| Year | 1970 |
|---|---|
| Season | 1969–70 |
| Dates | March 25–May 8, 1970 |
| Num teams | 8 |
| Winners | New York Knicks |
| Count | 1 |
| Second | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Semifinal 1 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Semifinal 2 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Prev season | 1969 |
| Next season | 1971 |
The 1970 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1969–70 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Willis Reed was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the first NBA title for the Knicks in franchise history, and was their first appearance in the finals since losing their third straight finals in 1953 to the Lakers while they were still in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
For the Lakers, it was their third straight Western Division title and second straight year they lost in Game 7 of the NBA finals. The Lakers dropped their eighth straight NBA finals series (the previous 7 to the Boston Celtics) and were denied their first NBA title since 1954.
It was also the playoff debut of both the second-year Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, with the former managing a first-round defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston missed the playoffs for the first time since 1951, despite being the defending champions.
Bracket
- * Division winner
- Bold Series winner
- Italic Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals
Division Semifinals
Eastern Division Semifinals
(1) New York Knicks vs. (3) Baltimore Bullets
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.
| New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[2]
Western Division Semifinals
(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting while based in St. Louis.
| Atlanta/ St. Louis leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Phoenix Suns
- The Lakers become the second team to come back from a 3–1 series deficit.
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[4]
Division Finals
Eastern Division Finals
(1) New York Knicks vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks
- Guy Rodgers' final NBA game.
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.[5]
Western Division Finals
(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers
- Wilt Chamberlain makes the winning free throws in overtime with Jerry West on the bench with six fouls.
This was the 10th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning five of the first nine meetings.
| Atlanta leads 5–4 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
NBA Finals: (E1) New York Knicks vs. (W2) Los Angeles Lakers
- Jerry West (who suffered a jammed thumb in the first half) hit a desperation buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie it at 102 and force overtime. The Knicks pulled ahead in overtime for good when Willis Reed shot a free throw and Dick Barnett made a field goal to close the scoring. Bandaged hand and all, West later stated that the Lakers would beat the Knicks in the next game.[7]
- Willis Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause and inspiring the Knicks to win the title.
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first two meetings while based in Minneapolis.
| Los Angeles/ Minneapolis leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
References
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Chicago Bulls (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Milwaukee Bucks versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Stevenson, Jack (May 1, 1970). "LA's West Will Play With Hurt Thumb". Colorado Springs Gazette. Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.