The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. There are currently 30 teams in the NBA, all of which are divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into three divisions.
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference is made up of 15 teams and is divided into three divisions: Atlantic, Central, and Southeast.
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division consists of five teams: the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors.
Boston Celtics: The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, having won a record 17 championships. The team has a long list of star players including Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets were founded in 1967 and have been in Brooklyn since 2012. They have won two championships and are led by star guard Kyrie Irving.
New York Knicks: The Knicks are one of the most popular teams in the NBA, having won two championships. They have a long list of star players including Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Ewing, and Walt Frazier.
Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1946. They have won three championships and are led by star center Joel Embiid.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are the only Canadian team in the NBA, having been founded in 1995. They have won one championship and are led by star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Central Division
The Central Division consists of five teams: the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won six championships. They have a long list of star players including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Derrick Rose.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1970. They have won one championship and are led by star forward LeBron James.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won three championships. They have a long list of star players including Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill, and Chauncey Billups.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1967. They have won one championship and are led by star guard Victor Oladipo.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won one championship. They have a long list of star players including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe.
Southeast Division
The Southeast Division consists of five teams: the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards.
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1946. They have won one championship and are led by star guard Trae Young.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 2004. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard Kemba Walker.
Miami Heat: The Heat are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won three championships. They have a long list of star players including Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.
Orlando Magic: The Magic are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1989. They have won one championship and are led by star center Nikola Vucevic.
Washington Wizards: The Wizards are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1961. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard Bradley Beal.
Western Conference
The Western Conference is made up of 15 teams and is divided into three divisions: Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest.
Northwest Division
The Northwest Division consists of five teams: the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz.
Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1967. They have not won a championship and are led by star center Nikola Jokic.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1989. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard Karl-Anthony Towns.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won one championship. They have a long list of star players including Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Paul George.
Portland Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won one championship. They have a long list of star players including Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and CJ McCollum.
Utah Jazz: The Jazz are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1974. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Pacific Division
The Pacific Division consists of five teams: the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings.
Golden State Warriors: The Warriors are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won five championships. They have a long list of star players including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1970. They have not won a championship and are led by star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won 16 championships. They have a long list of star players including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.
Phoenix Suns: The Suns are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1968. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard Devin Booker.
Sacramento Kings: The Kings are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1923. They have not won a championship and are led by star guard De’Aaron Fox.
Southwest Division
The Southwest Division consists of five teams: the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1980. They have won one championship and are led by star guard Luka Doncic.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won two championships. They have a long list of star players including Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and James Harden.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 1995. They have not won a championship and are led by star center Marc Gasol.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans are one of the newest teams in the NBA, having been founded in 2002. They have not won a championship and are led by star forward Anthony Davis.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won five championships. They have a long list of star players including Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NBA is made up of 30 teams, all of which are divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into three divisions. The Eastern Conference consists of the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast divisions, while the Western Conference consists of the Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest divisions. All of the teams in the NBA have a long list of star players and have a unique history.