{{Short description|Postseason tournament}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{infobox basketball tournament season |title=NBA playoffs |year=1969 | season =1968–69 |dates=March 26–May 5, 1969 | num_teams =8 | winners =Boston Celtics | count =11 | second = Los Angeles Lakers | semifinal1 =Atlanta Hawks | semifinal2 =New York Knicks | prev_season =1968 | next_season =1970 }}
The '''1969 NBA playoffs''' was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1968–69 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.
Despite finishing in 4th place, the Celtics won their second straight NBA title, marking their 11th overall as their era of 1960s dominance drew to a close. They upset Philadelphia and New York on the way to the Finals. Out west, the San Francisco Warriors stunned the Lakers by winning the first two in Southern California and Bay Area fans were thinking of avenging the prior year's sweep by the Lakers with a sweep of their own. But the Lakers won 4 straight to win the series in 6.
This year marked the debut of the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award; it was awarded to Jerry West of the Lakers, which marks the only time so far that the trophy has been given to a player on the losing team.
The Celtics were the first team seeded below third in their conference or division to win the NBA championship. It would not happen again until the 1995 NBA playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Exner|first1=Rich|title=What history says about a No. 4 seed like the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals|url=https://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/2018/05/what_history_says_about_a_no_4.html#seed|website=cleveland.com|access-date=17 June 2019}}</ref>
The second-year San Diego Rockets made their first playoff appearance; the next time they appeared was in 1975 as the Houston Rockets.
==Bracket== {{8TeamBracket | RD1=Division Semifinals | RD2=Division Finals | RD3=NBA Finals
| RD1-group1='''Eastern Division''' | RD1-group2='''Western Division'''
| RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=Baltimore* | RD1-score1=0 | RD1-seed2='''E3''' | RD1-team2='''{{nowrap|New York}}''' | RD1-score2='''4'''
| RD1-seed3='''E4''' | RD1-team3='''Boston''' | RD1-score3='''4''' | RD1-seed4=E2 | RD1-team4=Philadelphia | RD1-score4=1
| RD1-seed5='''W1''' | RD1-team5='''{{nowrap|Los Angeles}}'''* | RD1-score5='''4''' | RD1-seed6=W3 | RD1-team6={{nowrap|San Francisco}} | RD1-score6=2
| RD1-seed7=W4 | RD1-team7={{nowrap|San Diego}} | RD1-score7=2 | RD1-seed8='''W2''' | RD1-team8='''Atlanta''' | RD1-score8='''4'''
| RD2-seed1=E3 | RD2-team1={{nowrap|New York}} | RD2-score1=2 | RD2-seed2='''E4''' | RD2-team2='''Boston''' | RD2-score2='''4'''
| RD2-seed3='''W1''' | RD2-team3='''{{nowrap|Los Angeles}}'''* | RD2-score3='''4''' | RD2-seed4=W2 | RD2-team4=Atlanta | RD2-score4=1
| RD3-seed1='''E4''' | RD3-team1='''Boston''' | RD3-score1='''4''' | RD3-seed2=W1 | RD3-team2={{nowrap|Los Angeles}} | RD3-score2=3 }}{{ubl |<nowiki>*</nowiki> Division winner |'''Bold''' Series winner |''Italic'' Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals}}
==Division Semifinals==
===Eastern Division Semifinals===
====(1) Baltimore Bullets vs. (3) New York Knicks==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903270BAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = '''113''' | team2 = Baltimore Bullets | score2 = 101 | Q1 = '''22'''–21 | Q2 = '''32'''–23 | Q3 = '''30'''–28 | Q4 = 29–29 | points1 = Walt Frazier 26 | rebounds1 = Dave DeBusschere 21 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 11 | points2 = Earl Monroe 32 | rebounds2 = Wes Unseld 13 | assist2 = Monroe, Unseld 3 each | place = Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland | attendance = 11,941 | series = New York leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903290NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Baltimore Bullets | score1 = 91 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''107''' | Q1 = 29–'''30''' | Q2 = 20–'''23''' | Q3 = 28–'''31''' | Q4 = 14–'''23''' | points1 = Earl Monroe 29 | rebounds1 = Wes Unseld 27 | assist1 = Kevin Loughery 4 | points2 = Dick Barnett 27 | rebounds2 = Dave DeBusschere 19 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 12 | place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500 | series = New York leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903300BAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''New York Knicks''' | score1 = '''119''' | team2 = Baltimore Bullets | score2 = 116 | Q1 = '''38'''–32 | Q2 = 24–'''28''' | Q3 = 25–'''31''' | Q4 = '''32'''–25 | points1 = Willis Reed 35 | rebounds1 = Willis Reed 19 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 17 | points2 = Kevin Loughery 29 | rebounds2 = Wes Unseld 14 | assist2 = Kevin