Celtics' Playoff Exit Marks Another Unbelievable Trend for Defending NBA Champions
The Boston Celtics were ousted from the playoffs, adding to an ongoing trend of defending champions struggling to advance in recent years.
Just a few years ago, fans were often voicing their frustrations about the NBA’s lack of parity. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers faced off in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, prompting discussions about whether the league had become predictable.
Well, that narrative has certainly changed.
On May 16, 2025, the Boston Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs following a 119-81 defeat against the New York Knicks. This marks a trend where no defending NBA champion has progressed beyond the second round since the Warriors last reached the Finals in 2019. While injuries and unexpected challenges can account for some of this, the current inability of champions to reach conference finals is remarkable.
Recent Champions’ Early Playoff Exits
- 2020: Golden State Warriors (Missed playoffs with a 16-49 record)
- 2021: Los Angeles Lakers (First playoff round loss to Phoenix Suns)
- 2022: Milwaukee Bucks (Second round loss to Boston Celtics)
- 2023: Golden State Warriors (Second round exit against the Lakers)
- 2024: Denver Nuggets (Second round loss to Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 2025: Boston Celtics (Second round exit against New York Knicks)
In 2025, the Celtics lost star player Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury in Game 4 against the Knicks, adding to the physically demanding nature of the playoffs, while other champions have also struggled against heightened competition in successive seasons.
With teams like the Knicks, Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and the possibility of facing either the Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals, the league appears poised for an unpredictable championship outcome, with the Thunder holding the best record yet considered a target for an upset.
Implications for Future Championships
We are set to witness a new champion for the seventh consecutive NBA season. As financial limits impact high-spending teams, consistently managing a lineup filled with superstars alongside capable role players may become unsustainable, suggesting this trend could persist in the coming years.
