The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams, with 29 located in the United States and one in Canada. Founded on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the league adopted its current name after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949. The NBA is headquartered in Latest York City and Secaucus, New Jersey, and operates under the leadership of Commissioner Adam Silver. The league’s regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games, followed by a postseason tournament that culminates in the NBA Finals in June. The NBA is widely recognized as the premier professional basketball league in the world and is a member of USA Basketball, which is recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as the national governing body for basketball in the United States. The league features a diverse international presence, with players from numerous countries contributing to its global appeal. As of the 2025–26 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the most recent champions, having won their second title. The Boston Celtics hold the record for the most NBA championships with 18 titles. The league broadcasts its games through major networks including ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV in the United States, and TSN, Sportsnet, and NBA TV Canada in Canada, reaching audiences worldwide. The NBA is structured into two conferences—the Eastern and Western Conferences—each divided into three divisions. Teams are organized geographically, with franchises spanning major metropolitan areas across the U.S. And the single Canadian franchise, the Toronto Raptors. The league continues to grow in popularity and influence, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of global sports culture.
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