The Phoenix Suns joined the league as an expansion team.

The Milwaukee Bucks joined the league as an expansion team.

The Milwaukee Bucks won a coin toss against the Phoenix Suns, securing the rights to the first overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft.

The Milwaukee Bucks selected Lew Alcindor, who later became known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

Led by Lew Alcindor, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship.

The Milwaukee Bucks reached the Finals for the first time since 1974 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the conference finals.

The Phoenix Suns reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference finals.

The Suns clinched the Pacific division for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

The Phoenix Suns qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

The Suns had their first winning season since the 2013-14 season.

The internet television service YouTube TV became the presenting sponsor of the NBA Finals as part of a multiyear partnership since 2018.

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans in a four-team trade.

During the offseason, Phoenix acquired All-Star Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder by trading away Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., and a future first-round draft pick.

The regular season was reduced to 72 games for each team due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the NBA for the second straight year. The regular season was held from December 22, 2020, to May 16, 2021.

The 2021 NBA Finals marked the conclusion of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2020–21 season. The Milwaukee Bucks, representing the Eastern Conference, triumphed over the Phoenix Suns, the Western Conference champions, with a 4–2 series victory.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the NBA for the second straight year. The regular season was held from December 22, 2020, to May 16, 2021.

The playoffs started on May 22.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA's schedule was altered for the second consecutive year, pushing the start date of the 2021 NBA Finals to July 6, making it the second-latest start in Finals history.

The Suns won Game 1 against the Bucks with a score of 118–105, marking Phoenix’ first win at home in the Finals since 1976, and the first time they ever held a series lead in the Finals.