1953 NBA playoffs


The 1953 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1952–53 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers won their fourth championship in the last five years, and defeated the Knicks in the Finals for the second straight season to complete their run.
Not only did the four Western Division teams meet for the third straight year, but the Eastern Division teams this year, had a slight change. The Philadelphia Warriors did not make the playoffs, but the Baltimore Bullets did. They would be swept by the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks in 2 games.
The Indianapolis Olympians played their last game, a Game 2 loss to the Lakers in the first round. They folded at the end of the season, and major professional basketball did not return to Indianapolis, Indiana until the Indiana Pacers were founded for the inaugural 1967–68 season of the American Basketball Association.
The Boston Celtics earned their first playoff series victory with a two-game sweep of the Syracuse Nationals.
The 1952–53 Baltimore Bullets hold the distinction of having the worst regular-season record of any playoff qualifier in league history, at 16-54.

Bracket

Western Division

Champion: Minneapolis Lakers
Division Semifinals
Minneapolis Lakers vs. Indianapolis Olympians: Lakers win series 2–0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1952 Western Division Semifinals
Rochester Royals vs. Fort Wayne Pistons: Pistons win series 2–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1952 Western Division Semifinals
Division Finals
Minneapolis Lakers vs. Fort Wayne Pistons: Lakers win series 3–2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1950 Central Division Finals

Eastern Division

Champion: New York Knicks
Division Semifinals
New York Knicks vs. Baltimore Bullets: Knicks win series 2–0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1949 Eastern Division Semifinals
Syracuse Nationals vs. Boston Celtics: Celtics win series 2–0
Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Nationals and Celtics.
Division Finals
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics: Knicks win series 3–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1952 Eastern Division Semifinals

NBA Finals

Minneapolis Lakers vs. New York Knicks: Lakers win series 4–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1952 NBA Finals