Most Popular NBA Teams

Ask ten basketball fans who the most popular NBA team is and you’ll probably
start a full-blown bar debate. Some swear it’s the Los Angeles Lakers
because of Showtime, Kobe, and LeBron. Others point to the Golden State
Warriors and their dynasty built on three-pointers from another galaxy.
Then there are the old-school fans who will die on the Boston Celtics or
Chicago Bulls hill forever.

The truth? Popularity in the NBA is a mix of history, star power, social
media, ticket demand, and how often a team shows up in your group chat
memes. In this favorite basketball team list, we’ll break down the most
popular NBA teams today, why fans love them, and what makes their brands
so powerful on and off the court.

How We Measured “Most Popular” NBA Teams

Before we start fights on behalf of your favorite franchise, here’s how
we’re looking at “most popular” in 2025:

• Ticket demand and in-arena buzz – Which teams command the highest average ticket prices and travel well on the road?
• Social media following – Who dominates on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook in terms of followers and engagement?
• Merchandise and jersey sales – Whose logos and jerseys fly off the shelves?
• Franchise value and brand power – Which teams are worth the most and get the most national attention?
• History, championships, and narrative – Dynasties, rivalries, and iconic players all matter.

Put all of that together and you get a good picture of which teams rule the
global NBA conversation right now.

Top 10 Most Popular NBA Teams Right Now

1. Los Angeles Lakers – Hollywood’s Basketball Empire

The Los Angeles Lakers are the closest thing the NBA has to a royal family.
From Magic Johnson and Kareem to Shaq and Kobe to LeBron and now a new
superstar era, the Lakers’ brand is built on rings, drama, and prime-time
TV slots.

They’re consistently at or near the top in merchandise sales, TV ratings,
social media buzz, and road game attendance. Lakers away games often feel
like neutral-site events because there are so many fans in purple and gold.
Add in the celebrity courtside crowd and the Laker mystique basically sells
itself.

If you’re a new fan and want to jump onto a team that’s always in the
spotlight, it’s almost impossible to ignore the Lakers.

2. Golden State Warriors – The Three-Point Revolution

No team has changed how basketball is played in the modern era quite like
the Golden State Warriors. Their dynasty, led by Stephen Curry, Klay
Thompson, and Draymond Green, turned the three-point line into a primary
weapon and made “shooting from the logo” seem normal.

The Warriors combine a massive social media presence, packed arenas in San
Francisco, and one of the most recognizable superstars on the planet in
Curry. Their fast-paced, three-heavy style made them the “gateway team” for
a whole generation of younger fans who fell in love with NBA basketball
through viral highlights.

Even when they’re not winning titles, the Warriors’ brand power keeps them
firmly in the “most popular NBA teams” conversation.

3. Boston Celtics – Tradition, Trophies, and Intense Fans

The Boston Celtics are that historic franchise your basketball-obsessed
uncle won’t stop talking aboutand lately, they’ve given him plenty of new
material. With the most championships in league history and a recent title
win, the Celtics have successfully linked their past legends to a new era
built around modern stars.

Their fan base is famous for being passionate, loud, and everywhere. The
green-and-white brand is instantly recognizable worldwide, and Celtics gear
remains one of the hottest sellers every season. If you’re drawn to legacy,
rivalries (especially with the Lakers), and hard-nosed basketball, Boston
is an easy team to fall for.

4. Chicago Bulls – The Global Legacy of Michael Jordan

The Chicago Bulls are proof that one player can completely transform the
trajectory of a franchise. Michael Jordan’s six championships in the ’90s
didn’t just build a dynasty; they turned the Bulls into a global icon.

Even decades later, the red Bulls logo with the horns is one of the most
recognizable sports symbols on Earth. The team might not always be a title
contender now, but their brand power remains huge. Bulls jerseys, caps, and
jackets are still incredibly populareven among casual fans who never saw
Jordan play live.

If you love nostalgia, classic uniforms, and a franchise that still rides
the wave of GOAT energy, the Bulls are a top-tier choice.

5. New York Knicks – Basketball Under the Brightest Lights

The New York Knicks play in Madison Square Garden, often called “the Mecca
of Basketball.” Even when the team struggles, the arena is packed, the
tickets are expensive, and the spotlight is blinding.

The Knicks are regularly near the top of franchise value rankings, thanks
to New York’s massive media market, dedicated fan base, and global
visibility. Their fans are famously loyal (and brutally honest), which only
adds to the entertainment value.

Recently, with more competitive rosters and playoff appearances, Knicks
fever has ramped back up. If you like big-city energy, bold fan culture,
and a team that always feels important, the Knicks are a strong contender
for your favorite NBA team.

