Key takeaways:
- In 2024, there are 30 NBA teams divided between the Eastern and Western Conferences.
- NBA teams are distributed across 21 states plus Washington, D.C. and in Canada. A comprehensive NBA team map below illustrates their locations.
- California has the highest number of NBA teams, with four: the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
Millions of people from all corners of the world tune into the NBA every season. And yet, the league continues to grow, bringing in new fans each season. If you’re just starting to follow the NBA (National Basketball Association), you might be wondering about a basic yet important detail: How many NBA teams are there?
Understanding the NBA’s structure is key to enjoying the game. How the league’s teams are organized influences everything from which teams fans root for to how the playoffs unfold.
In this article, we dive into the current landscape of the NBA, giving you a straightforward rundown of the number of NBA teams and their locations across North America.
How Many NBA Teams Are There
The NBA has 30 teams.
These teams are divided into two main groups: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Within each conference, there are three divisions, and each division is home to five teams.
The Eastern Conference is organized into the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast divisions. The Western Conference comprises the Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest divisions.
This organization is important because it helps arrange the schedule of games in the season and sets the stage for the journey teams must embark on to make it to the playoffs.
Eastern Conference Teams
| Atlantic | Central | Southeast |
| Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
| New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Hornets |
| New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic |
| Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards |
Western Conference Teams
| Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
| Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
Learn more: How many WNBA teams are there?
Representing Cities and Regions
When we explore the question ‘How many NBA teams are there?’, we’re delving into more than just a count. These 30 teams are spread across North America, representing various cities and communities.
This arrangement means that no matter where you are in the U.S. or Canada, there’s an NBA team for you to cheer on, each with its vibrant history and dedicated followers. It’s this collection of teams that creates the dynamic and exciting landscape of the NBA.
Mapping Out the NBA: NBA Teams by State
To get a real sense of the NBA’s layout, a look at the NBA team map is invaluable. It shows the locations of all 30 teams, not just in the United States but also the one in Canada.
California is a hotspot for NBA action, hosting four teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers in the south and the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings in the north. New York also enjoys a rich basketball presence with its two teams, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Contrast that with Oklahoma, where the Oklahoma City Thunder stands as the sole representative, and several other states that don’t have an NBA team to call their own.
But this spread of teams across the map isn’t only about where they play; it reflects the NBA’s broad appeal and the passionate fan bases that support each team. The map not only shows the locations but also tells a story of basketball’s heartlands and deserts.
The visual guide above offers a straightforward view of NBA teams by state, illustrating the league’s extensive network. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a city with decades of basketball history or a state without a team; the NBA’s influence extends across the entire country.
Learn more: How long are NBA games?
List of All NBA Teams and Their Arenas
Choosing a favorite NBA team can be for many reasons. Perhaps it’s the team your favorite player is on, the one you’ve always cheered for, or it could be about hometown pride—rooting for the team from where you live.
It’s thrilling to know where each NBA team calls home. Below, you’ll find a straightforward list of all the NBA teams, arranged alphabetically for ease, along with the names and cities of their home arenas.
- Atlanta Hawks: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
- Boston Celtics: TD Garden, Boston, MA
- Brooklyn Nets: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
- Charlotte Hornets: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
- Chicago Bulls: United Center, Chicago, IL
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
- Dallas Mavericks: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Denver Nuggets: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
- Detroit Pistons: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
- Indiana Pacers: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (previously known as Bankers Life Fieldhouse), Indianapolis, IN
- Golden State Warriors: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- Houston Rockets: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- Los Angeles Clippers: Crypto.com Arena (also known as Staples Center), Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles Lakers: Crypto.com Arena (also known as Staples Center), Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis Grizzlies: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
- Miami Heat: Kaseya Center (previously known as American Airlines Arena), Miami, FL
- Milwaukee Bucks: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- New Orleans Pelicans: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
- New York Knicks: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
- Orlando Magic: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia 76ers: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix Suns: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
- Portland Trail Blazers: Moda Center, Portland, OR
- Sacramento Kings: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio Spurs: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
- Toronto Raptors: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
- Utah Jazz: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
- Washington Wizards: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
This list is your quick reference to all NBA teams and arenas, giving you a clear guide to each team’s home base. Whether you’re planning to catch a game or simply want to learn more about the teams, this directory connects you to the heart of NBA cities across North America.
