1952 NBA playoffs

{{Short description|Postseason tournament}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{infobox basketball tournament season |title=NBA playoffs |year=1952 | season =1951–52 |dates=March 18 – April 25, 1952 | num_teams =8 | winners =Minneapolis Lakers | count =3 | second = New York Knicks | semifinal1 =Rochester Royals | semifinal2 =Syracuse Nationals | prev_season =1951 | next_season =1953 }}

The '''1952 NBA playoffs''' was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1951–52 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.

For the first time in NBA history, all teams that made the playoffs the year before meet again, but this time with different outcomes. This would happen again in 1957, in 1966, and then 1973 before a few more teams add to the playoffs in 1975, 1977 and 1984.

The first NBA dynasty, the Lakers, won their third NBA title in the last 4 years and what would become their first of 3 straight titles.

==Bracket== {{8TeamBracket | RD1=Division Semifinals | RD2=Division Finals | RD3=NBA Finals

| RD1-group1='''Eastern Division''' | RD1-group2='''Western Division'''

| RD3-seed1=E3 | RD3-team1=New York | RD3-score1=3 | RD3-seed2='''W2''' | RD3-team2='''''Minneapolis''''' | RD3-score2='''4''' }}{{ubl |<nowiki>*</nowiki> Division winner |'''Bold''' Series winner |''Italic'' Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals}}

==Division Semifinals==

===Eastern Division Semifinals===

====(1) Syracuse Nationals vs. (4) Philadelphia Warriors==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203200SYR.html Boxscore] | team1 = Philadelphia Warriors | score1 = 83 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = '''102''' | Q1 = 19–'''25''' | Q2 = 21–'''24''' | Q3 = 22–'''28''' | Q4 = 21–'''25''' | points1 = Paul Arizin 22 | rebounds1 = Paul Arizin 13 | assist1 = Andy Phillip 6 | points2 = Dolph Schayes 31 | rebounds2 = Dolph Schayes 18 | assist2 = Seymour, Osterkorn 4 each | place = Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse, New York | series = Syracuse leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 22 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203220PHW.html Boxscore] | team1 = Syracuse Nationals | score1 = 95 | team2 = '''Philadelphia Warriors''' | score2 = '''100''' | Q1 = 22–'''30''' | Q2 = 23–'''28''' | Q3 = '''21'''–18 | Q4 = '''29'''–24 | points1 = Osterkorn, Seymour 16 each | rebounds1 = Schayes, Ratkovicz 12 each | assist1 = Wally Osterkorn 7 | points2 = Paul Arizin 29 | rebounds2 = Paul Arizin 10 | assist2 = Andy Phillip 9 | place = Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | series = Series tied, 1–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203230SYR.html Boxscore] | team1 = Philadelphia Warriors | score1 = 73 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = '''84''' | Q1 = '''24'''–22 | Q2 = 20–20 | Q3 = 11–'''19''' | Q4 = 18–'''23''' | points1 = Paul Arizin 26 | rebounds1 = Paul Arizin 15 | assist1 = Andy Phillip 7 | points2 = Red Rocha 20 | rebounds2 = Wally Osterkorn 12 | assist2 = Paul Seymour 4 | place = Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse, New York | series = Syracuse wins series, 2–1 }}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers/Nationals winning the first two meetings. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=GSW&opp_id=PHI&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Philadelphia 76ers/ Syracuse Nationals leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1950 | team1 = Philadelphia Warriors | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1950 Eastern Division Semifinals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = Philadelphia Warriors | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1951 Eastern Division Semifinals | }} |}

====(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 19 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203190BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 94 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''105''' | Q1 = 18–'''21''' | Q2 = 21–'''32''' | Q3 = '''25'''–24 | Q4 = '''30'''–28 | points1 = Max Zaslofsky 20 | assist1 = Dick McGuire 7 | points2 = Bob Cousy 31 | assist2 = Bill Sharman 7 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | series = Boston leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203230NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 97 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''101''' | Q1 = '''25'''–22 | Q2 = 22–'''29''' | Q3 = 25–'''26''' | Q4 = '''25'''–24 | points1 = Ed Macauley 36 | assist1 = Bob Donham 9 | points2 = Connie Simmons 22 | assist2 = Dick McGuire 7 | place = Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York | referee = Chuck Solodare, Jocko Collins | series = Series tied, 1–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203260BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = '''88''' | team2 = Boston Celtics | score2 = 87 | overtime = 2OT | Q1 = 13–'''20''' | Q2 = '''26'''–21 | Q3 = '''25'''–17 | Q4 = 15–'''21''' | OT = 4–4, '''5'''–4 | points1 = Max Zaslofsky 21 | assist1 = Dick McGuire 9 | points2 = Bob Cousy 34 | assist2 = Bob Cousy 8 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | referee = Chuck Solodare, Jocko Collins | series = New York wins series, 2–1 }}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=BOS&opp_id=NYK&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1951 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} |}

