View source for 1969 ABA Playoffs

{{Short description|Basketball competition}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{infobox basketball tournament season
|title=ABA playoffs
|image=
|year=1969
| season =[[1968-69 ABA season|1968–69]]
|dates=April 5 – May 7, 1969
| num_teams =8
| winners =[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]
| count =1
| second = [[Indiana Pacers]]
| semifinal1 =[[Miami Floridians]]
| semifinal2 =[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]
| prev_season =[[1968 ABA playoffs|1968]]
| next_season =[[1970 ABA playoffs|1970]]
}}
The '''1969 ABA Playoffs''' was the postseason tournament of the [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[1968–69 ABA season|1968–69 season]]. The tournament concluded with the [[Western Division (ABA)|Western Division]] champion [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]] defeating the [[Eastern Division (ABA)|Eastern Division]] champion [[Indiana Pacers]], four games to one in the [[1969 ABA Finals|ABA Finals]].  [[Warren Jabali]] of the Oaks was named the Playoff MVP.

==Notable events==

The [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]] won the ABA championship after finishing with the league's best record during the regular season (60–18, .769).  The [[Pittsburgh Pipers]] had accomplished the same feat the year prior.

[[Rick Barry]], now eligible to play for the Oaks after being forced to sit out the previous season, averaged 34.0 points during the regular season.  However, Barry only played 35 regular season games before injuring a knee and missing the playoffs.

The Oaks, like the Pittsburgh Pipers before them, did not play in the following season as the same team.  The Oakland Oaks became the [[Washington Caps]] for the 1969–1970 ABA season; the Pittsburgh Pipers had become the Minnesota Pipers after winning the ABA championship the prior season.

The Oaks' 60–18 (.769) record in this season was the best in ABA history until the [[Kentucky Colonels]] finished the 1971–1972 season with a record of 68–16 (.810), a record that was never surpassed.

[[Warren Jabali]] of Oakland was the Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs.

==Bracket==

{{3RoundBracket-Byes | RD1=  Division Semifinals
| RD2= Division Finals
| RD3= ABA Finals
| RD1-group1='''Western Division'''
| RD1-group2='''Eastern Division'''

| RD1-seed1='''1'''
| RD1-team1='''[[1968–69 Oakland Oaks season|Oakland Oaks]]'''
| RD1-score1='''4'''
| RD1-seed2=3
| RD1-team2=[[1968–69 Denver Rockets season|Denver Rockets]]
| RD1-score2=3

| RD1-seed3=4
| RD1-team3=[[1968–69 Dallas Chaparrals season|Dallas Chaparrals]]
| RD1-score3=3
| RD1-seed4='''2'''
| RD1-team4='''[[1968–69 New Orleans Buccaneers season|New Orleans Buccaneers]]'''
| RD1-score4='''4'''

| RD1-seed5='''1'''
| RD1-team5='''[[1968–69 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]]'''
| RD1-score5='''4'''
| RD1-seed6=3
| RD1-team6=[[1968–69 Kentucky Colonels season|Kentucky Colonels]]
| RD1-score6=3

| RD1-seed7=4
| RD1-team7=[[1968–69 Minnesota Pipers season|Minnesota Pipers]]
| RD1-score7=3
| RD1-seed8='''2'''
| RD1-team8='''[[1968–69 Miami Floridians season|Miami Floridians]]'''
| RD1-score8='''4'''

| RD2-seed1='''1'''
| RD2-team1='''Oakland Oaks'''
| RD2-score1='''4'''
| RD2-seed2=2
| RD2-team2=New Orleans Bucs
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-seed3='''1'''
| RD2-team3='''Indiana Pacers'''
| RD2-score3='''4'''
| RD2-seed4=2
| RD2-team4=Miami Floridians
| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1='''W1'''
| RD3-team1='''Oakland Oaks'''
| RD3-score1='''4'''
| RD3-seed2=E1
| RD3-team2=Indiana Pacers
| RD3-score2=1
}}

==Division Semifinals==
===Division Semifinals===
====(1) Oakland Oaks vs. (3) Denver Rockets====
 {{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 5 |place= [[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1= [[Denver Rockets]] |score1=  99
|team2= '''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score2=''' 129''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904050OAK.html Box score]
|Q1= 22–'''30'''  |Q2= 35–'''36'''  |Q3= 21–'''30''' |Q4= 21–'''33'''
|points1= [[Wayne Hightower]] 23 |points2= [[Warren Jabali]] 28
|rebounds1=[[Ken Wilburn]] 12 |rebounds2= [[Ira Harge]] 17
|assist1= [[Byron Beck|Beck]], [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Jones]] 4 each|assist2= [[Warren Jabali|Jabali]], [[Doug Moe|Moe]], [[Russ Critchfield|Critchfield]] 4 each
|attendance=  2,358 
|series= Oakland leads series, 1–0
}}
 