Loughery 7 | place = Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland | attendance = 9,927 | series = New York leads series, 3–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 2 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904020NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Baltimore Bullets | score1 = 108 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''115''' | Q1 = '''29'''–25 | Q2 = 22–'''25''' | Q3 = 29–'''32''' | Q4 = 28–'''33''' | points1 = Monroe, Unseld 25 each| rebounds1 = Wes Unseld 20 | assist1 = Kevin Loughery 7 | points2 = Willis Reed 43 | rebounds2 = Willis Reed 17 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 11 | place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500 | series = New York wins series, 4–0 }}
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=NYK&opp_id=WAS&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
====(2) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (4) Boston Celtics==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903260PHI.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = '''114''' | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 100 | Q1 = '''33'''–27 | Q2 = '''27'''–22 | Q3 = '''26'''–24 | Q4 = '''28'''–27 | points1 = John Havlicek 35 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 15 | assist1 = Bill Russell 8 | points2 = Billy Cunningham 29 | rebounds2 = Darrall Imhoff 19 | assist2 = Billy Cunningham 6 | place = Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | attendance = 8,151 | series = Boston leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 28 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903280BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = Philadelphia 76ers | score1 = 103 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''134''' | Q1 = '''29'''–27 | Q2 = 25–'''28''' | Q3 = 25–'''37''' | Q4 = 24–'''42''' | points1 = Chet Walker 26 | rebounds1 = Billy Cunningham 11 | assist1 = Matt Guokas 4 | points2 = Bailey Howell 29 | rebounds2 = Howell, Russell 16 each | assist2 = John Havlicek 7 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 13,751 | series = Boston leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903300PHI.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = '''125''' | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 118 | Q1 = 31–31 | Q2 = '''36'''–34 | Q3 = 28–28 | Q4 = '''30'''–25 | points1 = Sam Jones 28 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 18 | assist1 = John Havlicek 10 | points2 = Billy Cunningham 33 | rebounds2 = Imhoff, Cunningham 14 each | assist2 = Hal Greer 7 | place = Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | attendance = 15,244 | series = Boston leads series, 3–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904010BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Philadelphia 76ers''' | score1 = '''119''' | team2 = Boston Celtics | score2 = 116 | Q1 = 25–25 | Q2 = '''32'''–30 | Q3 = 28–28 | Q4 = '''34'''–33 | points1 = Hal Greer 24 | rebounds1 = Darrall Imhoff 20 | assist1 = Hal Greer 7 | points2 = John Havlicek 28 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 29 | assist2 = Bill Russell 5 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 14,017 | series = Boston leads series, 3–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904040PHI.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = '''93''' | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 90 | Q1 = '''22'''–19 | Q2 = 18–'''21''' | Q3 = '''27'''–25 | Q4 = '''26'''–25 | points1 = John Havlicek 22 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 18 | assist1 = Bill Russell 6 | points2 = Billy Cunningham 23 | rebounds2 = Darrall Imhoff 19 | assist2 = Archie Clark 7 | place = Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | attendance = 15,244 | series = Boston wins series, 4–1 }}
This was the 13th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning seven of the first 12 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=PHI&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Boston leads 7–5 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1953 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 2 | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 0 | place = 1953 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1954 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1954 Eastern Division Round Robin Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1954 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1954 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1955 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 3 | place = 1955 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1956 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Syracuse Nationals''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1956 