1948–49 BAA season

The 1948–49 BAA season was the third and final season of the Basketball Association of America. (Following the season, the BAA and National Basketball League merged to create the National Basketball Association or NBA.[1]) The postseason tournament (the 1949 BAA Playoffs) at its conclusion, ended with the Minneapolis Lakers winning the BAA Championship, beating the Washington Capitols 4 games to 2 in the BAA Finals.

1948–49 BAA season
LeagueBasketball Association of America
SportBasketball
Duration
  • November 1, 1948 – March 20, 1949
  • March 22–April 2, 1949 (Playoffs)
  • April 4–13, 1949 (Finals)
Number of games60
Number of teams12
Draft
Top draft pickAndy Tonkovich
Picked byProvidence Steamrollers
Regular season
Top seedRochester Royals
Top scorerGeorge Mikan (Minneapolis)
Playoffs
Eastern championsWashington Capitols
  Eastern runners-upNew York Knicks
Western championsMinneapolis Lakers
  Western runners-upRochester Royals
Finals
ChampionsMinneapolis Lakers
  Runners-upWashington Capitols

The NBA recognizes the three BAA seasons as part of its own history, sometimes without comment,[2] so the 1948–49 BAA season is sometimes considered the third NBA season.

Notable occurrences

Four National Basketball League teams (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Rochester) joined the BAA for the 1948–49 season.

Coaching changes
Offseason
Team 1947–48 coach 1948–49 coach
Boston Celtics Honey Russell Doggie Julian
Providence Steamrollers Nat Hickey Ken Loeffler
St. Louis Bombers Ken Loeffler Grady Lewis
In-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Chicago Stags Harold Olsen Philip Brownstein

Final standings

Eastern Division

Western Division

Playoffs
Main article: 1949 NBA Playoffs
Division Semifinals Division Finals BAA Finals
         
1 Rochester 2
4 St. Louis 0
1 Rochester 0
Western Division
2 Minneapolis 2
2 Minneapolis 2
3 Chicago 0
W2 Minneapolis 4
E1 Washington 2
1 Washington 2
4 Philadelphia 0
1 Washington 2
Eastern Division
2 New York 1
2 New York 2
3 Baltimore 1

Statistics leaders
CategoryPlayerTeamStat
PointsGeorge MikanMinneapolis Lakers1,698
AssistsBob DaviesRochester Royals321
FG%Arnie RisenRochester Royals.423
FT%Bob FeerickWashington Capitols.859

Note: Prior to the 1969–70 season, league leaders in points and assists were determined by totals rather than averages.

BAA awards

References
  1. "NBA is born". History. November 16, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. "NBA Season Recaps: 1946-2019". NBA.com. July 24, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
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