The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday. The victory secures the franchise’s first title since 1973. The series ended 4-1.
The Knicks’ championship adds to a rapidly evolving list of NBA champions in the 2020s. The decade has seen a shift in power among the league’s elite.
MARCA.com provided a year-by-year breakdown of NBA Finals winners. The list confirms a decade of diverse champions so far.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New York Knicks | San Antonio Spurs | 4-1 |
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Boston Celtics | Dallas Mavericks | 4-1 |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | Miami Heat | 4-1 |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | Boston Celtics | 4-2 |
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | 4-2 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | Miami Heat | 4-2 |
The Knicks’ victory marks the fifth different champion in the last six seasons. Only the Golden State Warriors have repeated in this period, winning in 2022. The Spurs, after a dominant regular season, failed to secure their sixth title.
The Athletic reported live updates from Game 5. Fans celebrated the Knicks’ decisive win, which was sealed with a strong fourth-quarter performance. The championship parade is expected in New York City later this week.
Historic context shows the list of NBA champions remains highly competitive. The 2020s have not produced a single repeat champion beyond the Warriors’ single back-to-back.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who won the NBA championship in 2026 according to the list of NBA champions?
- A: The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, securing their first title since 1973.
- Q: How many different champions are on the list of NBA champions in the 2020s so far?
- A: The list shows five different champions in the last six seasons: Los Angeles Lakers (2020), Milwaukee Bucks (2021), Golden State Warriors (2022), Denver Nuggets (2023), Boston Celtics (2024), and New York Knicks (2026).
- Q: Has any team repeated on the list of NBA champions in the 2020s?
- A: Only the Golden State Warriors have repeated, winning in 2022 as the sole back-to-back champion in this period according to the list of NBA champions.
Extended Reading
Source: MARCA.com and The Athletic provided the complete list of NBA champions and live game coverage. The Knicks’ title is their first in 53 years, ending the longest active drought among original NBA franchises.
