The Knicks became the NBA's eighth different champion in eight seasons, extending a parity streak that began in 2019.
Every Finals winner during the run:
- 2026: New York Knicks defeated San Antonio Spurs
- 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Indiana Pacers
- 2024: Boston Celtics defeated Dallas Mavericks
- 2023: Denver Nuggets defeated Miami Heat
- 2022: Golden State Warriors defeated Boston Celtics
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks defeated Phoenix Suns
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers defeated Miami Heat
- 2019: Toronto Raptors defeated Golden State Warriors
Only Golden State, Boston and Miami have made two Finals appearances in the span. None managed to win a second title.
The last repeat champion was Golden State, which won in 2017 and 2018 before losing to Toronto the following year. Since that change, the trophy has moved to a different franchise each season.
The NBA now needs two more new winners to reach 10 different champions in 10 years. Whether the run continues will depend on teams outside this list breaking through before one of the eight recent winners returns to the top.
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