6. Miami Heat – Culture, Grit, and South Beach Swagger

The Miami Heat don’t just sell sunshine and palm trees. They sell “Heat
Culture”a franchise identity built on conditioning, discipline, and
outworking opponents. From the Shaq–Wade era to the LeBron-led “Heatles”
superteam to their gritty recent Finals runs, the Heat have earned a
reputation as one of the league’s toughest organizations.

Style-wise, they’re also a powerhouse. The Heat’s alternate and
“Vice City”-inspired uniforms turned into some of the most beloved jersey
designs in the modern NBA, fueling merch sales and social buzz.

If you’re into a franchise that mixes glamour with grind, and one that
consistently punches above its weight in the playoffs, Miami is a very easy
team to love.

7. Dallas Mavericks – Star Power and Loyal Fans

The Dallas Mavericks hit the global map with Dirk Nowitzki’s legendary
2011 championship run, where they took down a heavily favored superteam.
Today, they’re back in the international spotlight thanks to a new era of
superstar talent and eye-catching offense.

The Mavs draw strong local support, consistently solid TV ratings, and
plenty of online chatter. Their fans are known for sticking with the team
through ups and downs, and Dallas has become a go-to franchise for
international fans who fall in love with their star players.

8. Philadelphia 76ers – Process, Passion, and a Deep History

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the most intense and vocal fan bases in
sports. This is the franchise that went from Dr. J and Allen Iverson to the
infamous “Trust the Process” rebuild eraand somehow turned all of that
chaos into a defining identity.

Sixers fans are everywhere online, extremely engaged, and never shy about
expressing their opinions. The team plays in a big sports city that lives
and breathes competition, which boosts ticket demand and keeps Philly in
the national conversation.

If you like a little bit of drama, a lot of passion, and a franchise that
always feels like something big is about to happen, the Sixers might be
your squad.

9. Houston Rockets – Youth, History, and a Massive Market

Based in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the United States,
the Houston Rockets have long been a global-facing franchise. From the
Hakeem Olajuwon era to the Yao Ming years to recent high-octane offenses,
the Rockets have had a big footprint in both U.S. and international
markets.

Even during rebuild phases, the Rockets still rank well in social media
followers and international interest. With young talent and plenty of
future potential, Houston remains a popular pick among fans who like
high-scoring games and long-term upside.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder – Small Market, Huge Energy

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reminder that you don’t need a giant
coastal city to build a powerful basketball culture. Their early years with
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden created some of the most
exciting young teams in recent NBA history.

Today, OKC has rebuilt yet again with another wave of young stars, making
them one of the league’s trendiest “League Pass favorite” teams. Their fan
base is extremely loyal, the arena atmosphere is loud, and their on-court
style is fun to watch.

If you like underdog stories, player development, and a franchise that
feels like it’s always one step away from something big, the Thunder are
an excellent choice.

Other NBA Teams with Strong, Growing Fan Bases

Of course, popularity isn’t limited to just ten franchises. A few other
teams are worth mentioning when talking about the most popular NBA teams:

• Milwaukee Bucks – A smaller market team with a global
  superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo and recent championship success. They
  punch way above their market size in global recognition.
• Brooklyn Nets – Their recent superstar experiment may
  have ended, but it turbocharged their social media presence and brand
  visibility. Plus, they’re in New York, which never hurts.
• San Antonio Spurs – Built on decades of winning and a
  reputation for smart, team-first basketball, they’ve regained spotlight
  thanks to another generational prospect.
• Phoenix Suns – A franchise that’s been in the mix
  consistently in recent seasons, with high-octane offense and deep
  playoff runs helping grow the fan base.

The key takeaway: the NBA has reached a point where multiple teams can be
“most popular” depending on whether you’re looking at TV markets, social
media, streaming, or international fan bases.

How to Choose Your Own Favorite NBA Team

Picking a favorite NBA team is a bit like choosing a streaming service:
there’s a lot of overlap, but which one you commit to says something about
you. Here are a few ways to decide:

1. Follow the Star Player You Love

Many fans pick a team because of one player. Maybe you fell in love with a
point guard’s handles or a center’s shot-blocking highlight reel. If you
can’t stop watching one player’s clips, it’s completely normal to adopt
their team as your own.

2. Choose by City or Region

If you live near an NBA cityor dream of visiting onerooting for that
local team can be incredibly rewarding. You get the full experience:
watching games live, running into other fans, and living the highs and lows
together.

