukee* (44–38) | Golden State (40–42) | Chicago (40–42) | Detroit (36–46) | Kansas City (34–48) | Indiana (30–52) | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
1978–79 | Seattle^ (52–30) | Kansas City* (48–34) | Phoenix* (50–32) | Denver* (47–35) | Los Angeles* (47–35) | Portland* (45–37) | San Diego (43–39) | Milwaukee (38–44) | Golden State (38–44) | Indiana (38–44) | Chicago (31–51) | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
1979–80 | Los Angeles^ (60–22) | Milwaukee* (49–33) | Seattle* (56–26) | Phoenix* (55–27) | Kansas City* (47–35) | Portland* (38–44) | San Diego (35–47) | Denver (30–52) | Chicago (30–52) | Golden State (24–58) | Utah (24–58) | ||||
| |||||||||||||||
1980–81 | Phoenix* (57–25) | San Antonio* (52–30) | Los Angeles* (54–28) | Portland* (45–37) | Kansas City* (40–42) | Houston + (40–42) | Golden State (39–43) | Denver (37–45) | San Diego (36–46) | Seattle (34–48) | Utah (28–54) | Dallas (15–67) | |||
1981–82 | Los Angeles^ (57–25) | San Antonio* (48–34) | Seattle* (52–30) | Denver* (46–36) | Phoenix* (46–36) | Houston* (46–36) | Golden State (45–37) | Portland (42–40) | Kansas City (30–52) | Dallas (28–54) | Utah (25–57) | San Diego (17–65) | |||
1982–83 | Los Angeles + (58–24) | San Antonio* (53–29) | Phoenix* (53–29) | Seattle* (48–34) | Portland* (46–36) | Denver* (46–37) | Kansas City (46–37) | Dallas (38–44) | Golden State (30–52) | Utah (30–52) | San Diego (25–57) | Houston (14–68) | |||
1983–84 | Los Angeles + (54–28) | Utah* (45–37) | Portland* (48–34) | Dallas* (43–39) | Seattle* (42–40) | Phoenix* (41–41) | Denver* (38–44) | Kansas City* (38–44) | Golden State (37–45) | San Antonio (37–45) | San Diego (30–52) | Houston (29–53) | |||
| |||||||||||||||
1984–85 | L.A. Lakers^ (62–20) | Denver* (52–30) | Houston* (48–34) | Dallas* (44–38) | Portland* (42–40) | Utah* (41–41) | San Antonio* (41–41) | Phoenix* (36–46) | Kansas City (31–51) | Seattle (31–51) | L.A. Clippers (31–51) | Golden State (22–60) | |||
| |||||||||||||||
1985–86 | L.A. Lakers* (62–20) | Houston + (51–31) | Denver* (47–35) | Dallas* (44–38) | Utah* (42–40) | Portland* (40–42) | Sacramento* (37–45) | San Antonio* (35–47) | Phoenix (32–50) | L.A. Clippers (32–50) | Seattle (31–51) | Golden State (30–52) | |||
1986–87 | L.A. Lakers^ (65–17) | Dallas* (55–27) | Portland* (49–33) | Utah* (44–38) | Golden State* (42–40) | Houston* (42–40) | Seattle* (39–43) | Denver* (37–45) | Phoenix (36–46) | Sacramento (29–53) | San Antonio (28–54) | L.A. Clippers (12–70) | |||
1987–88 | L.A. Lakers^ (62–20) | Denver* (54–28) | Dallas* (53–29) | Portland* (53–29) | Utah* (47–35) | Houston* (46–36) | Seattle* (44–38) | San Antonio* (31–51) | Phoenix (28–54) | Sacramento (24–58) | Golden State (20–62) | L.A. Clippers (17–65) | |||
| |||||||||||||||
1988–89 | L.A. Lakers + (57–25) | Utah* (51–31) | Phoenix* (55–27) | Seattle* (47–35) | Houston* (45–37) | Denver* (44–38) | Golden State* (43–39) | Portland* (39–43) | Dallas (38–44) | Sacramento (27–55) | L.A. Clippers (21–61) | San Antonio (21–61) | Miami (15–67) | ||
| |||||||||||||||
1989–90 | L.A. Lakers* (63–19) | San Antonio* (56–26) | Portland + (59–23) | Utah* (55–27) | Phoenix* (54–28) | Dallas* (47–35) | Denver* (43–39) | Houston* (41–41) | Seattle (41–41) | Golden State (37–45) | L.A. Clippers (30–52) | Sacramento (23–59) | Minnesota (22–60) | Charlotte (19–63) | |
| |||||||||||||||
1990–91 | Portland* (63–19) | San Antonio* (55–27) | L.A. Lakers + (58–24) | Phoenix* (55–27) | Utah* (54–28) | Houston* (52–30) | Golden State* (44–38) | Seattle* (41–41) | Orlando (31–51) | L.A. Clippers (32–51) | Minnesota (29–53) | Dallas (28–54) | Sacramento (25–57) | Denver (20–62) | |
