Top 5 Best All-Time NBA Rivalries That Everyone Won't Forget in Basketball History

NBA rivalries are one of the best things that every NBA fan has experienced. During the playoffs, formidable teams are always up for the challenge to amaze the crowd. It's always the intensity that is precious to fans. Every trash talk, comeback win, lopsided scores, and miscalls are what make each game interesting.

Some matchups are already wars, and after some decades, they remain relevant. Here are the iconic rivalries that will be memorable for years to come.

What Makes a True NBA Playoff Rivalry?

Not every playoff matchup qualifies as a rivalry. The greatest NBA playoff rivalries share three defining traits:

• Repeated postseason encounters within a specific time frame
• Meaningful stakes, including multiple series wins or championships
• Drama, whether through physical play, controversy, heartbreak, or historic moments

The rivalries below check every box, and then some.

Chicago Bulls vs. the Bad Boys Pistons

Before Michael Jordan became untouchable, the Detroit Pistons stood firmly in his way. From 1988 to 1991, the Bulls faced the Pistons in the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, including three straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

Detroit's infamous "Jordan Rules" turned every possession into a battle, helping the Pistons eliminate Chicago in 1989 and 1990. The tide finally turned in 1991, when Jordan and the Bulls swept Detroit en route to their first NBA championship.

The Pistons' refusal to shake hands after that loss sealed this rivalry as one of the most hostile and symbolic in NBA history. It marked the final obstacle before the Bulls' dynasty began.

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

No rivalry defines the NBA like Celtics vs. Lakers. While Boston dominated early encounters, the rivalry reached its modern peak in the late 2000s.

Boston's Big Three dismantled Kobe Bryant's Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, highlighted by the iconic "Wheelchair Game." Two years later, Los Angeles responded with vengeance, grinding out a physical Game 7 victory in the 2010 Finals.

That win gave Kobe redemption and pulled the Lakers within one championship of Boston's historic total. Every matchup felt like heavyweight boxing, two titans trading blows on the sport's biggest stage.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

In the mid-2000s, Steve Nash's Suns gave Kobe Bryant's Lakers constant trouble. Phoenix eliminated Los Angeles in both 2006 and 2007, using blistering pace and elite shooting to overwhelm them.

The 2006 series, remembered for Raja Bell's infamous hard foul and Tim Thomas' clutch shots, remains etched in playoff lore. Redemption finally came in the 2010 Western Conference Finals, when Ron Artest's game-winning putback in Game 5 swung the series.

The Lakers closed out Phoenix soon after, ending a rivalry built on equal parts contempt and respect.

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

Few rivalries are as deeply rooted in geography and history as Celtics vs. Knicks. Spanning more than seven decades, this rivalry was reignited in 2025 when New York stunned Boston with a shocking playoff victory.

Epic road wins, a season-ending injury to Jayson Tatum, and a fearless Knicks squad injected fresh life into the matchup, hinting at a potential power shift in the Eastern Conference.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

Texas basketball reached its peak during the Spurs–Mavericks playoff wars from 2001 to 2014. Their 2006 Western Conference Semifinals remain legendary, featuring suspensions, overtime thrillers, and Dirk Nowitzki's unforgettable Game 7 performance.

Both franchises enjoyed success during this era, but nothing matched the emotional intensity of those clashes. They are still relevant this year, especially with the rise of youngbloods from both teams like Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Cooper Flagg, and more.