Northwest Division (NBA)
Geographically expansive NBA division created in 2004.
The Northwest Division is one of three divisions making up the NBA’s Western Conference. It was formed at the beginning of the 2004–05 season, following the league’s expansion from 29 to 30 teams (with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats) and a realignment that shifted from two divisions per conference to three. The division includes five teams: the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz. Geographically, it is the largest of the NBA’s six divisions.
When the division debuted, its five original members were the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Jazz. The Trail Blazers and SuperSonics came from the Pacific Division, while the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Jazz moved from the now-defunct Midwest Division. Before the 2008–09 season, the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder, but stayed in the Northwest Division. No other changes to the division’s membership have occurred since its creation.
The most recent division champion is the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won their eighth Northwest Division title in the 2024–25 season. The SuperSonics/Thunder franchise leads all teams with eight division championships, followed by the Nuggets with six, the Jazz with five, and the Trail Blazers with two. The Timberwolves have never won the division title. During the 2009–10 season, all four Northwest teams that made the playoffs finished with more than 50 wins, and in 2018–19, all four playoff qualifiers from the division had at least 49 wins.
Since the 2021–22 season, the Northwest Division champion has been awarded the Sam Jones Trophy. The trophy is named after Hall of Famer Sam Jones, a key player on the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 10 NBA championships between 1957 and 1969. Although Jones never played for a current Northwest Division team, he served as an assistant coach for the Jazz during their first NBA season in 1974–75, when the franchise was based in New Orleans. The trophy features a 200-crystal ball.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Northwest Division
- Conference
- Western Conference
- League
- National Basketball Association
- Sport
- Basketball
- First
- 2004–05 season
- Teams
- 5
- Champion
- Oklahoma City Thunder (9th title)
- Champ Season
- 2025–26
- Most Titles
- Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics (9 titles)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Northwest Division began with five inaugural members: the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, SuperSonics, and Jazz. The Trail Blazers and SuperSonics joined from the Pacific Division, while the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Jazz came from the now-defunct Midwest Division. The SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City prior to the 2008–09 season and became the Thunder, remaining in the division. Aside from that relocation, the division's membership has been unchanged since its creation.
The SuperSonics–Thunder franchise has won the most Northwest Division titles with eight, followed by the Nuggets with six, the Jazz with five, the Trail Blazers with two, and the Timberwolves with none. In the 2009–10 season, all four teams that qualified for the playoffs each had more than 50 wins, and in 2018–19 all four playoff qualifiers had at least 49 wins.
Since the 2021–22 season, the Northwest Division champion has received the Sam Jones Trophy, named after Hall of Famer Sam Jones. Jones spent his playing career with the Boston Celtics, winning 10 NBA championships, and later served as an assistant coach for the Jazz during their first NBA season in 1974–75 when the team was based in New Orleans.
Reader's Guide
The Northwest Division has been a consistent and competitive presence in the NBA since its formation in 2004. Its geographic expanse covers a large portion of the western United States, and its membership has remained remarkably stable, with only one change—the relocation of the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. The division has produced strong playoff contenders, notably in 2009–10 and 2018–19 when all four playoff-qualifying teams achieved at least 49 wins. The SuperSonics–Thunder franchise leads all division teams with eight titles, while the Timberwolves remain the only team never to have won the division. The introduction of the Sam Jones Trophy in 2021–22 added a physical symbol of division supremacy, named for a player whose career was defined by championship success with the Boston Celtics and who had a brief coaching connection to the Jazz. The division's history reflects both stability and competitive balance, with multiple teams vying for the title each season.
Did You Know?
- The Northwest Division is the most geographically expansive of the NBA's six divisions.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves have never won the Northwest Division title.
- The Sam Jones Trophy, awarded since 2021–22, is named after a Hall of Famer who played for the Boston Celtics and was an assistant coach for the Jazz in 1974–75.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Minnesota Timberwolves
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced