Last Updated on June 3, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 1948–49 NBA Regular Season Standings, organized into Eastern and Western Divisions (this was the first season of the Basketball Association of America (BAA)–NBL merger, creating what is now the NBA, though the league was still officially called the Basketball Association of America until August 1949).
Eastern Division
| Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitols | 38 | 22 | .633 | Bob Feerick | Lost in East Finals (to NYK) |
| New York Knicks | 32 | 28 | .533 | Joe Lapchick | Lost in BAA Finals (to MIN) |
| Philadelphia Warriors | 28 | 32 | .467 | Edward Gottlieb | Lost in East Semifinals (to WSH) |
| Boston Celtics | 25 | 35 | .417 | Honey Russell | Missed playoffs |
| Providence Steamrollers | 12 | 48 | .200 | Hank Soar | Missed playoffs |
Western Division
| Team | W | L | Win% | Head Coach | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Lakers | 44 | 16 | .733 | John Kundla | BAA Champions |
| Rochester Royals | 45 | 15 | .750 | Les Harrison | Lost in West Finals (to MIN) |
| Chicago Stags | 38 | 22 | .633 | Philip Brownstein | Lost in West Semifinals (to ROC) |
| St. Louis Bombers | 29 | 31 | .483 | Ken Loeffler | Lost in West Semifinals (to MIN) |
| Fort Wayne Pistons | 22 | 38 | .367 | Carl Bennett | Missed playoffs |
| Indianapolis Jets | 18 | 42 | .300 | Bruce Hale | Missed playoffs |
1949 BAA Playoff Summary:
- BAA Finals:
- Minneapolis Lakers defeated New York Knicks 4–1
- Division Finals:
- Eastern: Knicks defeated Capitols 2–1
- Western: Lakers defeated Royals 2–0
- Division Semifinals:
- Eastern: Capitols defeated Warriors 2–0
- Western:
- Lakers defeated Bombers 2–0
- Royals defeated Stags 2–0