When was the last repeat NBA champion? Looking back at history as Knicks defend title

When was the last repeat NBA champion? Looking back at history as Knicks defend title originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It’s the era of parity in the NBA.

There have been eight straight years of different champions, most recently with the New York Knicks snapping their 53-year drought in 2026.

So, given the recent trend, repeating their Finals victory will be a tall task for Jalen Brunson’s squad. Could they be the first team in nearly a decade to go back-to-back? Which teams would they join historically if they pull it off? And how rare is it to repeat in the NBA?

Here’s a look back at the history before the 2026-27 season tips off on NBC and Peacock:

When was the last repeat NBA champion?

The Golden State Warriors were the last team to win back-to-back championship, doing so in 2017 and 2018.

Led by repeat Finals MVP Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, the Warriors rolled past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers both years (4-1 in 2017, 4-0 in 2018).

Have there been any close calls since then?

Durant, Curry and the Warriors nearly made it a three-peat before falling to the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the 2019 Finals. Injuries derailed the Warriors as they lost Durant and Klay Thompson during the series.

The Raptors’ chances at a repeat went away when Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard left as a free agent that summer, which opened the door for the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2020 title. Toronto lost 4-2 in the second round.

The Lakers’ 2021 run was the worst of the last eight reigning champions, losing 4-2 in the first round. The next four champions all lost in the second round the following season: the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022 (4-3), the Warriors in 2023 (4-2), the Denver Nuggets in 2024 (4-3) and the Boston Celtics in 2025 (4-2).

Last season, the Thunder looked poised to defend their title before Victor Wembanyama took over in the conference finals. The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the reigning champions on their home floor in Game 7 of the West finals, ensuring that the streak of new winners would continue.

Most championships in a row in NBA history

Only one team has won more than three titles in a row.

Bill Russell and the Celtics claimed a record eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966, a mark that almost certainly will never be broken. Russell ended his career with 11 rings in 13 seasons.

How many three-peats have happened in NBA history?

There have been four three-peats, with two different franchises pulling it off.

The Lakers did it in Minneapolis with George Mikan leading the way and then again in Los Angeles during the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant partnership. In between those two instances, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to two three-peats in the 1990s.

• Minneapolis Lakers: 1952, 53, 54
• Chicago Bulls: 1991, 92, 93
• Chicago Bulls: 1996, 97, 98
• Los Angeles Lakers: 2000, 01, 02

Other back-to-back champions in NBA history

There have been eight other instances in NBA history where a team defended its championship.

The Lakers lead the way with three repeats. The Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Warriors have all done it once.

• Minneapolis Lakers: 1949 and 1950
• Boston Celtics: 1968 and 1969
• Los Angeles Lakers: 1987 and 1988
• Detroit Pistons: 1989 and 1990
• Houston Rockets: 1994 and 1995
• Los Angeles Lakers: 2009 and 2010
• Miami Heat: 2012 and 2013
• Golden State Warriors: 2017 and 2018