Learn more: Who has the most NBA championships?
Understanding NBA Divisions
In the NBA, the 30 teams are split into two conferences, and each conference is further divided into three divisions. These divisions help organize the game schedule and create local rivalries that fans get into.
Eastern Conference Divisions
- Atlantic Division: Teams like the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors are part of this division, representing the Northeastern U.S. and Canada.
- Central Division: Home to teams such as the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, this division includes the Central and Eastern U.S.
- Southeast Division: Teams from the Southeastern U.S., including the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, make up this division.
Western Conference Divisions
- Northwest Division: This division includes teams from the Northwestern U.S., like the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
- Pacific Division: It features teams from the Western U.S., including the famous Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
- Southwest Division: Teams from the South Central U.S., such as the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, are grouped here.
The divisional structure is crucial when it comes to the playoffs. Winning a division means a team automatically gets into the playoffs, encouraging teams to win against their nearest competitors. Where a team stands in its division can also change its seeding and the advantage of playing at home during the playoffs, which shows why division games are so critical.
For you and other fans, knowing about the divisions helps make sense of the regular season’s highs and lows. It also sets the stage for the thrilling playoff showdowns that lead to the championship.
Learn More: Everything to know about the NBA in your go-to NBA guide.
The Evolution of NBA Teams and Expansion Possibilities
From its modest beginnings with 11 teams in 1946, the NBA has grown to include 30 teams, a testament to basketball’s soaring popularity and the league’s ability to engage fans in new areas.
The NBA has historically expanded to tap into new fan bases and spread the game across more areas. Notably, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the league welcomed four new teams, including the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic, introducing professional basketball to Florida.
Since the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets) in 2004, the league’s roster of teams has remained unchanged.
Learn more: Who is the NBA logo?
Is Expansion on the Horizon?
Rumors suggest the NBA might be gearing up to expand again, which would be the first such increase in team numbers in almost two decades.
The cities leading the conversation for NBA expansion are Las Vegas and Seattle.
- Las Vegas, while new to the NBA scene, has proven its mettle in other professional sports and boasts an entertainment scene that could easily embrace an NBA franchise.
- Seattle, with its deep NBA roots, is still feeling the absence of the SuperSonics, who left in 2008, and there’s a passionate campaign to revive an NBA presence in the city.
Potential expansion into these cities would not only alter the answer to ‘how many NBA teams are there’ but also demonstrate the NBA’s dedication to growing the sport and engaging with fans old and new. While these plans are still in the discussion phase, they show the NBA’s willingness to continue investing in the game’s growth.
FAQs
How many teams are there in the NBA?
There are 30 teams in the NBA for the 2023-2024 season.
Which states have the most NBA teams?
California leads with four NBA teams, followed by Texas and New York, which have three. The distribution of teams often correlates with the population and economic size of the states.
What NBA teams no longer exist?
Over the years, some NBA teams have ceased to exist or have undergone changes that effectively removed their original identity. Examples include:
- The Seattle SuperSonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
- The Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis in 2001.
- The Charlotte Bobcats were considered a new team in 2004 after the original Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2002; however, when the New Orleans team became the Pelicans in 2013, the Bobcats reclaimed the Hornets’ name and history.
- The Syracuse Nationals became the Philadelphia 76ers in 1963.
- The St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968.
Are there any NBA teams located outside the United States?
Yes, the NBA has one team outside the United States: the Toronto Raptors, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division and have been part of the NBA since their expansion in 1995.
