1952 NBA playoffs
The 1952 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1951–52 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.
For the first time in NBA history, all teams that made the playoffs the year before meet again, but this time with different outcomes. This would happen again in 1957, in 1966, and then 1973 before a few more teams add to the playoffs in 1975, 1977 and 1984.
The first NBA dynasty, the Lakers, won their third NBA title in the last 4 years and what would become their first of 3 straight titles.
Division Semifinals
Eastern Division Semifinals
(1) [Syracuse Nationals] vs. (4) [Philadelphia Warriors]
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers/Nationals winning the first two meetings.| Philadelphia 76ers/ Syracuse Nationals leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
(2) [Boston Celtics] vs. (3) [New York Knicks]
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings.| New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
Western Division Semifinals
(1) [Rochester Royals] vs. (4) [Fort Wayne Pistons]
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings.| Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |
(2) [Minneapolis Lakers] vs. (3) [Indianapolis Olympians]
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.| Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
Division Finals
Eastern Division Finals
(1) [Syracuse Nationals] vs. (3) [New York Knicks]
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings.| Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |
Western Division Finals
(1) [Rochester Royals] vs. (2) [Minneapolis Lakers]
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings.| Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |