NBA Winners

Top 5 NBA Dynasties In History

August 26, 2024

In sports, dynasties are what every franchise dreams of and every other team dreads.

These squads didn’t just win some games, they held their own dark cloud over the league for literally years.

From the Celtics of the 1960s, to the Warriors of the 2010s, these dynasties didn’t just define eras—they changed what it means to be great.

Best NBA Dynasties All-Time

We take a look at the top five NBA dynasties, because winning one championship is nice, but why stop there?

1. Boston Celtics

1956–1969

Titles Won: 11 NBA Championships
Finals Appearances: 12
Playoff Record: 90-41 (.687)
Key Players: Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek
Key Stats: 11 championships in 13 years, 5 MVP awards (Russell)
Coach: Red Auerbach

The Celtics’ run from 1956 to 1969 remains the gold standard for dynasties in the NBA.

Under Red Auerbach and the defensive presence of Bill Russell, the Celtics won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including eight straight titles from 1959 to 1966.

Russell’s defensive dominance made him the cornerstone of this Celtics run, while Bob Cousy and John Havlicek added scoring and playmaking.

The Celtics’ defensive focus and team-oriented play were hallmarks of their play, and their 11 championships in this era remain the most by any team in such a short span.

The Celtics’ .687 playoff winning percentage during this era is just unbeleivable.

2. Chicago Bulls

1991–1998

Titles Won: 6 NBA Championships
Finals Appearances: 6
Playoff Record: 91-21 (.813)
Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
Key Stats: Two three-peats, 72-10 regular-season record (1995-96)
Coach: Phil Jackson

The Bulls of the 1990s were absolute rock stars. Led by Jordan, thery were the most iconic team in modern NBA history.

From 1991 to 1998, the Bulls won six NBA championships, with two separate three-peats.

Jordan’s scoring, clutch moments, and relentlessness, combined with Scottie Pippen’s elite defensive and Dennis Rodman’s rebounding, made the Bulls nearly unstoppable.

Under the “Zenmaster” Phil Jackson, the Bulls set a then-record for regular-season wins with a 72-10 record in 1995-96, which remains one of the best single seasons in NBA history.

Jordan’s six Finals MVPs cemented his status as the greatest NBA player of all time, and the Bulls’ dominance during this time is reflected in their .813 playoff winning percentage.

3. Los Angeles Lakers

1980–1991

Titles Won: 5 NBA Championships
Finals Appearances: 9
Playoff Record: 102-47 (.685)
Key Players: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy
Key Stats: 9 NBA Finals appearances in 12 seasons, 3 MVP awards (Magic)
Coach: Pat Riley

The “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s brought a new level of excitement to the otherwise boring NBA of the 80’s.

Led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, the Lakers won five NBA championships between 1980 and 1991.

Magic’s vision and ability to run the fast break, combined with Kareem’s play in the post and near-unstoppable skyhook, made the Lakers one of the most entertaining and successful teams in league history.

Under Pat Riley’s coaching, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals nine times in 12 seasons, with many epic battles with the Boston Celtics.

The Lakers’ .685 playoff winning percentage during this period, along with their five championships, is what paves their way onto our list.

4. San Antonio Spurs

1999–2014

Titles Won: 5 NBA Championships
Finals Appearances: 6
Playoff Record: 125-67 (.651)
Key Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
Key Stats: 19 consecutive playoff appearances, 50+ wins in 15 straight seasons, 2 MVP awards (Duncan)
Coach: Gregg Popovich

From 1999 to 2014, the Spurs won five NBA championships, led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, under head coach Gregg Popovich.

Duncan, known as “The Big Fundamental,” anchored the team with his defense, scoring, and leadership.

The Spurs were a model of consistency, winning at least 50 games in 15 straight seasons and making 19 straight playoffs.

Their five championships over a 15-year span and their .651 playoff winning percentage make them one of the greatest squads in the history of the game.

5. Golden State Warriors

2015–2022

Titles Won: 4 NBA Championships (as of 2022)
Finals Appearances: 6
Playoff Record: 93-34 (.732)
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
Key Stats: 73-9 regular-season record (2015-16), 6 NBA Finals appearances, 2 MVP awards (Curry)
Coach: Steve Kerr

The Warriors’ run redefined the modern game of basketball with their three-point shooting, pace, and ball movement.

From 2015 to 2022, the Warriors won four NBA rings and made six NBA Finals appearances.

Led by Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history, the Warriors changed the league with their “Splash Brothers” backcourt of Curry and Klay Thompson.

Draymond Green’s defensive versatility and playmaking, with Steve Kerr’s innovative system, made the Warriors nearly unstoppable during their run.

Their 73-9 regular-season record in 2015-16 remains the best in NBA history, and their .732 playoff winning percentage shows their worthiness to be in our list.

Greatest NBA Dynasties Compared

This table provides a snapshot of the achievements of our top 5 NBA dynasties, highlighting their titles won to playoff win percentages, these stats showcase just how these teams etched their names in NBA history.

Team	Titles	Playoff %	Playoff Rec.	Finals
Celtics (1956–1969)	11	.687	90-41	12
Bulls (1991–1998)	6	.813	91-21	6
Lakers (1980–1991)	5	.685	102-47	9
Spurs (1999–2014)	5	.651	125-67	6
Warriors (2015–2022)	4	.732	93-34	6