The National Basketball League (NBL) Finals is a tournament held at the end of each NBL season to determine the league champions.
Quick Facts Sport, Founded ...
Close
The top six teams qualify for the finals based on the regular season results. The current finals format consists of four rounds: two sudden-death play-in games then the best-of-three Semifinals and best-of-five Grand Final series.[1]
1980–1983
| Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
| 1
|
|
| | |
|
| 4
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
| |
| |
| 3
|
|
| |
1984
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Preliminary / Elimination finals | | | Qualifying finals | | | | Semifinals | | | Grand final |
|
| | | | |
|
| 1 | | | |
| | | | | |
| 4 | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| 5 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| 6 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 7 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| | |
| 3 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
1985
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
| | |
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
| | |
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
| | |
1986
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
| | |
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
| | |
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
| | |
1987–1988
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
| | |
1989–1991
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| | |
1992–1996
| Quarterfinals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1
|
|
|
|
| | | |
|
| 8
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 4
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| | |
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 7
|
|
|
|
| |
1997–1998
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| | |
1999
| Qualifying Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 1
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
|
|
| | |
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| |
The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:
- The first round of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes sixth; second plays fifth, and third plays fourth.
- The three teams that win their respective best-of-three first-round series advances, and is joined in the semifinals by the highest-placed losing team from the first round.
- Teams are then seeded again for the best-of-three semifinal series. The three winning teams from the first round are seeded in order of their regular-season finishing positions, and the first-round loser automatically becomes the No. 4 seed.
- The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-three Grand Final series to determine the champion.
2000
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| | |
2001–2003
| Qualifying Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 1
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
|
|
| | |
| |
| 5
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 6
|
|
|
|
| |
2004–2008
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Elimination Finals | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Grand Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | | | | |
| | |
| | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | 2 | | | | | |
| | |
| | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | Third place |
| | | | |
| 6 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| 7 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
2009
| Elimination Finals
| | | Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 4
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 5
|
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | 2
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
| 3
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 6
|
|
| | |
2010–2016
| Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| 4
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| |
2017–2022
| Semifinals
| | | Grand Final
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| 4
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 2
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 3
|
|
|
|
| |
The top four teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:
- The semifinals of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes fourth; and second plays third. All four teams play a best-of-three semifinal series.
- The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-five Grand Final series to determine the champion.[2]
2023–present
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Play-in / Seeding qualifier | | | Play-in game | | | Semifinals | | | Grand Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| 5 | | | 1 | | | | |
