Every sport has its own unique rivalries, and basketball is no exception. Whether it’s fueled by clashing superstars, feuding cities or hard-fought battles, rivalries can elevate any game and have led to some of the most memorable moments in NBA history.
From Russell’s Celtics vs. Wilt’s Lakers to the Bad Boy Pistons vs. Air Jordan and the Bulls, these hardwood rivalries have decided championships, defined careers and made a mark on an entire generation of basketball fans.
Some of the league’s best rivalries will soon be on full display as we prepare for this year’s edition of NBA Rivals Week. From January 20to 24, there will be nine nationally televised games, each featuring a marquee matchup between a pair of heated rivals.
In honour of NBA Rivals Week, we’re going back through the years to uncover the greatest rivalries in NBA history. These are the battles that turned stars into legends and games into legacy. Here’s our take on the best rivalries the NBA has ever seen.
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Widely regarded as the greatest rivalry in league history, the Celtics and Lakers have been battling it out on the court for decades. The rivalry was as much about culture as basketball, with Boston’s blue-collar tradition clashing with the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.
It began in the ‘50s and ‘60s, with Bill Russell leading Boston into several Finals appearances against Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers. This rivalry was renewed in the ’80s when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson became the league’s defining duel, with these teams meeting in the NBA Finals three times in a four-year stretch.
The Celtics and Lakers have met in the Finals more times (12) than any other NBA rivalry. It’s led to two of the most storied basketball franchises in the league and remains the gold standard for a true NBA rivalry.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
If you’re looking for a nasty, hard-hitting rivalry that left it all out there on the floor, the Knicks-Heat matchups of the ‘90s are as intense as it gets. This East Coast showdown was all about pride and toughness, providing hoops fans with some incredible moments over the years.
There was plenty of disdain among the players, and even the coaches got in the mix. All of this hatred and animosity finally boiled over when these two teams faced off during the 1997 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Following a hard foul late in Game 5, a shoving match quickly escalated into a bench-clearing brawl that ultimately resulted in multiple suspensions for both teams.
That game became one of the more iconic moments of ‘90s basketball and remains one of the primary examples of “bad blood” between two NBA franchises.
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Any time you have the same two teams facing off in the NBA Finals for four straight years, you know you’re witnessing something historic. As one of the more recent rivalries on our list, Golden State and Cleveland got very familiar with one another between 2015 and 2018.
This rivalry pitted the Warriors’ dynasty against LeBron’s Cavs, and played out on the NBA’s biggest stage. While Golden State won three of those four Finals matchups, Cleveland’s 2016 title was one for the ages. Led by an incredible Game 7 performance by LeBron, the Cavaliers became the only team in NBA Finals history to come back from 3-1 down.
These Warriors-Cavaliers battles defined the 2010s and shaped the memories of countless fans around the world. This rivalry may have lost some luster after LeBron left Cleveland, but its impact on the NBA will never fade.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
This is now considered by many to be one of the NBA’s most significant rivalries. The Bulls and Pistons became the league’s marquee matchup throughout the late ‘80s and into the early ‘90s, with each meeting becoming must-watch television.
These games were all about the “Bad Boy” Pistons going up against MJ’s Bulls, contrasting Detroit’s punishing style of play with Jordan’s brilliant scoring and sheer determination. Things got contentious after Detroit eliminated Chicago from the playoffs in three straight seasons (1988-1990), leading fans to wonder if MJ would ever get past the Bad Boys in the Eastern Conference.
The tension from this rivalry forced Jordan to elevate his game, with the Bulls finally breaking through and taking down Detroit in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. With their rival finally vanquished, Chicago went on to win the NBA Championship, leading to the birth of a dynasty.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the early 2000s, the NBA’s Western Conference was dominated by two teams: the Lakers and Spurs. These two franchises were the exact opposites of one another; Los Angeles had the star power with Shaq and Kobe, while San Antonio played system basketball with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
The Lakers and Spurs faced off in the Western Conference Finals three years in a row (2001, 2002, 2003). Los Angeles won the first meeting in a clean sweep, before being pushed to the brink in 2002 with a seven-game series. The Spurs finally got their revenge in 2003, knocking out the Lakers and going on to win the title.
Los Angeles and San Antonio met in the playoffs two more times in the 2000s, creating a memorable rivalry between two of the league’s top teams. By pitting the Lakers’ superstar model against the Spurs’ team-first mentality, NBA fans were treated to a masterclass in two very different styles of basketball.