Where champions finish

Where each NBA champion since 1946-47 finished in the regular-season standings: 1st means it also had the league's best record.

Every season

1940s

4322

1950s

3211111211

1960s

1111121351

1970s

1142424822

1980s

1311211112

1990s

21321011111

2000s

2216253123

2010s

4411131323

2020s

734116

Lowest finishers to win

• Houston Rockets1994-95 · 47-35 10th
• Washington Bullets1977-78 · 44-38 8th
• Milwaukee Bucks2020-21 · 46-26 7th
• New York Knicks2025-26 · 53-29 6th
• Detroit Pistons2003-04 · 54-28 6th