Last Updated on June 3, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 1946–47 BAA Regular Season Standings. This was the inaugural season of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which would later become the NBA in 1949.
Eastern Division
| Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitols | 49 | 11 | .817 | Red Auerbach | Lost in Semifinals (to CHI) |
| Philadelphia Warriors | 35 | 25 | .583 | Edward Gottlieb | BAA Champions |
| New York Knicks | 33 | 27 | .550 | Neil Cohalan | Lost in Quarterfinals (to PHI) |
| Providence Steamrollers | 28 | 32 | .467 | Bob Morris | Missed playoffs |
| Boston Celtics | 22 | 38 | .367 | Honey Russell | Missed playoffs |
| Toronto Huskies | 22 | 38 | .367 | Ed Sadowski / Dick Fitzgerald | Missed playoffs |
Western Division
| Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Stags | 39 | 22 | .639 | Harold Olsen | Lost in BAA Finals (to PHI) |
| St. Louis Bombers | 38 | 23 | .623 | Ken Loeffler | Lost in Semifinals (to PHI) |
| Cleveland Rebels | 30 | 30 | .500 | Dutch Dehnert | Lost in Quarterfinals (to NYK) |
| Detroit Falcons | 20 | 40 | .333 | Glenn Curtis | Missed playoffs |
| Pittsburgh Ironmen | 15 | 45 | .250 | Paul Birch | Missed playoffs |
1947 BAA Playoff Summary:
- BAA Finals:
- Philadelphia Warriors defeated Chicago Stags 4–1
- Semifinals:
- Warriors defeated Bombers 2–1
- Stags defeated Capitols 2–0
- Quarterfinals:
- Warriors defeated Knicks 2–0
- Stags received a bye
- Capitols had a bye
- Knicks defeated Rebels 2–1 in the opening round
Historical Notes:
- The BAA’s first game was on November 1, 1946, between the Toronto Huskies and New York Knicks.
- The Philadelphia Warriors won the first BAA championship behind star forward Joe Fulks.
- The league had 11 teams in its debut season, many of which would fold or merge in the following years.