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1957 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 3 | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 0 | place = 1957 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1959 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 3 | place = 1959 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1961 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Syracuse Nationals | score2 = 1 | place = 1961 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1965 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 3 | place = 1965 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1966 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 1 | place = 1966 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1967 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''Philadelphia 76ers''' | score2 = 4 | place = 1967 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1968 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Philadelphia 76ers | score2 = 3 | place = 1968 Eastern Division Finals| }} |}
===Western Division Semifinals===
====(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) San Francisco Warriors==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903260LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''San Francisco Warriors''' | score1 = '''99''' | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 94 | Q1 = '''28'''–22 | Q2 = 19–'''25''' | Q3 = 25–'''29''' | Q4 = '''27'''–18 | points1 = Jeff Mullins 36 | rebounds1 = Nate Thurmond 27 | assist1 = Al Attles 9 | points2 = Jerry West 36 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 30 | assist2 = Jerry West 7 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 10,697 | series = San Francisco leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 28 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903280LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''San Francisco Warriors''' | score1 = '''107''' | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 101 | Q1 = '''34'''–30 | Q2 = '''30'''–23 | Q3 = 22–'''26''' | Q4 = 21–'''22''' | points1 = Rudy LaRusso 29 | rebounds1 = Nate Thurmond 28 | assist1 = Jim King 7 | points2 = Jerry West 36 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 17 | assist2 = Jerry West 11 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 15,119 | series = San Francisco leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 31 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903310SFW.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score1 = '''115''' | team2 = San Francisco Warriors | score2 = 98 | Q1 = 21–'''23''' | Q2 = 22–22 | Q3 = '''41'''–25 | Q4 = '''31'''–28 | points1 = Jerry West 25 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 28 | assist1 = Jerry West 9 | points2 = Nate Thurmond 22 | rebounds2 = Nate Thurmond 20 | assist2 = Nate Thurmond 5 | place = Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California | attendance = 13,221 | series = San Francisco leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 2 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904020SFW.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score1 = '''103''' | team2 = San Francisco Warriors | score2 = 88 | Q1 = '''25'''–16 | Q2 = '''32'''–19 | Q3 = '''26'''–23 | Q4 = 20–'''30''' | points1 = Jerry West 36 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 14 | assist1 = Jerry West 5 | points2 = Ron Williams 16 | rebounds2 = Nate Thurmond 15 | assist2 = Nate Thurmond 4 | place = Cow Palace, Daly City, California | attendance = 14,812 | series = Series tied, 2–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904040LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = San Francisco Warriors | score1 = 98 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''103''' | Q1 = 26–'''28''' | Q2 = 18–'''32''' | Q3 = '''30'''–24 | Q4 = '''24'''–19 | points1 = Joe Ellis 23 | rebounds1 = Bill Turner 14 | assist1 = Nate Thurmond 6 | points2 = Jerry West 29 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 27 | assist2 = Jerry West 13 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,309 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 3–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904050SFW.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score1 = '''118''' | team2 = San Francisco Warriors | score2 = 78 | Q1 = '''29'''–20 | Q2 = '''32'''–18 | Q3 = '''24'''–17 | Q4 = '''33'''–23 | points1 = Jerry West 29 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 25 | assist1 = Jerry West 8 | points2 = Jeff Mullins 21 | rebounds2 = Nate Thurmond 14 | assist2 = Jeff Mullins 5 | place = Cow Palace, Daly City, California | attendance = 8,924 | series = Los Angeles wins series, 4–2 }} * The Lakers become the first team to win a playoff series after losing the first 2 games at home.
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=GSW&opp_id=LAL&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1967 | team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 0 | team2 = '''San Francisco Warriors''' | score2 = 3 | place = 1967 Western Division Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1968 | team1 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = San Francisco Warriors | score2 = 0 | place = 1968 Western Division Finals| }} |}
====(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (2) San Diego Rockets==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = March 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903270ATL.html Boxscore] | team1 = San Diego Rockets | score1 = 98 | team2 = '''Atlanta Hawks''' | score2 = '''107''' | Q1 = '''26'''–18 | Q2 = 17–'''28''' | Q3 = 26–'''36''' | Q4 = '''29'''–25 | points1 = Elvin Hayes 31 | rebounds1 = Toby Kimball 15 | assist1 = Art Williams 6 | points2 = Lou Hudson 39 | rebounds2 = Bill Bridges 22 | assist2 = Ohl, Hazzard 3 each | place = Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia | attendance = 4,194 | series = Atlanta leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196903290ATL.html Boxscore] | team1 = San Diego Rockets | score1 = 114 | team2 = '''Atlanta Hawks''' | score2 = '''116''' | Q1 = '''24'''–21 | Q2 = 21–'''30''' | Q3 = 25–'''32''' | Q4 = '''44'''–33 | points1 = Rick Adelman 26 | rebounds1 = ''three players'' 9 each | assist1 = Rick Adelman 6 | points2 = Zelmo Beaty 31 | rebounds2 = Bill Bridges 14 | assist2 = Joe Caldwell 8 | place = Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia | attendance = 6,006 | series = Atlanta leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904010SDR.html Boxscore] | team1 = Atlanta Hawks | score1 = 97 | team2 = '''San Diego Rockets''' | score2 = '''104''' | Q1 = '''30'''–21 | Q2 = 26–'''28''' | Q3 = 23–'''27''' | Q4 = 18–'''28''' | points1 = Zelmo Beaty 31 | rebounds1 = Zelmo Beaty 17 | assist1 = Joe Caldwell 6 | points2 = Elvin Hayes 26 | rebounds2 = Elvin Hayes 19 | assist2 = Rick Adelman 8 | place = San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California | attendance = 9,340 | series = Atlanta leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904040SDR.html Boxscore] | team1 = Atlanta Hawks | score1 = 112 | team2 = '''San Diego Rockets''' | score2 = '''114''' | Q1 = '''32'''–26 | Q2 = 26–'''33''' | Q3 = 19–'''23''' | Q4 = '''35'''–32 | points1 = Walt Hazzard 34 | rebounds1 = Beaty, Bridges 11 each | assist1 = Walt Hazzard 5 | points2 = Elvin Hayes 30 | rebounds2 = Elvin Hayes 20 | assist2 = Don Kojis 4 | place = San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California | attendance = 12,237 | series = Series tied, 2–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 6 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904060ATL.html Boxscore] | team1 = San Diego Rockets | score1 = 101 | team2 = '''Atlanta Hawks''' | score2 = '''112''' | Q1 = '''26'''–25 | Q2 = 24–'''28''' | Q3 = 27–'''31''' | Q4 = 24–'''28''' | points1 = Elvin Hayes 27 | rebounds1 = Elvin Hayes 9 | assist1 = Art Williams 8 | points2 = Joe Caldwell 26 | rebounds2 = Bill Bridges 17 | assist2 = Caldwell, Hazzard 5 each | place = Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia | attendance = 4,007 | series = Atlanta leads series, 3–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 7 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904070SDR.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Atlanta Hawks''' | score1 = '''108''' | team2 = San Diego Rockets | score2 = 106 | Q1 = 23–'''29''' | Q2 = 27–'''33''' | Q3 = '''27'''–22 | Q4 = '''31'''–22 | points1 = Lou Hudson 27 | rebounds1 = Bill Bridges 17 | assist1 = Caldwell, Hazzard 4 each | points2 = Kojis, Hayes 26 each | rebounds2 = Toby Kimball 15 | assist2 = Adelman, Williams 6 each | place = San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California | attendance = 10,117 | series = Atlanta wins series, 4–2 }}
