1957 NBA playoffs

The 1957 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1956-57 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Division champion St. Louis Hawks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.

It was the first title in Celtics history; as of 2024, they have won the most NBA titles with 18.

The Celtics and Hawks met in 4 out of 5 NBA Finals from 1957–1961, with the Celtics winning 3 out of 4. While the Hawks' dominance of the Western Division was succeeded by the Los Angeles Lakers afterward, Boston missed the NBA Finals just once between 1957–1969, and won the NBA title in every year but two.

In the division semifinals, the Philadelphia Warriors were swept by the Syracuse Nationals 2–0. This was the first time in NBA history that the defending champions were swept in the opening round. The next time the defending champions were swept in the opening round was in 2007. It was also the only time in which the playoff series leading to the Final resulted in sweeps.

Bracket

 * Division winner

Bold Series winner

Italic Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals

(2) Syracuse Nationals vs. (3) Philadelphia Warriors
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers/Nationals winning three of the first four meetings.

(2) Minneapolis Lakers vs. (3) Fort Wayne Pistons
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning three of the first four meetings.

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Syracuse Nationals
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Nationals winning four of the first five meetings.

(1) St. Louis Hawks vs. (2) Minneapolis Lakers
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting.

NBA Finals: (E1) Boston Celtics vs. (W1) St. Louis Hawks

 * Tom Heinsohn hits the game-tying lay-up with 6 seconds left in regulation to force the first OT; Bob Cousy hits the game-tying shot with 15 seconds left in the first OT to force the second OT.


 * Bob Pettit hits the game-winner with 45 seconds left.


 * Cliff Hagan hits the game-winner at the buzzer.


 * Bob Pettit hits the game-tying free throws with 7 seconds left in regulation to force the first OT; Jack Coleman makers the game-tying basket with 9 seconds left in the first OT to force the second OT. Bob Pettit misses the game-tying shot at the buzzer to force a third OT.
 * Only NBA Finals Game 7 to date to go past the first overtime, and as of 2021, the only Game 7 in NBA history to go past the first overtime.

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.