| |||||||||||||||
1991–92 | Portland + (57–25) | Utah* (55–27) | Golden State* (55–27) | Phoenix* (53–29) | San Antonio* (47–35) | Seattle* (47–35) | L.A. Clippers* (45–37) | L.A. Lakers* (43–39) | Houston (42–40) | Sacramento (29–53) | Denver (24–58) | Dallas (22–60) | Minnesota (15–67) | ||
1992–93 | Phoenix + (62–20) | Houston* (55–27) | Seattle* (55–27) | Portland* (51–31) | San Antonio* (49–33) | Utah* (47–35) | L.A. Clippers* (41–41) | L.A. Lakers* (39–43) | Denver (36–46) | Golden State (34–48) | Sacramento (25–57) | Minnesota (19–63) | Dallas (11–71) | ||
1993–94 | Seattle* (63–19) | Houston^ (58–24) | Phoenix* (56–26) | San Antonio* (55–27) | Utah* (53–39) | Golden State* (50–32) | Portland* (47–35) | Denver* (42–40) | L.A. Lakers (33–49) | Sacramento (28–54) | L.A. Clippers (27–55) | Minnesota (20–62) | Dallas (13–69) | ||
1994–95 | San Antonio* (62–20) | Phoenix* (59–23) | Utah* (60–22) | Seattle* (57–25) | L.A. Lakers* (48–34) | Houston^ (47–35) | Portland* (44–38) | Denver* (41–41) | Sacramento (39–43) | Dallas (36–46) | Golden State (26–56) | Minnesota (21–61) | L.A. Clippers (17–65) | ||
| |||||||||||||||
1995–96 | Seattle + (64–18) | San Antonio* (59–23) | Utah* (55–27) | L.A. Lakers* (53–29) | Houston* (48–34) | Portland* (44–38) | Phoenix* (41–41) | Sacramento* (39–43) | Golden State (36–46) | Denver (35–47) | L.A. Clippers (29–53) | Minnesota (26–56) | Dallas (26–56) | Vancouver (15–67) | |
1996–97 | Utah + (64–18) | Seattle* (57–25) | Houston* (57–25) | L.A. Lakers* (56–26) | Portland* (49–33) | Minnesota* (40–42) | Phoenix* (40–42) | L.A. Clippers* (36–46) | Sacramento (34–48) | Golden State (30–52) | Dallas (24–58) | Denver (21–61) | San Antonio (20–62) | Vancouver (14–68) | |
1997–98 | Utah + (62–20) | Seattle* (61–21) | L.A. Lakers* (61–21) | Phoenix* (56–26) | San Antonio* (56–26) | Portland* (46–36) | Minnesota* (45–37) | Houston* (41–41) | Sacramento (27–55) | Dallas (20–62) | Vancouver (19–63) | Golden State (19–63) | L.A. Clippers (17–65) | Denver (11–71) | |
1998–99 | San Antonio^ (37–13) | Utah* (37–13) | Portland* (35–15) | L.A. Lakers* (31–19) | Houston* (31–19) | Phoenix* (27–23) | Sacramento* (27–23) | Minnesota* (25–25) | Seattle (25–25) | Golden State (21–29) | Dallas (19–31) | Denver (14–36) | L.A. Clippers (9–41) | Vancouver (8–42) | |
1999–00 | L.A. Lakers^ (67–15) | Utah* (55–27) | Portland* (59–23) | San Antonio* (53–29) | Phoenix* (53–29) | Minnesota* (50–32) | Seattle* (45–37) | Sacramento* (44–38) | Dallas (40–42) | Denver (35–47) | Houston (34–48) | Vancouver (22–60) | Golden State (19–63) | L.A. Clippers (15–67) | |
2000–01 | San Antonio* (58–24) | L.A. Lakers^ (56–26) | Sacramento* (55–27) | Utah* (53–29) | Dallas* (53–29) | Phoenix* (53–29) | Portland* (50–32) | Minnesota* (47–35) | Houston (45–37) | Seattle (44–38) | Denver (40–42) | L.A. Clippers (31–51) | Vancouver (23–59) | Golden State (17–65) | |
| |||||||||||||||
2001–02 | SAC* (61–21) | SAS* (58–24) | LAL^ (56–26) | DAL* (53–29) | MIN* (53–29) | POR* (53–29) | SEA* (50–32) | UTA* (47–35) | LAC (45–37) | PHX (44–38) | HOU (40–42) | DEN (31–51) | MEM (23–59) | GSW (17–65) | |
2002–03 | SAS^ (60–22) | SAC* (59–23) | DAL* (60–22) | MIN* (51–31) | LAL* (50–32) | POR* (50–32) | UTA* (47–35) | PHX* (44–38) | HOU (43–39) | SEA (40–42) | GSW (38–44) | MEM (28–54) | LAC (27–55) | DEN (17–65) | |
2003–04 | MIN* (58–24) | LAL + (56–26) | SAS* (57–25) | SAC* (55–27) | DAL* (52–30) | MEM* (50–32) | HOU* (45–37) | DEN* (43–39) | UTA (42–40) | POR (41–41) | GSW (37–45) | SEA (37–45) | PHX (29–53) | LAC (28–54) | |
| |||||||||||||||