{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 6|place= [[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1= '''[[Denver Rockets]]'''|score1= ''' 122''' 
|team2= [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]|score2=  119
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904060OAK.html Box score]
|Q1= '''31'''–26 |Q2= 24–'''32''' |Q3= '''41'''–22 |Q4= 26–'''39'''
|points1= [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Larry Jones]] 31 |points2= [[Warren Jabali]] 33
|rebounds1=[[Byron Beck]] 17 |rebounds2= [[Ira Harge]] 15
|assist1=[[Jeff Congdon]] 10 |assist2= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Brown]], [[Henry Logan (basketball)|Logan]] 5 each
|attendance= 1,580 
|series= Series tied, 1–1 
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 8|place= [[Denver Auditorium Arena]], [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]
|team1= '''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]'''|score1= ''' 121''' 
|team2= [[Denver Rockets]]|score2=  99
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904080DNR.html Box score]
|Q1= '''33'''–31 |Q2= '''38'''–16  |Q3= 22–'''28''' |Q4= '''28'''–24
|points1= [[Warren Jabali]] 42 |points2=[[Larry Jones (basketball)|Larry Jones]] 28
|rebounds1= [[Warren Jabali]] 15|rebounds2=[[Larry Jones (basketball)|Jones]], [[Walt Piatkowski|Piatkowski]] 8 each
|assist1= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 4|assist2= [[Jeff Congdon]] 5
|attendance=   5,062
|series= Oakland leads series, 2–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 10|place= [[Denver Auditorium Arena]], [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]
|team1= [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]|score1=  108
|team2= '''[[Denver Rockets]]'''|score2=''' 109''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904100DNR.html Box score]
|Q1= '''26'''–22  |Q2= 28–'''30'''  |Q3= 23–'''34''' |Q4= '''31'''–23
|points1= [[Warren Jabali]] 24 |points2= [[Lonnie Wright]] 23
|rebounds1= [[Gary Bradds]] 16|rebounds2= [[Julian Hammond]] 10
|assist1= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 6|assist2= [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Larry Jones]] 8
|attendance=  5,431
|series= Series tied, 2–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 12 |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]] 
|team1= [[Denver Rockets]]|score1=  118
|team2= '''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]'''|score2='''  128''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904120OAK.html Box score]
|Q1= 25–'''34'''  |Q2= 26–'''33''' |Q3= 31–'''34''' |Q4= '''36'''–27
|points1= [[Byron Beck]] 21 |points2= [[Warren Jabali]] 34
|rebounds1= [[Byron Beck]] 14|rebounds2= [[Warren Jabali]] 14
|assist1= [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Larry Jones]]  5|assist2= [[Doug Moe|Moe]], [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Brown]], [[Henry Logan (basketball)|Logan]] 3 each
|attendance=  3,156
|series= Oakland leads series, 3–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 13 |place= [[Denver Auditorium Arena]], [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]
|team1= [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]|score1=  115
|team2='''[[Denver Rockets]]''' |score2='''  126''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904130DNR.html Box score]
|Q1= 16–'''32''' |Q2= 32–'''35''' |Q3= '''31'''–30 |Q4= '''36'''–29
|points1=[[Warren Jabali]] 20 |points2= [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Larry Jones]] 33
|rebounds1= [[Ira Harge]] 12|rebounds2= [[Lonnie Wright|Wright]], [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Jones]] 11 each
|assist1= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 5|assist2=  [[Larry Jones (basketball)|Jones]], [[Wayne Hightower|Hightower]], [[Jeff Congdon|Congdon]] 4 each
|attendance=  6,841
|series= Series tied, 3–3
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 16 |place= [[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1= [[Denver Rockets]]|score1=  102
|team2= '''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]'''|score2= '''115'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904160OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=  27–'''35'''  |Q2= '''29'''–24  |Q3= 19–'''20''' |Q4= 27–'''36'''
|points1= [[Wayne Hightower]] 23|points2= [[Doug Moe]] 28
|rebounds1=[[Wayne Hightower]] 14 |rebounds2= [[Ira Harge]] 16
|assist1=[[Jeff Congdon]] 9 |assist2= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 6
|attendance=   5,123
|series= Oakland wins series, 4–3
}}

====(2) New Orleans Buccaneers vs. (4) Dallas Chaparrals====
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 5 |place= [[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1=[[Dallas Chaparrals]] |score1= 106
|team2= '''[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]'''|score2=''' 129''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904050NOB.html Box score]
|Q1= 20–'''38''' |Q2= 25–'''30''' |Q3= '''25'''–22 |Q4= 36–'''39'''
|points1= [[Glen Combs]] 21 |points2= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 22
|rebounds1=[[Manny Leaks]] 9 |rebounds2=[[Red Robbins]] 14
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance= 3,765  
|series= New Orleans leads series, 1–0
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 7  |place= [[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1=[[Dallas Chaparrals]] |score1=  108
|team2='''[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]'''|score2=''' 122''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904070NOB.html Box score]
|Q1= 23–'''34'''  |Q2= 32–'''35''' |Q3= '''24'''–20 |Q4= 29–'''33'''
|points1= [[Glen Combs]] 24 |points2=[[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 45
|rebounds1= [[Bob Bedell|Bedell]], [[Manny Leaks|Leaks]], [[John Beasley (basketball)|Beasley]] 8 each |rebounds2= [[Red Robbins]] 18
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  3,525
|series=  New Orleans leads series, 2–0
}} 
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 10|place= [[Moody Coliseum]], [[University Park, Texas|University Park]], [[Texas]]
|team1= [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] |score1= 106
|team2= '''[[Dallas Chaparrals]]'''|score2='''130'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904100DLC.html Box score]
|Q1= 20–'''31'''  |Q2= 26–'''27'''  |Q3= 28–'''39''' |Q4= 32–'''33'''
|points1= [[Red Robbins]] 29 |points2= [[Cincy Powell]] 26
|rebounds1= [[Red Robbins]] 14|rebounds2= [[John Beasley (basketball)|John Beasley]] 14
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=   2,887
|series= New Orleans leads series, 2–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 12 |place= [[Moody Coliseum]], [[University Park, Texas|University Park]], [[Texas]]
|team1= '''[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]'''|score1= '''114'''
|team2= [[Dallas Chaparrals]]|score2=107
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904120DLC.html Box score]
|Q1= 25–'''28'''  |Q2= 31–'''35'''  |Q3= '''31'''–21 |Q4= '''27'''–23
|points1=[[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 29 |points2= [[John Beasley (basketball)|Beasley]], [[Cincy Powell|Powell]] 20 each
|rebounds1=[[Red Robbins]] 13|rebounds2= [[Manny Leaks]] 12
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance= 5,482 
|series= New Orleans leads series, 3–1
}}
 
