1958 NBA Finals

The 1958 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series for the 1957–58 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. It pitted the Western Division champion St. Louis Hawks against the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics. The Hawks won the series in six games to win the franchise's first and only NBA title.

1958 NBA Finals
1958 NBA champions banner at State Farm Arena
TeamCoachWins
St. Louis Hawks Alex Hannum 4
Boston Celtics Red Auerbach 2
DatesMarch 29–April 12
Hall of FamersCeltics:
Bill Russell
Andy Phillip
Arnie Risen
Tom Heinsohn (as a player and coach)
Bob Cousy
Frank Ramsey
Sam Jones
Bill Sharman (as a player and coach)
Hawks:
Slater Martin
Ed Macauley
Cliff Hagan
Bob Pettit
Coaches:
Alex Hannum
Red Auerbach
Eastern FinalsCeltics defeat Warriors, 4–1
Western FinalsHawks defeat Pistons, 4–1

Recap

After being defeated by the Celtics in Game 7 of the 1957 NBA Finals, St. Louis survived a sometimes difficult 1957-58 NBA season en route to winning the Western Division crown with a 41-31 record. The Celtics, meanwhile, had dominated the Eastern Division with a 49-23 record.[1]

The Hawks upset the Celtics (with a healthy Russell) in Game 1 at the Boston Garden, 104-102.[2] Boston struck back with a wipeout in Game 2, 136-112.[3] In St. Louis, the Hawks prevailed 111-108 in Game 3 when Russell severely sprained his ankle.[4][1] Without Russell, the Celtics evened the series with a 109-98 surprise victory in Game 4.[5] St. Louis forced a 102-100 win in Game 5 in Boston to take the series lead.[6][1]

Back home in Kiel Auditorium on April 12, the Hawks weren't about to miss their opportunity to defeat the defending champions. Pettit turned in a spectacular performance. He scored 31 points in the first three quarters, then zoomed off in the final period, nailing 19 of his team's last 21 points. His last two points, on a tip-in with 15 seconds remaining, put the Hawks ahead 110-107. The Celtics scored one final bucket but could do no more. The Hawks finally had a title, 110-109.[1] Pettit had scored 50 points, including 18 of the Hawks' final 21 points in propelling the Hawks' to the championship.[7]

Most observers figured that the Celtics probably would have won the 1958 title if Russell hadn't suffered his ankle injury in game 3.[1] Auerbach, however, found no comfort in that opinion. "You can always look for excuses," he said. "We just got beat."[1]

The 1958 Hawks were the last team to win an NBA championship without a black player on the roster.[8]

Series summary
GameDateHome TeamResultRoad Team
Game 1March 29Boston Celtics102–104 (0–1)St. Louis Hawks
Game 2March 30Boston Celtics136–112 (1–1)St. Louis Hawks
Game 3April 2St. Louis Hawks111–108 (2–1)Boston Celtics
Game 4April 5St. Louis Hawks98–109 (2–2)Boston Celtics
Game 5April 9Boston Celtics100–102 (2–3)St. Louis Hawks
Game 6April 12St. Louis Hawks110–109 (4–2)Boston Celtics

Hawks win series 4–2


Team rosters

St. Louis Hawks

Boston Celtics

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2007-05-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195803290BOS.html
  3. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195803300BOS.html
  4. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195804020STL.html
  5. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195804050STL.html
  6. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195804090BOS.html
  7. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195804120STL.html
  8. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/STL/1958.html
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