2004–05 | PHX* (62–20) | SAS^ (59–23) | SEA* (52–30) | DAL* (58–24) | HOU* (51–31) | SAC* (50–32) | DEN* (49–33) | MEM* (45–37) | MIN (44–38) | LAC (37–45) | LAL (34–48) | GSW (34–48) | POR (27–55) | UTA (26–56) | NOR (18–64) |
2005–06 | SAS* (63–19) | PHX* (54–28) | DEN* (44–38) | DAL + (60–22) | MEM* (49–33) | LAC* (47–35) | LAL* (45–37) | SAC* (44–38) | UTA (41–41) | NO/ OKC [a] (38–44) | SEA (35–47) | HOU (34–48) | GSW (34–48) | MIN (33–49) | POR (21–61) |
2006–07 | DAL* (67–15) | PHX* (61–21) | SAS^ (58–24) | UTA* (58–24) | HOU* (52–30) | DEN* (45–37) | LAL* (42–40) | GSW* (42–40) | LAC (40–42) | NO/ OKC [a] (39–43) | SAC (33–49) | POR (32–50) | MIN (32–50) | SEA (31–51) | MEM (22–60) |
2007–08 | LAL + (57–25) | NOH* (56–26) | SAS* (56–26) | UTA* (54–28) | HOU* (55–27) | PHX* (55–27) | DAL* (51–31) | DEN* (50–32) | GSW (48–34) | POR (41–41) | SAC (38–44) | LAC (23–59) | MEM (22–60) | MIN (22–60) | SEA (20–62) |
| |||||||||||||||
2008–09 | LAL^ (65–17) | DEN* (54–28) | SAS* (54–28) | POR* (54–28) | HOU* (53–29) | DAL* (50–32) | NOH* (49–33) | UTA* (48–34) | PHX (46–36) | GSW (29–53) | MIN (24–58) | MEM (24–58) | OKC (23–59) | LAC (19–63) | SAC (17–65) |
2009–10 | LAL^ (57–25) | DAL* (55–27) | PHX* (54–28) | DEN* (53–29) | UTA* (53–29) | POR* (50–32) | SAS* (50–32) | OKC* (50–32) | HOU (42–40) | MEM (40–42) | NOH (37–45) | LAC (29–53) | GSW (26–56) | SAC (25–57) | MIN (15–67) |
2010–11 | SAS* (61–21) | LAL* (57–25) | DAL^ (57–25) | OKC* (55–27) | DEN* (50–32) | POR* (48–34) | NOH* (46–36) | MEM* (46–36) | HOU (43–39) | PHX (40–42) | UTA (39–43) | GSW (36–46) | LAC (32–50) | SAC (24–58) | MIN (17–65) |
2011–12 | SAS* (50–16) | OKC + (47–19) | LAL* (41–25) | MEM* (41–25) | LAC* (40–26) | DEN* (38–28) | DAL* (36–30) | UTA* (36–30) | HOU (34–32) | PHX (33–33) | POR (28–38) | MIN (26–40) | GSW (23–43) | SAC (22–44) | NOH (21–45) |
2012–13 | OKC* (60–22) | SAS + (58–24) | DEN* (57–25) | LAC* (56–26) | MEM* (56–26) | GSW* (47–35) | LAL* (45–37) | HOU* (45–37) | UTA (43–39) | DAL (41–41) | POR (33–49) | MIN (31–51) | SAC (28–54) | NOH (27–55) | PHX (25–57) |
| |||||||||||||||
2013–14 | SAS^ (62–20) | OKC* (59–23) | LAC* (57–25) | HOU* (54–28) | POR* (54–28) | GSW* (51–31) | MEM* (50–32) | DAL* (49–33) | PHX (48–34) | MIN (40–42) | DEN (36–46) | NOP (34–48) | SAC (28–54) | LAL (27–55) | UTA (25–57) |
2014–15 | GSW^ (67–15) | HOU* (56–26) | LAC* (56–26) | POR* (51–31) | MEM* (55–27) | SAS* (55–27) | DAL* (50–32) | NOP* (45–37) | OKC (45–37) | PHX (39–43) | UTA (38–44) | DEN (30–52) | SAC (29–53) | LAL (21–61) | MIN (16–66) |
2015–16 | GSW + (73–9) | SAS* (67–15) | OKC* (55–27) | LAC* (53–29) | POR* (44–38) | DAL* (42–40) | MEM* (42–40) | HOU* (41–41) | UTA (40–42) | SAC (33–49) | DEN (33–49) | NOP (30–52) | MIN (29–53) | PHX (23–59) | LAL (17–65) |
2016–17 | GSW^ (67–15) | SAS* (61–21) | HOU* (55–27) | LAC* (51–31) | UTA* (51–31) | OKC* (47–35) | MEM* (43–39) | POR* (41–41) | DEN (40–42) | NOP (34–48) | DAL (33–49) | SAC (32–50) | MIN (31–51) | LAL (26–56) | PHX (24–58) |
2017–18 | HOU* (65–17) | GSW^ (58–24) | POR* (49–33) | OKC* (48–34) | UTA* (48–34) | NOP* (48–34) | SAS* (47–35) | MIN* (47–35) | DEN (46–36) | LAC (42–40) | LAL (35–47) | SAC (27–55) | DAL (24–58) | MEM (22–60) | PHX (21–61) |
2018–19 | GSW + (57–25) | DEN* (54–28) | POR* (53–29) | HOU* (53–29) | UTA* (50–32) | OKC* (49–33) | SAS* (48–34) | LAC* (48–34) | SAC (39–43) | LAL (37–45) | MIN (36–46) | MEM (33–49) | NOP (33–49) | DAL (33–49) | PHX (19–63) |
2019–20 | LAL^ (52–19) | LAC* (49–23) | DEN* (46–27) | HOU* (44–28) | OKC* (44–28) | UTA* (44–28) | DAL* (43–32) | POR* (35–39) | MEM× (34–39) | PHX (34–39) | SAS (32–39) | SAC (31–41) | NOP (30–42) | MIN (19–45) | GSW (15–50) |
