How Spurs' Game 7 win over Thunder extends NBA's historic streak of parity

How Spurs' Game 7 win over Thunder extends NBA's historic streak of parity originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Another NBA season, another new champion.

>In the modern era of professional sports in North American, competitive balance and the idea of "parity" — essentially meaning that as many teams as possible have a realistic shot at championship contention — has become a hot topic. The NFL has often been an ideal example, with many teams going from bad-to-good each year, while MLB's upcoming labor battle also is centered around a debate over payroll and how it impacts competitive balance.

>But over in the NBA, there has never been more parity.

>With the San Antonio Spurs taking down the defending champion Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, there will officially be yet another new team hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2026, extending the league's streak of differing champions.

>Here's a look at the NBA's now-eight different champions in eight years, regardless of the results from Knicks vs. Spurs in the Finals.

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NBA champions since 20192019: Raptors • >2020: Lakers • >2021: Bucks • >2022: Warriors • >2023: Nuggets • >2024: Celtics • >2025: Thunder • >2026: TBD (Knicks or Spurs)In many ways, the results of the 2010s era of the NBA has shaped the 2020s. In the previous decade, Finals matchups may have been a bit more predictable — LeBron James-led teams made the Finals in eight-straight years from 2011-18, the Spurs reached the stage twice, and the Warriors shook the league's landscape by making five NBA Finals appearances while winning three.

>However, since the 2018 iteration of Warriors vs. Cavaliers — which was the fourth-straight year of those teams facing off in the Finals — a new team has won it all.

>The trend began with Kawhi Leonard's dominant 2019 postseason, as Toronto took down Golden State in the Finals following Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injuries. The Warriors' fate was altered from there with Durant's departure — and after the Lakers hoisted the 2020 NBA title in the Orlando bubble, even James hasn't been able to overcome the NBA's parity.

>Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all guided their teams to a title in the 2020s, with only Curry being a multi-time champion.

>Now, either Jalen Brunson or Victor Wembanyama will join them. The 2026 NBA Finals will mark the eighth-straight year of a new champion when either the Spurs or Knicks finish the job.

>MORE: Knicks vs. Spurs predictions, odds, schedule and more

NBA teams with Finals appearances since 2019Warriors (2) • >Celtics (2) • >Heat (2) • >Raptors • >Lakers • >Suns • >Bucks • >Nuggets • >Mavericks • >Thunder • >Pacers • >Knicks • >SpursThe NBA's parity only grows clearer when examining the teams to reach the Finals since 2019. Only three squads have made it to the Finals twice — the Warriors lost in 2019, then won in 2022. That's the year the Celtics lost, but Boston bounced back with a championship in 2024. Unfortunately for the Heat, both of their Finals appearances behind Jimmy Butler (2020, 2023) ended in losses.

>Overall, since 2019, 13 of the 30 NBA teams (43.3% of the league) have reached the Finals at least once, with the Spurs and Knicks now added to that list.

>MORE: Watch as Victor Wembanyama gets emotional after clinching first Finals appearance

When was the last back-to-back NBA champion?For most of the 2025-26 season, it appeared the Thunder were poised to make a push for a second-straight title. After winning 68 regular season games, Oklahoma City opened the postseason on a dominant run — but winning consecutive championships in the modern NBA is looking more difficult by the year.

>The last time a team went back-to-back was the 2017 and 2018 Warriors, who dismantled James' Cavaliers in both Finals thanks to their historic core-four of Curry, Durant, Thompson and Draymond Green. Durant won both Finals MVP awards.

>Prior to those Warriors, the 2011 and 2012 Heat were the last team to go back-to-back.

>MORE: Inside Chet Holmgren's struggles vs. Spurs in WCF