View source for 1953 NBA playoffs

{{Short description|Postseason tournament}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{infobox basketball tournament season
|title=NBA playoffs
|year=1953
| season =[[1952–53 NBA season|1952–53]]
|dates=March 17 – April 10, 1953
| num_teams =8
| winners =[[Los Angeles Lakers|Minneapolis Lakers]]
| count =4
| second = [[New York Knicks]]
| semifinal1 =[[Detroit Pistons|Fort Wayne Pistons]]
| semifinal2 =[[Boston Celtics]]
| prev_season =[[1952 NBA playoffs|1952]]
| next_season =[[1954 NBA playoffs|1954]]
}}

The '''1953 NBA playoffs''' was the postseason tournament of the [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[1952–53 NBA season|1952–53 season]]. The tournament concluded with the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] champion [[Minneapolis Lakers]] defeating the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] champion [[New York Knicks]] 4 games to 1 in the [[1953 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]].

The Lakers won their fourth championship in the last five years, and defeated the Knicks in the Finals for the second straight season to complete their run.

Not only did the four Western Division teams meet for the third straight year, but the Eastern Division teams this year, had a slight change. The [[Philadelphia Warriors]] did not make the playoffs, but the [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]] did. They would be swept by the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks in 2 games.

The [[Indianapolis Olympians]] played their last game, a Game 2 loss to the Lakers in the first round. They folded at the end of the season, and major professional basketball did not return to [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]] until the [[Indiana Pacers]] were founded for the inaugural [[1967–68 ABA season|1967–68 season]] of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The [[Boston Celtics]] earned their first playoff series victory with a two-game sweep of the [[Syracuse Nationals]].

The [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|1952–53 Baltimore Bullets]] hold the distinction of having the worst regular-season record of any playoff qualifier in league history, at 16–54.

==Bracket==
{{8TeamBracket
| RD1=Division Semifinals
| RD2=Division Finals
| RD3=NBA Finals

| RD1-group1='''[[Eastern Division (NBA)|Eastern Division]]'''
| RD1-group2='''[[Western Division (NBA)|Western Division]]'''

| RD1-seed1='''E1'''
| RD1-team1='''[[1952–53 New York Knicks season|New York]]'''*
| RD1-score1='''2'''
| RD1-seed2=E4
| RD1-team2=[[1952–53 Baltimore Bullets season|Baltimore]]
| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3='''E3'''
| RD1-team3='''[[1952–53 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]'''
| RD1-score3='''2'''
| RD1-seed4=E2
| RD1-team4=[[1952–53 Syracuse Nationals season|Syracuse]]
| RD1-score4=0

| RD1-seed5='''W1'''
| RD1-team5='''[[1952–53 Minneapolis Lakers season|Minneapolis]]'''*
| RD1-score5='''2'''
| RD1-seed6=W4
| RD1-team6=[[1952–53 Indianapolis Olympians season|Indianapolis]]
| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7='''W3'''
| RD1-team7='''[[1952–53 Fort Wayne Pistons season|Fort Wayne]]'''
| RD1-score7='''2'''
| RD1-seed8=W2
| RD1-team8=[[1952–53 Rochester Royals season|Rochester]]
| RD1-score8=1

| RD2-seed1='''E1'''
| RD2-team1='''New York'''*
| RD2-score1='''3'''
| RD2-seed2=E3
| RD2-team2=Boston
| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3='''W1'''
| RD2-team3='''Minneapolis'''*
| RD2-score3='''3'''
| RD2-seed4=W3
| RD2-team4=Fort Wayne
| RD2-score4=2

| RD3-seed1=E1
| RD3-team1=New York*
| RD3-score1=1
| RD3-seed2='''W1'''
| RD3-team2='''''Minneapolis'''''*
| RD3-score2='''4'''
}}{{ubl
 |<nowiki>*</nowiki> Division winner
 |'''Bold''' Series winner
 |''Italic'' Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals}}

==Division Semifinals==

===Eastern Division Semifinals===

====(1) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (4) [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 17 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303170NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]] | score1 = 62
 | team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = '''80'''
 | Q1 = '''13'''–12 | Q2 = 19–'''21''' | Q3 = 11–'''20''' | Q4 = 19–'''27'''
 | points1 = [[Jim Baechtold]] 17 | points2 = [[Connie Simmons]] 25
 | place = [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden III]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
 | series = New York leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303200BLB.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score1 = '''90'''
 | team2 = [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]] | score2 = 81
 | Q1 = '''20'''–14 | Q2 = 23–'''24''' | Q3 = 21–'''24''' | Q4 = '''26'''–19
 | points1 = [[Vince Boryla]] 20 | points2 = [[Jim Baechtold|Baechtold]], [[Eddie Miller (basketball)|Miller]] 21 each
 | place = [[Baltimore Coliseum]], [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
 | series = New York wins series, 2–0
}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team splitting the first two meetings.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series
|-
!Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1948
| team1 = '''[[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]]''' | score1 = 2
| team2 = [[New York Knicks]] | score2 = 1
| place = [[1948 BAA playoffs|1948 BAA First Round]] | 
}}
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1949
| team1 = [[Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954)|Baltimore Bullets]] | score1 = 1
| team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1949 BAA playoffs|1949 Eastern Division Semifinals]] | 
}}
|}