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 14 |place= [[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1='''[[Dallas Chaparrals]]''' |score1= ''' 123''' 
|team2=  [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] |score2= 112
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904140NOB.html Box score]
|Q1= '''34'''–32  |Q2= '''34'''–21  |Q3= 34–'''35''' |Q4= 21–'''24'''
|points1= [[Cincy Powell]] 31 |points2= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 37
|rebounds1= [[Cincy Powell]] 18 |rebounds2=[[Red Robbins|Robbins]], [[Gerald Govan|Govan]] 12 each
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  4,517
|series=New Orleans leads series, 3–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 15 |place= [[Moody Coliseum]], [[University Park, Texas|University Park]], [[Texas]]
|team1= [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] |score1=  118
|team2='''[[Dallas Chaparrals]]''' |score2=''' 136''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904150DLC.html Box score]
|Q1= 26–'''27'''  |Q2= 17–'''34''' |Q3= 34–'''35''' |Q4= '''41'''–40
|points1= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 21|points2= [[Glen Combs]] 40
|rebounds1=[[Red Robbins]] 13|rebounds2= [[John Beasley (basketball)|John Beasley]] 15
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=   4,366
|series= Series tied, 3–3
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 17|place= [[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1=[[Dallas Chaparrals]] |score1=   95
|team2= '''[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]'''|score2= ''' 101''' 
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904170NOB.html Box score]
|Q1= 22–'''24'''  |Q2= 23–'''27''' |Q3= 24–'''29''' |Q4= '''26'''–21
|points1= [[Cincy Powell]] 24 |points2= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 27
|rebounds1= [[John Beasley (basketball)|John Beasley]] 14|rebounds2=[[Red Robbins]] 24
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  5,823
|series= New Orleans wins series, 4–3
}}

===Eastern Division Semifinals===
====(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) Kentucky Colonels====
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= |time= |place= [[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1= '''[[Kentucky Colonels]]'''|score1= '''128'''
|team2= [[Indiana Pacers]]|score2=118
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904080INA.html Box score]
|Q1= '''30'''–25  |Q2= 22–'''32'''  |Q3= '''38'''–30 |Q4= '''38'''–31
|points1= [[Darel Carrier]] 40|points2= [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 38
|rebounds1= [[Gene Moore (basketball)|Gene Moore]] 21|rebounds2= [[Mel Daniels]] 16
|assist1=[[Louie Dampier]] 3 |assist2= [[Bobby Hooper (basketball)|Bobby Hooper]] 6
|attendance= 6,319 
|series=  Kentucky leads series, 1–0
}}
This was the first time that the Pacers and Colonels (separated by roughly just over 100 miles from [[Interstate 65]]) played each other in the postseason. As it turned out, they would play each other four more times in the next eight years.

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 9|time= |place= [[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1= [[Kentucky Colonels]] |score1= 115
|team2= '''[[Indiana Pacers]]'''|score2='''120'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904090INA.html Box score]
|Q1= 29–29  |Q2= 24–'''30''' |Q3= 23–'''28''' |Q4= '''39'''–33
|points1= [[Louie Dampier]] 31 |points2=[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 35 
|rebounds1= [[Gene Moore (basketball)|Gene Moore]] 13|rebounds2= [[Bob Netolicky]] 12
|assist1= [[Louie Dampier]] 4|assist2= [[Freddie Lewis]] 5
|attendance= 6,789
|referee= 
|series= Series tied, 1–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 10|place= [[Louisville Convention Center]], [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], [[Kentucky]]
|team1= [[Indiana Pacers]]|score1= 111
|team2= '''[[Kentucky Colonels]]''' |score2='''130'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904100KEN.html Box score]
|Q1= 27–'''34''' |Q2= 25–'''30''' |Q3= 29–'''33''' |Q4= 30–'''33'''
|points1= [[Mel Daniels]] 23 |points2= [[Darel Carrier]] 34
|rebounds1=[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 15|rebounds2= [[Gene Moore (basketball)|Gene Moore]] 18
|assist1=[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 6|assist2= [[Louie Dampier]] 10
|attendance= 4,235
|referee= 
|series= Kentucky leads series, 2–1
}} 
{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= |time= April 13|place= [[Louisville Convention Center]], [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], [[Kentucky]]
|team1= [[Indiana Pacers]]|score1= 104
|team2= '''[[Kentucky Colonels]]'''|score2='''105'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904130KEN.html Box score]
|Q1= '''27'''–23  |Q2= 21–21  |Q3= 22–'''24''' |Q4= 24–'''26''' |OT=10–'''11'''
|points1= [[Freddie Lewis]] 26 |points2= [[Darel Carrier]] 24
|rebounds1= [[Mel Daniels]] 19|rebounds2= [[Jim Ligon]] 19
|assist1= [[Freddie Lewis]] 5  |assist2= [[Darel Carrier|Carrier]], [[Louie Dampier|Dampier]] 6 each
|attendance= 3,079
|referee= 
|series= Kentucky leads series, 3–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 14 |time= |place= [[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1= [[Kentucky Colonels]]|score1=97 
|team2= [[Indiana Pacers]]|score2='''116'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904140INA.html Box score]
|Q1= 19–'''26''' |Q2= '''27'''–26  |Q3= '''32'''–28 |Q4= 19–'''36'''
|points1= [[Darel Carrier]] 21 |points2= [[Bob Netolicky]] 35
|rebounds1= [[Jim Ligon]] 14|rebounds2= [[Mel Daniels]] 24
|assist1= [[Darel Carrier]] 3|assist2= [[Freddie Lewis]] 8
|attendance=5,612 
|referee= 
|series= Kentucky leads series, 3–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 15 |place= [[Louisville Convention Center]], [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], [[Kentucky]]
|team1= '''[[Indiana Pacers]]'''|score1='''107''' 
|team2= [[Kentucky Colonels]]|score2=89
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904150KEN.html Box score]
|Q1= '''32'''–26  |Q2= '''27'''–22  |Q3= '''28'''–24 |Q4= '''20'''–17
|points1= [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 25|points2= [[Louie Dampier]] 27
|rebounds1= [[Bob Netolicky]] 15|rebounds2= [[Gene Moore (basketball)|Gene Moore]] 22
|assist1= [[Freddie Lewis|Lewis]], [[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Thacker]] 5 each|assist2= [[Jim Ligon|Ligon]], [[Bobby Rascoe|Rascoe]], [[Jim Caldwell (basketball)|Caldwell]], [[Louie Dampier|Dampier]] 2 each
|attendance= 4,633 
|series= Series tied, 3–3
}}
 
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 17 |place= [[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1= [[Kentucky Colonels]]|score1= 111
|team2= '''[[Indiana Pacers]]'''|score2='''120'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904170INA.html Box score]
|Q1= 32–32  |Q2= 25–'''27'''  |Q3= 27–'''35''' |Q4= '''27'''–26
|points1= [[Louie Dampier]] 26 |points2= [[Bob Netolicky]] 32
|rebounds1= [[Gene Moore (basketball)|Gene Moore]] 12|rebounds2=[[Bob Netolicky]] 16 
|assist1= [[Jim Ligon|Ligon]], [[Darel Carrier|Carrier]] 3 each|assist2= [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Brown]], [[Freddie Lewis|Lewis]] 3 each
|attendance=11,005 
|referee= 
|series= Indiana wins series, 4–3
}}
This was the first and only time in ABA history that a team overcame a 3–1 deficit to win a playoff series.

====(2) Miami Floridians vs. (4) Minnesota Pipers====
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 7 |place= [[Miami Beach Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]]
|team1= [[Minnesota Pipers]]|score1=  110
|team2= '''[[Miami Floridians]]'''|score2= '''119'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904070MMF.html Box score]
|Q1= 23–'''30''' |Q2= 22–22  |Q3= 28–'''36''' |Q4= '''37'''–31
|points1= [[Steve Vacendak]] 28 |points2=[[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 33
|rebounds1=[[Connie Hawkins]] 14|rebounds2=[[Skip Thoren]] 12
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=4,103  
|series= Miami leads series, 1–0
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 9 |place= [[West Palm Beach Auditorium]], [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]], [[Florida]]
|team1= '''[[Minnesota Pipers]]'''|score1= '''106'''
|team2= [[Miami Floridians]]|score2=99
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904090MMF.html Box score]
|Q1= 21–'''24''' |Q2= '''31'''–16  |Q3= 25–'''31''' |Q4= '''29'''–28
|points1= [[Connie Hawkins]] 26|points2=[[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 21
|rebounds1=[[Trooper Washington]] 20|rebounds2= [[Skip Thoren]]14
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  1,688
|series= Series tied, 1–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 10 |place=[[Metropolitan Sports Center]], [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]] 
|team1= [[Miami Floridians]]|score1= 93
|team2= '''[[Minnesota Pipers]]'''|score2=109
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904100MNP.html Box score]
|Q1= 20–'''30''' |Q2= 22–'''30'''|Q3= '''28'''–15 |Q4= 23–'''34'''
|points1= [[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 20 |points2= [[Steve Vacendak]] 23
|rebounds1= [[Willie Murrell]] 10|rebounds2= [[Trooper Washington]] 20
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  1,520
|series= Minnesota leads series, 2–1
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 12 |place= [[Metropolitan Sports Center]], [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]]
|team1= '''[[Miami Floridians]]'''|score1= '''116'''
|team2= [[Minnesota Pipers]]|score2=109
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904120MNP.html Box score]
|Q1= '''29'''–28  |Q2= 26–'''27'''  |Q3= '''33'''–27 |Q4= '''28'''–27
|points1= [[Willie Murrell]] 27 |points2= [[Connie Hawkins]] 28
|rebounds1=[[Skip Thoren]] 26 |rebounds2=[[Art Heyman]] 10
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  2,532
|series= Series tied, 2–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 13|place= [[Miami Beach Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]]
|team1= [[Minnesota Pipers]]|score1= 107
|team2= '''[[Miami Floridians]]'''|score2='''122'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904130MMF.html Box score]
|Q1= 26–'''32''' |Q2= 20–'''29'''|Q3= '''40'''–33 |Q4= 21–'''28'''
|points1=  [[Connie Hawkins]] 24|points2=[[Willie Murrell]] 29
|rebounds1=[[Connie Hawkins]] 15 |rebounds2=[[Skip Thoren]] 21
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=   4,206
|series= Miami leads series, 3–2
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 15 |place=[[Metropolitan Sports Center]], [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]]
|team1= [[Miami Floridians]]|score1= 100
|team2= '''[[Minnesota Pipers]]''' |score2='''105'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904150MNP.html Box score]
|Q1= 22–'''30'''  |Q2= 25–'''30'''  |Q3= '''25'''–17 |Q4= 28–28
|points1=[[Skip Thoren]] 19  |points2= [[Connie Hawkins]] 33
|rebounds1=[[Les Hunter (basketball)|Les Hunter]] 13 |rebounds2= [[Connie Hawkins]] 20
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  1,345
|series= Series tied, 3–3
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 19 |place=[[Miami Beach Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]] 
|team1= [[Minnesota Pipers]]|score1= 128
|team2= '''[[Miami Floridians]]'''|score2='''137'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904190MMF.html Box score]
|Q1= 26–'''29''' |Q2= 19–'''35''' |Q3= '''44'''–40 |Q4= '''39'''–33
|points1= [[Charlie Williams (basketball)|Charlie Williams]] 31 |points2= [[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 32
|rebounds1= [[Connie Hawkins]] 13|rebounds2=[[Skip Thoren]] 16
|assist1= |assist2= 
|attendance=  5,072
|series= Miami wins series, 4–3
}}

==Division Finals==
===Western Division Finals===
====(1) Oakland Oaks vs. (2) New Orleans Buccaneers====

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 19 |time= |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1=[[New Orleans Buccaneers]] |score1= 118
|team2=[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]  |score2='''128'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904190OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=30–30 |Q2='''30'''–29 |Q3=35–'''39''' |Q4=23–'''30'''
|points1= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]]  45 |points2=  [[Henry Logan (basketball)|Henry Logan]] 30
|rebounds1= [[Red Robbins|Robbins]], [[Gerald Govan|Govan]] 13 each |rebounds2=  [[Ira Harge]] 18
|assist1= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]]  8 |assist2= [[Henry Logan (basketball)|Henry Logan]] 3
|attendance= 2,848
|referee= 
|series= Oakland leads series, 1–0
}}

{{Basketballbox|date=April 21 |time= |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1=[[New Orleans Buccaneers]] |score1= 124
|team2=[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]  |score2='''135'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904210OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=30–'''31''' |Q2=37–'''38''' |Q3=29–'''41''' |Q4='''28'''–25
|points1=[[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]]  31  |points2=  [[Gary Bradds]] 33
|rebounds1= Red Robbins 19  |rebounds2=  [[Warren Jabali]] 16
|assist1= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 7|assist2= Larry Brown 8
|attendance= 1,749
|referee= 
|series=Oakland leads series, 2–0
}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee|date=April 23|time= |place=[[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score1= '''113'''
|team2=[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]|score2=107
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904230NOB.html Box score]
|Q1=22–'''26'''|Q2='''28'''–24 |Q3=28–'''33''' |Q4='''35'''–24 
|points1=  [[Gary Bradds]] 33|points2= [[Steve "Snapper" Jones|S. Jones]], [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|J. Jones]] 26 each
|rebounds1=  [[Gary Bradds]] 14 |rebounds2=  [[Red Robbins]] 27
|assist1=[[Ira Harge]] 3 |assist2= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] 8
|attendance= 4,253
|referee= 
|series=Oakland leads series, 3–0
}}

{{Basketballbox|date=April 25|time= |place=[[Loyola Field House]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
|team1='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score1= '''128'''
|team2=[[New Orleans Buccaneers]]|score2=114
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904250NOB.html Box score]
|Q1='''28'''–27 |Q2='''45'''–38 |Q3=25–'''29''' |Q4= '''30'''–20
|points1= [[Warren Jabali]] 27 |points2= [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]]  27
|rebounds1= [[Jim Eakins]] 14  |rebounds2=  [[Gerald Govan]] 12
|assist1= [[Warren Jabali]] 5 |assist2=  
|attendance= 3,583
|referee= 
|series=Oakland wins series, 4–0
}}

===Eastern Division Finals===
====(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (2) Miami Floridians====
{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904200INA.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Miami Floridians]]| score1 = 110
 | team2 = [[Indiana Pacers]] | score2 = '''126'''
 |Q1=18–'''28''' |Q2=24–'''32''' |Q3=22–'''38''' |Q4='''46'''–28
 | points1 = [[Don Sidle]] 28 | rebounds1 =  [[Les Hunter (basketball)|Les Hunter]] 20 | assist1 = [[Les Hunter (basketball)|Hunter]], [[Maurice McHartley|McHartley]], [[Andrew Anderson (basketball)|Anderson]] 4 each
 | points2 = [[Mel Daniels]] 32 | rebounds2 = [[Mel Daniels]] 14 | assist2 =[[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] 10
 | place = [[Anderson High School Wigwam]], [[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson]], [[Indiana]] | attendance = 8,721
 | series = Indiana leads series, 1–0
}}
Due to the Fairgrounds being booked for the circus, the Pacers played 35 miles down the road in Anderson, Indiana.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/04/28/solid-hit-in-the-funny-league|title=Solid hit in the funny league|work=Sports Illustrated|date=April 28, 1969}}</ref>

{{basketballbox
 | bg = | date = April 22 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904220INA.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Miami Floridians]] | score1 = 116
 | team2 = '''[[Indiana Pacers]]''' | score2 = '''131'''
 |Q1= '''29'''–22  |Q2= 27–'''34'''  |Q3= 25–'''38''' |Q4= 35–'''37'''
 | points1 = [[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Freeman]], [[Maurice McHartley|McHartley]] 22 each  | rebounds1 = [[Les Hunter (basketball)|Hunter]] 13  | assist1 = [[Maurice McHartley]] 6
 | points2 = [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 33 | rebounds2 = [[Bob Netolicky]] 19 | assist2 = [[Freddie Lewis]] 7
 | place = [[Anderson High School Wigwam]], [[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson]], [[Indiana]] | attendance = 7,243
 | series = Indiana leads series, 2–0
}}

{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904230MMF.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = '''[[Indiana Pacers]]''' | score1 = '''119'''
 | team2 = [[Miami Floridians]] | score2 =105
 |Q1= '''37'''–27  |Q2= '''27'''–25  |Q3= 28–'''31''' |Q4= '''27'''–22
 | points1 = [[Freddie Lewis]] 33 | rebounds1 = [[Mel Daniels|Daniels]], [[George Peeples|Peeples]] 9 each | assist1 = [[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] 11 
 | points2 = [[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 23 | rebounds2 = [[Skip Thoren]] 15 | assist2 = [[Willie Murrell]] 5
 | place = [[Miami Beach Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]] | attendance = 2,112
 | series = Indiana leads series, 3–0
}}

{{basketballbox
 | bg =| date = April 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904250MMF.html Boxscore]
 | team2 = '''[[Miami Floridians]]''' | score1 = '''110'''
 | team1 = [[Indiana Pacers]] | score2 = '''114'''
 |Q1= '''33'''–24  |Q2= 22–'''26'''  |Q3= 27–'''34''' |Q4= 28–'''30'''
 | points1 = [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 44  | rebounds1 = [[Mel Daniels|Daniels]], [[Bob Netolicky|Netolicky]] 12 each| assist1 = [[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] 10
 | points2 = [[Don Sidle]] 27 | rebounds2 = [[Don Sidle|Sidle]], [[Skip Thoren|Thoren]] 10 each  | assist2 = [[Maurice McHartley]] 9
 | place = [[Miami Beach Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]]  | attendance = 2,846
 | series = Indiana leads series, 3–1
}}

{{basketballbox
 | bg = #eee | date = April 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904260INA.html Boxscore]
 | team1 = [[Miami Floridians]] | score1 = 105
 | team2 = [[Indiana Pacers]] | score2 = '''127'''
  |Q1= 20–'''28'''  |Q2= 32–32  |Q3= 29–'''34''' |Q4= 24–'''33'''
 | points1 = [[Donnie Freeman (basketball, born 1944)|Donnie Freeman]] 26| rebounds1 = [[Don Sidle]] 13 | assist1 = [[Maurice McHartley]] 4
 | points2 =  [[Freddie Lewis]] 35 | rebounds2 = [[Bob Netolicky]] 10 | assist2 = [[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] 8
 | place = [[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] | attendance = 3,528
 | series = Indiana wins series, 4–1
}}

==ABA Finals: (W1) Oakland Oaks vs. (E1) Indiana Pacers==
{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 30 |time= |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1=[[Indiana Pacers]] |score1=85
|team2='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score2='''89'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196904300OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=32–'''36''' |Q2=28–28 |Q3=20–'''28''' |Q4='''34'''–31
|points1=[[Bob Netolicky]] 33 |points2= [[Gary Bradds]] 40
|rebounds1=[[Mel Daniels]] 18  |rebounds2= [[Gary Bradds]] 17
|assist1=[[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] 4 |assist2= [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 9
|attendance= 3,290
|referee= 
|series=Oakland leads series, 1–0
}}
In the second half of the season, [[Gary Bradds]] had taken over for an injured Rick Barry and acquired the nickname of "super sub". In Game 1, the "super sub" scored 40 points while going 16-of-25 with a perfect eight-for-eight from the free throw line as Oakland's fast break offense eventually pressed over Indiana in the final quarter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-01-1969-5015289/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title='Super Sub' Leads Oaks|work=Albuquerque Tribune |agency=AP|date=May 1, 1969 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

