1948–49 Minneapolis Lakers season

The 1948–49 BAA season was the Lakers' first season in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) (which later became the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the conclusion of this season).

This season saw the Lakers win their first BAA championship, defeating the Washington Capitols in six games in the BAA Finals.

The last remaining active member of the 1948–49 Minneapolis Lakers was center George Mikan, who played his final NBA game in the 1955–56 season, although he missed the 1954–55 season. After long being honored by the Lakers following their eventual move to Los Angeles, Mikan's #99 would eventually be retired properly (albeit posthumously) on October 30, 2022.

Season standings

 * x – clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

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 * 1
 * March 23
 * Chicago
 * W 84–77
 * George Mikan (37)
 * Minneapolis Auditorium
 * 1–0
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 * 2
 * March 24
 * @ Chicago
 * W 101–85
 * George Mikan (38)
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * March 27
 * @ Rochester
 * W 80–79
 * George Mikan (32)
 * Edgerton Park Arena
 * 1–0
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 * 2
 * March 29
 * Rochester
 * W 67–55
 * George Mikan (31)
 * St. Paul Auditorium
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 4
 * Washington
 * W 88–84
 * George Mikan (42)
 * Minneapolis Auditorium 8,210
 * 1–0
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 * 2
 * April 6
 * Washington
 * W 76–62
 * Don Carlson (16)
 * Minneapolis Auditorium 10,212
 * 2–0
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 * 3
 * April 8
 * @ Washington
 * W 94–74
 * George Mikan (35)
 * Uline Arena 4,919
 * 3–0
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 * 4
 * April 9
 * @ Washington
 * L 71–83
 * George Mikan (27)
 * Uline Arena 4,471
 * 3–1
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 * 5
 * April 11
 * @ Washington
 * L 65–74
 * George Mikan (22)
 * Uline Arena 3,840
 * 3–2
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 * 6
 * April 13
 * Washington
 * W 77–56
 * George Mikan (29)
 * St. Paul Auditorium 10,482
 * 4–2

Awards and records

 * George Mikan, All-BAA First Team
 * Jim Pollard, All-BAA First Team