The 1973 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1972–73 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. The Knicks won their second (and most recent) NBA title. Willis Reed became the first player to be named NBA Finals MVP twice.

1973 NBA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesMarch 30–May 10, 1973
Season1972–73
Teams8
Final positions
ChampionsNew York Knicks (2nd title)
Runner-upLos Angeles Lakers
Semifinalists
← 1972
1974 →

The playoff format was modified, as only the divisional champions qualified automatically; two wild-cards were also added from each conference. Once qualification was determined, the four qualifiers were seeded 1–4 based on record; divisional position no longer mattered. The #1 seed then played #4, and #2 played #3. Because of this new format, New York, the Atlantic Division runner-up, had home-court advantage versus the Baltimore Bullets, the Central Division champion, since the Knicks had the better regular-season record. The Bullets had home-court advantage in the 1972 playoffs versus the Knicks and in the 1971 playoffs versus Philadelphia, even though their record was worse than New York's and Philadelphia's were those seasons, because they had won their division, while the Knicks and Sixers were runners-up.

This was the second straight time (and third in the last 4 years) that the Lakers and Knicks met in the Finals; the Lakers–Knicks rivalry ended with two titles won by the Knicks and one by the Lakers.

This was the Lakers' last appearance in the Finals until 1980; It was New York's last appearance until 1994.

Bracket

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Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
         
E1 Boston* 4
E4 Atlanta 2
E1 Boston* 3
Eastern Conference
E2 New York 4
E3 Baltimore* 1
E2 New York 4
E2 New York 4
W2 Los Angeles* 1
W1 Milwaukee* 2
W4 Golden State 4
W4 Golden State 1
Western Conference
W2 Los Angeles* 4
W3 Chicago 3
W2 Los Angeles* 4
  • * Division winner
  • Bold Series winner
  • Italic Team with home-court advantage

Conference semifinals

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Eastern Conference semifinals

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April 1
Atlanta Hawks 109, Boston Celtics 134
Scoring by quarter: 24–36, 25–27, 32–36, 28–35
Pts: Lou Hudson 28
Rebs: Jim Washington 14
Asts: Hudson, Maravich 5 each
Pts: John Havlicek 54
Rebs: Dave Cowens 17
Asts: Art Williams 12
Boston leads series, 1–0
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 11,907
April 4
Boston Celtics 126, Atlanta Hawks 113
Scoring by quarter: 29–13, 28–30, 37–30, 32–40
Pts: John Havlicek 29
Rebs: Dave Cowens 25
Asts: Jo Jo White 11
Pts: Pete Maravich 34
Rebs: Walt Bellamy 11
Asts: Pete Maravich 10
Boston leads series, 2–0
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 11,588
April 6
Atlanta Hawks 118, Boston Celtics 105
Scoring by quarter: 16–29, 39–20, 33–28, 30–28
Pts: Lou Hudson 37
Rebs: Walt Bellamy 12
Asts: Pete Maravich 11
Pts: Jo Jo White 23
Rebs: Dave Cowens 18
Asts: Jo Jo White 10
Boston leads series, 2–1
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 8
Boston Celtics 94, Atlanta Hawks 97
Scoring by quarter: 24–32, 26–15, 13–30, 31–20
Pts: John Havlicek 21
Rebs: Paul Silas 22
Asts: John Havlicek 5
Pts: Pete Maravich 37
Rebs: Jim Washington 15
Asts: Herm Gilliam 7
Series tied, 2–2
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 11,675
April 11
Atlanta Hawks 101, Boston Celtics 108
Scoring by quarter: 28–30, 26–16, 27–37, 20–25
Pts: Pete Maravich 34
Rebs: Walt Bellamy 16
Asts: Herm Gilliam 6
Pts: John Havlicek 32
Rebs: Dave Cowens 20
Asts: John Havlicek 11
Boston leads series, 3–2
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 12,525
April 13
Boston Celtics 121, Atlanta Hawks 103
Scoring by quarter: 35–27, 25–31, 26–26, 35–19
Pts: Jo Jo White 33
Rebs: Paul Silas 17
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
Pts: Lou Hudson 35
Rebs: Washington, Bellamy 13 each
Asts: Bellamy, Gilliam 5 each
Boston wins series, 4–2
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 16,181

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning four of the first five meetings.

