# 1951 NBA playoffs

The 1951 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 1950–51 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Rochester Royals defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.
The eight qualified teams began tournament play on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 20 and 21, and the Finals concluded on Saturday, April 21. Rochester and New York played 14 games in a span of 33 days; their seven final games in fifteen days.
The Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) were "royalty" in their first nine seasons, from 1945–46 to 1953–54 always one of the strong teams in their league. Rochester had played three seasons in the National Basketball League, winning the 1946 NBL championship and losing the Finals in 1947 and 1948. In one BAA and one NBA season, the team had won 75% of its games before losing in the second round, then first round, of the 1949 and 1950 playoffs. The 1950–51 team won more than 60% of its games, as the Royals would do for three more seasons, and participated in the club's only NBA Finals. That remains true more than 60 years later, covering stints in Rochester, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Sacramento.
The New York Knicks were an original Basketball Association of America franchise, now in its sixth season and participating in the BAA or NBA Finals for the first time. It would be the first three consecutive years as losing finalist.
Another six-year-old, original BAA team, the Boston Celtics had qualified only for the 1948 BAA Playoffs. Now the second-place Eastern Division team, Boston had earned home-court advantage for a first-round series with third-place New York. It was the first playoff meeting in the Celtics–Knicks rivalry and it would be the first of 19 consecutive years in the playoffs.

## Bracket

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

## Division Semifinals
### Eastern Division Semifinals
#### (1) Philadelphia Warriors vs. (4) Syracuse Nationals

* March 20
* Boxscore
Syracuse Nationals 126, Philadelphia Warriors 8 121 (OT) :
| Scoring by quarter: 19–27, 29–23, 19–18, 22–21, Overtime: 2–0 |||
| Pts: [[Allen Iverson]] 21 Rebs: [[Moses Malone]] 10 Asts: Allen Iverson ,12 | Pts: Wilt Chamberlain 30 Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 10 Asts: Steph Curry 11 |
| Syracuse leads series, 1–0 |||
* Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* March 22
* Boxscore
Philadelphia Warriors 78, Syracuse Nationals 90 :
| Scoring by quarter: 18–24, 11–20, 23–22, 26–24 |||
| Pts: Joe Fulks 22 Rebs: Arizin, Phillip 8 each Asts: Andy Phillip 9 | Pts: Dolph Schayes 24 Rebs: Dolph Schayes 16 Asts: Seymour, Hannum 5 each |
| Syracuse wins series, 2–0 |||
* State Fair Coliseum, Geddes, New York
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers/Nationals winning the first meeting.
Philadelphia 76ers/ Syracuse Nationals leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series :
1950
Philadelphia Warriors 0, Syracuse Nationals 2
1950 Eastern Division Semifinals :

#### (2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks

* March 20
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 83, Boston Celtics 69 :
| Scoring by quarter: 28–14, 9–17, 19–15, 27–23 |||
| Pts: Vince Boryla 20 | Pts: Ed Macauley 23 |
| New York leads series, 1–0 |||
* Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
* March 22
* Boxscore
Boston Celtics 78, New York Knicks 92 :
| Scoring by quarter: 12–20, 15–19, 24–26, 27–27 |||
| Pts: Ed Macauley 21 Asts: Bob Cousy 6 | Pts: Max Zaslofsky 27 Asts: Dick McGuire 9 |
| New York wins series, 2–0 |||
* Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York Referees: Pat Kennedy, Arnie Heft
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

### Western Division Semifinals
#### (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (4) Indianapolis Olympians

* March 21
* Boxscore
Indianapolis Olympians 81, Minneapolis Lakers 95 :
| Scoring by quarter: 14–29, 19–20, 28–19, 20–27 |||
| Pts: Groza, Beard 19 each | Pts: George Mikan 41 |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 |||
* Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* March 23
* Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 88, Indianapolis Olympians 108 :
| Scoring by quarter: 7–28, 29–27, 29–30, 23–23 |||
| Pts: Vern Mikkelsen 30 | Pts: Alex Groza 40 |
| Series tied, 1–1 |||
* Butler Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
* March 25
* Boxscore
Indianapolis Olympians 80, Minneapolis Lakers 85 :
| Scoring by quarter: 22–15, 19–18, 18–29, 21–23 |||
| Pts: Alex Groza 38 | Pts: George Mikan 30 |
| Minneapolis wins series, 2–1 |||
* Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