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=ATL&opp_id=HOU&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Houston Rockets (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
==Division Finals==
===Eastern Division Finals===
====(3) New York Knicks vs. (4) Boston Celtics==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 6 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904060NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = '''108''' | team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 100 | Q1 = 23–'''26''' | Q2 = '''33'''–23 | Q3 = 22–'''24''' | Q4 = '''30'''–27 | points1 = John Havlicek 25 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 16 | assist1 = Em Bryant 8 | points2 = Walt Frazier 34 | rebounds2 = Dave DeBusschere 14 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 8 | place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500 | series = Boston leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 9 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904090BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 97 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''112''' | Q1 = 14–'''26''' | Q2 = 19–'''29''' | Q3 = 30–'''32''' | Q4 = '''34'''–25 | points1 = Willis Reed 28 | rebounds1 = Willis Reed 13 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 4 | points2 = Bailey Howell 27 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 29 | assist2 = John Havlicek 12 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 14,933 | series = Boston leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 10 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904100NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 91 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''101''' | Q1 = 19–'''28''' | Q2 = 22–'''23''' | Q3 = '''29'''–24 | Q4 = 21–'''26''' | points1 = Russell, Bryant 16 each | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 20 | assist1 = Russell, Havlicek 8 each | points2 = Walt Frazier 26 | rebounds2 = Willis Reed 14 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 12 | place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500 | series = Boston leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 13 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904130BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 96 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''97''' | Q1 = '''26'''–25 | Q2 = 24–'''26''' | Q3 = 23–'''24''' | Q4 = '''23'''–22 | points1 = Willis Reed 22 | rebounds1 = Willis Reed 19 | assist1 = Walt Frazier 6 | points2 = Bill Russell 21 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 23 | assist2 = John Havlicek 4 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 13,506 | series = Boston leads series, 3–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 14 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904140NYK.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 104 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = '''112''' | Q1 = 24–'''30''' | Q2 = 22–'''30''' | Q3 = 21–'''25''' | Q4 = '''37'''–27 | points1 = John Havlicek 29 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 16 | assist1 = John Havlicek 7 | points2 = Willis Reed 24 | rebounds2 = Walt Frazier 12 | assist2 = Walt Frazier 9 | place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | attendance = 19,500 | series = Boston leads series, 3–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 18 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904180BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = New York Knicks | score1 = 105 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''106''' | Q1 = 21–'''24''' | Q2 = 31–'''33''' | Q3 = 24–'''25''' | Q4 = '''29'''–24 | points1 = Willis Reed 32 | rebounds1 = Willis Reed 11 | assist1 = Bill Bradley 7 | points2 = Sam Jones 29 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 21 | assist2 = Russell, Havlicek 5 each | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 14,933 | series = Boston wins series, 4–2 }} * John Havlicek hits the series-winning shot.
