Many iconic duos have dominated NBA courts throughout the league's history.
From Bob Cousy and Bill Russell ruling the early years of the NBA to the modern-day tandems running the league today, there has always been a belief that a team needs at least two great players to win a championship.
Some of these pairings created dynasties, winning multiple titles for their franchises. Others may have achieved fewer trophies, but their sustained dominance left an undeniable and lasting impact on the game.
Here is a ranking of the 10 greatest NBA duos ever.
Top 10 best NBA duos of all time
10. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp (Seattle SuperSonics)
Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp
Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp
Credit AP - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 0
Record: 364-178
Player stats:
Gary Payton: 15.6 PTS | 6.5 AST | 2.3 STL
Shawn Kemp: 17.7 PTS | 10.4 REB
When you think of the Seattle SuperSonics, the first duo that comes to mind for many NBA fans is Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp.
They made one NBA Finals appearance in 1996, where they faced the Chicago Bulls, widely considered one of the greatest teams of all time. While they never won a championship, their legacy is undeniable.
From Payton's trademark defensive mastery to Kemp's explosive dunking and their unstoppable pick-and-roll chemistry, this duo left a permanent mark on NBA history.
They remain one of the greatest basketball duos we have ever seen.
9. Karl Malone and John Stockton (Utah Jazz)
John Stockton and Karl Malone
John Stockton and Karl Malone
Credit REUTERS - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 0
Record: 906-506
Player stats:
John Stockton: 13.5 PTS | 10.8 AST | 2.2 STL
Karl Malone: 25.4 PTS | 10.2 REB
Undoubtedly, the greatest NBA duo to never win a championship.
John Stockton and Karl Malone were legendary pick-and-roll partners. Still, like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, their championship dreams were repeatedly stopped by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, losing to the Bulls twice in the NBA Finals.
Despite never claiming a title, they are forever remembered as one of the best duos in NBA history.
Over 17 seasons together, Stockton became the NBA's all-time assists leader with 15,806 assists, cementing himself among the greatest point guards ever.
Malone, meanwhile, climbed to second on the all-time scoring list before being surpassed by LeBron James, with countless points coming directly from Stockton's precise passes. He is also the oldest NBA playerto have ever won a regular-season MVP award.
Their chemistry, consistency, and mastery of the pick-and-roll make Stockton and Malone a duo that will always be synonymous with excellence–even without a championship.
8. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan
Credit AP-Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 4
Record: 733-269
Player stats:
Tim Duncan: 18.3 PTS | 10.6 REB | 2.1 BLK
Tony Parker: 16.4 PTS | 5.8 AST
The San Antonio Spurs would never be the same without Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
While this era is often viewed as a trio alongside Manu Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker arguably had the most significant and lasting impact on the franchise.
Considered the best power forward of all time by many, Duncan anchored the Spurs for nearly two decades with his consistency, leadership, and two-way dominance, while Parker’s speed, scoring, and clutch performances powered their offense at its peak.
Together, they won four NBA championships, made countless deep playoff runs, and became the backbone of one of the most successful and stable dynasties in NBA history.
7. Bill Russell and Bob Cousy (Boston Celtics)
Bob Cousy and Bill Russell
Bob Cousy and Bill Russell
Credit AP - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 6
Record: 341-120
Player stats:
Bill Russell: 17.1 PTS | 23.1 REB
Bob Cousy: 17.5 PTS | 4.3 REB | 7.9 AST
When it comes to the earliest days of the NBA, Bill Russell and Bob Cousy are often the first duo that comes to mind.
Together, they won six NBA championships, dominating the league with a revolutionary blend of elite defense, playmaking, and leadership.
Cousy's creativity and ball-handling redefined the point guard position, while Russell's defensive brilliance and winning mentality set the gold standard for championship basketball.
Their skill set was unlike anything the league had seen before, making them the most iconic duo of their era and laying the foundation for the Celtics' historic dynasty.
6. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
Credit AP-Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 2
Record: 200-85
Player stats:
LeBron James: 26.3 PTS | 7.7 REB | 6.8AST
Dwyane Wade: 22.4 PTS | 5.3 REB | 4.7 AST
Their four-year stretch together in Miami produced some of the most exciting basketball the league has ever seen.
Despite not fully meeting sky-high expectations, the Heat still reached the NBA Finals in all four seasons, winning two championships along the way.
Had Dwyane Wade not declined so suddenly, their dominance might have continued for years. Perhaps a few more rings would have finally tipped the GOAT debate in LeBron's favor over Jordan.
