The Basketball Association of America played three seasons before
merging with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA.
The Philadelphia Warriors, Baltimore Bullets and Minneapolis Lakers
each won one BAA championship.
The NBA recognizes the BAA's three seasons as part of its official
league history, making these championships part of the historical
record of today's NBA.
BAA Championship Winners
| Season |
Champion |
Runner-Up |
Finals Result |
| 1946-47 |
Philadelphia Warriors |
Chicago Stags |
4-1 |
| 1947-48 |
Baltimore Bullets |
Philadelphia Warriors |
4-2 |
| 1948-49 |
Minneapolis Lakers |
Washington Capitols |
4-2 |
BAA Championship History
1947 Philadelphia Warriors:
The Warriors became the first champions in BAA history by defeating
the Chicago Stags four games to one. Philadelphia was led by scoring
star Joe Fulks, one of professional basketball's first major offensive
stars.
1948 Baltimore Bullets:
Baltimore entered the BAA from the American Basketball League and
immediately made an impact. The Bullets defeated the defending
champion Philadelphia Warriors four games to two to capture the
franchise's only BAA championship.
1949 Minneapolis Lakers:
Led by George Mikan, the Lakers defeated the Washington Capitols four
games to two. Minneapolis joined the BAA for the 1948-49 season after
playing in the NBL and quickly established itself as professional
basketball's dominant team.
BAA Champions by Franchise
| Franchise |
BAA Championships |
Championship Season |
| Philadelphia Warriors |
1 |
1946-47 |
| Baltimore Bullets |
1 |
1947-48 |
| Minneapolis Lakers |
1 |
1948-49 |
BAA Championship Facts
First BAA Champion: Philadelphia Warriors, 1946-47
Final BAA Champion: Minneapolis Lakers, 1948-49
Most BAA Championships: Three franchises are tied
with one championship each.
Only repeat Finals participant: Philadelphia appeared
in the first two BAA Finals, winning in 1947 and losing to Baltimore
in 1948.
BAA seasons played: Three, from 1946-47 through
1948-49.