| | | | | |
| 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | 2 | | | | | |
| | | | |
| 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
This is a complete listing of National Basketball League (NBL) Finals series, grouped by franchise. Series featuring relocated and/or renamed teams are kept with their ultimate relocation franchises. Bolded years indicate wins. Years in italics indicate series in progress. Tables are sorted first by the number of series, then the number of wins, and then by year of first occurrence.[3][4]
Adelaide 36ers
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Perth Wildcats |
10 |
1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2018 |
25 |
4–6 |
.400 |
Melbourne United |
5 |
1991, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2018 |
13 |
3–2 |
.600 |
Illawarra Hawks |
5 |
1986, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2017 |
11 |
3–2 |
.600 |
Victoria Titans |
4 |
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 |
12 |
3–1 |
.750 |
Brisbane Bullets |
4 |
1985, 1986, 1994, 2005 |
8 |
2–2 |
.500 |
S.E. Melbourne Magic |
3 |
1993, 1996, 1998 |
6 |
1–2 |
.333 |
Newcastle Falcons |
2 |
1985,1995 |
4 |
0–2 |
.000 |
New Zealand Breakers |
2 |
2009, 2015 |
3 |
0–2 |
.000 |
West Sydney Razorbacks |
1 |
2002 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Canberra Cannons |
1 |
1988 |
2 |
0–2 |
.000 |
North Melbourne Giants |
1 |
1994 |
2 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Nunawading Spectres |
1 |
1984 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Cairns Taipans |
1 |
2006 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Totals |
40 |
|
91 |
17–24 |
.415 |
Close
As of the end of the 2018 season
Brisbane Bullets
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Perth Wildcats |
7 |
1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2019 |
14 |
1–6 |
.143 |
Melbourne United |
6 |
1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 |
14 |
3–3 |
.500 |
Sydney Kings |
5 |
1990, 1992, 2004, 2005, 2007 |
11 |
2–3 |
.400 |
Adelaide 36ers |
4 |
1985, 1986, 1994, 2005 |
8 |
2–2 |
.500 |
Canberra Cannons |
3 |
1984, 1985, 1986 |
3 |
2–1 |
.667 |
North Melbourne Giants |
2 |
1984, 1995 |
3 |
1–1 |
.500 |
Illawarra Hawks |
1 |
1987 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Newcastle Falcons |
1 |
1993 |
2 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Eastside Spectres |
1 |
1990 |
2 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
S.E. Melbourne Magic |
1 |
1998 |
2 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Geelong Supercats |
1 |
1984 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Hunter Pirates |
1 |
2005 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
New Zealand Breakers |
1 |
2008 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Sydney Supersonics |
1 |
1986 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Launceston Casino City |
1 |
1981 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
West Adelaide Bearcats |
1 |
1980 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Totals |
37 |
|
68 |
18–19 |
.486 |
Close
As of the end of the 2019 season
Cairns Taipans
More information Opponent, S ...
Close
As of the end of the 2023 season
Illawarra Hawks
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Perth Wildcats |
10 |
1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
24 |
1–9 |
.100 |
Adelaide 36ers |
5 |
1986, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2017 |
11 |
2–3 |
.400 |
Townsville Crocodiles |
4 |
2001, 2003, 2005 2010 |
10 |
4–0 |
1.000 |
Melbourne United |
3 |
1993, 1994, 2024 |
7 |
0–3 |
.000 |
Sydney Kings |
2 |
2005, 2022 |
5 |
0–2 |
.000 |
North Melbourne Giants |
2 |
1987, 1992 |
3 |
1–1 |
.500 |
Brisbane Bullets |
1 |
1987 |
3 |
0–1 |
.000 |
S.E. Melbourne Magic |
1 |
1995 |
3 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Victoria Titans |
1 |
1999 |
2 |
0–1 |
.000 |
West Sydney Razorbacks |
1 |
2004 |
2 |
0–1 |
.000 |
New Zealand Breakers |
1 |
2024 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
West Sydney Westars |
1 |
1986 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Newcastle Falcons |
1 |
1984 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Tasmania JackJumpers |
1 |
2024 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Totals |
34 |
|
74 |
10–24 |
.294 |
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
Melbourne United
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Perth Wildcats |
8 |
1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021 |
21 |
5–3 |
.625 |
Sydney Kings |
7 |
1989, 1992, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 |
