The 1949–50 NBA season was officially the 4th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, it is the first season that the league is officially called the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Minneapolis Lakers winning the NBA championship, beating the Syracuse Nationals 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.
The Indianapolis Jets and Providence Steamrollers folded after the 1948–49 season.
Six established teams (Anderson, Denver, Sheboygan, Syracuse, Tri-Cities and Waterloo) from the National Basketball League were absorbed into the Basketball Association of America. The Indianapolis Olympians, an expansion team scheduled to begin play in the NBL in 1949-50, were also added. As a result, the BAA is renamed the National Basketball Association.
The league realigned itself into three divisions.
Final standings[]
x - clinched playoff spot
Eastern Division[]
Eastern Division v •d •e
W
L
PCT
GB
Home
Road
Neutral
Div
x-Syracuse Nationals
51
13
.797
-
31-1
15-12
5-0
9-1
x-New York Knicks
40
28
.588
13
19-10
18-16
3-2
20-6
x-Washington Capitols
32
36
.471
21
21-13
10-20
1-3
13-13
x-Philadelphia Warriors
26
42
.382
25
15-15
8–23
3-4
9-17
Baltimore Bullets
25
43
.368
26
16-15
8–25
1-3
8-18
Boston Celtics
22
46
.324
29
12-14
5–28
5-4
11-15
Central Division[]
Central Division v •d •e
W
L
PCT
GB
Home
Road
Neutral
Div
x-Minneapolis Lakers
51
17
.750
-
30-1
18-16
3-0
16-8
x-Rochester Royals
51
17
.750
-
33-1
17-6
1-0
15-9
x-Fort Wayne Pistons
40
28
.588
11
28-6
12-22
-
14-10
x-Chicago Stags
40
28
.588
11
18-6
14–21
8-1
11-13
St. Louis Bombers
26
42
.382
25
17-14
7–26
2-2
4-20
To define first and third place, the Lakers played against the Royals, and the Stags against the Pistons.