====(2) [[Syracuse Nationals]] vs. (3) [[Boston Celtics]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 19 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303190SYR.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Boston Celtics]]''' | score1 = '''87'''
 | team2 = [[Syracuse Nationals]] | score2 = 81
 | Q1 = 16–'''19''' | Q2 = '''19'''–14 | Q3 = '''18'''–16 | Q4 = '''34'''–32
 | points1 = [[Bob Cousy]] 20 | points2 = [[Paul Seymour (basketball)|Paul Seymour]] 18
 | place = [[Onondaga War Memorial]], [[Syracuse, New York]]
 | series = Boston leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 21 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303210BOS.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Syracuse Nationals]] | score1 = 105
 | team2 = '''[[Boston Celtics]]''' | score2 = '''111'''
 | overtime = 4OT
 | Q1 = '''22'''–21 | Q2 = '''20'''–19 | Q3 = 17–'''22''' | Q4 = '''18'''–15 | OT = 9–9, 4–4, 9–9, 6–'''12'''
 | points1 = [[Red Rocha]] 19 | assist1 = [[George King (basketball, born 1928)|George King]] 4
 | points2 = [[Bob Cousy]] 50 | assist2 = [[Ed Macauley|Macauley]], [[Bill Sharman|Sharman]] 5 each
 | place = [[Boston Garden]], [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
 | series = Boston wins series, 2–0
}}
* [[Al Cervi]]’s final NBA game.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=BOS&opp_id=PHI&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> This series featured the last quadruple overtime game until 2019.

===Western Division Semifinals===

====(1) [[Minneapolis Lakers]] vs. (4) [[Indianapolis Olympians]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 22 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303220MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Indianapolis Olympians]] | score1 = 69
 | team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = '''85'''
 | Q1 = 14–'''21''' | Q2 = 17–'''21''' | Q3 = '''25'''–21 | Q4 = 13–'''22'''
 | points1 = [[Joe Graboski]] 22 | points2 = [[Vern Mikkelsen]] 18
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]
 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303230INO.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score1 = '''81'''
 | team2 = [[Indianapolis Olympians]] | score2 = 79
 | Q1 = '''24'''–19 | Q2 = 10–'''13''' | Q3 = '''25'''–17 | Q4 = 22–'''30'''
 | points1 = [[Jim Pollard|Pollard]], [[Vern Mikkelsen|Mikkelsen]] 16 each | points2 = [[Paul Walther]] 17
 | place = [[Butler Fieldhouse]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
 | series = Minneapolis wins series, 2–0
}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series
|-
!Minneapolis leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1951
| team1 = [[Indianapolis Olympians]] | score1 = 1
| team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1951 NBA playoffs|1951 Western Division Semifinals]]| 
}}
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1952
| team1 = [[Indianapolis Olympians]] | score1 = 0
| team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1952 NBA playoffs|1952 Western Division Semifinals]]| 
}}
|}

====(2) [[Rochester Royals]] vs. (3) [[Fort Wayne Pistons]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303200ROC.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Fort Wayne Pistons]]''' | score1 = '''84'''
 | team2 = [[Rochester Royals]] | score2 = 77
 | Q1 = 14–'''16''' | Q2 = '''23'''–21 | Q3 = '''21'''–20 | Q4 = '''26'''–20
 | points1 = [[Fred Schaus]] 20 | points2 = [[Arnie Risen]] 17
 | place = [[Edgerton Park Arena]], [[Rochester, New York]]
 | series = Fort Wayne leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 22 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303220FTW.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Rochester Royals]]''' | score1 = '''83'''
 | team2 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score2 = 71
 | Q1 = '''21'''–19 | Q2 = 19–19 | Q3 = '''17'''–13 | Q4 = '''26'''–20
 | points1 = [[Bobby Wanzer]] 19 | points2 = [[Larry Foust]] 24
 | place = [[War Memorial Coliseum]], [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
 | series = Series tied, 1–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 24 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303240ROC.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Fort Wayne Pistons]]''' | score1 = '''67'''
 | team2 = [[Rochester Royals]] | score2 = 65
 | Q1 = '''23'''–18 | Q2 = 13–13 | Q3 = 15–'''18''' | Q4 = 16–16
 | points1 = [[Larry Foust]] 18 | points2 = [[Bobby Wanzer]] 17
 | place = [[Edgerton Park Arena]], [[Rochester, New York]]
 | series = Fort Wayne wins series, 2–1
}}

