1949 BAA playoffs

The 1949 BAA playoffs was the postseason tournament following the Basketball Association of America 1948–49 season, its third and last. Later that year the BAA and National Basketball League merged to create the National Basketball Association or NBA. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Eastern Division champion Washington Capitols 4 games to 2 in the BAA Finals.

The eight qualified teams began tournament play on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 22 and 23, and the Finals concluded on Wednesday, April 13. Minneapolis and Washington played 10 and 11 games in a span of 22 days; their six final games in ten days. Prior to their final series, however, Minneapolis had been idle for five days, Washington for only one day.

Eastern Division

 * 1) Washington Capitols
 * 2) New York Knicks
 * 3) Baltimore Bullets
 * 4) Philadelphia Warriors

Western Division

 * 1) Rochester Royals
 * 2) Minneapolis Lakers
 * 3) Chicago Stags
 * 4) St. Louis Bombers

Playoff bracket
* Division winner

Bold Series winner

(1) Washington Capitols vs. (4) Philadelphia Warriors
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Baltimore Bullets
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bullets winning the first meeting.

(1) Rochester Royals vs. (4) St. Louis Bombers
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Chicago Stags
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(1) Washington Capitols vs. (2) New York Knicks
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(1) Rochester Royals vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

BAA Finals: (W2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (E1) Washington Capitols
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.