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first six 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> |- !Tied 3–3 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| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1952 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = 2 | place = 1952 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1953 | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 1 | team2 = '''New York Knicks''' | score2 = 3 | place = 1953 Eastern Division Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1954 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 2 | team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 0 | place = 1954 Eastern Division Round Robin Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1955 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 2 | team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 1 | place = 1955 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1967 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 3 | team2 = New York Knicks | score2 = 1 | place = 1967 Eastern Division Semifinals| }} |}
===Western Division Finals===
====(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Atlanta Hawks==== {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 11 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904110LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Atlanta Hawks | score1 = 93 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''95''' | Q1 = 17–'''25''' | Q2 = 23–'''28''' | Q3 = '''29'''–23 | Q4 = '''24'''–19 | points1 = Zelmo Beaty 29 | rebounds1 = Bill Bridges 20 | assist1 = Walt Hazzard 6 | points2 = Jerry West 25 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 29 | assist2 = Baylor, Egan 6 each | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 16,190 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 13 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904130LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Atlanta Hawks | score1 = 102 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''104''' | Q1 = 21–'''27''' | Q2 = '''31'''–25 | Q3 = '''30'''–29 | Q4 = 20–'''23''' | points1 = Joe Caldwell 34 | rebounds1 = Caldwell, Bridges 10 each | assist1 = Bill Bridges 5 | points2 = Wilt Chamberlain 23 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 29 | assist2 = Johnny Egan 11 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 15,136 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 15 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904150ATL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 86 | team2 = '''Atlanta Hawks''' | score2 = '''99''' | Q1 = 18–18 | Q2 = 20–'''28''' | Q3 = 23–23 | Q4 = 25–'''30''' | points1 = Johnny Egan 19 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 22 | assist1 = West, Baylor 4 each | points2 = Zelmo Beaty 22 | rebounds2 = Zelmo Beaty 15 | assist2 = Lou Hudson 5 | place = Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia | attendance = 7,140 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 17 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904170ATL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score1 = '''100''' | team2 = Atlanta Hawks | score2 = 85 | Q1 = '''20'''–15 | Q2 = 21–'''28''' | Q3 = '''26'''–20 | Q4 = '''33'''–22 | points1 = Wilt Chamberlain 25 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 19 | assist1 = Jerry West 5 | points2 = Lou Hudson 35 | rebounds2 = Zelmo Beaty 20 | assist2 = Bill Bridges 5 | place = Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia | attendance = 7,140 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 3–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904200LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Atlanta Hawks | score1 = 96 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''104''' | Q1 = 16–'''22''' | Q2 = 26–'''32''' | Q3 = '''29'''–22 | Q4 = '''25'''–23 | points1 = Zelmo Beaty 30 | rebounds1 = Bill Bridges 22 | assist1 = Lou Hudson 7 | points2 = Elgin Baylor 29 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 29 | assist2 = Elgin Baylor 12 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 16,273 | series = Los Angeles wins series, 4–1 }}
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning five of the first eight meetings while in St. Louis. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=ATL&opp_id=LAL&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Atlanta/ St. Louis leads 5–3 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1956 | team1 = '''St. Louis Hawks''' | score1 = '''2''' | team2 = Minneapolis Lakers | score2 = 1 | place = 1956 Western Division Semifinals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1957 | team1 = '''St. Louis Hawks''' | score1 = '''3''' | team2 = Minneapolis Lakers | score2 = 0 | place = 1957 Western Division Finals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1959 | team1 = St. Louis Hawks | score1 = 2 | team2 = '''Minneapolis Lakers''' | score2 = '''4''' | place = 1959 Western Division Finals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1960 | team1 = '''St. Louis Hawks''' | score1 = '''4''' | team2 = Minneapolis Lakers | score2 = 3 | place = 1960 Western Division Finals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1961 | team1 = '''St. Louis Hawks''' | score1 = '''4''' | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 3 | place = 1961 Western Division Finals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1963 | team1 = St. Louis Hawks | score1 = 3 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''4''' | place = 1963 Western Division Finals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1964 | team1 = '''St. Louis Hawks''' | score1 = '''3''' | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 2 | place = 1964 Western Division Semifinals | }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1966 | team1 = St. Louis Hawks | score1 = 3 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''4''' | place = 1966 Western Division Finals | }} |}
==NBA Finals: (W1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E4) Boston Celtics== {{main|1969 NBA Finals}}
