1948 BAA Finals
The Basketball Association of America operated a unique playoff format during the 1947, 48 season. Philadelphia Warriors of the Eastern Division faced Baltimore Bullets of the Western Division in the championship round. Philadelphia held home court advantage for this series. The Bullets won the series four games to two. This marked the first professional sports championship ever won by a Baltimore-based team. The league structure allowed division runners-up to compete for a spot in the finals. A special bracket system determined the second finalist alongside the division champions.
Baltimore was not the Western Division champion yet advanced to the championship round. They won a four-team playoff among the Eastern and Western Division runners-up. Meanwhile, the Eastern and Western Division champions played one long series to determine the other finalist. Philadelphia Warriors and St. Louis Bombers competed in that best-of-seven series. Philadelphia won that semifinal series four games to three. In the runners-up bracket, Baltimore and Chicago from the West had first eliminated New York and Boston from the East. Then they faced each other in a best-of-three series. The format was used only twice, in 1947 and 1948. It generated two champions from the runners-up bracket.
The six games of the final series were played in twelve days. At least one day off occurred except prior to the decisive game. Game One took place on April 10 with Philadelphia hosting Baltimore. The home team scored 71 points while the road team scored 60. Game Two happened on April 13 at the same venue. Philadelphia lost this contest 63 to 66. Game Three moved to Baltimore on April 15. The host team won 72 to 70. Game Four followed on April 17 in Baltimore. The Bullets secured an 78 to 75 victory. Game Five returned to Philadelphia on April 20. The home team scored 91 points against 82 for the visitors. Game Six concluded the series on April 21 in Baltimore. The Bullets won 88 to 73 to take the title four games to two.
Team rosters existed for both the Philadelphia Warriors and the Baltimore Bullets during this championship series. Specific player names appear in the source material under Team rosters sections. The article lists these rosters as part of the official record. No individual player statistics or quotes are provided in the text. The focus remains on the collective teams rather than specific athletes. The roster data serves as a historical record of who played in the finals.
As of 2023, this is the only BAA/NBA Finals which a now-defunct team won. This refers to teams that no longer exist in their original form. It excludes teams that changed names and/or moved to other cities in later years. The 1948 title remains unique because the winning franchise ceased operations entirely. The Baltimore Bullets did not relocate or rebrand like many other early franchises. Their victory stands alone in league history due to the team's disappearance from existence.
Up Next
Common questions
Who won the 1948 BAA Finals?
The Baltimore Bullets won the 1948 BAA Finals by defeating the Philadelphia Warriors four games to two. This victory marked the first professional sports championship ever won by a Baltimore-based team.
When did the 1948 BAA Finals take place?
The six-game series began on April 10 and concluded on April 21 of that year. The games were played within twelve days with at least one day off occurring except prior to the decisive game.
Where was the 1948 BAA Finals held?
Games One, Two, and Five took place in Philadelphia while Games Three, Four, and Six occurred in Baltimore. The home court advantage belonged to the Philadelphia Warriors for this specific series.
Why is the 1948 BAA Finals unique in league history?
As of 2023, this remains the only BAA or NBA Finals won by a now-defunct team. The Baltimore Bullets ceased operations entirely without relocating or rebranding like other early franchises.
How many teams competed in the 1948 BAA Finals playoff bracket?
Four teams advanced through a special runners-up bracket system before the final series. The format allowed division runners-up to compete for a spot alongside the division champions.