The formative years of the NBA, spanning from 1947 to 1960, were a period of rapid transformation, fierce competition, and the birth of basketball dynasties that would shape the league’s identity for decades to come. In these early seasons, teams like the Philadelphia Warriors, Baltimore Bullets, Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, St. Louis Hawks, and Boston Celtics battled for supremacy in a league still finding its footing after the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). Each championship run was marked by dramatic playoff series, legendary performances, and the emergence of iconic players such as George Mikan—whose dominance with the Lakers redefined the center position—and Bob Pettit, whose scoring prowess led the St. Louis Hawks to glory. These pioneering champions not only established the NBA’s competitive foundation but also set the stage for the dynastic eras and cultural impact that would follow, as the league evolved from a fledgling enterprise into a major force in American sports.
1947 Playoffs Philadelphia Warriors
The Philadelphia Warriors and Chicago Stags advanced to the finals of the first official National Basketball Association championship. The Washington Capitols, who finished the regular season with the best record, were considered the favorites. However, the Warriors managed to beat them in the semifinals in six games and defeat the Chicago team 4-1 in the finals. Thus, the Philadelphia Warriors became the first champions of the BAA and the future NBA.
1948 Playoffs Baltimore Bullets
In the second season, the Warriors were already considered the favorites. They were the reigning champions and also finished first in the Eastern Conference at the end of the regular season. The Philadelphia Warriors reached the finals after playing only one series, in which they managed to win only in the seventh game against the St. Louis Bombers. They failed to defend their title. The Baltimore Bullets became the new champions, winning the finals 4–2.
1949 Playoffs Minneapolis Lakers
Twelve teams participated in the third championship. The Minneapolis Lakers finished second in the West but advanced to the finals without any issues, losing not a single game. The other finalists, the Washington Capitols, won the Eastern Division and easily advanced to the BAA finals, where they lost to the Lakers in six games. Thus, the Minneapolis Lakers became the new champions.
Where all the most interesting things from the world of entertainment are - Cash King
1950 Playoffs Minneapolis Lakers
The previous season was the last under the BAA. The association merged with the National Basketball League. The strongest teams in their divisions met in the finals. The Syracuse Nationals won in the East, while the Minneapolis Lakers were unrivaled in the Western Division. In the regular season, the teams each won one game in their head-to-head matchups, but in the finals, the Lakers prevailed with a score of 4–2. Thus, they became champions for the second consecutive year.
1951 Playoffs Rochester Royals
Both of last year's finalists lost in their division finals this time around. The champions lost to the Rochester Royals, and the Syracuse Nationals lost to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. The NBA Finals were very close. Everything was decided in the seventh game, which took place in New York. The Rochester Royals prevailed with a score of 79-75.
1952 Playoffs Minneapolis Lakers
1953 Playoffs Minneapolis Lakers
The following season, the same teams met in the finals, but this time the Minneapolis Lakers had an easier victory. The champions won the series in five games. It was already possible to talk about a dynasty team, in which George Mikan, a future Hall of Famer, shone. For the New York Knicks, this was their third consecutive final, but once again it ended in failure. The team would not reach this stage again for another twenty years.
1958 Playoffs St. Louis Hawks
At the beginning of the season, there was little to suggest that these teams would meet again in the finals. While the Boston Celtics had a confident regular season, finishing first in the Eastern Conference, the St. Louis Hawks had a challenging season, with 41 wins and 31 losses. Nevertheless, they were an experienced team and made it to the playoff bracket for a rematch. In the third game of the series, Bill Russell injured his ankle, and Boston lost, but in the fourth game, they managed to win without their leader and evened the series. The St. Louis Hawks won the fifth game in Boston, won the sixth game on their home court, and became champions. Bob Pettit set an NBA record by scoring 50 points in the decisive game of the season, and he will live to see 2021.
1959 Playoffs Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics once again breezed through the regular season. They had 52 wins and 20 losses. Their opponent in the finals, the five-time NBA champions, the Minneapolis Lakers, on the other hand, became the first team to reach the playoff finals with a negative win-loss record in the regular season.
At the same time, the Celtics struggled to win the semifinals against the Syracuse Nationals in seven games.
The Lakers, on the other hand, easily defeated the favorites, the St. Louis Hawks, at the same stage. However, in the finals, the Massachusetts team turned on all its power, and for the first time in the final series, neither team failed to win a single game. Thus began the Boston Celtics' long winning streak.
1960 Playoffs Boston Celtics
Imagine that in those years, there were only eight teams in the NBA, four in each division. At the same time, they played 75 games in the championship. They played each other so many times during the season that they had time to get tired of each other. And then there were the playoff finals. In 1960, the winners of their respective divisions, the Boston Celtics and the St. Louis Hawks, met in the finals. Over the past four years, this was their third final series, which again dragged on until the seventh game. In it, the Celtics won 122-103 on their home court.
Wrap Up
By 1960, the NBA had undergone a remarkable evolution, with its early champions leaving an indelible mark on the league’s history and style of play. The Minneapolis Lakers, powered by George Mikan, became the NBA’s first true dynasty, demonstrating the value of building around a transcendent star and inspiring future teams to pursue sustained excellence. The Rochester Royals and Baltimore Bullets each enjoyed their moments of triumph, while Bob Pettit’s St. Louis Hawks showcased the rise of the power forward and the drama of hard-fought Finals. As the Boston Celtics began their ascent, anchored by a team-first mentality and soon-to-be legends like Bill Russell, the blueprint for basketball dynasties was firmly established. These early champions not only legitimized professional basketball in the eyes of fans and the media but also laid the groundwork for the league’s explosive growth, innovation, and enduring appeal. Their legacies live on in the NBA’s emphasis on star power, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of greatness, making the story of the league’s first champions a vital chapter in the sport's history.