===Western Division Semifinals===

====(1) Rochester Royals vs. (4) Fort Wayne Pistons==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 18 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203180ROC.html Boxscore] | team1 = Fort Wayne Pistons | score1 = 78 | team2 = '''Rochester Royals''' | score2 = '''95''' | Q1 = 22–22 | Q2 = 14–'''17''' | Q3 = 18–'''23''' | Q4 = 24–'''33''' | points1 = Larry Foust 17 | points2 = Bobby Wanzer 26 | place = Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York | series = Rochester leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203200FTW.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Rochester Royals''' | score1 = '''92''' | team2 = Fort Wayne Pistons | score2 = 86 | Q1 = '''30'''–17 | Q2 = 14–'''26''' | Q3 = '''23'''–15 | Q4 = 25–'''28''' | points1 = Bob Davies 29 | points2 = Jack Kerris 17 | place = North Side High School Gym, Fort Wayne, Indiana | series = Rochester wins series, 2–0 }}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=DET&opp_id=SAC&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1950 | team1 = '''Fort Wayne Pistons''' | score1 = 2 | team2 = Rochester Royals | score2 = 0 | place = 1950 Central Division Semifinals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = Fort Wayne Pistons | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Rochester Royals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1951 Western Division Semifinals | }} |}

====(2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Indianapolis Olympians==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203230MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Indianapolis Olympians | score1 = 70 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''78''' | Q1 = 18–'''19''' | Q2 = '''21'''–18 | Q3 = 14–'''18''' | Q4 = 17–'''23''' | points1 = Barnhorst, Graboski 17 each | points2 = George Mikan 24 | place = Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | referee = Sid Borgia, Arnie Heft | series = Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203250INO.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score1 = '''94''' | team2 = Indianapolis Olympians | score2 = 87 | Q1 = 23–'''24''' | Q2 = 21–'''25''' | Q3 = '''25'''–21 | Q4 = '''25'''–17 | points1 = George Mikan 36 | points2 = Joe Graboski 29 | place = Butler Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana | series = Minneapolis wins series, 2–0 }}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series |- !Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = Indianapolis Olympians | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1951 Western Division Semifinals| }} |}

==Division Finals==

===Eastern Division Finals===

====(1) Syracuse Nationals vs. (3) New York Knicks==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 2 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204020SYR.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = '''87''' | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 85 | Q1 = 13–'''23''' | Q2 = '''23'''–22 | Q3 = '''28'''–13 | Q4 = 23–'''27''' | points1 = Max Zaslofsky 26 | points2 = Dolph Schayes 25 | place = Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse, New York | series = New York leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 3 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204030SYR.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 92 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = '''102''' | Q1 = '''22'''–21 | Q2 = 27–27 | Q3 = 17–'''27''' | Q4 = 26–'''27''' | points1 = Harry Gallatin 16 | points2 = Paul Seymour 21 | place = Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse, New York | referee = Sid Borgia, Julie Meyer | series = Series tied, 1–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204050NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Syracuse Nationals | score1 = 92 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''99''' | Q1 = 19–'''24''' | Q2 = 23–'''29''' | Q3 = '''22'''–14 | Q4 = 28–'''32''' | points1 = Red Rocha 22 | points2 = Max Zaslofsky 20 | place = Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York | referee = Julie Meyer, Phil Fox | series = New York leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 8 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204080NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Syracuse Nationals | score1 = 93 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''100''' | Q1 = 16–'''20''' | Q2 = '''22'''–20 | Q3 = 17–'''28''' | Q4 = '''38'''–32 | points1 = Dolph Schayes 22 | points2 = Max Zaslofsky 20 | place = Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York | series = New York wins series, 3–1 }}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=NYK&opp_id=PHI&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1950 | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1950 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = 3 | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 2 | place = 1951 Eastern Division Finals| }} |}

===Western Division Finals===

====(1) Rochester Royals vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203290ROC.html Boxscore] | team1 = Minneapolis Lakers | score1 = 78 | team2 = '''Rochester Royals''' | score2 = '''88''' | Q1 = 25–'''28''' | Q2 = 17–'''19''' | Q3 = 23–23 | Q4 = 13–'''18''' | points1 = George Mikan 47 | points2 = Bob Davies 26 | place = Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York | series = Rochester leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195203300ROC.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score1 = '''83''' | team2 = Rochester Royals | score2 = 78 | overtime = OT | Q1 = '''27'''–17 | Q2 = 15–'''17''' | Q3 = 17–'''20''' | Q4 = 14–'''19''' | OT = '''10'''–5 | points1 = Vern Mikkelsen 19 | points2 = Arnie Risen 24 | place = Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York | series = Series tied, 1–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204050MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Rochester Royals | score1 = 67 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''77''' | Q1 = 14–14 | Q2 = 15–'''22''' | Q3 = '''19'''–18 | Q4 = 19–'''23''' | points1 = Arnie Johnson 16 | points2 = Jim Pollard 22 | place = Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | series = Minneapolis leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 6 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204060MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Rochester Royals | score1 = 80 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''82''' | Q1 = 20–20 | Q2 = '''26'''–23 | Q3 = 19–'''22''' | Q4 = 15–'''17''' | points1 = Bob Davies 21 | points2 = Saul, Mikkelsen 18 each | place = Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Minneapolis wins series, 3–1 }}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref name="West repeat">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=LAL&opp_id=SAC&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1949 | team1 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score1 = 2 | team2 = Rochester Royals | score2 = 0 | place = 1949 Western Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1951 | team1 = Minneapolis Lakers | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Rochester Royals''' | score2 = 3 | place = 1951 Western Division Finals| }} |}

