1962 NBA Finals

1962 NBA Finals
Year	1962
Team1	Los Angeles Lakers
Team1 coach	Fred Schaus
Team1 owner	Bob Short
Team1 conf	Western Division
Team2	Boston Celtics
Team2 coach	Red Auerbach
Team2 owner	Walter A. Brown
Team2 conf	Eastern Division
Mvp	Not awarded until 1969 NBA Finals
Umpires	Mendy Rudolph, Earl Strom
Dates	April 7–18, 1962
Television	ABC
Announcers	Chris Schenkel
Hall of famers	Lakers: Elgin Baylor (1977), Jerry West (1980), Frank Selvy (2024) Celtics: Red Auerbach (1969), Bob Cousy (1971), Tom Heinsohn (1986), K.C. Jones (1989), Sam Jones (1984), Tom Sanders (2011), Bill Russell (1975)

1962 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1961–62 NBA season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers, led by Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, faced the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics, led by player-coach Bill Russell and Bob Cousy. The Celtics defeated the Lakers four games to three to win their fourth consecutive NBA championship and fifth in six years, cementing their early dynasty in a series featuring multiple overtime thrillers.

Background

The Boston Celtics, under the leadership of coach Red Auerbach, entered the 1962 NBA playoffs as the dominant force of the era, having won the previous three championships. Their core, built around the defensive anchor Bill Russell, included future Hall of Famers like Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, and K.C. Jones. The Los Angeles Lakers, who had relocated from Minneapolis prior to the 1960–61 NBA season, were led by the spectacular scoring duo of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Baylor had famously scored 61 points in a Finals game the previous year against these same Celtics. The Lakers advanced through the Western Division playoffs, setting up a highly anticipated rematch for the title.

Finals Summary

The series was exceptionally close, with five games decided by three points or fewer. Game 3 in Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena saw the Lakers win 117–115, while Game 4 required overtime before the Celtics prevailed 115–103. The pivotal Game 5 in Boston Garden was a 126–121 Celtics victory. The Lakers staved off elimination with a 119–105 win in Game 6, forcing a decisive seventh game back in Boston. The finale, Game 7, became an instant classic, featuring a dramatic missed shot by the Lakers' Frank Selvy at the end of regulation that would have won the championship.

Series Notes

The series is most remembered for the epic performance in Game 5, where Elgin Baylor set a Finals record by scoring 61 points, a mark that stood for decades. Jerry West also delivered consistently brilliant play throughout the series. For the Celtics, Bill Russell averaged a staggering 22.9 rebounds per game, anchoring their defense, while Sam Jones provided crucial scoring. The Celtics' victory marked their fourth title in a row, a streak that would eventually reach eight consecutive championships. The intensity of this series helped fuel the burgeoning Celtics–Lakers rivalry, which would define the NBA for generations.

Game Results

*Game 1 (April 7): Boston Celtics 122, @ Los Angeles Lakers 108 *Game 2 (April 8): Boston Celtics 122, @ Los Angeles Lakers 129 (OT) *Game 3 (April 10): Los Angeles Lakers 117, @ Boston Celtics 115 *Game 4 (April 11): Los Angeles Lakers 103, @ Boston Celtics 115 (OT) *Game 5 (April 14): Boston Celtics 126, @ Los Angeles Lakers 121 *Game 6 (April 16): Los Angeles Lakers 119, @ Boston Celtics 105 *Game 7 (April 18): Boston Celtics 110, @ Los Angeles Lakers 107 (OT)

Rosters

Los Angeles Lakers

* Head Coach: Fred Schaus * Players: Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Frank Selvy, Rudy LaRusso, Jim Krebs, Tom Hawkins, Rod Hundley

Boston Celtics

* Head Coach: Red Auerbach * Players: Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Tom Sanders, Frank Ramsey, Jim Loscutoff

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