2020–21 | UTA* (52–20) | PHX + (51–21) | DEN* (47–25) | LAC* (47–25) | DAL* (42–30) | POR* (42–30) | LAL* (42–30) | GSW× (39–33) | MEM* (38–34) | SAS× (33–39) | NOP (31–41) | SAC (31–41) | MIN (23–49) | OKC (22–50) | HOU (17–55) |
2021–22 | PHX* (64–18) | MEM* (56–26) | GSW^ (53–29) | DAL* (52–30) | UTA* (49–33) | DEN* (48–34) | MIN* (46–36) | LAC× (42–40) | NOP* (36–46) | SAS× (34–48) | LAL (33–49) | SAC (30–52) | POR (27–55) | OKC (24–58) | HOU (20–62) |
2022–23 | DEN^ (53–29) | MEM* (51–31) | SAC* (48–34) | PHX* (45–37) | LAC* (44–38) | GSW* (44–38) | LAL* (43–39) | MIN* (42–40) | NOP× (42–40) | OKC× (40–42) | DAL (38–44) | UTA (37–45) | POR (33–49) | HOU (22–60) | SAS (22–60) |
2023–24 | OKC* (57–25) | DEN* (57–25) | MIN* (56–26) | LAC* (51–31) | DAL* (50–32) | PHX* (49–33) | NOP* (49–33) | LAL* (47–35) | SAC× (46–36) | GSW× (46–36) | HOU (41–41) | UTA (31–51) | MEM (27–55) | SAS (22–60) | POR (21–61) |
The NBA conference finals are the Eastern and Western championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a major professional basketball league in North America. The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The NBA adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–50 season when the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL). The league currently consists of 30 teams, of which 29 are located in the United States and 1 in Canada. Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. After the regular season, eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs. At the end of the playoffs, the top two teams play each other in the conference finals, to determine the Conference Champions from each side, who then proceed to play in the NBA Finals. Trophies were given to each conference winner starting in 2001. In 2022, they named them the Bob Cousy Trophy for the Eastern Conference and the Oscar Robertson Trophy for the Western Conference. Also that year, the league started naming an NBA conference finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for each conference.
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences that make up the National Basketball Association (NBA), the other being the Western Conference. Both conferences consist of 15 teams organized into three divisions. The Eastern Conference comprises the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast Divisions.
The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, four games to two to win their first NBA championship.
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating the defending-champion Detroit Pistons, 4–3, in the NBA Finals.
The 2003–04 NBA season was the 58th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season ended with the Detroit Pistons defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 in the 2004 NBA Finals.
The Southwest Division is one of the three divisions in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Despite its name, the division is actually located in the South Central United States. The division consists of five teams, the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets, the Memphis Grizzlies, the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs. Three of the teams, the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs, are based in Texas.
The Atlantic Division is one of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The division consists of five teams, the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Toronto Raptors. All teams, except the Raptors, are located on the East Coast of the United States. However, Toronto sports teams have over the years enjoyed rivalries with teams in the Northeastern United States.