{{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904230LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 118 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''120''' | Q1 = 32–'''33''' | Q2 = '''26'''–23 | Q3 = 26–26 | Q4 = 34–'''38''' | points1 = John Havlicek 37 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 27 | assist1 = Sam Jones 6 | points2 = Jerry West 53 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 23 | assist2 = Jerry West 10 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,554 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 1–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904250LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 112 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''118''' | Q1 = '''25'''–24 | Q2 = '''30'''–29 | Q3 = 30–'''35''' | Q4 = 27–'''30''' | points1 = John Havlicek 43 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 21 | assist1 = Bill Russell 13 | points2 = Jerry West 41 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 19 | assist2 = Egan, West 8 each | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,559 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 2–0 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = April 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904270BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 105 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''111''' | Q1 = 16–'''25''' | Q2 = 24–'''32''' | Q3 = '''38'''–21 | Q4 = 27–'''33''' | points1 = Jerry West 24 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 26 | assist1 = Jerry West 6 | points2 = John Havlicek 34 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 18 | assist2 = John Havlicek 7 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 14,037 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 2–1 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = April 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904290BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 88 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''89''' | Q1 = 15–'''16''' | Q2 = 26–'''33''' | Q3 = '''29'''–18 | Q4 = 18–'''22''' | points1 = Jerry West 40 | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 31 | assist1 = West, Baylor 4 each | points2 = John Havlicek 21 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 29 | assist2 = ''five players'' 2 each | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 15,128 | series = Series tied, 2–2 }} * Sam Jones hits the game-winner at the buzzer. {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = May 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905010LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = Boston Celtics | score1 = 104 | team2 = '''Los Angeles Lakers''' | score2 = '''117''' | Q1 = '''24'''–23 | Q2 = 21–'''26''' | Q3 = 24–'''30''' | Q4 = 35–'''38''' | points1 = Sam Jones 25 | rebounds1 = John Havlicek 14 | assist1 = Russell, Havlicek 5 each | points2 = Jerry West 39 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 31 | assist2 = Jerry West 9 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,553 | series = Los Angeles leads series, 3–2 }} {{basketballbox | bg = | date = May 3 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905030BOS.html Boxscore] | team1 = Los Angeles Lakers | score1 = 90 | team2 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score2 = '''99''' | Q1 = 22–'''32''' | Q2 = 17–'''23''' | Q3 = 26–'''27''' | Q4 = '''25'''–17 | points1 = West, Baylor 26 each | rebounds1 = Wilt Chamberlain 18 | assist1 = Wilt Chamberlain 4 | points2 = Don Nelson 25 | rebounds2 = Bill Russell 19 | assist2 = Em Bryant 5 | place = Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | attendance = 15,128 | series = Series tied, 3–3 }} {{basketballbox | bg = #eee | date = May 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905050LAL.html Boxscore] | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = '''108''' | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 106 | Q1 = '''28'''–25 | Q2 = 31–31 | Q3 = '''32'''–20 | Q4 = 17–'''30''' | points1 = John Havlicek 26 | rebounds1 = Bill Russell 21 | assist1 = Bill Russell 6 | points2 = Jerry West 42 | rebounds2 = Wilt Chamberlain 27 | assist2 = Jerry West 12 | place = The Forum, Inglewood, California | attendance = 17,568 | series = Boston wins series, 4–3 }} * Don Nelson hit a foul-line jumper which dropped through the basket after hitting the back rim and bouncing several feet straight up. The shot gave the Celtics a 105–102 lead after the Lakers cut their lead to 103–102. * Bill Russell and Sam Jones’ final NBA game; Celtics become the first team to come back from a 2–0 series deficit in the NBA Finals.
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first six 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=LAL&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> |- !Boston leads 6–0 in all-time playoff series |- | {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1959 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Minneapolis Lakers | score2 = 0 | place = 1959 NBA Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1962 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 3 | place = 1962 NBA Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1963 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 2 | place = 1963 NBA Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1965 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 1 | place = 1965 NBA Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1966 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 3 | place = 1966 NBA Finals| }} {{basketballbox | bg=#fff | date = 1968 | team1 = '''Boston Celtics''' | score1 = 4 | team2 = Los Angeles Lakers | score2 = 2 | place = 1968 NBA Finals| }} |}
==See also== *1969 NBA Finals *1969 NBA season
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1969.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1969 NBA Playoffs page]
{{NBAPlayoffs}} {{1968–69 NBA season by team}}
Category:NBA playoffs Playoffs