Nonetheless, this duo remains one of the greatest NBA duos of all time.
5. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale (Boston Celtics)
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale (on the right)
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale (on the right)
Credit AP – Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 3
Record: 555–200
Player stats:
Larry Bird: 24.6 PTS | 9.9 REB | 6.5 AST
Kevin McHale: 18 PTS | 7.4 REB
The legendary Boston Celtics teams of the 80s were led by the iconic duo of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
One of the greatest teams of all time played some of the most beautiful basketball ever, and this duo was the main reason why. Bird’s all-around brilliance and leadership perfectly complemented McHale’s elite post game, footwork, and defensive presence, making them nearly impossible to stop.
Their incredible skill set and basketball IQ, combined with their dedication on the hardwood, gave NBA fans some of the most memorable moments and legendary battles in league history, as the Celtics–Lakers rivalry became the most famous and intense rivalry in all of sports.
Together, they won three NBA titles, and both later became Hall of Famers named among the 50 greatest players of all time. Meanwhile, Bird remains widely considered one of the best small forwards ever.
4. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson
Credit REUTERS - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 5
Record: 506-179
Player stats:
Magic Johnson: 19.4 PTS | 7.4 REB | 11.2 AST
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20.2 PTS | 7.4 REB | 2.0 BLK
The beloved Lakers duo of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, leading the legendary 'Showtime' era, formed one of the most popular and exciting teams in NBA history.
Their high-tempo style, flashy playmaking, and sustained dominance made them nearly unstoppable. Together, Magic and Kareem powered the Lakers to five NBA championships, blending elite skill, leadership, and basketball IQ.
Both players are widely regarded as top-10 all-time greats, and their partnership unquestionably ranks among the best basketball duos of all time.
They could arguably rank even higher on this list, but their era is sometimes viewed as a trio, with James Worthy playing a pivotal role in their success during that dominant run.
3. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson
Credit AFP - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 4
Record: 473-193
Player stats:
Stephen Curry: 25.5 PTS | 6.6 AST | 4.7 REB
Klay Thompson: 19.4 PTS | 3.5 REB | 2.3 AST
With their elite shooting, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson permanently altered the landscape of the NBA.
Known as the Splash Brothers, they began their rise to dominance in the 2014-15 season, surprising many by winning the NBA championship. What followed was the creation of one of the greatest dynasties in league history.
A record-setting 73-9 regular season in 2015-16, four NBA championships, and countless iconic, unforgettable moments cement their place among the three NBA's greatest duos.
2. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers)
Credit Reuters-Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 3
Record: 336–125
Player stats:
Kobe Bryant: 21.9 PTS | 5.1 REB | 4.4 AST
Shaquille O'Neal: 26.8 PTS | 11.8 REB | 2.5 BLK
Another duo that managed to three-peat in the modern era, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal left fans wondering what more they could have achieved if not for the internal conflicts that ultimately led to the breakup of the partnership before its time.
While they may not have reached the full potential many expected–and suffered several high-profile defeats that shaped how their legacy is viewed–their impact remains undeniable.
Even today, when longtime NBA fans are asked to name their favorite duo, Kobe and Shaq are often the first names that come to mind.
1. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)
Credit AP - Scanpix
Achievements:
NBA Championships: 6
Record: 514-177
Player stats:
Michael Jordan: 31.5 PTS| 6.4 REB | 5.6 AST | 2.5 STL
Scottie Pippen: 17.1 PTS | 6.4 REB | 5.3 AST | 2.0 STL
There's nothing more to say–Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are the greatest and most iconic duo in NBA history.
They never lost in the NBA Finals, capped by the greatest Bulls season ever with a 72-10 record and a championship during the 1995-96 season.
Throughout their title runs, both were perennial NBA All-Stars and All-NBA selections, setting the standard for excellence on both ends of the floor.
They were the most feared duo of all time, leading the only team in history to achieve two separate three-peats. The list of accomplishments goes on and on, but the dominance speaks for itself.
It's an easy choice for the No. 1 spot on this list–no other duo has come close to matching the sustained greatness, impact, and dominance that Jordan and Pippen displayed.
Edvinas Kuzas
Edvinas Kuzas began his basketball media career in 2025, joining BasketNews as a Daily Writer. He brings a deep understanding of the sport, shaped by years of following both its history and trending topics. Alongside his writing, he is currently pursuing a degree in basketball coaching, further expanding his knowledge of the game. This combination allows him to provide more analytical, insightful, and opinion-based perspectives on basketball.
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