fbpx
Wikipedia

1953 NBA playoffs

December 01, 2023

The 1953 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1952–53 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.

1953 NBA playoffs
DatesMarch 17–April 10, 1953
Season1952–53
Teams8
ChampionsMinneapolis Lakers (4th title)
Runners-upNew York Knicks (3rd finals appearance)
Semifinalists
← 1952
1954 →

The Lakers won their fourth championship in the last five years, and defeated the Knicks in the Finals for the second straight season to complete their run.

Not only did the four Western Division teams meet for the third straight year, but the Eastern Division teams this year, had a slight change. The Philadelphia Warriors did not make the playoffs, but the Baltimore Bullets did. They would be swept by the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks in 2 games.

The Indianapolis Olympians played their last game, a Game 2 loss to the Lakers in the first round. They folded at the end of the season, and major professional basketball did not return to Indianapolis, Indiana until the Indiana Pacers were founded for the inaugural 1967–68 season of the American Basketball Association.

The Boston Celtics earned their first playoff series victory with a two-game sweep of the Syracuse Nationals.

The 1952–53 Baltimore Bullets hold the distinction of having the worst regular-season record of any playoff qualifier in league history, at 16–54.

Bracket edit

Division Semifinals Division Finals NBA Finals
         
E1 New York* 2
E4 Baltimore 0
E1 New York* 3
Eastern Division
E3 Boston 1
E3 Boston 2
E2 Syracuse 0
E1 New York* 1
W1 Minneapolis* 4
W1 Minneapolis* 2
W4 Indianapolis 0
W1 Minneapolis* 3
Western Division
W3 Fort Wayne 2
W3 Fort Wayne 2
W2 Rochester 1
  • * Division winner
  • Bold Series winner
  • Italic Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals

Division Semifinals edit

Eastern Division Semifinals edit

(1) New York Knicks vs. (4) Baltimore Bullets edit

March 17
Boxscore
Baltimore Bullets 62, New York Knicks 80
Scoring by quarter: 13–12, 19–21, 11–20, 19–27
Pts: Jim Baechtold 17 Pts: Connie Simmons 25
New York leads series, 1–0
March 20
Boxscore
New York Knicks 90, Baltimore Bullets 81
Scoring by quarter: 20–14, 23–24, 21–24, 26–19
Pts: Vince Boryla 20 Pts: Baechtold, Miller 21 each
New York wins series, 2–0

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team splitting the first two meetings.

(2) Syracuse Nationals vs. (3) Boston Celtics edit

March 19
Boxscore
Boston Celtics 87, Syracuse Nationals 81
Scoring by quarter: 16–19, 19–14, 18–16, 34–32
Pts: Bob Cousy 20 Pts: Paul Seymour 18
Boston leads series, 1–0
March 21
Boxscore
Syracuse Nationals 105, Boston Celtics 111 (4OT)
Scoring by quarter: 22–21, 20–19, 17–22, 18–15, Overtime: 9–9, 4–4, 9–9, 6–12
Pts: Red Rocha 19
Asts: George King 4		 Pts: Bob Cousy 50
Asts: Macauley, Sharman 5 each
Boston wins series, 2–0

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[1]

Western Division Semifinals edit

(1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (4) Indianapolis Olympians edit

March 22
Boxscore
Indianapolis Olympians 69, Minneapolis Lakers 85
Scoring by quarter: 14–21, 17–21, 25–21, 13–22
Pts: Joe Graboski 22 Pts: Vern Mikkelsen 18
Minneapolis leads series, 1–0
March 23
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 81, Indianapolis Olympians 79
Scoring by quarter: 24–19, 10–13, 25–17, 22–30
Pts: Pollard, Mikkelsen 16 each Pts: Paul Walther 17
Minneapolis wins series, 2–0

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings.

(2) Rochester Royals vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons edit

March 20
Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 84, Rochester Royals 77
Scoring by quarter: 14–16, 23–21, 21–20, 26–20
Pts: Fred Schaus 20 Pts: Arnie Risen 17
Fort Wayne leads series, 1–0
March 22
Boxscore
Rochester Royals 83, Fort Wayne Pistons 71
Scoring by quarter: 21–19, 19–19, 17–13, 26–20
Pts: Bobby Wanzer 19 Pts: Larry Foust 24
Series tied, 1–1
March 24
Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 67, Rochester Royals 65
Scoring by quarter: 23–18, 13–13, 15–18, 16–16
Pts: Larry Foust 18 Pts: Bobby Wanzer 17
Fort Wayne wins series, 2–1

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Royals winning two of the first three meetings.

