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One of the longest championship droughts in professional sports has finally come to an end in the NBA Finals. On Saturday night, the New York Knicks captured the NBA Finals title, snapping a 53-year championship drought. In a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to New York.
Knicks fans will now celebrate their long-awaited return to the top of the NBA. There’s already speculation about a potential repeat and whether New York can build a dynasty of its own. Ironically, the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals, it was the Spurs who launched their own dynasty by defeating New York in 1999.
Most importantly, the Knicks have ended what had been the longest active NBA championship drought among teams that had previously won a title. With New York off the list, several franchises now find themselves carrying the burden of lengthy title droughts. Some have gone nearly 50 years without an NBA championship, while others have never won one at all.
MORE: Ranking the last 10 NBA Champions after New York Knicks’ 2026 title
Here are the longest active droughts among NBA franchises, both since their last championship and among teams still seeking their first title.
Jun 13, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks 7th ave. squad celebrating outside of Madison Square Garden on Plaza 33 while watching the conclusion Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images
Technically, the longest championship drought belongs to the Sacramento Kings, whose franchise last won a title 75 years ago as the Rochester Royals. They are followed by the Atlanta Hawks, who last captured a championship 68 years ago as the St. Louis Hawks.
However, if franchise relocations and name changes are excluded, the distinction belongs to the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland last won an NBA championship in 1977. They now hold the longest active title drought among teams competing under their current identity.
MORE: How to buy New York Knicks NBA championship gear
Like the Knicks, the Trail Blazers last reached the NBA Finals during the 1990s. They twice fell to the eventual dynasty led by the Chicago Bulls. The question now is whether Portland can follow New York’s example. Can they finally end a drought that has stretched nearly five decades?
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with his teammates after the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The franchise with the longest active drought among teams that have never won an NBA championship is the Phoenix Suns. Founded in 1968, the Suns have yet to capture their first NBA title.
Phoenix has reached the NBA Finals three times in franchise history. Most recently, the Suns fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Close behind are the Los Angeles Clippers, who have gone 56 years without winning an NBA championship since the franchise was established.
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Knicks fans will now celebrate their long-awaited return to the top of the NBA. There’s already speculation about a potential repeat and whether New York can build a dynasty of its own. Ironically, the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals, it was the Spurs who launched their own dynasty by defeating New York in 1999.
Most importantly, the Knicks have ended what had been the longest active NBA championship drought among teams that had previously won a title. With New York off the list, several franchises now find themselves carrying the burden of lengthy title droughts. Some have gone nearly 50 years without an NBA championship, while others have never won one at all.
MORE: Ranking the last 10 NBA Champions after New York Knicks’ 2026 title
Here are the longest active droughts among NBA franchises, both since their last championship and among teams still seeking their first title.
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Jun 13, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks 7th ave. squad celebrating outside of Madison Square Garden on Plaza 33 while watching the conclusion Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images
Longest drought since winning an NBA Finals title
Technically, the longest championship drought belongs to the Sacramento Kings, whose franchise last won a title 75 years ago as the Rochester Royals. They are followed by the Atlanta Hawks, who last captured a championship 68 years ago as the St. Louis Hawks.
However, if franchise relocations and name changes are excluded, the distinction belongs to the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland last won an NBA championship in 1977. They now hold the longest active title drought among teams competing under their current identity.
MORE: How to buy New York Knicks NBA championship gear
Like the Knicks, the Trail Blazers last reached the NBA Finals during the 1990s. They twice fell to the eventual dynasty led by the Chicago Bulls. The question now is whether Portland can follow New York’s example. Can they finally end a drought that has stretched nearly five decades?
You must be registered for see images attach
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with his teammates after the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Longest drought without an NBA Finals title
The franchise with the longest active drought among teams that have never won an NBA championship is the Phoenix Suns. Founded in 1968, the Suns have yet to capture their first NBA title.
Phoenix has reached the NBA Finals three times in franchise history. Most recently, the Suns fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Close behind are the Los Angeles Clippers, who have gone 56 years without winning an NBA championship since the franchise was established.
Continue reading...
