Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Here are the 1961–62 NBA Regular Season Standings:
Eastern Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Boston Celtics | 60 | 20 | .750 | — | Red Auerbach | Won NBA Championship |
| Eastern | Philadelphia Warriors | 49 | 31 | .613 | 11.0 | Frank McGuire | Lost Division Finals |
| Eastern | Syracuse Nationals | 41 | 39 | .513 | 19.0 | Alex Hannum | Lost Division Semifinals |
| Eastern | New York Knicks | 29 | 51 | .363 | 31.0 | Eddie Donovan | Did not qualify |
Western Conference
| Division | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Head Coach | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Los Angeles Lakers | 54 | 26 | .675 | — | Fred Schaus | Lost NBA Finals |
| Western | Cincinnati Royals | 43 | 37 | .538 | 11.0 | Charlie Wolf | Lost Division Semifinals |
| Western | Detroit Pistons | 37 | 43 | .463 | 17.0 | Dick McGuire | Lost Division Finals |
| Western | Chicago Packers | 18 | 62 | .225 | 36.0 | Jim Pollard | Did not qualify |
| Western | St. Louis Hawks† | — | — | — | — | — | — |
† Note: The St. Louis Hawks were part of the Western Division but did not participate this season due to a misalignment in conference listings earlier in the league’s history. However, this is a historical error — they were active and should be included.
Correcting for that:
| Western | St. Louis Hawks | 29 | 51 | .363 | 25.0| Harry Gallatin | Did not qualify |
Notes:
-
- The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1962 NBA Finals, winning 4–3 in a dramatic Game 7 overtime victory.
- This was the season Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points per game and scored 100 points in a single game (March 2, 1962).
- The Chicago Packers were in their inaugural season and would later become the Washington Wizards franchise.