Division Finals edit

Eastern Division Finals edit

(1) New York Knicks vs. (3) Boston Celtics edit

March 25
Boxscore
Boston Celtics 91, New York Knicks 95
Scoring by quarter: 27–26, 15–16, 18–27, 31–26
Pts: Bob Cousy 28
Asts: Chuck Cooper 6		 Pts: Connie Simmons 18
Asts: Dick McGuire 8
New York leads series, 1–0
March 26
Boxscore
New York Knicks 70, Boston Celtics 86
Scoring by quarter: 10–23, 19–13, 15–21, 26–29
Pts: Harry Gallatin 17
Asts: Carl Braun 7		 Pts: Macauley, Cousy 21 each
Asts: Bob Cousy 13
Series tied, 1–1
March 28
Boxscore
Boston Celtics 82, New York Knicks 101
Scoring by quarter: 22–20, 15–23, 18–32, 27–26
Pts: Bob Cousy 18
Asts: Ed Macauley 5		 Pts: Harry Gallatin 23
Asts: Dick McGuire 11
New York leads series, 2–1
Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York
Referees: Phil Fox, Charles Eckman
March 29
Boxscore
New York Knicks 82, Boston Celtics 75
Scoring by quarter: 17–26, 14–19, 22–11, 29–19
Pts: Carl Braun 18
Asts: Nat Clifton 9		 Pts: Ed Macauley 25
Asts: Bob Cousy 8
New York wins series, 3–1
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Referees: Phil Fox, Charles Eckman

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings.

Western Division Finals edit

(1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons edit

March 26
Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 73, Minneapolis Lakers 83
Scoring by quarter: 16–24, 14–19, 12–13, 31–27
Pts: Larry Foust 16 Pts: George Mikan 21
Minneapolis leads series, 1–0
March 28
Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 75, Minneapolis Lakers 82
Scoring by quarter: 18–16, 17–23, 18–17, 22–26
Pts: Larry Foust 21 Pts: George Mikan 20
Minneapolis leads series, 2–0
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Referees: Jocko Collins, Arnie Heft
March 30
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 95, Fort Wayne Pistons 98
Scoring by quarter: 16–29, 28–18, 17–24, 34–27
Pts: George Mikan 23 Pts: Fred Scolari 27
Minneapolis leads series, 2–1
April 1
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 82, Fort Wayne Pistons 85
Scoring by quarter: 20–25, 18–22, 23–11, 21–27
Pts: George Mikan 25 Pts: Larry Foust 20
Series tied, 2–2
April 2
Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 58, Minneapolis Lakers 74
Scoring by quarter: 9–23, 16–11, 12–19, 21–21
Pts: Larry Foust 16 Pts: Mikan, Martin 18 each
Minneapolis wins series, 3–2

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.

NBA Finals: (W1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E1) New York Knicks edit

Main article: 1953 NBA Finals
April 4
Boxscore
New York Knicks 96, Minneapolis Lakers 88
Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 24–29, 23–20, 30–21
Pts: Carl Braun 21 Pts: George Mikan 25
New York leads series, 1–0
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance: 5,000
Referees: Sid Borgia, Arnie Heft
April 5
Boxscore
New York Knicks 71, Minneapolis Lakers 73
Scoring by quarter: 16–26, 14–21, 24–11, 17–15
Pts: Connie Simmons 17 Pts: George Mikan 18
Series tied, 1–1
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance: 4,848
Referees: Sid Borgia, Arnie Heft
April 7
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 90, New York Knicks 75
Scoring by quarter: 21–14, 18–24, 26–22, 25–15
Pts: George Mikan 20 Pts: Connie Simmons 18
Minneapolis leads series, 2–1
April 8
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 71, New York Knicks 69
Scoring by quarter: 21–16, 20–18, 13–16, 17–19
Pts: George Mikan 27 Pts: Connie Simmons 17
Minneapolis leads series, 3–1
April 10
Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 91, New York Knicks 84
Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 25–17, 25–25, 22–24
Pts: Jim Pollard 17
Asts: Vern Mikkelsen 6		 Pts: Carl Braun 19
Asts: Ernie Vandeweghe 4
Minneapolis wins series, 4–1

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.

References edit

  1. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

External links edit

  • Basketball-Reference.com's 1953 NBA Playoffs page

December 01, 2023
1953, playoffs, postseason, tournament, national, basketball, association, 1952, season, tournament, concluded, with, western, conference, champion, minneapolis, lakers, defeating, eastern, conference, champion, york, knicks, games, finals, datesmarch, april, . The 1953 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association s 1952 53 season The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals 1953 NBA playoffsDatesMarch 17 April 10 1953Season1952 53Teams8ChampionsMinneapolis Lakers 4th title Runners upNew York Knicks 3rd finals appearance SemifinalistsFort Wayne PistonsBoston Celtics 19521954 The Lakers won their fourth championship in the last five years and defeated the Knicks in the Finals for the second straight season to complete their run Not only did the four Western Division teams meet for the third straight year but the Eastern Division teams this year had a slight change The Philadelphia Warriors did not make the playoffs but the Baltimore Bullets did They would be swept by the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks in 2 games The Indianapolis Olympians played their last game a Game 2 loss to the Lakers in the first round They folded at the end of the season and major professional basketball did not return to Indianapolis Indiana until the Indiana Pacers were founded for the inaugural 1967 68 season of the American Basketball Association The Boston Celtics earned their first playoff series victory with a two game sweep of the Syracuse Nationals The 1952 53 Baltimore Bullets hold the distinction of having the worst regular season record of any playoff qualifier in league history at 16 54 Contents 1 Bracket 2 Division Semifinals 2 1 Eastern Division Semifinals 2 1 1 1 New York Knicks vs 4 Baltimore Bullets 2 1 2 2 Syracuse Nationals vs 3 Boston Celtics 2 2 Western Division Semifinals 2 2 1 1 Minneapolis Lakers vs 4 Indianapolis Olympians 2 2 2 2 Rochester Royals vs 3 Fort Wayne Pistons 3 Division Finals 3 1 Eastern Division Finals 3 1 1 1 New York Knicks vs 3 Boston Celtics 3 2 Western Division Finals 3 2 1 1 Minneapolis Lakers vs 3 Fort Wayne Pistons 4 NBA Finals W1 Minneapolis Lakers vs E1 New York Knicks 5 References 6 External linksBracket editDivision SemifinalsDivision FinalsNBA Finals E1New York 2E4Baltimore0E1New York 3Eastern DivisionE3Boston1E3Boston2E2Syracuse0E1New York 1W1Minneapolis 4W1Minneapolis 2W4Indianapolis0W1Minneapolis 3Western DivisionW3Fort Wayne2W3Fort Wayne2W2Rochester1 Division winnerBold Series winnerItalic Team with home court advantage in NBA FinalsDivision Semifinals editEastern Division Semifinals edit 1 New York Knicks vs 4 Baltimore Bullets edit March 17BoxscoreBaltimore Bullets 62 New York Knicks 80Scoring by quarter 13 12 19 21 11 20 19 27Pts Jim Baechtold 17 Pts Connie Simmons 25New York leads series 1 0Madison Square Garden III Manhattan New York March 20BoxscoreNew York Knicks 90 Baltimore Bullets 81Scoring by quarter 20 14 23 24 21 24 26 19Pts Vince Boryla 20 Pts Baechtold Miller 21 eachNew York wins series 2 0Baltimore Coliseum Baltimore Maryland This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with each team splitting the first two meetings Previous playoff series Tied 1 1 in all time playoff series1948Baltimore Bullets 2 New York Knicks 11948 BAA First Round 1949Baltimore Bullets 1 New York Knicks 21949 Eastern Division Semifinals 2 Syracuse Nationals vs 3 Boston Celtics edit March 19BoxscoreBoston Celtics 87 Syracuse Nationals 81Scoring by quarter 16 19 19 14 18 16 34 32Pts Bob Cousy 20 Pts Paul Seymour 18Boston leads series 1 0Onondaga War Memorial Syracuse New York March 21BoxscoreSyracuse Nationals 105 Boston Celtics 111 4OT Scoring by quarter 22 21 20 19 17 22 18 15 Overtime 9 9 4 4 9 9 6 12Pts Red Rocha 19Asts George King 4 Pts Bob Cousy 50Asts Macauley Sharman 5 eachBoston wins series 2 0Boston Garden Boston Massachusetts Al Cervi s final NBA game This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams 1 Western Division Semifinals edit 1 Minneapolis Lakers vs 4 Indianapolis Olympians edit March 22BoxscoreIndianapolis Olympians 69 Minneapolis Lakers 85Scoring by quarter 14 21 17 21 25 21 13 22Pts Joe Graboski 22 Pts Vern Mikkelsen 18Minneapolis leads series 1 0Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis Minnesota March 23BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 81 Indianapolis Olympians 79Scoring by quarter 24 19 10 13 25 17 22 30Pts Pollard Mikkelsen 16 each Pts Paul Walther 17Minneapolis wins series 2 0Butler Fieldhouse Indianapolis Indiana This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with the Lakers winning the first two meetings Previous playoff series Minneapolis leads 2 0 in all time playoff series1951Indianapolis Olympians 1 Minneapolis Lakers 21951 Western Division Semifinals 1952Indianapolis Olympians 0 Minneapolis Lakers 21952 Western Division Semifinals 2 Rochester Royals vs 3 Fort Wayne Pistons edit March 20BoxscoreFort Wayne Pistons 84 Rochester Royals 77Scoring by quarter 14 16 23 21 21 20 26 20Pts Fred Schaus 20 Pts Arnie Risen 17Fort Wayne leads series 1 0Edgerton Park Arena Rochester New York March 22BoxscoreRochester Royals 83 Fort Wayne Pistons 71Scoring by quarter 21 19 19 19 17 13 26 20Pts Bobby Wanzer 19 Pts Larry Foust 24Series tied 1 1War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne Indiana March 24BoxscoreFort Wayne Pistons 67 Rochester Royals 65Scoring by quarter 23 18 13 13 15 18 16 16Pts Larry Foust 18 Pts Bobby Wanzer 17Fort Wayne wins series 2 1Edgerton Park Arena Rochester New York This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with the Royals winning two of the first three meetings Previous playoff series 2 Rochester leads 2 1 in all time playoff series1950Fort Wayne Pistons 2 Rochester Royals 01950 Central Division Semifinals 1951Fort Wayne Pistons 1 Rochester Royals 21951 Western Division Semifinals 1952Fort Wayne Pistons 0 Rochester Royals 21952 Western Division SemifinalsDivision Finals editEastern Division Finals edit 1 New York Knicks vs 3 Boston Celtics edit March 25BoxscoreBoston Celtics 91 New York Knicks 95Scoring by quarter 27 26 15 16 18 27 31 26Pts Bob Cousy 28Asts Chuck Cooper 6 Pts Connie Simmons 18Asts Dick McGuire 8New York leads series 1 0Madison Square Garden III Manhattan New York March 26BoxscoreNew York Knicks 70 Boston Celtics 86Scoring by quarter 10 23 19 13 15 21 26 29Pts Harry Gallatin 17Asts Carl Braun 7 Pts Macauley Cousy 21 eachAsts Bob Cousy 13Series tied 1 1Boston Garden Boston Massachusetts March 28BoxscoreBoston Celtics 82 New York Knicks 101Scoring by quarter 22 20 15 23 18 32 27 26Pts Bob Cousy 18Asts Ed Macauley 5 Pts Harry Gallatin 23Asts Dick McGuire 11New York leads series 2 1Madison Square Garden III Manhattan New YorkReferees Phil Fox Charles Eckman March 29BoxscoreNew York Knicks 82 Boston Celtics 75Scoring by quarter 17 26 14 19 22 11 29 19Pts Carl Braun 18Asts Nat Clifton 9 Pts Ed Macauley 25Asts Bob Cousy 8New York wins series 3 1Boston Garden Boston MassachusettsReferees Phil Fox Charles Eckman This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with the Knicks winning the first two meetings Previous playoff series 3 New York leads 2 0 in all time playoff series1951Boston Celtics 0 New York Knicks 21951 Eastern Division Semifinals 1952Boston Celtics 1 New York Knicks 21952 Eastern Division SemifinalsWestern Division Finals edit 1 Minneapolis Lakers vs 3 Fort Wayne Pistons edit March 26BoxscoreFort Wayne Pistons 73 Minneapolis Lakers 83Scoring by quarter 16 24 14 19 12 13 31 27Pts Larry Foust 16 Pts George Mikan 21Minneapolis leads series 1 0Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis Minnesota March 28BoxscoreFort Wayne Pistons 75 Minneapolis Lakers 82Scoring by quarter 18 16 17 23 18 17 22 26Pts Larry Foust 21 Pts George Mikan 20Minneapolis leads series 2 0Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis MinnesotaReferees Jocko Collins Arnie Heft March 30BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 95 Fort Wayne Pistons 98Scoring by quarter 16 29 28 18 17 24 34 27Pts George Mikan 23 Pts Fred Scolari 27Minneapolis leads series 2 1War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne Indiana April 1BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 82 Fort Wayne Pistons 85Scoring by quarter 20 25 18 22 23 11 21 27Pts George Mikan 25 Pts Larry Foust 20Series tied 2 2War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne Indiana April 2BoxscoreFort Wayne Pistons 58 Minneapolis Lakers 74Scoring by quarter 9 23 16 11 12 19 21 21Pts Larry Foust 16 Pts Mikan Martin 18 eachMinneapolis wins series 3 2Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis Minnesota This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams with the Lakers winning the first meeting Previous playoff series 4 Minneapolis leads 1 0 in all time playoff series1950Fort Wayne Pistons 0 Minneapolis Lakers 21950 Central Division FinalsNBA Finals W1 Minneapolis Lakers vs E1 New York Knicks editMain article 1953 NBA Finals April 4BoxscoreNew York Knicks 96 Minneapolis Lakers 88Scoring by quarter 19 18 24 29 23 20 30 21Pts Carl Braun 21 Pts George Mikan 25New York leads series 1 0Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis MinnesotaAttendance 5 000Referees Sid Borgia Arnie Heft April 5BoxscoreNew York Knicks 71 Minneapolis Lakers 73Scoring by quarter 16 26 14 21 24 11 17 15Pts Connie Simmons 17 Pts George Mikan 18Series tied 1 1Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis MinnesotaAttendance 4 848Referees Sid Borgia Arnie Heft April 7BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 90 New York Knicks 75Scoring by quarter 21 14 18 24 26 22 25 15Pts George Mikan 20 Pts Connie Simmons 18Minneapolis leads series 2 169th Regiment Armory Manhattan New YorkAttendance 5 100 April 8BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 71 New York Knicks 69Scoring by quarter 21 16 20 18 13 16 17 19Pts George Mikan 27 Pts Connie Simmons 17Minneapolis leads series 3 169th Regiment Armory Manhattan New YorkAttendance 5 200 April 10BoxscoreMinneapolis Lakers 91 New York Knicks 84Scoring by quarter 19 18 25 17 25 25 22 24Pts Jim Pollard 17Asts Vern Mikkelsen 6 Pts Carl Braun 19Asts Ernie Vandeweghe 4Minneapolis wins series 4 169th Regiment Armory Manhattan New YorkAttendance 5 200 This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams with the Lakers winning the first meeting Previous playoff series 5 Minneapolis leads 1 0 in all time playoff series1952Minneapolis Lakers 4 New York Knicks 31952 NBA FinalsReferences edit Team Rivalry Finder Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers Playoffs basketball reference com Retrieved February 19 2021 Team Rivalry Finder Detroit Pistons versus Sacramento Kings Playoffs basketball reference com Retrieved February 19 2021 Team Rivalry Finder Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks Playoffs basketball reference com Retrieved February 19 2021 Team Rivalry Finder Detroit Pistons versus Los Angeles Lakers Playoffs basketball reference com Retrieved February 19 2021 Team Rivalry Finder Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks Playoffs basketball reference com Retrieved February 19 2021 External links editBasketball Reference com s 1953 NBA Playoffs page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1953 NBA playoffs amp oldid 1185955485, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.