NBA G League Championship History
The NBA's official minor league began play in
2001-02 as the National Basketball Development
League, commonly known as the NBDL.
The league later became known as the NBA Development League, or
NBA D-League, before adopting the NBA G League
name beginning with the 2017-18 season.
The championship format has changed several times over the league's
history. Some early championship rounds were decided by a single game,
while later Finals have generally used a best-of-three format.
NBA G League Champions by Season
| Season |
Champion |
Runner-Up |
Series |
| 2025-26 |
Greensboro Swarm |
Stockton Kings |
2-0 |
| 2024-25 |
Stockton Kings |
Osceola Magic |
2-1 |
| 2023-24 |
Oklahoma City Blue |
Maine Celtics |
2-1 |
| 2022-23 |
Delaware Blue Coats |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
2-0 |
| 2021-22 |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
Delaware Blue Coats |
2-0 |
| 2020-21 |
Lakeland Magic |
Delaware Blue Coats |
1-0 |
| 2019-20 |
No NBA G League playoffs were held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
| 2018-19 |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
Long Island Nets |
2-1 |
| 2017-18 |
Austin Spurs |
Raptors 905 |
2-0 |
| 2016-17 |
Raptors 905 |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
2-1 |
| 2015-16 |
Sioux Falls Skyforce |
Los Angeles D-Fenders |
2-1 |
| 2014-15 |
Santa Cruz Warriors |
Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
2-0 |
| 2013-14 |
Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
Santa Cruz Warriors |
2-0 |
| 2012-13 |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
Santa Cruz Warriors |
2-0 |
| 2011-12 |
Austin Toros |
Los Angeles D-Fenders |
2-1 |
| 2010-11 |
Iowa Energy |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
2-1 |
| 2009-10 |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
Tulsa 66ers |
2-0 |
| 2008-09 |
Colorado 14ers |
Utah Flash |
2-0 |
| 2007-08 |
Idaho Stampede |
Austin Toros |
2-1 |
| 2006-07 |
Dakota Wizards |
Colorado 14ers |
1-0 |
| 2005-06 |
Albuquerque Thunderbirds |
Fort Wayne Flyers |
1-0 |
| 2004-05 |
Asheville Altitude |
Columbus Riverdragons |
1-0 |
| 2003-04 |
Asheville Altitude |
Huntsville Flight |
1-0 |
| 2002-03 |
Mobile Revelers |
Fayetteville Patriots |
2-1 |
| 2001-02 |
Greenville Groove |
North Charleston Lowgators |
2-0 |
G League Championship Facts
-
Greenville Groove won the first NBDL championship
in 2001-02, defeating the North Charleston Lowgators 2-0.
-
Asheville Altitude became the first franchise to win
back-to-back championships, winning in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
-
Rio Grande Valley Vipers have been one of the most
successful franchises in league history, winning championships in
2009-10, 2012-13, 2018-19 and 2021-22.
-
The 2019-20 postseason was canceled because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, so no champion was crowned.
-
Lakeland Magic won the 2020-21 championship in a
single-game Final against the Delaware Blue Coats.
-
Stockton Kings won their first NBA G League
championship in 2024-25 by defeating the Osceola Magic 2-1.
-
Greensboro Swarm won their first NBA G League title
in 2025-26, sweeping the defending champion Stockton Kings 2-0.
2025-26 NBA G League Finals
The Greensboro Swarm defeated the Stockton Kings in two games to win
the 2025-26 NBA G League championship. Greensboro won Game 1,
111-107, before completing the sweep with a
119-104 victory in Game 2.
The championship was the first in Greensboro Swarm franchise history.
Tosan Evbuomwan was named NBA G League Finals MVP
after averaging 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists during the
series.
NBA Minor League Name Changes
2001-2005: National Basketball Development League
(NBDL)
2005-2017: NBA Development League (NBA D-League)
2017-present: NBA G League
Although the league's name has changed, the championship history above
is continuous from the inaugural 2001-02 season.
