History of the St. Louis Hawks

The St. Louis Hawks were one of the NBA's premier franchises during the 1950s and 1960s, winning the 1958 NBA Championship and emerging as the chief rival to the legendary Boston Celtics dynasty. Led by Hall of Fame stars Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan, Ed Macauley, and Slater Martin, the Hawks became one of the league's model organizations. Although the franchise relocated to Atlanta in 1968, the St. Louis years remain the most successful era in franchise history.

From Milwaukee to St. Louis

The Hawks franchise began as the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 before relocating during its inaugural season to become the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.

Following the 1950–51 season, owner Ben Kerner moved the team to Milwaukee, where the Hawks spent four seasons.

Despite drafting future superstar Bob Pettit in 1954, financial challenges continued in Milwaukee.

Following the 1954–55 season, Kerner relocated the franchise to St. Louis, Missouri, a city with a rich basketball tradition and a larger media market.

The move proved to be one of the best decisions in franchise history.

Bob Pettit Becomes a Superstar

By the time the Hawks arrived in St. Louis, Bob Pettit had already established himself as one of the NBA's brightest young stars.

Standing 6-foot-9, Pettit revolutionized the power forward position with his scoring, rebounding, and relentless competitiveness.

During his career, Pettit earned:

• Two NBA Most Valuable Player Awards (1956, 1959)
• Eleven NBA All-Star selections
• Four NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards
• Two NBA scoring titles
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction

Pettit became the face of basketball in St. Louis and remains the greatest player in Hawks franchise history.

Building a Championship Team

Owner and general manager Ben Kerner assembled one of the NBA's strongest rosters.

The Hawks surrounded Pettit with Hall of Fame talent, including:

• Cliff Hagan – Elite scorer and versatile forward.
• Ed Macauley – St. Louis native and perennial All-Star center.
• Slater Martin – Outstanding point guard and floor leader.
• Clyde Lovellette – Dominant Hall of Fame center.

Together they formed one of the deepest and most talented teams of the NBA's early era.

A Rivalry with the Boston Celtics

The Hawks' greatest rival became the Boston Celtics.

Beginning in the mid-1950s, the two teams met repeatedly in the NBA Finals.

1957 NBA Finals

The Hawks pushed Boston to a dramatic seven-game series.

Game 7 remains one of the greatest NBA Finals games ever played, with Boston winning 125–123 in double overtime.

Although St. Louis came up short, the series established the Hawks as legitimate championship contenders.

The 1958 NBA Championship

The following season, the Hawks earned another opportunity against Boston.

This time, St. Louis prevailed.

Led by Bob Pettit's legendary 50-point performance in Game 6, the Hawks defeated the Celtics to capture the 1958 NBA Championship.

The victory remains:

• The only NBA championship in franchise history.
• The only NBA Finals loss suffered by a Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics team.
• One of the greatest championship victories in early NBA history.

Pettit's Game 6 performance remains one of the greatest NBA Finals performances ever.

Continued Success

The Hawks remained among the NBA's elite throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s.

They returned to the NBA Finals in:

• 1960
• 1961

Although they lost both series to Boston, the Hawks consistently ranked among the league's top teams and won multiple Western Division championships.

Lenny Wilkens Arrives

As the 1960s progressed, point guard Lenny Wilkens became the franchise's new leader.

Wilkens developed into one of basketball's finest floor generals and later enjoyed Hall of Fame careers as both a player and coach.

His leadership helped keep the Hawks among the NBA's contenders throughout the decade.

Moving to Atlanta

Despite continued success, attendance gradually declined during the 1960s.

Owner Ben Kerner sought a larger and faster-growing market.

Following the 1967–68 season, the Hawks relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, bringing NBA basketball to the Deep South for the first time.

Legacy

The St. Louis Hawks remain one of the most successful teams of the NBA's early era.

Their accomplishments include:

• 1958 NBA Champions
• Four NBA Finals appearances
• Multiple Western Division championships
• Numerous Hall of Fame players
• One of the NBA's greatest rivalries with the Boston Celtics

The Hawks were the only franchise that consistently challenged Bill Russell's Celtics dynasty during its peak years.

Their championship in 1958 remains one of the defining moments in NBA history.

St. Louis Hawks Timeline

Hall of Fame Players

• Bob Pettit
• Cliff Hagan
• Ed Macauley
• Slater Martin
• Clyde Lovellette
• Lenny Wilkens
• Zelmo Beaty

Notable Coaches

• Red Holzman
• Alex Hannum
• Richie Guerin

Historical Significance

The St. Louis Hawks represent the golden age of professional basketball in St. Louis and one of the NBA's greatest early franchises. During the 1950s and early 1960s, they consistently fielded championship-caliber teams and stood as the Boston Celtics' toughest competition.

The Hawks' 1958 NBA Championship remains one of the defining moments in league history, highlighted by Bob Pettit's unforgettable 50-point performance in the title-clinching Game 6. The franchise helped shape the modern NBA through Hall of Fame talent, innovative coaching, and sustained excellence.

Although the Hawks relocated to Atlanta in 1968, the St. Louis era remains the most successful period in franchise history and an enduring chapter in professional basketball history.