NBA teams map: How many basketball teams are in each NBA conference?

The NBA organises its 30 teams into conferences and divisions based on geography across the USA and one Canadian province. The league is split into two 15-team conferences: the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. The NBA's geographic footprint shapes the gruelling 82-game regular-season schedule.

Key takeaways

• The NBA has 30 teams divided into two conferences: Eastern and Western.
• Each conference contains 15 teams split across three geographical divisions.
• The Boston Celtics hold the record with 18 NBA championships; the Lakers have 17.
• California hosts the most teams; four franchises play in the state.
• The Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team based outside the United States.

Background of the NBA

The Basketball Association of America launched on 6 June 1946 with 11 founding teams. Each team played 60 games of 48 minutes each.

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Today, the NBA regular season runs from late October through mid-April. Each of the 30 teams plays 82 regular-season games. The top 16 teams, eight from each conference, qualify for the postseason playoffs.

How many NBA teams are there?

As of 2026, there are 30 teams in the NBA, split evenly into two conferences of 15 teams each: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into three divisions of five teams, grouped by geographical location.

NBA Conferences

The Eastern Conference covers NBA teams in the eastern United States and Canada. The Western Conference covers teams in the central and western United States.

NBA teams under the Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference has 15 teams across three divisions: Southeast, Atlantic, and Central.

Southeast Division

Atlantic Division

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The Toronto Raptors are the only sports franchise based outside the United States.

Central Division

NBA teams under the Western Conference

The Western Conference has 15 teams playing in the NBA across the Pacific, Northwest, and Southwest divisions.

Pacific Division

Northwest Division

Southwest Division

Which states have the most NBA teams?

The NBA teams map is not evenly spread. Some states host multiple franchises.

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California has the most NBA teams of any state, with four franchises. Texas is second with three. New York City alone hosts two teams, the Knicks at Madison Square Garden and the Nets in Brooklyn. The Toronto Raptors represent the only franchise outside the United States, based in Ontario, Canada.

NBA teams map quiz

For those wanting to test their knowledge of where every NBA team plays, interactive map quizzes are a useful resource. JetPunk's NBA cities quiz asks players to click each team's home city on a map. Sporcle offers a quiz where you name all 30 teams from memory. These resources make the NBA teams map easier to memorise for students and fans alike.

The NBA G League

The NBA G League is the official minor league of the NBA. It began play in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League with eight founding teams.

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Today, every NBA franchise has an owned or affiliated G League team. The league had 31 teams heading into the 2026-27 season. The G League serves as the primary development path for basketball players seeking to reach the NBA.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many players are on an NBA team roster? Active rosters hold 18 players, with a maximum of 15 available for any single game. Teams can also carry three additional two-way contract players under the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
2. Which NBA team has won the most championships? As of 2026, the Boston Celtics hold the record with 18 NBA championships. The Los Angeles Lakers are second with 17 titles.
3. Which state has the most NBA teams? California has the most NBA teams with four franchises: the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
4. Is there an NBA teams map quiz? Yes. JetPunk and Sporcle both offer free NBA map quizzes where you identify team cities on a map of North America.
5. Which NBA team is not based in the United States? The Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team based outside the US, playing their home games in Toronto, Canada.
6. What is the newest NBA team? The New Orleans Pelicans franchise relocated from Charlotte to New Orleans in 2002. The Charlotte Bobcats were added as an expansion team in 2004 before being renamed the Charlotte Hornets in 2014.
7. What is the NBA G League? The NBA G League is the official minor league, founded in 2001. It has 31 teams as of 2026, each affiliated with an NBA franchise.

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Conclusion

The NBA teams map shows the sport's massive geographical footprint across North America. With 15 teams in the Western Conference and 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, the NBA is one of the region's most competitive leagues.

We also highlighted facts about the 20 tallest WNBA players in history, including their heights, countries, careers, and teams. The ranking ranges from Olga Firsova at 6 feet 6 inches to Margo Dydek, who stood an extraordinary 7 feet 2 inches.

Dydek remains the only seven-footer in WNBA history, a distinction that made her one of the most recognisable centres in women’s basketball. From Han Xu and Brittney Griner to Bernadett Határ, these towering athletes show how height can shape shooting, rebounding, blocking, and defensive play.

Source: YEN.com.gh