Basketball, Listed presents an overall timeline of basketball history, broken into five parts, and timelines of the sport’s greatest dynasties.
Historical timelines
Timeline of basketball history: 1891-1945
Part one of our timeline of basketball history incorporates the years 1891 through 1945, from the game’s invention to the barnstorming years, to early leagues, to the creation of the NBA (BAA)
Timeline of basketball history: 1946-1969
Part two of our timeline of basketball history incorporates the years 1946 through 1969, including racial integration, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, George Mikan, and the Bill Russell Celtics
Timeline of basketball history: 1970-1989
Part three of our timeline of basketball history incorporates the years 1970 through 1989, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the rise and fall of the ABA, the modernization of March Madness, David Stern’s ascension, and the Magic-Bird rivalry
Timeline of basketball history: 1990-2009
Part four of our timeline of basketball history incorporates the years 1990 through 2009, with Michael Jordan’s Bulls dynasty, Shaq and Kobe, the WNBA forming, a devastating lockout, the “Dream Team,” and the “Redeem Team”
Timeline of basketball history: 2010-2026
Part five of our timeline of basketball history incorporates the years 2010 through today. It includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Giannis, Nikola Jokic, Caitlin Clark, the “Heatles,” the 73-win Warriors, and “The Bubble”
Dynasty timelines
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Bill Russell’s Celtics (1950-1980)
The rise and fall of Bill Russell and his Celtics dynasty, including the 37 teammates who helped him win 11 championships. The timeline runs from Red Auerbach’s hiring in 1950 to Don Chaney’s retirement in 1980
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Magic Johnson’s Lakers (1975-2013)
The rise and fall of Magic Johnson and his Lakers dynasty, including the 30 teammates who helped him win five championships. Timeline runs from the 1975 trade for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Jerry Buss’ 2013 death
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Larry Bird’s Celtics (1977-1994)
The rise and fall of Larry Bird and his Celtics dynasty, including the 21 teammates who helped him win five championships. Timeline runs from the 1977 drafting of Cedric Maxwell to Robert Parish’s 1994 departure to Charlotte
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Isiah Thomas’ Pistons (1979-1999)
The rise and fall of Isiah Thomas and his Pistons dynasty, including the 15 teammates who helped him win two championships. Timeline runs from Jack McCloskey becoming GM in 1979 to Joe Dumars retiring in 1999
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Michael Jordan’s Bulls (1984-2003)
The rise and fall of Michael Jordan and his Bulls dynasty, including the 30 teammates who helped him win six championships. Timeline runs from Jordan’s selection in the 1984 draft to Scottie Pippen’s 2003 homecoming
Dynasty timeline: The rise and fall of Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets (1982-2003)
The rise and fall of Hakeem Olajuwon and his Rockets dynasty, including the 16 teammates who helped him win two championships. The timeline runs from Moses Malone’s 1982 departure to Rudy Tomjanovich’s 2003 retirement