1951-52 Season The Lakers won an NBA title this season

Record: 40-26, second place in Western Division

The NBA widened the foul lane before the season in an attempt to contain George Mikan, who still ended up averaging 23.8 points per game. Rochester won the Western Division by a game, setting up another Lakers-Royals playoff matchup.

Playoffs: The Lakers swept Indianapolis in the first round, and got by rival Rochester in the Western Divison finals, setting up an NBA Finals matchup against the New York Knicks. Games 3 and 4 were played at the 69th Regiment Armory instead of at Madison Square Garden because the circus was in town. The teams split those games, and Games 5 and 6 as well. Game 7 was all Lakers, as they won their second NBA title in three years.

Playoff Results


Western Division Semifinals


  • at Lakers 78, Indianapolis 70

  • at Lakers 78, Indianapolis 70

  • Lakers 94, at Indianapolis 87



Western Division Finals


  • at Rochester 88, Lakers 78

  • Lakers 83, at Rochester 78

  • at Lakers 77, Rochester 67

  • at Lakers 82, Rochester 80




NBA Finals


  • Lakers 83, New York 79 (OT, at St. Paul)

  • New York 80, Lakers 72 (at St. Paul)

  • Lakers 82, at New York 77

  • at New York 90, Lakers 89 (OT)

  • Lakers 102, New York 89 (at St. Paul)

  • at New York 76, Lakers 68

  • at Lakers 82, New York 65