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No matter who comes out victorious in the 2025 NBA Finals, one thing is for certain — a long championship drought will be snapped.
This is the second NBA Finals in which both participants are on title droughts that exceed 40 years, according to ESPN Research. A win against the Thunder would make him the fourth head coach to win titles with multiple franchises, joining Alex Hannum, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.
The Oklahoma City Thunder technically have one title as the Seattle SuperSonics, who were champions in 1979. Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The first Heat-Mavericks matchup marked the only NBA Finals series since 1980 where neither team had won a championship entering it. This was also the first Finals appearance for both franchises outright.
Wade led the way for Miamis championship, averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals in a stellar performance. The Spurs had one championship heading into the series, but were about to string together three more in five seasons.
Tim Duncan earned NBA Finals MVP honors after averaging 24.2 points, 17 rebounds plus 5.3 assists and blocks each. He dropped a near-quadruple double in the clincher with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and eight blocks.
Combined titles: One
Winner: Rockets win 4-0
Houstons second of its back-to-back championships marked the end of an improbable run.