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

* March 20
* Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 81, Rochester Royals 110 :
| Scoring by quarter: 14–30, 29–27, 20–25, 18–28 |||
| Pts: Dick Mehen 19 | Pts: Bob Davies 21 |
| Rochester leads series, 1–0 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York
* March 22
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 78, Fort Wayne Pistons 83 :
| Scoring by quarter: 13–20, 23–24, 18–18, 24–21 |||
| Pts: Risen, Davies 16 each | Pts: Fred Schaus 21 |
| Series tied, 1–1 |||
* North Side High School Gym, Fort Wayne, Indiana
* March 24
* Boxscore
Fort Wayne Pistons 78, Rochester Royals 97 :
| Scoring by quarter: 22–23, 19–23, 11–27, 26–24 |||
| Pts: Fred Schaus 12 | Pts: Bobby Wanzer 20 |
| Rochester wins series, 2–1 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.
Fort Wayne leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series :
1950
Fort Wayne Pistons 2, Rochester Royals 0
1950 Central Division Semifinals :

## Division Finals
### Eastern Division Finals
#### (3) New York Knicks vs. (4) Syracuse Nationals

* March 28
* Boxscore
Syracuse Nationals 92, New York Knicks 103 :
| Scoring by quarter: 22–23, 17–25, 19–24, 34–31 |||
| Pts: George Ratkovicz 22 Asts: Alex Hannum 7 | Pts: Vince Boryla 30 Asts: Dick McGuire 13 |
| New York leads series, 1–0 |||
* Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York Referees: Julie Meyer, Charles Eckman
* March 29
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 80, Syracuse Nationals 102 :
| Scoring by quarter: 19–22, 17–21, 17–27, 27–32 |||
| Pts: Ray Lumpp 16 Asts: Vandeweghe, McGuire 5 each | Pts: Dolph Schayes 21 Asts: Al Cervi 9 |
| Series tied, 1–1 |||
* State Fair Coliseum, Geddes, New York Referees: Julie Meyer, Charles Eckman
* March 31
* Boxscore
Syracuse Nationals 75, New York Knicks 77 (OT) :
| Scoring by quarter: 20–16, 16–12, 15–22, 19–20, Overtime: 5–7 |||
| Pts: Dolph Schayes 17 | Pts: Harry Gallatin 18 |
| New York leads series, 2–1 |||
* Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York Referees: Julie Meyer, Jocko Collins
* April 1
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 83, Syracuse Nationals 90 :
| Scoring by quarter: 12–25, 22–21, 26–19, 23–25 |||
| Pts: Max Zaslofsky 20 Asts: Dick McGuire 9 | Pts: Dolph Schayes 34 Asts: Al Cervi 8 |
| Series tied, 2–2 |||
* State Fair Coliseum, Geddes, New York
* April 4
* Boxscore
Syracuse Nationals 81, New York Knicks 83 :
| Scoring by quarter: 20–25, 22–17, 22–15, 17–26 |||
| Pts: Dolph Schayes 14 Asts: four players 3 each | Pts: Vince Boryla 23 Asts: Ernie Vandeweghe 5 |
| New York wins series, 3–2 |||
* Madison Square Garden III, Manhattan, New York Referees: Julie Meyer, Sid Borgia
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Nationals winning the first meeting.
Syracuse leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series :
1950
New York Knicks 1, Syracuse Nationals 2
1950 Eastern Division Finals :