==NBA Finals: (W2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E3) New York Knicks==

{{main|1952 NBA Finals}} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 12 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204120MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 79 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''83''' | overtime = OT | Q1 = 18–'''21''' | Q2 = 14–'''19''' | Q3 = '''27'''–20 | Q4 = '''12'''–11 | OT = 8–'''12''' | points1 = Simmons, McGuire 15 each | rebounds1 = Nat Clifton 12 | assist1 = Dick McGuire 5 | points2 = Jim Pollard 34 | rebounds2 = George Mikan 16 | assist2 = Pollard, Mikan 4 each | place = St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota | attendance = 8,722 | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 13 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204130MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = '''80''' | team2 = Minneapolis Lakers | score2 = 72 | Q1 = 11–'''17''' | Q2 = '''30'''–14 | Q3 = 20–20 | Q4 = 19–'''21''' | points1 = Harry Gallatin 18 | rebounds1 = Harry Gallatin 11 | assist1 = Dick McGuire 5 | points2 = George Mikan 18 | rebounds2 = George Mikan 21 | assist2 = Slater Martin 4 | place = St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Series tied, 1–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 16 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204160NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score1 = '''82''' | team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 77 | Q1 = 19–'''20''' | Q2 = 22–'''26''' | Q3 = '''19'''–16 | Q4 = '''22'''–15 | points1 = George Mikan 26 | rebounds1 = George Mikan 17 | assist1 = Pep Saul 8 | points2 = Max Zaslofsky 17 | rebounds2 = Nat Clifton 10 | assist2 = Dick McGuire 10 | place = 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York | attendance = 4,500 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 18 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204180NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Minneapolis Lakers | score1 = 89 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''90''' | overtime = OT | Q1 = 21–'''23''' | Q2 = '''21'''–18 | Q3 = '''20'''–16 | Q4 = 15–'''20''' | OT = 12–'''13''' | points1 = Slater Martin 32 | rebounds1 = George Mikan 17 | assist1 = Pep Saul 5 | points2 = Connie Simmons 30 | rebounds2 = Nat Clifton 12 | assist2 = Dick McGuire 6 | place = 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York | attendance = 5,200 | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Series tied, 2–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204200MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 89 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''102''' | Q1 = 26–'''33''' | Q2 = '''22'''–16 | Q3 = 17–'''28''' | Q4 = 24–'''25''' | points1 = Nat Clifton 17 | rebounds1 = Clifton, Gallatin 8 each | assist1 = ''six players'' 1 each | points2 = Mikkelsen, Mikan 32 each | rebounds2 = George Mikan 17 | assist2 = Pep Saul 5 | place = St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota | attendance = 7,244 | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Minneapolis leads series, 3–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204230NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Minneapolis Lakers | score1 = 68 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''76''' | Q1 = 20–'''24''' | Q2 = '''13'''–11 | Q3 = '''19'''–17 | Q4 = 16–'''24''' | points1 = George Mikan 28 | rebounds1 = George Mikan 15 | assist1 = Slater Martin 9 | points2 = Max Zaslofsky 23 | rebounds2 = Harry Gallatin 13 | assist2 = Ernie Vandeweghe 7 | place = 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York | attendance = 3,000 | series = Series tied, 3–3 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195204250MNL.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 65 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''82''' | Q1 = 12–'''18''' | Q2 = 17–'''18''' | Q3 = 8–'''13''' | Q4 = 28–'''33''' | points1 = Max Zaslofsky 21 | rebounds1 = Nat Clifton 10 | assist1 = Nat Clifton 3 | points2 = George Mikan 22 | rebounds2 = George Mikan 19 | assist2 = Slater Martin 6 | place = Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | attendance = 8,612 | referee = Sid Borgia, Stan Stutz | series = Minneapolis wins series, 4–3 }}

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=LAL&opp_id=NYK&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1952.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1952 NBA Playoffs page]

Category:NBA playoffs Playoffs

fi:NBA-kausi 1951–1952#Pudotuspelit