1971–72 ABA season
The 1971–72 ABA season was the fifth season of the American Basketball Association. The Indiana Pacers won the championship, defeating the New York Nets, 4 games to 2, in the ABA Finals.
With the signing of players such as Artis Gilmore and Jim McDaniels in the offseason, the league looked to shift perceptions that it was a "guard league" without much height. For the first time in the league's history, no franchise moved to a different state from the previous season. The only name change involved the Dallas Chaparrals, who were able to secure a lease in Dallas for the season and were renamed from the previous season's Texas Chaparrals.
Final standings
Western Division
Asterisk denotes playoff teamBold – ABA champions
Awards and honors
- ABA Most Valuable Player Award: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels
- Rookie of the Year: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels
- Coach of the Year: Tom Nissalke, Dallas Chaparrals
- Playoffs MVP: Freddie Lewis, Indiana Pacers
- All-Star Game MVP: Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels
- All-ABA First Team
- * Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels
- * Rick Barry, New York Nets
- * Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels
- * Donnie Freeman, Dallas Chaparrals
- * Bill Melchionni, New York Nets
- All-ABA Second Team
- * Willie Wise, Utah Stars
- * Julius Erving, Virginia Squires
- * Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars
- * Ralph Simpson, Denver Rockets
- * Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires
- All-ABA Rookie Team
- * Julius Erving, Virginia Squires
- * Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels
- * George McGinnis, Indiana Pacers
- * Johnny Neumann, Memphis Pros
- * John Roche, New York Nets