### Western Division Finals
#### (1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (2) Rochester Royals

* March 29
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 73, Minneapolis Lakers 76 :
| Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 18–18, 10–16, 25–22 |||
| Pts: Arnie Risen 24 | Pts: Vern Mikkelsen 23 |
| Minneapolis leads series, 1–0 |||
* Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* March 31
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 70, Minneapolis Lakers 66 :
| Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 20–14, 16–19, 17–17 |||
| Pts: Red Holzman 23 | Pts: Jim Pollard 20 |
| Series tied, 1–1 |||
* Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* April 1
* Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 70, Rochester Royals 83 :
| Scoring by quarter: 22–31, 17–17, 20–20, 11–15 |||
| Pts: George Mikan 23 | Pts: Johnson, Wanzer 20 each |
| Rochester leads series, 2–1 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York
* April 3
* Boxscore
Minneapolis Lakers 75, Rochester Royals 80 :
| Scoring by quarter: 26–25, 14–16, 16–18, 19–21 |||
| Pts: George Mikan 32 | Pts: Arnie Risen 26 |
| Rochester wins series, 3–1 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.
Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series :
1949
Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 0
1949 Western Division Finals :

## NBA Finals: (W2) Rochester Royals vs. (E3) New York Knicks

* April 7
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 65, Rochester Royals 92 :
| Scoring by quarter: 18–24, 16–27, 16–21, 15–20 |||
| Pts: Vince Boryla 13 Rebs: Simmons, Clifton 10 each Asts: Ernie Vandeweghe 4 | Pts: Arnie Risen 24 Rebs: Arnie Risen 15 Asts: Bobby Wanzer 9 |
| Rochester leads series, 1–0 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York Attendance: 4,200
* April 8
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 84, Rochester Royals 99 :
| Scoring by quarter: 17–26, 21–21, 28–26, 18–26 |||
| Pts: Max Zaslofsky 28 Rebs: Harry Gallatin 17 Asts: Vince Boryla 7 | Pts: Bob Davies 24 Rebs: Jack Coleman 28 Asts: Jack Coleman 8 |
| Rochester leads series, 2–0 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York Attendance: 4,200
* April 11
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 78, New York Knicks 71 :
| Scoring by quarter: 15–17, 20–16, 16–15, 27–23 |||
| Pts: Arnie Risen 27 Rebs: Arnie Risen 18 Asts: Bob Davies 8 | Pts: Vince Boryla 20 Rebs: Nat Clifton 11 Asts: Dick McGuire 7 |
| Rochester leads series, 3–0 |||
* 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York Attendance: 5,000
* April 13
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 73, New York Knicks 79 :
| Scoring by quarter: 10–21, 18–19, 28–17, 17–22 |||
| Pts: Arnie Risen 26 Rebs: Arnie Risen 20 Asts: Jack Coleman 9 | Pts: Harry Gallatin 22 Rebs: Nat Clifton 17 Asts: Zaslofsky, Clifton 6 each |
| Rochester leads series, 3–1 |||
* 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York Attendance: 4,000
* April 15
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 92, Rochester Royals 89 :
| Scoring by quarter: 25–28, 19–21, 29–21, 19–19 |||
| Pts: Connie Simmons 26 Rebs: Nat Clifton 10 Asts: Nat Clifton 7 | Pts: Bobby Wanzer 21 Rebs: Arnie Risen 14 Asts: Bob Davies 10 |
| Rochester leads series, 3–2 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York Attendance: 4,200
* April 18
* Boxscore
Rochester Royals 73, New York Knicks 80 :
| Scoring by quarter: 21–19, 17–19, 12–15, 23–27 |||
| Pts: Arnie Johnson 27 Rebs: Arnie Johnson 15 Asts: Jack Coleman 8 | Pts: Max Zaslofsky 23 Rebs: Ernie Vandeweghe 8 Asts: Dick McGuire 6 |
| Series tied, 3–3 |||
* 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, New York Attendance: 4,500
* April 21
* Boxscore
New York Knicks 75, Rochester Royals 79 :
| Scoring by quarter: 16–22, 18–18, 26–22, 15–17 |||
| Pts: Zaslofsky, Boryla 16 each Rebs: Harry Gallatin 10 Asts: Ernie Vandeweghe 5 | Pts: Arnie Risen 24 Rebs: Arnie Risen 13 Asts: Jack Coleman 9 |
| Rochester wins series, 4–3 |||
* Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York Attendance: 4,200
* This was the first time in NBA playoff history a team has forced a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 in the series, and the only time to date in the NBA Finals.
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.