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Royals winning two of the first three meetings.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=GSW&opp_id=PHI&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!Rochester leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1950
| team1 = '''[[Fort Wayne Pistons]]''' | score1 = 2
| team2 = [[Rochester Royals]] | score2 = 0
| place = [[1950 NBA playoffs|1950 Central Division Semifinals]] | 
}}
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1951
| team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 1
| team2 = '''[[Rochester Royals]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1951 NBA playoffs|1951 Western Division Semifinals]] | 
}}
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1952
| team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 0
| team2 = '''[[Rochester Royals]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1952 NBA playoffs|1952 Western Division Semifinals]] | 
}}
|}

==Division Finals==

===Eastern Division Finals===

====(1) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (3) [[Boston Celtics]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303250NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Boston Celtics]] | score1 = 91
 | team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = '''95'''
 | Q1 = '''27'''–26 | Q2 = 15–'''16''' | Q3 = 18–'''27''' | Q4 = '''31'''–26
 | points1 = [[Bob Cousy]] 28 | assist1 = [[Chuck Cooper (basketball)|Chuck Cooper]] 6
 | points2 = [[Connie Simmons]] 18 | assist2 = [[Dick McGuire]] 8
 | place = [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden III]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
 | series = New York leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303260BOS.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[New York Knicks]] | score1 = 70
 | team2 = '''[[Boston Celtics]]''' | score2 = '''86'''
 | Q1 = 10–'''23''' | Q2 = '''19'''–13 | Q3 = 15–'''21''' | Q4 = 26–'''29'''
 | points1 = [[Harry Gallatin]] 17 | assist1 = [[Carl Braun (basketball)|Carl Braun]] 7
 | points2 = [[Ed Macauley|Macauley]], [[Bob Cousy|Cousy]] 21 each | assist2 = [[Bob Cousy]] 13
 | place = [[Boston Garden]], [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
 | series = Series tied, 1–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 28 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303280NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Boston Celtics]] | score1 = 82
 | team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = '''101'''
 | Q1 = '''22'''–20 | Q2 = 15–'''23''' | Q3 = 18–'''32''' | Q4 = '''27'''–26
 | points1 = [[Bob Cousy]] 18 | assist1 = [[Ed Macauley]] 5
 | points2 = [[Harry Gallatin]] 23 | assist2 = [[Dick McGuire]] 11
 | place = [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden III]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
 | referee = Phil Fox, Charles Eckman | series = New York leads series, 2–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303290BOS.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score1 = '''82'''
 | team2 = [[Boston Celtics]] | score2 = 75
 | Q1 = 17–'''26''' | Q2 = 14–'''19''' | Q3 = '''22'''–11 | Q4 = '''29'''–19
 | points1 = [[Carl Braun (basketball)|Carl Braun]] 18 | assist1 = [[Nat Clifton]] 9
 | points2 = [[Ed Macauley]] 25 | assist2 = [[Bob Cousy]] 8
 | place = [[Boston Garden]], [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
 | referee = Phil Fox, Charles Eckman | series = New York wins series, 3–1
}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=BOS&opp_id=NYK&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!New York leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1951
| team1 = [[Boston Celtics]] | score1 = 0
| team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1951 NBA playoffs|1951 Eastern Division Semifinals]]| 
}}
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1952
| team1 = [[Boston Celtics]] | score1 = 1
| team2 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1952 NBA playoffs|1952 Eastern Division Semifinals]]| 
}}
|}

