The 1948-49 season marked a pivotal moment for the Los Angeles Lakers, who were then based in Minneapolis. This season was their first in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) after transferring from the National Basketball League (NBL). Under the leadership of coach John Kundla, the Lakers had an outstanding season, finishing with a 44-16 record, placing them first in the Western Division.
The team’s success was largely driven by the dominance of center George Mikan, who was instrumental in their offensive and defensive strategies. Mikan’s performance during the season solidified his reputation as the league’s premier player, showcasing his scoring prowess and defensive capabilities.
In the playoffs, the Lakers continued their impressive run, defeating the Chicago Stags in the Western Division Semifinals and the Rochester Royals in the Division Finals. These victories earned them a spot in the BAA Finals against the Washington Capitols. The Lakers clinched the championship by winning the series 4-2, marking their first BAA title and laying the foundation for a storied franchise history.
The 1948-49 season was not only significant for the Lakers’ on-court success but also for its role in the pending merger of the BAA with the NBL, leading to the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the following year. This season remains a cornerstone in the history of the Lakers, showcasing the early dominance of one of basketball’s most iconic teams.
- Regular Season Record: 44-16
- Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 2-0, Division Finals: 2-0, BAA Finals: 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1948-49 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| George Mikan | 66 | 28.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 34.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Pollard | 59 | 14.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 13.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Herm Schaefer | 64 | 10.6 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 11.8 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Don Carlson | 61 | 8.9 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 5.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Arnie Ferrin | 53 | 7.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 9.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tony Jaros | 65 | 5.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 6.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jack Dwan | 66 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Donnie Forman | 50 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mike Bloom | 23 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Whitey Kachan | 24 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Jorgensen | 52 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jack Tingle | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Earl Gardner | 55 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Don Smith | 8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ray Ellefson | 3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1949 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Minneapolis Lakers
In the 1949 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by George Mikan, advanced to the second round with a commanding performance. They faced the Rochester Royals and won the series 2-0, showcasing their dominance and setting the stage for their eventual championship victory. Mikan's formidable presence and scoring prowess were pivotal in the Lakers' successful playoff run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 1949 | vs. Chicago Stags | L 84-77 | |
| Mar 24, 1949 | @ Chicago Stags | W 101-85 |
1949 Conference Championship vs. Rochester Royals
In the 1949 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers, then known as the Minneapolis Lakers, reached the conference finals where they showcased their dominance by defeating the Rochester Royals. Led by the legendary George Mikan, the Lakers' powerful performance in the postseason was pivotal in their journey to ultimately winning the inaugural NBA Championship. This victory set the foundation for the Lakers' storied legacy in basketball history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 1949 | @ Rochester Royals | W 80-79 | |
| Mar 29, 1949 | vs. Rochester Royals | L 67-55 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1948-49 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1948-49 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1948 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 84-72 | |
| Nov 06, 1948 | @ Washington Capitols | L 67-62 | |
| Nov 09, 1948 | @ Boston Celtics | L 77-55 | |
| Nov 11, 1948 | @ New York Knicks | W 77-68 | |
| Nov 13, 1948 | @ Providence Steamrollers | W 90-67 | |
| Nov 14, 1948 | @ Rochester Royals | L 92-75 | |
| Nov 17, 1948 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 74-72 | |
| Nov 19, 1948 | @ Chicago Stags | W 85-81 | |
| Nov 21, 1948 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 94-81 | |
| Nov 23, 1948 | @ Indianapolis Jets | W 88-82 | |
| Nov 24, 1948 | vs. Providence Steamrollers | L 117-89 | |
| Nov 27, 1948 | @ St. Louis Bombers | W 87-71 | |
| Nov 28, 1948 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 88-67 | |
| Nov 30, 1948 | @ Boston Celtics | W 94-84 | |
| Dec 01, 1948 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | L 84-74 | |
| Dec 04, 1948 | @ Chicago Stags | L 104-100 | |
| Dec 05, 1948 | vs. St. Louis Bombers | L 78-68 | |
| Dec 08, 1948 | vs. Washington Capitols | W 94-83 | |
| Dec 10, 1948 | @ Rochester Royals | W 96-75 | |
| Dec 12, 1948 | vs. Rochester Royals | L 67-58 | |
| Dec 15, 1948 | vs. Indianapolis Jets | L 79-61 | |
| Dec 19, 1948 | vs. Chicago Stags | L 94-84 | |
| Dec 21, 1948 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | L 72-64 | |
| Dec 22, 1948 | @ New York Knicks | L 97-79 | |
| Dec 26, 1948 | vs. Rochester Royals | L 99-90 | |
| Dec 29, 1948 | vs. Washington Capitols | L 91-68 | |
| Jan 01, 1949 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | L 92-72 | |
| Jan 05, 1949 | vs. St. Louis Bombers | L 101-76 | |
| Jan 08, 1949 | @ St. Louis Bombers | L 64-59 | |
| Jan 09, 1949 | vs. St. Louis Bombers | L 74-58 | |
| Jan 12, 1949 | vs. Providence Steamrollers | L 98-64 | |
| Jan 16, 1949 | vs. Indianapolis Jets | L 75-66 | |
| Jan 18, 1949 | @ Indianapolis Jets | W 81-56 | |
| Jan 20, 1949 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | L 83-65 | |
| Jan 23, 1949 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 89-71 | |
| Jan 26, 1949 | vs. Chicago Stags | L 84-49 | |
| Jan 30, 1949 | vs. Washington Capitols | L 84-79 | |
| Feb 02, 1949 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 82-79 | |
| Feb 03, 1949 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 78-76 | |
| Feb 06, 1949 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 85-74 | |
| Feb 10, 1949 | vs. New York Knicks | L 95-75 | |
| Feb 11, 1949 | @ Chicago Stags | L 105-97 | |
| Feb 13, 1949 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 91-74 | |
| Feb 16, 1949 | vs. Chicago Stags | L 90-71 | |
| Feb 18, 1949 | @ Boston Celtics | W 85-71 | |
| Feb 19, 1949 | @ Providence Steamrollers | W 94-80 | |
| Feb 22, 1949 | @ New York Knicks | W 101-74 | |
| Feb 24, 1949 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | L 77-73 | |
| Feb 26, 1949 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 115-114 | |
| Feb 27, 1949 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | L 74-50 | |
| Mar 03, 1949 | @ Indianapolis Jets | W 82-79 | |
| Mar 06, 1949 | vs. Providence Steamrollers | L 68-59 | |
| Mar 09, 1949 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 74-67 | |
| Mar 10, 1949 | @ St. Louis Bombers | L 88-71 | |
| Mar 12, 1949 | @ Indianapolis Jets | W 97-69 | |
| Mar 13, 1949 | vs. New York Knicks | L 100-90 | |
| Mar 16, 1949 | @ Washington Capitols | L 85-72 | |
| Mar 17, 1949 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 101-67 | |
| Mar 19, 1949 | @ Rochester Royals | W 99-85 | |
| Mar 20, 1949 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 91-78 | |
| Apr 04, 1949 | vs. Washington Capitols | L 88-84 | |
| Apr 06, 1949 | vs. Washington Capitols | L 76-62 | |
| Apr 08, 1949 | @ Washington Capitols | W 94-74 | |
| Apr 09, 1949 | @ Washington Capitols | L 83-71 | |
| Apr 11, 1949 | @ Washington Capitols | L 74-65 | |
| Apr 13, 1949 | vs. Washington Capitols | L 77-56 |