Irrespective of who comes out victorious within the 2025 NBA Finals, one factor is for sure — an extended championship drought shall be snapped.
That is the second NBA Finals during which each individuals are on title droughts that exceed 40 years, in response to ESPN Analysis. The earlier occasion was in 2021 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
The Indiana Pacers have received three ABA championships — which do not depend when it comes to titles in NBA historical past — however by no means within the NBA. Nonetheless, their coach, Rick Carlisle, has been on this place earlier than with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Carlisle is the tenth coach to guide a number of franchises to the NBA Finals. A win in opposition to the Thunder would make him the fourth head coach to win titles with a number of franchises, becoming a member of Alex Hannum, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder technically have one title because the Seattle SuperSonics, who have been champions in 1979. Nonetheless, that championship banner is held on the Museum of Historical past and Business in Seattle, not the Paycom Middle.
With one mixed championship between the 2 franchises getting into the Finals, the collection joins the checklist of NBA Finals matchups that includes the fewest mixed titles since 1980.
This is a have a look at how these collection panned out.
2021, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns
Mixed titles One
Winner: Bucks win 4-2
In quest of their first championship since 1971, Milwaukee’s roster confronted an issue exterior of dealing with Phoenix. Nobody on its roster had NBA Finals expertise.
The Bucks have been the third staff over the previous 25 postseasons to succeed in the Finals and have zero video games of earlier Finals expertise, becoming a member of the Golden State Warriors in 2015 and the Utah Jazz in 1997. It did not matter for the Warriors, who beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to snap their championship drought. The identical utilized to Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 35.2 factors, 13.2 rebounds and 5 assists per recreation because the Bucks beat the Suns in six video games. He notched a decisive 50-point, 14-rebound efficiency in Sport 6, serving to the franchise win its first championship since 1971.
Mixed titles: One
Winner: Mavericks win 4-2
In one of many extra iconic playoff runs in latest reminiscence, the Mavericks took down star after star to lastly exorcise their franchise’s demons.
Since its first season in 1980-81, Dallas reached the Finals as soon as and misplaced within the convention finals twice. This time round, the Mavericks bought the job carried out in opposition to the Warmth’s huge three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Going through a 2-0 collection deficit, Dallas ended Sport 2 on a 22-5 run over the ultimate 7:14 of the sport. Dirk Nowitzki capped the comeback with a game-winning layup. Ten days later, he had 21 factors and 11 rebounds to clinch the championship on the highway.
2006, Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Warmth
Mixed titles: Zero
Winner: Miami win 4-2
The primary Warmth-Mavericks matchup marked the one NBA Finals collection since 1980 the place neither staff had received a championship getting into it. This was additionally the primary Finals look for each franchises outright.
Wade led the best way for Miami’s championship, averaging 34.7 factors, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a couple of.7 steals in a stellar efficiency. Dallas jumped out to a 2-0 lead, however then misplaced 4 straight.
Mixed titles: One
Winner: Spurs win 4-2
Then often known as the New Jersey Nets, the franchise’s second consecutive look within the NBA Finals got here in opposition to a brewing dynasty. The Spurs had one championship heading into the collection, however have been about to string collectively three extra in 5 seasons.
Tim Duncan earned NBA Finals MVP honors after averaging 24.2 factors, 17 rebounds plus 5.3 assists and blocks every. He dropped a near-quadruple double within the clincher with 21 factors, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and eight blocks.
Mixed titles: One
Winner: Rockets win 4-0
Houston’s second of its back-to-back championships marked the tip of an inconceivable run. The Rockets entered the playoffs because the No. 6 seed and have become champions — the bottom seed to ever win an NBA title.
On the best way to the Finals, Houston took down the 60-win Utah Jazz, 59-win Suns and 62-win Spurs in that order. Ready for them on the massive stage have been the 59-win Magic, led by Shaquille O’Neal, who had completed second in MVP voting.
None of that mattered, although, because the Rockets swept the Magic behind a memorable Hakeem Olajuwon run. He averaged 32.8 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a couple of steals and blocks every within the Finals.
ESPN Analysis contributed to this story.
