NBA Western Conference divisions and the teams in each division

NBA Western Conference divisions and the teams in each division

Samuel Lisubila
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:23 PM

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most organized sports organizations. The conference division has made everything easier to improve the structure and bring teams from the same region together to save on travelling expenditures. Here are the NBA Western conference divisions.

All NBA Western Conference divisions
The Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on 26 May 2022 in San Francisco, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

Thirty squads are participating in the North American league. With these, the NBA put a unique structure in place to accommodate all the groups located in different states in the U.S. and one in Canada. The Western conference divisions have had the best teams with the best records since its inception. So, what are these divisions?

NBA western conference divisions

The NBA originated in 1946 with 11 teams. Through its development and expansion, more groups joined to make a total of 30. The association organizes the squads into two leading conferences, each further divided into three divisions consisting of five teams. Here are the divisions and their squads:

Northwest

Denver Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder

Portland Trailblazers

Utah Jazz

Pacific

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

Sacramento Kings

Southwest

Dallas Mavericks

Houston Rockets

New Orleans Pelicans

Memphis Grizzlies

San Antonio Spurs

Western conference divisions NBA teams

NBA Western conference standings as of today
Dennis Schroder (#17) of the Lakers huddles with Austin Reaves (#15) and Juan Toscano-Anderson against the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on 7 December 2022, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Cole Burston
Source: Getty Images

The Western side has some of the best squads in the NBA. While the Eastern is competitive, most western teams' value could be more matchable. It is also more profound, more robust and has better athletes than its counterparts. The Western Conference has won 10 out of the last 13 NBA championships. The Western conference list of teams arranged in alphabetical order includes:

  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trailblazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Utah Jazz

NBA western conference records

NBA Western conference records
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist at Crypto.com Arena on 23 October 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian
Source: Getty Images

The west side was less potent than the Eastern, judging from the past few decades. However, the west has become more assertive with heavy top squads, unlike their well-balanced counterparts. The west has outstanding records, some of which are highlighted below.

Northwest

Team

Win

Loss

Percentile win

Games behind

Denver Nuggets

30

13

.698

_

Minnesota Timberwolves

22

22

.500

0.5

Portland Trailblazers

21

22

.488

9

Utah Jazz

22

24

.478

9.5

Oklahoma City Thunder

21

23

.477

9.5

Pacific

Team

Win

Loss

Percentile win

Games behind

Sacramento Kings

24

18

.571

5.5

Los Angeles Clippers

23

22

.511

8

Golden State Warriors

21

22

.488

9

Phoenix Suns

21

23

.477

9.5

Los Angeles Lakers

19

24

.442

11

Southwest

Team

Win

Loss

Percentile win

Games behind

Memphis Grizzlies

29

13

.690

0.5

New Orleans Pelicans

26

17

.605

4

Dallas Mavericks

24

21

.533

7

San Antonio Spurs

13

31

.295

17.5

Houston Rockets

10

33

.233

20

NBA western conference standings as of today

Which is the best Western conference team?
Stephen Curry, #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on 30 October 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Rick Osentoski
Source: Getty Images

Competition is rising as the season continues as no one seems to back down. Squads have been competing for head-on to try to earn a playoff spot or a play-in spot for the worst scenario. However, some have dominated the league and are as sure as night follows day that they will reach the playoffs. Here are the Western Conference standings as of today (15 January 2023):

1

Denver Nuggets

2

Memphis Grizzlies

3

New Orleans Pelicans

4

Sacramento Kings

5

Dallas Mavericks

6

Los Angeles Clippers

7

Minnesota Timberwolves

8

Golden State Warriors

9

Portland Trailblazers

10

Utah Jazz

11

Phoenix Suns

12

Oklahoma City Thunder

13

Los Angeles Lakers

14

San Antonio Spurs

15

Houston Rockets

The top eight will proceed to the playoffs. However, only six move directly as the Teams seeded 7-10 in each conference will compete in a play-in tournament at the end of the regular season for the top two to proceed.

When were the NBA teams divided into conferences?

In the 2004-05 season, the NBA decided to adopt the current divisional alignment. This came when the now Charlotte Hornets joined the league as the NBA's 20th franchise. It also caused changes for other squads, with the New Orleans Pelicans moving from the Eastern Conference's central division to the newly created Southwest Division in the Western Conference.

How many NBA teams are there?

There are 30 teams in the National Basketball Association. Initially, there were eight teams, with the others joining as the game became more popular.

Which is the best Western Conference team?

The best team in the Western Conference currently are the Denver Nuggets. They top the league standings with a 30-13 win-loss record. They are led by their star captain and centre, Nikola Jokic, who is in the 2022-23 KIA MVP race.

How many NBA teams are there?
Jamal Murray (#27) and Nikola Jokic (#15) of the Denver Nuggets stand for the National Anthem on 22 November 2022, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Garrett Ellwood
Source: Getty Images

The Western Conference divisions consist of the best teams in the NBA. Over the past decade, the west has dominated the league, winning 10 of the last 13 championships. The Denver Nuggets are currently the best squad, with a 30-13 win-loss record.

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Authors
Samuel Lisubila photo
Samuel Lisubila