March 30
Baltimore Bullets 83, New York Knicks 95
Scoring by quarter: 25–19, 20–24, 20–27, 18–25
Pts: Archie Clark 22
Rebs: Wes Unseld 16
Asts: Archie Clark 6
Pts: Walt Frazier 25
Rebs: Frazier, DeBusschere 7 each
Asts: Walt Frazier 6
New York leads series, 1–0
April 1
Baltimore Bullets 103, New York Knicks 123
Scoring by quarter: 25–32, 22–26, 32–29, 24–36
Pts: Phil Chenier 27
Rebs: Wes Unseld 14
Asts: Kevin Porter 7
Pts: Walt Frazier 29
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 11
Asts: Walt Frazier 13
New York leads series, 2–0
April 4
New York Knicks 103, Baltimore Bullets 96
Scoring by quarter: 25–22, 24–24, 25–19, 29–31
Pts: Bill Bradley 23
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 11
Asts: Walt Frazier 7
Pts: Elvin Hayes 36
Rebs: Elvin Hayes 14
Asts: Riordan, Clark 4 each
New York leads series, 3–0
April 6
New York Knicks 89, Baltimore Bullets 97
Scoring by quarter: 14–22, 25–28, 23–28, 27–19
Pts: Walt Frazier 17
Rebs: Willis Reed 8
Asts: DeBusschere, Monroe 4 each
Pts: Elvin Hayes 34
Rebs: Hayes, Unseld 13 each
Asts: Archie Clark 10
New York leads series, 3–1

Last Playoff Game played at The Baltimore Civic Center.

April 8
Baltimore Bullets 99, New York Knicks 109
Scoring by quarter: 31–26, 14–28, 31–24, 23–31
Pts: Archie Clark 30
Rebs: Wes Unseld 21
Asts: Chenier, Unseld 4 each
Pts: Earl Monroe 26
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 15
Asts: Walt Frazier 7
New York wins series, 4–1

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning three of the previous four meetings.

Western Conference semifinals

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March 30
Golden State Warriors 90, Milwaukee Bucks 110
Scoring by quarter: 16–23, 22–25, 23–28, 29–34
Pts: Rick Barry 22
Rebs: Clyde Lee 10
Asts: Jim Barnett 6
Pts: Abdul-Jabbar, Robertson 22 each
Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24
Asts: Oscar Robertson 12
Milwaukee leads series, 1–0
Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance: 10,746
April 1
Golden State Warriors 95, Milwaukee Bucks 92
Scoring by quarter: 27–20, 20–21, 29–24, 19–27
Pts: Cazzie Russell 25
Rebs: Clyde Lee 17
Asts: Walt Hazzard 7
Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 26
Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 15
Asts: five players 3 each
Series tied, 1–1
Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance: 10,379
April 5
Milwaukee Bucks 113, Golden State Warriors 93
Scoring by quarter: 21–18, 26–20, 37–23, 29–32
Pts: Oscar Robertson 34
Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
Asts: Oscar Robertson 8
Pts: Jeff Mullins 21
Rebs: Clyde Lee 17
Asts: Jeff Mullins 4
Milwaukee leads series, 2–1
April 7
Milwaukee Bucks 97, Golden State Warriors 102
Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 19–26, 26–27, 26–21
Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 25
Rebs: Perry, Abdul-Jabbar 14 each
Asts: Oscar Robertson 7
Pts: Rick Barry 38
Rebs: Clyde Lee 21
Asts: Jeff Mullins 6
Series tied, 2–2
April 10
Golden State Warriors 100, Milwaukee Bucks 97
Scoring by quarter: 29–18, 28–28, 25–27, 18–24
Pts: Clyde Lee 21
Rebs: Clyde Lee 18
Asts: Walt Hazzard 5
Pts: four players 19 each
Rebs: Perry, Abdul-Jabbar 12 each
Asts: Oscar Robertson 11
Golden State leads series, 3–2
April 13
Milwaukee Bucks 86, Golden State Warriors 100
Scoring by quarter: 17–26, 26–28, 23–22, 20–24
Pts: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 27
Rebs: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 14
Asts: Lucius Allen 5
Pts: Jim Barnett 26
Rebs: Clyde Lee 19
Asts: Jim Barnett 7
Golden State wins series, 4–2

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bucks winning the first two meetings.