===Western Division Finals===

====(1) [[Minneapolis Lakers]] vs. (3) [[Fort Wayne Pistons]]====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303260MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 73
 | team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = '''83'''
 | Q1 = 16–'''24''' | Q2 = 14–'''19''' | Q3 = 12–'''13''' | Q4 = '''31'''–27
 | points1 = [[Larry Foust]] 16 | points2 = [[George Mikan]] 21
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]
 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = March 28 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303280MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 75
 | team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = '''82'''
 | Q1 = '''18'''–16 | Q2 = 17–'''23''' | Q3 = '''18'''–17 | Q4 = 22–'''26'''
 | points1 = [[Larry Foust]] 21 | points2 = [[George Mikan]] 20
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]
 | referee = Jocko Collins, Arnie Heft | series = Minneapolis leads series, 2–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195303300FTW.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Minneapolis Lakers]] | score1 = 95
 | team2 = '''[[Fort Wayne Pistons]]''' | score2 = '''98'''
 | Q1 = 16–'''29''' | Q2 = '''28'''–18 | Q3 = 17–'''24''' | Q4 = '''34'''–27
 | points1 = [[George Mikan]] 23 | points2 = [[Fred Scolari]] 27
 | place = [[War Memorial Coliseum]], [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 2–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = April 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304010FTW.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Minneapolis Lakers]] | score1 = 82
 | team2 = '''[[Fort Wayne Pistons]]''' | score2 = '''85'''
 | Q1 = 20–'''25''' | Q2 = 18–'''22''' | Q3 = '''23'''–11 | Q4 = 21–'''27'''
 | points1 = [[George Mikan]] 25 | points2 = [[Larry Foust]] 20
 | place = [[War Memorial Coliseum]], [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
 | series = Series tied, 2–2
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 2 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304020MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 58
 | team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = '''74'''
 | Q1 = 9–'''23''' | Q2 = '''16'''–11 | Q3 = 12–'''19''' | Q4 = 21–21
 | points1 = [[Larry Foust]] 16 | points2 = [[George Mikan|Mikan]], [[Slater Martin|Martin]] 18 each
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]
 | series = Minneapolis wins series, 3–2
}}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=DET&opp_id=LAL&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1950
| team1 = [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] | score1 = 0
| team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = 2
| place = [[1950 NBA playoffs|1950 Central Division Finals]]| 
}}
|}

==NBA Finals: (W1) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E1) New York Knicks==

{{main|1953 NBA Finals}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304040MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[New York Knicks]]''' | score1 = '''96'''
 | team2 = [[Minneapolis Lakers]] | score2 = 88
 | Q1 = '''19'''–18 | Q2 = 24–'''29''' | Q3 = '''23'''–20 | Q4 = '''30'''–21
 | points1 = [[Carl Braun (basketball)|Carl Braun]] 21 | points2 = [[George Mikan]] 25
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | attendance = 5,000
 | referee = Sid Borgia, Arnie Heft | series = New York leads series, 1–0
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304050MNL.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[New York Knicks]] | score1 = 71
 | team2 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score2 = '''73'''
 | Q1 = 16–'''26''' | Q2 = 14–'''21''' | Q3 = '''24'''–11 | Q4 = '''17'''–15
 | points1 = [[Connie Simmons]] 17 | points2 = [[George Mikan]] 18
 | place = [[Minneapolis Auditorium]], [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | attendance = 4,848
 | referee = Sid Borgia, Arnie Heft | series = Series tied, 1–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 7 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304070NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score1 = '''90'''
 | team2 = [[New York Knicks]] | score2 = 75
 | Q1 = '''21'''–14 | Q2 = 18–'''24''' | Q3 = '''26'''–22 | Q4 = '''25'''–15
 | points1 = [[George Mikan]] 20 | points2 = [[Connie Simmons]] 18
 | place = [[69th Regiment Armory]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]] | attendance = 5,100
 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 2–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg =  | date = April 8 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304080NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score1 = '''71'''
 | team2 = [[New York Knicks]] | score2 = 69
 | Q1 = '''21'''–16 | Q2 = '''20'''–18 | Q3 = 13–'''16''' | Q4 = 17–'''19'''
 | points1 = [[George Mikan]] 27 | points2 = [[Connie Simmons]] 17
 | place = [[69th Regiment Armory]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]] | attendance = 5,200
 | series = Minneapolis leads series, 3–1
}}
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 10 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/195304100NYK.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score1 = '''91'''
 | team2 = [[New York Knicks]] | score2 = 84
 | Q1 = '''19'''–18 | Q2 = '''25'''–17 | Q3 = 25–25 | Q4 = 22–'''24'''
 | points1 = [[Jim Pollard]] 17 | assist1 = [[Vern Mikkelsen]] 6
 | points2 = [[Carl Braun (basketball)|Carl Braun]] 19 | assist2 = [[Ernie Vandeweghe]] 4
 | place = [[69th Regiment Armory]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]] | attendance = 5,200
 | series = Minneapolis wins series, 4–1
}}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+Previous playoff series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=LAL&opp_id=NYK&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!Minneapolis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
|-
|
{{basketballbox
| bg=#fff
| date = 1952
| team1 = '''[[Minneapolis Lakers]]''' | score1 = 4
| team2 = [[New York Knicks]] | score2 = 3
| place = [[1952 NBA Finals]]
}}
|}




==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1953.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1953 NBA Playoffs page]

{{NBAPlayoffs}}
{{1952–53 NBA season by team}}

[[Category:NBA playoffs]]
[[Category:1952–53 NBA season|Playoffs]]

[[fi:NBA-kausi 1952–1953#Pudotuspelit]]