The Central Division is one of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The division consists of five teams, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, and the Milwaukee Bucks. All teams except the Cavaliers are former Midwest Division teams; thus, the Central Division now largely resembles the Midwest Division in the 1970s.
The Southeast Division is one of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The division consists of five teams: the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards.
The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2002–03 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, 4 games to 2, in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.
The 2001 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000-01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 1. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.
The 1998 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1997–98 season. The tournament concluded with the two-time defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Utah Jazz 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. The Bulls achieved a second three peat, a goal unrivaled since the Boston Celtics in 1966. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for the sixth and final time.
The 1996 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1995–96 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 2. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for a then record fourth time.
The 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 131–92 to win the 2008 NBA Finals, four games to two. The 2007 NBA draft was held on June 28, 2007 and Greg Oden was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he missed the entire season due to knee surgery.
The 2008 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Paul Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP.
The 2010 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2009-10 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year.
The 2011 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks defeating the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Dirk Nowitzki was named NBA Finals MVP.
The 2018 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2017–18 season. The playoffs began on April 14, 2018, and ended on June 8 with the defending NBA champion and Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors defeating the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers in four games to none. Kevin Durant was named the NBA Finals MVP for his second year of his career.
The NBA conference finals Most Valuable Player award (MVP) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 2022 NBA playoffs to the top performing players in the NBA conference finals. The award is decided by a panel of media members, who cast votes after the conclusion of the finals. The person with the highest number of votes wins the award. The Larry Bird Trophy is awarded to the MVP from the Eastern Conference and the Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy for the Western Conference. Their namesakes, Hall of Fame players Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, both made their NBA debuts in 1979, and their bi-coastal rivalry in the 1980s helped revive and popularize the league. The inaugural recipients were Jayson Tatum from the Eastern Conference, and Stephen Curry from the Western Conference.
To complete the postseason collection, the NBA updated its conference championship trophies, first created in 2001, and renamed them after Hall of Famers Bob Cousy (for the East) and Oscar Robertson (for the West)