March 30
Chicago Bulls 104, Los Angeles Lakers 107 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 29–20, 19–30, 25–23, Overtime: 10–13
Pts: Bob Love 21
Rebs: Dennis Awtrey 15
Asts: Dennis Awtrey 6
Pts: Gail Goodrich 28
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 20
Asts: Jerry West 9
Los Angeles leads series, 1–0
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 16,341
April 1
Chicago Bulls 93, Los Angeles Lakers 108
Scoring by quarter: 28–21, 19–35, 24–24, 22–28
Pts: Bob Love 32
Rebs: Chet Walker 11
Asts: Tom Boerwinkle 9
Pts: Gail Goodrich 33
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 21
Asts: Jerry West 19
Los Angeles leads series, 2–0
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,368
April 6
Los Angeles Lakers 86, Chicago Bulls 96
Scoring by quarter: 19–31, 28–21, 22–22, 17–22
Pts: Jim McMillian 24
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 18
Asts: Jerry West 13
Pts: Chet Walker 30
Rebs: Dennis Awtrey 14
Asts: Norm Van Lier 8
Los Angeles leads series, 2–1
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 14,606
April 8
Los Angeles Lakers 94, Chicago Bulls 98
Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 31–29, 24–23, 18–25
Pts: Jim McMillian 25
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 30
Asts: Goodrich, West 5 each
Pts: Bob Love 38
Rebs: Bob Love 13
Asts: Bob Love 6
Series tied, 2–2
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 14,181
April 10
Chicago Bulls 102, Los Angeles Lakers 123
Scoring by quarter: 18–26, 34–34, 31–29, 19–34
Pts: Bob Love 27
Rebs: Bob Love 14
Asts: Awtrey, Van Lier 5 each
Pts: Jerry West 36
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 29
Asts: Jerry West 11
Los Angeles leads series, 3–2
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
April 13
Los Angeles Lakers 93, Chicago Bulls 101
Scoring by quarter: 21–26, 27–25, 18–26, 27–24
Pts: Jerry West 19
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 26
Asts: Jerry West 5
Pts: Jerry Sloan 27
Rebs: Dennis Awtrey 14
Asts: Dennis Awtrey 8
Series tied, 3–3
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 18,096
April 15
Chicago Bulls 92, Los Angeles Lakers 95
Scoring by quarter: 22–22, 28–24, 28–26, 14–23
Pts: Norm Van Lier 28
Rebs: Norm Van Lier 14
Asts: Bob Love 5
Pts: Jerry West 27
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 28
Asts: Jerry West 7
Los Angeles wins series, 4–3
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first three meetings.

Conference finals

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Eastern Conference finals

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April 15
New York Knicks 108, Boston Celtics 134
Scoring by quarter: 30–34, 26–33, 27–34, 25–33
Pts: Walt Frazier 24
Rebs: Walt Frazier 7
Asts: Walt Frazier 10
Pts: Jo Jo White 30
Rebs: Dave Cowens 15
Asts: John Havlicek 11
Boston leads series, 1–0
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 18
Boston Celtics 96, New York Knicks 129
Scoring by quarter: 18–29, 24–31, 19–32, 35–37
Pts: John Havlicek 21
Rebs: Dave Cowens 13
Asts: John Havlicek 11
Pts: Walt Frazier 24
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 8
Asts: Walt Frazier 10
Series tied, 1–1
April 20
New York Knicks 98, Boston Celtics 91
Scoring by quarter: 29–27, 29–19, 23–31, 17–14
Pts: Walt Frazier 23
Rebs: DeBusschere, Reed 11 each
Asts: Walt Frazier 5
Pts: John Havlicek 29
Rebs: Paul Silas 14
Asts: John Havlicek 6
New York leads series, 2–1
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 22
Boston Celtics 110, New York Knicks 117 (2OT)
Scoring by quarter: 20–25, 28–17, 24–14, 17–33Overtime: 12–12, 9–16
Pts: Jo Jo White 34
Rebs: Paul Silas 23
Asts: Jo Jo White 6
Pts: Walt Frazier 37
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 10
Asts: Dean Meminger 7
New York leads series, 3–1
April 25
New York Knicks 97, Boston Celtics 98
Scoring by quarter: 25–29, 27–29, 23–23, 22–17
Pts: Walt Frazier 21
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 12
Asts: Frazier, DeBusschere 5 each
Pts: Dave Cowens 32
Rebs: Paul Silas 20
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
New York leads series, 3–2
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
April 27
Boston Celtics 110, New York Knicks 100
Scoring by quarter: 24–21, 29–34, 29–27, 28–18
Pts: Dave Cowens 26
Rebs: Dave Cowens 14
Asts: Jo Jo White 7
Pts: Walt Frazier 29
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 17
Asts: Bradley, DeBusschere 5 each
Series tied, 3–3
April 29
New York Knicks 94, Boston Celtics 78
Scoring by quarter: 19–22, 26–18, 27–17, 22–21
Pts: Walt Frazier 25
Rebs: Walt Frazier 10
Asts: Dave DeBusschere 8
Pts: Dave Cowens 24
Rebs: Paul Silas 16
Asts: Dave Cowens 5
New York wins series, 4–3
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 15,320
  • The Knicks became the 1st NBA road team to win Game 7 after leading series 3–1. This is also the first time the Celtics have lost a Game 7.