{{Basketballbox|date=May 2 |time= |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1='''[[Indiana Pacers]]''' |score1='''150'''
|team2=[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]  |score2=122
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905020OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=1'''33'''–32 |Q2='''40'''–18 |Q3='''36'''–35 |Q4='''41'''–37
|points1=[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] 39 |points2=[[Warren Jabali]] 31
|rebounds1=[[Bob Netolicky]] 15 |rebounds2=[[Warren Jabali]] 15
|assist1=[[Bobby Hooper (basketball)|Bobby Hooper]] 7 |assist2=[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 5
|attendance=4,171
|referee= 
|series=Series tied, 1–1
}}
The trio of [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]], [[Bob Netolicky]], and [[Freddie Lewis]] scored 110 points as the Pacers ran rough-shod over Oakland, scoring 40 points in the second quarter to lead by 23 at halftime. League MVP [[Mel Daniels]] had gone to the bench at the end of the first quarter with four fouls that led to their coach going to Netolicky to play center for the next two quarters, which resulted in him scoring 36 points. The Pacers won their first game over Oakland this year, having lost all six regular season matchups that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-03-1969-5015294/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Pacers Top Oakland|work=Terre Haute Tribune |agency=UPI|date=May 3, 1969 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee|date=May 3|time= |place=[[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score1= '''134'''
|team2=[[Indiana Pacers]]|score2=126
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905030INA.html Box score]
|Q1=26–'''30'''|Q2='''33'''–27 |Q3='''33'''–31 |Q4=26–'''30'''|OT='''16'''–8
|points1=[[Warren Jabali]] 37 |points2=[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Brown]], [[Mel Daniels|Daniels]] 29 each
|rebounds1=[[Ira Harge]] 22|rebounds2=[[Bob Netolicky]] 19
|assist1=[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 8 |assist2=[[Freddie Lewis]] 9
|attendance= 8,467
|referee= Ron Rakel, Andy Hershock
|series=Oakland leads series, 2–1
}}

A tight game saw 14 ties and a few lead changes that saw Oakland lead by six with just seven minutes to go before [[Freddie Lewis]] stoked a 10–0 run to give them a 109–105 lead. With the Pacers leading 117–115, [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] had a chance at the free-throw line to give them a bigger lead. However, he could only make one free throw and [[Gary Bradds]] recovered the rebound on the last miss and called time out to give Oakland the ball at the backcourt of Indiana with time expiring. [[Warren Jabali]] then posted up for a three-pointer and hit from over 25 feet out to send the game into overtime (he had just made two of his last 16 shots from the three-line). The teams traded baskets in overtime before Oakland finally pulled away. With the score 126–125, Doug Moe hit two free throws before Jabali then hit a 22-foot shot to increase the lead to five as the Oaks eventually won by eight.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=Newhouse|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sunday-oakland-tribune-may-04-1969-p-47/ |title=Oaks Pull One Out|work=Sunday Oakland Tribune|date=May 4, 1969|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Doug|last=Moe|url=https://from-way-downtown.com/2023/01/03/doug-moe-the-game-ill-never-forget-1969/ |title=The Game I'll Never Forget|work=Basketball Digest|date=January 1981 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref> Fans in Indiana were so emotional at the defeat that they apparently focused their attention on referees Ron Rakel and Andy Hershock and raised hands at them, with Rakel getting a cut lip.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=Newhouse|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sunday-oakland-tribune-may-04-1969-p-48/ |title=Oaks Come Back From The Brink|work=Sunday Oakland Tribune|date=May 4, 1969|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

