The NBA world is on the precipice of history. One of the four remaining teams in the 2025 NBA playoffs will become an NBA champion, creating a scenario never seen before in the history of the league.

The Eastern Conference finals matchup consists of the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. These teams met in last year’s playoffs, with the Pacers advancing to the 2023-24 Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks, who find themselves in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, look to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

While the Knicks haven’t graced the NBA Finals with their presence in 26 years, they are the only remaining team whose franchise has won an NBA championship (1970 and 1973). 

The Indiana Pacers along with the Western Conference finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves are three franchises who are seeking their first ever NBA championship.

Throughout the history of the NBA, dynasties continuously pop up, with teams generally becoming repeat champions or winning multiple titles in the span of a few years.

The most recent list of NBA champions has told a different story. Upon the moment when one of the four remaining teams is crowned champion of the NBA world, history will be set.

The NBA will have seven different NBA champions over the past seven years. As per @statmuse on X, this has never occurred in the history of the NBA.

For the first time in history, there are 7 different champions in 7 NBA seasons.
Parity, baby. pic.twitter.com/wctqSoe3rE

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 18, 2025

Ever since the Toronto Raptors won the NBA Finals in 2019, the league has seen a different champion ever year:

The Los Angeles Lakers (2020), the Milwaukee Bucks (2021), the Golden State Warriors (2022), the Denver Nuggets (2023), and the Boston Celtics (2024).

The path to history begins on Tuesday when the Thunder take on the Timberwolves in Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN. The Knicks vs. Pacers series begins on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EDT on TNT.

Related: Ticket Prices For Game 1 of NBA Conference Finals’ Are Turning Heads

 

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