Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Indianapolis Olympians (later known as the Indiana Pacers) were both teams in the early days of professional basketball, particularly during the mid-20th century. Here’s a brief timeline of significant events involving these teams:
1949-50 Season:
- The Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merge to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- The Indianapolis Olympians join the NBA as one of its original teams.
1949-50 Season to 1956:
- The Indianapolis Olympians compete in the NBA, though they never achieve significant success.
1957:
- The Indianapolis Olympians franchise folds due to financial difficulties and a lack of fan support.
1957:
- The Minneapolis Lakers, one of the premier teams of the era, relocate to Los Angeles, becoming the Los Angeles Lakers.
1957-1960s:
- The Los Angeles Lakers become a prominent team in the NBA, led by stars like Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.
1976:
- The American Basketball Association (ABA) Indiana Pacers join the NBA after the ABA-NBA merger.
After 1976:
- The Indiana Pacers continue as an NBA franchise, becoming a significant team in the league.
Summary:
- The Indianapolis Olympians were one of the original NBA teams but folded in 1957.
- The Los Angeles Lakers, originally from Minneapolis, moved to Los Angeles in 1957 and became one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
- The Indiana Pacers, initially from the ABA, entered the NBA in 1976 and continue to compete in the league today.
This timeline outlines the paths of these two franchises in the NBA’s early years and beyond.