{{Basketballbox|date=May 5|time= |place=[[Corteva Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
|team1='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score1= '''144'''
|team2=[[Indiana Pacers]]|score2= 117
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905050INA.html Box score]
|Q1='''33'''–22 |Q2=36–'''37''' |Q3='''41'''–21 |Q4= 34–'''37'''
|points1=[[Warren Jabali]] 30 |points2=[[John Fairchild]] 18
|rebounds1=[[Gary Bradds]] 19 |rebounds2=[[Bob Netolicky|Netolicky]], [[Mel Daniels|Daniels]] 9 each
|assist1=[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 7 |assist2=[[Bobby Hooper (basketball)|Bobby Hooper]] 11
|attendance= 7,133
|referee= 
|series=Oakland leads series, 3–1
}}
The two teams exchanged leads seven times in the first eight minutes before [[Doug Moe]] pulled Oakland ahead for good with a shot to make it 17–16 as Oakland would proceed to lead by 10 at halftime and by 30 at the close of the third quarter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-06-1969-5015295/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/|title=Oaks Run It Up 144-117|work=The Argus|agency=UPI|date=May 6, 1969 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 7 |time= |place=[[Oakland Arena|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
|team1=[[Indiana Pacers]] |score1=131
|team2='''[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]]''' |score2='''135'''
|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196905070OAK.html Box score]
|Q1=28–'''31'''|Q2=30–'''33''' |Q3=30–'''31''' |Q4='''34'''–27|OT=9–'''13'''
|points1=[[Freddie Lewis]] 33 |points2=[[Warren Jabali]] 39
|rebounds1=[[Mel Daniels]] 25 |rebounds2=[[Ira Harge]] 14
|assist1=[[Freddie Lewis]] 7 |assist2=[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] 7
|attendance= 6,340
|referee= 
|series=Oakland wins series, 4–1
}}
Over 6,000 fans watched a climatic finish, among the biggest crowds attracted to see an Oaks game. The game went into overtime after [[Warren Jabali]] could only make one free throw to give Oakland a two-point lead before [[Ron Perry (basketball, born 1943)|Ron Perry]] made two-of-three free throws (after being fouled by [[Ira Harge]] on a three-pointer shot) to create overtime. The Oaks, leading 131–130, were then boosted by [[Doug Moe]] making two free throws before getting the ball back after Roger Brown missed a shot before the ball eventually made it to [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]], who was fouled with 14 seconds remaining to sink two more free throws to clinch the game.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=Newhouse|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/oakland-tribune-may-08-1969-p-37/ |title=Oaks Predict a Long Reign|work=Oakland Tribune|date=May 8, 1969|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=Newhouse|url=https://www.marinij.com/2020/05/07/on-this-date-1969-oakland-oaks-win-aba-championship/ |title=On this Date, 1969: Oakland Oaks win ABA championship|work=Oakland Tribune|date=May 8, 1969|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

Following the conclusion of the championship series, the Oaks were slated to have been the first ABA champion to ask for a competitive championship match against the NBA champions, which became the [[1968–69 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]]. However, the Celtics would immediately reject to the idea, though the notion of the ABA champion asking the NBA champion to compete against each other to find out who the ultimate champion in the sport of basketball would supposedly continue beyond the Oaks with every other ABA champion presumably trying and failing to get a championship match-up to go down between each other, with the most famous attempt occurring in 1975.

The game turned out to be the last one played in Oakland. On August 21, 1969, the team was sold to [[Earl Foreman]], who moved the team to [[Washington, D.C.]] in the summer despite owners Ken Davidson and [[Pat Boone]] saying differently in the title celebration ([[Rick Barry]], who did not play the ABA Finals due to injury, claimed that Boone told him that the Oaks would never leave Oakland).<ref>{{cite news|first=George|last=Ross|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/oakland-tribune-aug-21-1969-p-37/ |title=Oaks Fight To the End|work=Oakland Tribune|date=August 21, 1969|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Rick|last=Barry|url=https://from-way-downtown.com/2024/03/10/rick-barry-why-i-want-out-of-the-aba-1970/ |title=Why I Want Out of the ABA|work=Sport|date=April 1970|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref>

It was later revealed in the book [[Loose Balls]] that the championship ring that was acquired by the Oaks' owners was accidentally written on a blank check as $1.5 million for his bank to spend on, which also helped lead to the Oaks franchise being sold off to Foreman that year.

{{Portal|Sports}}

==Statistical leaders==
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:left;"
|-
!rowspan=2|Category !!colspan=3|Total !!colspan=4|Average
|-
!Player !! Team !! Total !! Player !! Team !! Avg. !! Games played
|-
| [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| [[Warren Jabali]] || [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]] || 460
| [[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] || [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] || 30.2 || 11
|-
| [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
|  [[Mel Daniels]] || [[Indiana Pacers]] ||237
|  [[Red Robbins]] || [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] || 15.9 || 15
|-
| [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] ||[[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]] ||87
| [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] || [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]] || 5.4 || 11
|}

=== Total leaders ===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-3}}
'''Points'''
# [[Warren Jabali]] - 460
#[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] - 459
#[[Freddie Lewis]] - 409
#[[Bob Netolicky]] - 383
#[[Mel Daniels]] - 333

'''Rebounds'''
# [[Mel Daniels]] - 237
#[[Bob Netolicky]] - 214
#[[Warren Jabali]] - 207
#[[Ira Harge]] - 192
#[[Red Robbins]] - 175
{{Col-3}}

'''Assists'''
# [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] - 87
#[[Freddie Lewis]] - 79
#[[Tom Thacker (basketball)|Tom Thacker]] - 69
#[[Jimmy Jones (basketball)|Jimmy Jones]] - 59
#[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] - 57

'''Minutes'''
# [[Freddie Lewis]] - 727
#[[Bob Netolicky]] - 702
#[[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]] - 668
#[[Warren Jabali]] - 662
#[[Doug Moe]] - 593
{{Col-end}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071017202704/http://remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1969Playoffs.html RememberTheABA.com page on 1969 ABA playoffs] 
*[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1969.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1969 ABA Playoffs page]

{{ABA seasons}}
{{Oakland Oaks 1968-69 ABA champions}}

[[Category:1968–69 ABA season|Playoffs]]
[[Category:American Basketball Association playoffs]]