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The 1950 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the inaugural National Basketball Association 1949–50 season. The tournament concluded with the Central Division champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Division champion Syracuse Nationals 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 20–April 23, 1950 |
| Season | 1949–50 |
| Teams | 12 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Minneapolis Lakers (2nd title) |
| Runner-up | Syracuse Nationals |
Twelve teams qualified for the playoffs. Including tiebreaker games that preceded two of the six first-round series, they began play on Monday to Wednesday, March 20 to 22, and the best-of-seven Finals concluded in game six on Sunday, April 23. The champions played the greatest number of games, 13 in a span of 34 days, on a schedule including both back-to-back games and as many as six days off.[1]
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The NBA was created in 1949 by merger of two competing professional basketball leagues, the BAA and NBL. For its first season only, the NBA teams were arranged in three divisions: Eastern, comprising the five surviving BAA Eastern Division teams plus Syracuse from the NBL; Central, comprising the five surviving BAA Western Division teams; and Western, comprising all the NBL teams except Syracuse.[1][2] Within each division the top four teams were matched in two rounds of short series to generate a champion, after which the three division champions contended for the NBA title. With three contenders the third round of the tournament comprised a bye for one and a best-of-three match between the other two.[1]
| Division Semifinals | Division Finals | NBA Semifinals | NBA Finals | |||||||||||||||
| E1 | Syracuse* | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| E4 | Philadelphia | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Syracuse* | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| E2 | New York | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Washington | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| E2 | New York | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| C1 | Minneapolis* | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| C4 | Chicago | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| C1 | Minneapolis* | 2 | 1 | Syracuse | 2 | |||||||||||||
| C3 | Fort Wayne | 0 | 3 | Anderson | 0 | 2 | Minneapolis | 4 | ||||||||||
| C3 | Fort Wayne | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Minneapolis | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| C2 | Rochester | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| W1 | Indianapolis* | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| W4 | Sheboygan | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| W1 | Indianapolis* | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| W2 | Anderson | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Tri-Cities | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| W2 | Anderson | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
- * Division winner
- Bold Series winner
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Central Division Tiebreakers
Chicago Stags @ Fort Wayne Pistons
March 20 |
| Chicago Stags 69, Fort Wayne Pistons 86 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–22, 14–24, 12–16, 22–24 | ||
| Pts: Max Zaslofsky 14 Asts: Phillip, Kudelka 4 each |
Pts: Fred Schaus 18 Asts: Fred Schaus 6 | |
| Fort Wayne finishes as the Central's #3 seed, Chicago as the Central's #4 seed | ||
Minneapolis Lakers @ Rochester Royals
March 21 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 78, Rochester Royals 76 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–23, 16–20, 20–16, 22–17 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 35 Asts: Herm Schaefer 7 |
Pts: Bob Davies 26 Asts: Bob Davies 6 | |
| Minneapolis finishes as the Central's #1 seed, Rochester as the Central's #2 seed | ||
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Central Division Semifinals
(1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (4) Chicago Stags
March 22 |
| Chicago Stags 75, Minneapolis Lakers 85 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–22, 18–17, 16–20, 24–26 | ||
| Pts: Leo Barnhorst 17 Asts: Andy Phillip 4 |
Pts: George Mikan 30 Asts: George Mikan 3 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 25 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 75, Chicago Stags 67 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–17, 19–17, 18–16, 19–17 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 34 | Pts: Max Zaslofsky 31 | |
| Minneapolis wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.[a]
| Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) Rochester Royals vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons
March 23 |
| Fort Wayne Pistons 90, Rochester Royals 84 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–15, 26–20, 18–20, 24–29 | ||
| Pts: Wager, Schaefer 18 each | Pts: three players 15 each | |
| Fort Wayne leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 24 |
| Rochester Royals 78, Fort Wayne Pistons 79 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–17, 11–23, 21–19, 17–11, Overtime: 8–9 | ||
| Pts: Arnie Risen 17 | Pts: Bob Carpenter 27 | |
| Fort Wayne wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a][3]
Eastern Division Semifinals
(1) Syracuse Nationals vs. (4) Philadelphia Warriors
March 22 |
| Philadelphia Warriors 76, Syracuse Nationals 93 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–20, 14–28, 17–19, 21–26 | ||
| Pts: Chink Crossin 20 Asts: Al Guokas 4 |
Pts: George Ratkovicz 25 Asts: Dolph Schayes 6 | |
| Syracuse leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 23 |
| Syracuse Nationals 59, Philadelphia Warriors 53 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–12, 10–19, 13–13, 20–9 | ||
| Pts: Dolph Schayes 16 Asts: Al Cervi 2 |
Pts: Vern Gardner 17 Asts: Leo Mogus 4 | |
| Syracuse wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a][4]
(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Washington Capitols
March 21 |
| New York Knicks 90, Washington Capitols 87 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–25, 16–20, 21–19, 27–23 | ||
| Pts: Carl Braun 26 Asts: Carl Braun 6 |
Pts: Fred Scolari 23 Asts: Don Otten 4 | |
| New York leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 22 |
| Washington Capitols 83, New York Knicks 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–25, 21–26, 21–24, 20–28 | ||
| Pts: Don Otten 21 Asts: three players 3 each |
Pts: Harry Gallatin 20 Asts: Dick McGuire 6 | |
| New York wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Capitols winning the first meeting.[a]
| Washington leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
Western Division Semifinals
(1) Indianapolis Olympians vs. (4) Sheboygan Red Skins
March 21 |
| Sheboygan Red Skins 85, Indianapolis Olympians 86 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–23, 15–22, 25–14, 21–27 | ||
| Pts: Jack Burmaster 19 | Pts: Ralph Beard 17 | |
| Indianapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 23 |
| Indianapolis Olympians 85, Sheboygan Red Skins 95 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–21, 22–28, 15–20, 17–26 | ||
| Pts: Alex Groza 26 | Pts: Bob Brannum 17 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
March 25 |
| Sheboygan Red Skins 84, Indianapolis Olympians 91 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–27, 18–19, 28–19, 16–26 | ||
| Pts: Noble Jorgensen 20 | Pts: Alex Groza 30 | |
| Indianapolis wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a]
(2) Anderson Packers vs. (3) Tri-Cities Blackhawks
March 21 |
| Tri-Cities Blackhawks 77, Anderson Packers 89 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–20, 21–15, 19–21, 20–33 | ||
| Pts: Jack Nichols 27 | Pts: Red Owens 19 | |
| Anderson leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 23 |
| Anderson Packers 75, Tri-Cities Blackhawks 76 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 9–13, 12–18, 22–21, 32–24 | ||
| Pts: Frankie Brian 26 | Pts: Jack Nichols 23 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
March 24 |
| Tri-Cities Blackhawks 71, Anderson Packers 94 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–22, 18–25, 11–26, 21–21 | ||
| Pts: Dike Eddleman 23 | Pts: John Hargis 21 | |
| Anderson wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a]
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Central Division Finals
(1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons
March 27 |
| Fort Wayne Pistons 79, Minneapolis Lakers 93 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 14–19, 14–30, 19–16, 32–28 | ||
| Pts: Fred Schaus 20 Asts: Fred Schaus 4 |
Pts: George Mikan 24 Asts: George Mikan 4 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 28 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 89, Fort Wayne Pistons 82 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–18, 26–20, 19–18, 24–26 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 37 | Pts: Fred Schaus 33 | |
| Minneapolis wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a][5]
Eastern Division Finals
(1) Syracuse Nationals vs. (2) New York Knicks
March 26 |
| New York Knicks 83, Syracuse Nationals 91 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by half: 42–36, 35–41 Overtime: 6–14 | ||
| Pts: Carl Braun 22 Asts: Carl Braun 4 |
Pts: Dolph Schayes 26 Asts: Andrew Levane 4 | |
| Syracuse leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 30 |
| Syracuse Nationals 76, New York Knicks 80 | ||
| Scoring by half: 33–42, 43–38 | ||
| Pts: George Ratkovicz 17 Asts: Al Cervi 4 |
Pts: Vince Boryla 21 Asts: Dick McGuire 7 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 2 |
| New York Knicks 80, Syracuse Nationals 91 | ||
| Scoring by half: 42–45, 38–46 | ||
| Pts: Gallatin, Vandeweghe 17 each Asts: Dick McGuire 5 |
Pts: Dolph Schayes 24 Asts: Schayes, Cervi 3 each | |
| Syracuse wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a][6]
Western Division Finals
(1) Indianapolis Olympians vs. (2) Anderson Packers
March 28 |
| Anderson Packers 74, Indianapolis Olympians 77 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–16, 19–21, 20–17, 16–23 | ||
| Pts: Milo Komenich 14 | Pts: Alex Groza 31 | |
| Indianapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
March 30 |
| Indianapolis Olympians 67, Anderson Packers 84 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–15, 11–21, 20–25, 13–23 | ||
| Pts: Joe Holland 14 | Pts: three players 13 each | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 1 |
| Anderson Packers 67, Indianapolis Olympians 65 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–18, 12–12, 18–14, 20–21 | ||
| Pts: Frankie Brian 14 | Pts: Alex Groza 26 | |
| Anderson wins series, 2–1 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a]
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April 5 |
| Anderson Packers 50, Minneapolis Lakers 75 | ||
| Scoring by half: 19–27, 31–48 | ||
| Pts: Bill Closs 12 Asts: three players 2 each |
Pts: George Mikan 26 Asts: Jim Pollard 5 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
April 6 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 90, Anderson Packers 71 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–21, 18–22, 21–8, 26–20 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 32 | Pts: Bill Closs 16 | |
| Minneapolis wins series, 2–0 | ||
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a]
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April 8 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 68, Syracuse Nationals 66 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–10, 18–20, 17–23, 17–13 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 37 | Pts: Dolph Schayes 19 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 | ||
- Bob Harrison hits the game-winning shot from 40 feet at the buzzer.
April 9 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 85, Syracuse Nationals 91 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 14–28, 22–23, 32–24 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 32 | Pts: George Ratkovicz 17 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
April 14 |
| Syracuse Nationals 77, Minneapolis Lakers 91 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 24–21, 16–24, 22–25 | ||
| Pts: Johnny Macknowski 25 Asts: Paul Seymour 5 |
Pts: George Mikan 28 Asts: George Mikan 8 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 2–1 | ||
April 16 |
| Syracuse Nationals 69, Minneapolis Lakers 77 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–27, 16–11, 19–24, 12–15 | ||
| Pts: Schayes, Hannum 18 each Asts: Bill Gabor 6 |
Pts: George Mikan 28 Asts: Jim Pollard 4 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 3–1 | ||
April 20 |
| Minneapolis Lakers 76, Syracuse Nationals 83 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–14, 8–24, 19–23, 33–22 | ||
| Pts: George Mikan 28 | Pts: Dolph Schayes 19 | |
| Minneapolis leads series, 3–2 | ||
April 23 |
| Syracuse Nationals 95, Minneapolis Lakers 110 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 18–25, 21–26, 17–30, 39–29 | ||
| Pts: Dolph Schayes 23 Asts: Johnny Macknowski 5 |
Pts: George Mikan 40 Asts: Jim Pollard 10 | |
| Minneapolis wins series, 4–2 | ||
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota Attendance: 9,812 Referees: Jim Biersdorf, John Nucatola |
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[a][7]
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- Notes identifying the "last playoff meeting" (latest previous meeting) or "first playoff meeting" between two teams refer to BAA and NBA playoffs only—for this inaugural NBA season, that is, only to the BAA playoffs of 1946–47 to 1948–49. (This follows NBA recognition of BAA history as part of its own.)[b] All of the Western teams were new to the NBA; so was Syracuse, which participated in all but one of the Eastern playoff matches.[c][d] As Syracuse advanced from the East, two of the three division champions who composed the two-round League Finals were new to the NBA. Furthermore, only Chicago among the three Central Division playoff teams had been a member of the BAA for more than one season (compare 1947–48)[e] as the other three had moved from NBL to BAA in 1948.
- "NBA Season Recaps". NBA History (nba.com/history). July 1, 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-03.
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