This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first eight meetings.

Western Conference finals

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April 17
Golden State Warriors 99, Los Angeles Lakers 101
Scoring by quarter: 23–27, 30–23, 22–25, 24–26
Pts: Nate Thurmond 22
Rebs: Nate Thurmond 26
Asts: Thurmond, Barnett 5 each
Pts: Jim McMillian 37
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 25
Asts: Jerry West 8
Los Angeles leads series, 1–0
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
April 19
Golden State Warriors 93, Los Angeles Lakers 104
Scoring by quarter: 30–28, 20–18, 27–31, 16–27
Pts: Rick Barry 29
Rebs: Clyde Lee 18
Asts: Nate Thurmond 6
Pts: Jerry West 36
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 30
Asts: Jerry West 6
Los Angeles leads series, 2–0
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
April 21
Los Angeles Lakers 126, Golden State Warriors 70
Scoring by quarter: 26–14, 27–20, 36–16, 37–20
Pts: Jim McMillian 28
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 25
Asts: Jerry West 11
Pts: Rick Barry 10
Rebs: Clyde Lee 18
Asts: six players 2 each
Los Angeles leads series, 3–0
April 23
Los Angeles Lakers 109, Golden State Warriors 117
Scoring by quarter: 21–31, 26–20, 36–33, 26–33
Pts: Jerry West 32
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 16
Asts: Gail Goodrich 7
Pts: Cazzie Russell 33
Rebs: Nate Thurmond 18
Asts: Jeff Mullins 7
Los Angeles leads series, 3–1
April 25
Golden State Warriors 118, Los Angeles Lakers 128
Scoring by quarter: 30–26, 20–32, 33–42, 35–28
Pts: Cazzie Russell 29
Rebs: Nate Thurmond 15
Asts: Thurmond, Mullins 5 each
Pts: Gail Goodrich 44
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 22
Asts: Jerry West 9
Los Angeles wins series, 4–1
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning two of the first three meetings.

NBA Finals: (W2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E2) New York Knicks

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May 1
New York Knicks 112, Los Angeles Lakers 115
Scoring by quarter: 26–29, 23–30, 30–36, 33–20
Pts: Dave DeBusschere 25
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 16
Asts: Walt Frazier 8
Pts: Gail Goodrich 30
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 20
Asts: Wilt Chamberlain 6
Los Angeles leads series, 1–0
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
Referees: Mendy Rudolph, Jack Madden
May 3
New York Knicks 99, Los Angeles Lakers 95
Scoring by quarter: 24–23, 26–23, 26–26, 23–23
Pts: Bill Bradley 26
Rebs: DeBusschere, Reed 9 each
Asts: Bill Bradley 4
Pts: Jerry West 32
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 20
Asts: West, Goodrich 5 each
Series tied, 1–1
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
Referees: Jake O'Donnell, Ed Rush
May 6
Los Angeles Lakers 83, New York Knicks 87
Scoring by quarter: 24–26, 23–18, 13–25, 23–18
Pts: Jim McMillian 22
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 13
Asts: Wilt Chamberlain 5
Pts: Willis Reed 22
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 11
Asts: Earl Monroe 6
New York leads series, 2–1
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Attendance: 19,694
Referees: Jack Madden, Don Murphy
May 8
Los Angeles Lakers 98, New York Knicks 103
Scoring by quarter: 16–29, 28–26, 25–27, 29–21
Pts: West, Goodrich 23 each
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 19
Asts: Bill Bridges 7
Pts: Dave DeBusschere 33
Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 14
Asts: Walt Frazier 8
New York leads series, 3–1
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Attendance: 19,694
Referees: Mendy Rudolph, Darell Garretson
May 10
New York Knicks 102, Los Angeles Lakers 93
Scoring by quarter: 23–16, 16–25, 32–18, 31–34
Pts: Earl Monroe 23
Rebs: Willis Reed 12
Asts: Frazier, Bradley 5 each
Pts: Gail Goodrich 28
Rebs: Wilt Chamberlain 21
Asts: Jerry West 4
New York wins series, 4–1
The Forum, Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,505
Referees: Don Murphy, Darell Garretson

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning three of the first four meetings.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Boston Celtics (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  6. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
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