Getting your player ready...
It’s been 20 years since the NBA expanded the playoffs to four best-of-seven series.
With Monday night’s 94-89 win over the Miami Heat, the Nuggets tied the 2007 San Antonio Spurs as the second-fastest to win a championship after steamrolling through the playoffs with a 16-4 record.
The only team that lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in fewer games? The notoriously stacked Golden State Warriors of Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who lost just one game (16-1) en route to the 2017 title. Here’s a look at each of the champions over that period:
| Year | Team | Record | NBA Finals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Golden State | 16-1 | 4-1 over Cleveland |
| 2023 | Denver | 16-4 | 4-1 over Miami |
| 2007 | San Antonio | 16-4 | 4-0 over Cleveland |
| 2020 | L.A. Lakers | 16-5 | 4-2 over Miami |
| 2018 | Golden State | 16-5 | 4-0 over Cleveland |
| 2016 | Cleveland | 16-5 | 4-3 over Golden State |
| 2015 | Golden State | 16-5 | 4-2 over Cleveland |
| 2011 | Dallas | 16-5 | 4-2 over Miami |
| 2022 | Golden State | 16-7 | 4-2 over Boston |
| 2021 | Milwaukee | 16-7 | 4-2 over Phoenix |
| 2014 | San Antonio | 16-7 | 4-1 over Miami |
| 2013 | Miami | 16-7 | 4-3 over San Antonio |
| 2012 | Miami | 16-7 | 4-1 over Oklahoma City |
| 2010 | L.A. Lakers | 16-7 | 4-3 over Boston |
| 2009 | L.A. Lakers | 16-7 | 4-1 over Orlando |
| 2006 | Miami | 16-7 | 4-2 over Dallas |
| 2005 | San Antonio | 16-7 | 4-3 over Detroit |
| 2004 | Detroit | 16-7 | 4-1 over L.A. Lakers |
| 2019 | Toronto | 16-8 | 4-2 over Golden State |
| 2003 | San Antonio | 16-8 | 4-2 over New Jersey |
| 2008 | Boston | 16-10 | 4-2 over L.A. Lakers |
Source:
