Record 40–26 (.606) Start date 1951 Radio WLOL | Playoff finish NBA Finals
(Won 4-3) Head coach John Kundla Arena Minneapolis Auditorium | |
Place Division: 2nd (Western) People also search for 1952–53 Minneapolis Lakers season | ||
The 1951–52 NBA season was the franchise's fourth season in the NBA. The NBA widened the foul lane before the 1951–52 season in an attempt to slow down George Mikan. Despite the change, it had little effect on Mikan. He still averaged 23.8 points per game, although he lost the scoring title to Paul Arizin, from the Philadelphia Warriors. The Lakers went into the campaign with essentially the same lineup. Rochester took first place in the Western Division by a game, but the Lakers ousted the Royals in four games in the division finals. The NBA Finals would have the Lakers oppose the New York Knickerbockers. Games 3 and 4 of the Finals were played at the 69th Regiment Armory instead of at Madison Square Garden. This was because the circus was in town. The teams split those games, and Games 5 and 6 as well. Game 7 was dominated by Minneapolis. The Lakers pounded out an 82–65 win, at home, to claim their third NBA crown in their first four seasons.
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Player stats
Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average
West Division Semifinals
(2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Indianapolis Olympians: Lakers win series 2–0
West Division Finals
(1) Rochester Royals vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers: Lakers win series 3–1
NBA Finals
(W2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E3) New York Knicks: Lakers win series 4–3