22 |
4–3 |
.571 |
Brisbane Bullets |
6 |
1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 |
14 |
3–3 |
.500 |
Adelaide 36ers |
5 |
1991, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2018 |
13 |
2–3 |
.400 |
S.E. Melbourne Magic |
4 |
1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 |
11 |
2–2 |
.500 |
Victoria Titans |
3 |
1999, 2000, 2002 |
8 |
1–2 |
.333 |
Illawarra Hawks |
3 |
1993, 1994, 2024 |
7 |
3–0 |
1.000 |
New Zealand Breakers |
3 |
2009, 2016, 2018 |
6 |
2–1 |
.667 |
Tasmania JackJumpers |
2 |
2022, 2024 |
8 |
0–2 |
.000 |
South Dragons |
1 |
2009 |
5 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Canberra Cannons |
1 |
1996 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix |
1 |
2021 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
West Sydney Razorbacks |
1 |
2002 |
3 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Cairns Taipans |
1 |
2007 |
2 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
North Melbourne Giants |
1 |
1997 |
2 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Townsville Crocodiles |
1 |
2005 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Totals |
48 |
|
129 |
26–22 |
.542 |
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
New Zealand Breakers
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Perth Wildcats |
4 |
2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 |
11 |
3–1 |
.750 |
Sydney Kings |
3 |
2013, 2023, 2024 |
8 |
2–1 |
.667 |
Cairns Taipans |
3 |
2008, 2011, 2015 |
6 |
3–0 |
1.000 |
Melbourne United |
3 |
2009, 2016, 2018 |
6 |
1–2 |
.333 |
Adelaide 36ers |
2 |
2009, 2015 |
3 |
2–0 |
1.000 |
Tasmania JackJumpers |
1 |
2023 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Townsville Crocodiles |
1 |
2012 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Brisbane Bullets |
1 |
2008 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Illawarra Hawks |
1 |
2024 |
1 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Totals |
19 |
|
42 |
13–6 |
.684 |
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
Perth Wildcats
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Adelaide 36ers |
10 |
1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2018 |
25 |
6–4 |
.600 |
Illawarra Hawks |
10 |
1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
24 |
9–1 |
.100 |
Melbourne United |
8 |
1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021 |
21 |
3–5 |
.375 |
Brisbane Bullets |
7 |
1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2019 |
14 |
6–1 |
.857 |
Cairns Taipans |
6 |
2004, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 |
10 |
2–4 |
.333 |
North Melbourne Giants |
5 |
1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995 |
15 |
3–2 |
.600 |
New Zealand Breakers |
4 |
2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 |
11 |
1–3 |
.250 |
Sydney Kings |
3 |
2003, 2008, 2020 |
8 |
1–2 |
.333 |
Townsville Crocodiles |
3 |
2000, 2008, 2009 |
5 |
2–1 |
.667 |
Gold Coast Blaze |
2 |
2010, 2012 |
5 |
2–0 |
1.000 |
West Sydney Razorbacks |
2 |
2000, 2002 |
5 |
1–1 |
.500 |
S.E. Melbourne Magic |
2 |
1994, 1997 |
4 |
0–2 |
.000 |
Eastside Spectres |
1 |
1991 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Tasmania JackJumpers |
1 |
2024 |
3 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Victoria Titans |
1 |
2000 |
2 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Canberra Cannons |
1 |
1987 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix |
1 |
2023 |
1 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Totals |
67 |
|
157 |
40–27 |
.597 |
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
More information Opponent, S ...
Close
As of the end of the 2023 season
Sydney Kings
More information Opponent, S ...
Opponent |
S |
Occurrences |
GP |
Rec |
% |
Melbourne United |
7 |
1989, 1992, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 |
22 |
3–4 |
.429 |
Brisbane Bullets |
5 |
1990, 1992, 2004, 2005, 2007 |
11 |
3–2 |
.600 |
Perth Wildcats |
3 |
2003, 2008, 2020 |
8 |
2–1 |
.667 |
New Zealand Breakers |
3 |
2013, 2023, 2024 |
8 |
1–2 |
.333 |
Townsville Crocodiles |
3 |
2001, 2003, 2007 |
7 |
2–1 |
.667 |
Canberra Cannons |
2 |
1989, 1996 |
6 |
0–2 |
.000 |
Cairns Taipans |
2 |
2006, 2023 |
5 |
2–0 |
1.000 |
Illawarra Hawks |
2 |
2005, 2022 |
5 |
2–0 |
1.000 |
West Sydney Razorbacks |
1 |
2004 |
5 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
North Melbourne Giants |
1 |
1994 |
3 |
0–1 |
.000 |
Tasmania JackJumpers |
1 |
2022 |
3 |
1–0 |
1.000 |
Totals |
30 |
|
83 |
17–13 |
.567 |
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
Tasmania JackJumpers
More information Opponent, S ...
Close
As of the end of the 2024 season
More information Team, Appearances ...
Close