3. Pick a Team Based on Identity

Every franchise has vibes:

• Lakers / Warriors – Star-driven, flashy, and always in the spotlight.
• Celtics / Heat – Culture, toughness, and identity-focused.
• Bulls / Knicks – Iconic branding, big-stage drama.
• Thunder / Spurs – Development, youth, and smart team-building.

If you know what kind of story you like, there’s a franchise that fits it.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different

Sure, cheering for a global powerhouse is funbut picking a smaller market
team on the rise can be even more satisfying. When that team finally breaks
through, you get to be the fan who says, “I was here before it was cool.”

500+ Words of Real Fan Experience: Living Life with a Favorite NBA Team

Numbers, rankings, and valuations are cool, but being a fan of one of the
most popular NBA teams is really about moments. It’s the feeling of
watching a game at 2 a.m. in another time zone because your team is playing
a West Coast rivalry. It’s the way your heart drops when your favorite
player misses a free throwand then you defend them in the group chat
anyway.

Take a Lakers fan, for example. On paper, you see championship banners,
star power, and Hollywood. But if you talk to someone who grew up loving
the Lakers, they’ll tell you about watching grainy highlight tapes, staying
up for late tip-offs, and the first time they saw purple and gold in person
at an arena. They’ll remember exact plays from playoff runs and weird
regular-season games where a bench player randomly scored 30.

A Warriors fan might talk about the transformation from being a relatively
overlooked franchise to becoming appointment viewing. They remember the
first time Curry pulled up from way beyond the arc and you could feel
everyone in the arenaand on the couchlean forward at the same time.
Suddenly, kids on playgrounds everywhere were taking logo threes and
yelling “Curry!” instead of “Kobe!”

Bulls fans will tell you that being part of a global brand is a blessing
and a curse. Yes, the Jordan era made the team legendary, but it also set a
bar that future generations are constantly measured against. Still, when
you’re walking around another country and see someone in a red Bulls
jersey, there’s an instant, unspoken connection. You nod. They nod. No
words needed.

Knicks fans, on the other hand, practically deserve therapy credits. Their
relationship with their team is intense, emotional, and occasionally
chaotic. But that’s part of the charm. When the Knicks are good, New York
City feels different. Bars are louder, subways are full of jerseys, and
Madison Square Garden feels like the center of the sports universe.

Then there are fans of rising teams like the Thunder, who get to enjoy the
rare experience of watching a young core grow together. Every stepfrom
making the play-in to winning a playoff seriesfeels huge. There’s a
special kind of pride in knowing you followed the team from early rebuild
days to big-stage success.

Social media has also changed what it means to root for one of the most
popular NBA teams. You’re not limited to watching games on TV; you’re
interacting with other fans around the world, liking behind-the-scenes
content, watching mic’d-up moments, and seeing your team trend for both
good and hilariously bad reasons. When your team loses a heartbreaker at
the buzzer, you can instantly find thousands of other people feeling
exactly what you’re feeling.

Being a fan is also about tiny rituals. Maybe you always wear the same hat
on game day. Maybe you have a tradition of ordering the same food for big
playoff games. Maybe you have a group chat that only exists for your
team’s games, full of live reactions, overreactions, and occasional
conspiracy theories about the referees.

And here’s the fun part: your favorite team doesn’t have to be permanent.
Some people stay loyal to one franchise forever. Others follow players,
eras, or stories. You might start out as a Warriors fan because of Curry,
then slowly fall in love with the culture of another team. Or you might
casually watch the league, then one playoff series sucks you in andboom
you’ve found your team.

In the end, the “most popular NBA team” isn’t just the one with the most
followers, highest ticket prices, or biggest franchise value. It’s the one
that makes you feel something. The one that has you refreshing the score
app every few minutes when you can’t watch live. The one that makes a
random Wednesday night game feel like an event.

So whether you ride with a legendary giant like the Lakers or Celtics, a
global icon like the Bulls, a big-city powerhouse like the Knicks, or a
rising force like the Thunder, what matters most is this: once you find
your favorite NBA team, every season suddenly feels like your story too.

Conclusion: So, Who Should You Root For?

The most popular NBA teamsLakers, Warriors, Celtics, Bulls, Knicks, Heat,
and moreearned their status with a mix of history, high-stakes games,
superstar talent, and fan bases that simply refuse to be quiet. But
choosing a favorite basketball team is ultimately personal.

Use this favorite basketball team list as a guide, not a rulebook. Check
out a few games, follow different franchises on social media, and pay
attention to which team you can’t stop thinking about. That’s your answer.

And once you’ve picked your side, welcome to the club. Just remember: you’re
not just watching the NBA anymoreyou’re emotionally invested. No refunds.