The Western Conference is experiencing one of the most open and competitive periods in recent NBA history. One statistic perfectly sums it up: over the last six seasons, a different team has represented the West in the NBA Finals each year.
The streak began with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, continued with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, followed by the Golden State Warriors in 2022, then the Denver Nuggets in 2023, the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Six seasons, six different paths to the fight for the championship.
A similar sequence hasn't been seen since the period between the 1972-73 and 1977-78 seasons, which reflects the enormous balance currently present in a conference historically dominated by long cycles of specific franchises.
This scenario confirms a shift in trend in modern NBA basketball: roster depth, stars distributed across multiple franchises, and projects capable of competing immediately. In the West, there is no longer a fixed owner of the throne, and each season begins with several legitimate title contenders. So, will the Oklahoma City Thunder be able to break the streak of alternations?