Kristian Ferrell
The NBA Finals is the championship series for the National Basketball Association (NBA) held at the end of its postseason. The NBA Finals for the 2024-25 season are over, with the Wichita State Alumni, also known as the Aftershocks, winning the championship game. The NBA has released key dates for the 2025-26 season, which will begin in October 2025. The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness, is another popular basketball championship held annually in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 August 2025 |
| Championship Series | NBA Finals |
| Format | Best-of-seven |
| Participants | Winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference |
| Winning Team Reward | Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy |
| Recent Champions | Oklahoma City Thunder, Aftershocks (Wichita State Alumni) |
| Upcoming Season | 2025-26 NBA season |
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What You'll Learn
When is the next Division I Men's Basketball Championship?
The next Division I Men's Basketball Championship will be the 2026 March Madness tournament. The exact dates for the tournament are not yet available, but it will take place at the end of the 2025-26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The 2023 championship game took place on April 3, 2023, and determined the national champion for the 2022-23 season.
The 2025-26 NBA season will feature several key dates, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Enshrinement Weekend on September 5-6, 2025, and the NBA Training Camps, which will open on October 1, 2025. The NBA Preseason games will begin on October 4, 2025, with the NBA Abu Dhabi Games and the NBA Canada Series taking place on October 4 and 6, 2025, respectively. The regular season will then commence, with key dates including Christmas Day games on December 25, 2025, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day games on January 20, 2026.
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Who are the most recent NBA champions?
The most recent NBA champions are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. This was their first championship since 1979, when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Prior to this, the Boston Celtics were the reigning champions, having won the 2024 championship. This was their 18th championship, the most of any team in the league's history. The Celtics' victory in 2024 ended a 16-year title drought, with their previous championship victory coming in 2008.
The 2025-26 NBA season is yet to begin, with key dates being announced in August 2025. The season will include the Emirates NBA Cup Championship in Las Vegas, which will feature a game between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, as well as preseason games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Australia, and China.
In the lead-up to the 2025-26 season, TBT 2025, a basketball tournament featuring regional championships and a $1 million prize, took place, with Wichita State Alumni, also known as the Aftershocks, being crowned champions.
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What is the format of the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is held at the conclusion of the postseason, following the NBA playoffs. The NBA playoffs is a four-round, best-of-seven tournament that takes place after the league's regular season to determine the league champion.
The NBA Finals is contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference champions. The series is played in a best-of-seven format, with the first team to win four games being crowned the NBA Champion. The current format is 2–2–1–1–1, meaning the team with home-court advantage hosts games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while their opponent hosts games 3, 4, and 6. If needed, game 7 is played at the home arena of the team with the better regular-season record.
The NBA Finals series was initially known as the BAA Finals before the 1949–50 season when the Basketball Association of America (BAA) merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA. From 1946 to 1949, the playoffs were a three-stage tournament where the two semifinal winners played in the finals. The NBA Finals adopted the best-of-seven format in 2003.
The winner of the NBA Finals series is awarded the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which replaced the original Walter A. Brown Trophy in 1976–77. The trophy, however, retained the same name until 1984.
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Which team has won the most NBA championships?
The NBA Finals is the championship series for the National Basketball Association (NBA) held at the end of its postseason. All NBA Finals are played in a best-of-seven format and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The winning team of the series receives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which has been awarded since 1977.
The Boston Celtics have won the most NBA championships, with a record 18 wins. Their most recent victory was in 2024, which broke their long-standing tie with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have won 17 championships, with their most recent win in 2020.
The 2024-25 NBA season concluded with the Boston Celtics winning their 18th championship, ending a 16-year drought. The Celtics cemented their position as the league's most successful franchise.
Looking ahead, the key dates for the 2025-26 NBA season have been announced, with the season set to begin in October 2025. The preseason will start in late September, with training camps and media days taking place throughout the month. The regular season will tip off in October, with the NBA Abu Dhabi Games and the NBA Canada Series taking place in early October.
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What are some other basketball tournaments?
The NBA Finals is the championship series for the National Basketball Association (NBA) held at the end of its postseason. The NBA Finals are contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The winning team of the series receives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
There are several other basketball tournaments besides the NBA Finals. Here are some notable ones:
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
Also branded as March Madness or The Big Dance, this tournament is played in a single-elimination format to determine the men's college basketball national champion of the Division I level in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The tournament usually takes place in March and consists of 68 teams, making it one of the most prominent annual sporting events in the US.
Olympic Basketball
Olympic basketball is a significant international basketball tournament, consisting of two team events for men and women, with three gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in each category. Basketball was first introduced as an Olympic sport for men in 1936 and later for women in 1976.
Euroleague Basketball (EL)
The Euroleague is the highest level of basketball competition in Europe and the most prominent multinational professional basketball league on the continent. It features 24 clubs from at least 12 countries each season, and the winners are crowned at the Final Four each spring.
Stankovic International Basketball Champions Cup
This tournament is one of the highest-level official international basketball events held annually in China. It features six teams from the top national men's basketball teams or invited teams from six continents.
The Basketball Tournament (TBT)
TBT is a notable basketball tournament that offers a $1 million prize to the winning team. In 2025, the Wichita State Alumni, also known as the Aftershocks, claimed the championship title.
These are just a few examples of the many basketball tournaments held worldwide. Each tournament has its unique format, history, and significance within the sport of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the championship game was played on April 3, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. UConn defeated San Diego State by a score of 76-59 to win their fifth national championship.
Adama Sanogo of UConn was named the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the Final Four.
The championship game was televised in the United States by CBS, with Jim Nantz providing play-by-play commentary.
UConn led the game with a score of 63-55 with 3:52 left. After a series of free throws and jump shots, UConn ultimately secured their victory with a final score of 76-59.
UConn, as the No. 1 overall seed, won the 2024 championship but the details of the teams they played against are not yet available.
