Overview
The Rochester Royals defeated the New York Knicks, four games to three, in a best-of-seven series to conclude the 1950-51 NBA season. The matchup marked the first time in league history that a Finals series had gone the full seven games. It was also the only time in NBA history that two teams from the same state met in the Finals.
The NBA was back to a two-division setup after a turbulent offseason. Six teams (the Anderson Packers, Chicago Stags, Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Redskins, St. Louis Bombers and Waterloo Hawks) either left the league or were dissolved altogether. That action left the NBA with 11 teams divided into Eastern and Western divisions. On January 9, 1951, the Washington Capitols were disbanded in midseason and players assigned to other clubs, leaving the league with 10 teams. The two-division system made for a more balanced playoff structure, and no team received byes in any round.
Rochester held home-court advantage in the Finals because they finished with the better regular-season record. The Royals ousted the defending champion Lakers in their Division Finals after finishing behind Minneapolis during the regular season in the West.
Lakers' star George Mikan, the 1951 scoring leader, was slowed with a hairline fracture in his ankle late in the season. With Mikan at half-strength, the Royals easily bested the Lakers on their way to the Finals. Rochester was led by Arnie Risen, who averaged 16.3 points per game in the regular season.
The New York Knicks were led by Vince Boryla, who averaged 14.9 PPG, and Max Zaslofsky, formerly of the dissolved Chicago Stags. The Knicks also featured former Harlem Globetrotter Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African-American player to be signed to an NBA contract.
Although their regular-season record was unimpressive, the Knicks earned their first Finals appearance by virtue of a hard-fought series win over the defending division champs, the Syracuse Nationals.
The Nats and Knicks took their Division Finals series the full five games. New York trailed Syracuse by 12 points with 10 minutes left in Game 5, but mounted a furious comeback to earn an 83-81 win and a trip to the Finals to face their nemesis, the Royals. Entering the Finals, the Knicks had lost nine straight games in Rochester.
The NBA was back to a two-division setup after a turbulent offseason. Six teams (the Anderson Packers, Chicago Stags, Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Redskins, St. Louis Bombers and Waterloo Hawks) either left the league or were dissolved altogether. That action left the NBA with 11 teams divided into Eastern and Western divisions. On January 9, 1951, the Washington Capitols were disbanded in midseason and players assigned to other clubs, leaving the league with 10 teams. The two-division system made for a more balanced playoff structure, and no team received byes in any round.
Rochester held home-court advantage in the Finals because they finished with the better regular-season record. The Royals ousted the defending champion Lakers in their Division Finals after finishing behind Minneapolis during the regular season in the West.
Lakers' star George Mikan, the 1951 scoring leader, was slowed with a hairline fracture in his ankle late in the season. With Mikan at half-strength, the Royals easily bested the Lakers on their way to the Finals. Rochester was led by Arnie Risen, who averaged 16.3 points per game in the regular season.
The New York Knicks were led by Vince Boryla, who averaged 14.9 PPG, and Max Zaslofsky, formerly of the dissolved Chicago Stags. The Knicks also featured former Harlem Globetrotter Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African-American player to be signed to an NBA contract.
Although their regular-season record was unimpressive, the Knicks earned their first Finals appearance by virtue of a hard-fought series win over the defending division champs, the Syracuse Nationals.
The Nats and Knicks took their Division Finals series the full five games. New York trailed Syracuse by 12 points with 10 minutes left in Game 5, but mounted a furious comeback to earn an 83-81 win and a trip to the Finals to face their nemesis, the Royals. Entering the Finals, the Knicks had lost nine straight games in Rochester.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Knicks | Royals |
| Regular Season | 36-30, 3rd in Eastern Division | 41-27, 2nd in Western Division |
| Div. Semifinals | Def. Boston Celtics, 2-0 | Def. Fort Wayne Pistons, 2-0 |
| Div. Finals | Def. Syracuse Nationals, 3-2 | Def. Minneapolis Lakers, 3-1 |
Game 1 -- Royals 92, Knicks 65
A capacity crowd of 4,200 came out to Rochester's Edgerton Park Arena to see the Royals and Knicks continue their rivalry. The Rochester faithful weren't disappointed because New York suffered its tenth straight loss in Rochester with a resounding defeat in Game 1 of the Finals.
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton missed the game after re-aggravating a back injury, and depleting an already overmatched Knicks squad.
The Royals came out firing, and hit 20 of their first 40 field goal attempts to take an early lead and go up 51-34 at the half. The Knicks shot only 27 percent from the floor, compared to 44 percent for Rochester. The Royals also outrebounded the Knicks, 64-42.
Vince Boryla led New York with 13 points, and the team did not miss a free throw, but the Royals were too much for the Knicks. Arnie Risen led Rochester with 22 points, and teammate Bobby Wanzer contributed 19. The 27-point defeat was the Knicks' worst loss of the season, and the Royals claimed a 1-0 series lead.
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton missed the game after re-aggravating a back injury, and depleting an already overmatched Knicks squad.
The Royals came out firing, and hit 20 of their first 40 field goal attempts to take an early lead and go up 51-34 at the half. The Knicks shot only 27 percent from the floor, compared to 44 percent for Rochester. The Royals also outrebounded the Knicks, 64-42.
Vince Boryla led New York with 13 points, and the team did not miss a free throw, but the Royals were too much for the Knicks. Arnie Risen led Rochester with 22 points, and teammate Bobby Wanzer contributed 19. The 27-point defeat was the Knicks' worst loss of the season, and the Royals claimed a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 -- Royals 99, Knicks 84
The Knicks continued their tradition of losing at Edgerton Park Arena by going down by 15 points in Game 2 in front of another sold-out crowd.
Royals' big man Jack Coleman posted a monster game with 14 points and 29 rebounds. Between Coleman's monster game and the continued absence of Nat Clifton, the Knicks were outrebounded by a huge margin for the second straight game. The Royals posted 25 more rebounds than New York. The Royals went up 30-17 in the second quarter and actually pulled their starters. The second string let the Knicks get within three points, and the Royals put the starters in once more.
New York's Max Zaslofsky posted 28 points and teammate Vince Boryla added 19. The Knicks got as close as three points in the fourth quarter, but a three-point play by Bobby Wanzer sparked a Royals scoring run that spelled the end for New York.
Bob Davies led his team with 24 points, and star Arnie Risen netted 19 as the Royals handed the Knicks their 11th straight loss in Rochester. After two double-digit Finals defeats for the Knicks, the New York Times noted, "This play-off set might very well be settled in four straight."
Royals' big man Jack Coleman posted a monster game with 14 points and 29 rebounds. Between Coleman's monster game and the continued absence of Nat Clifton, the Knicks were outrebounded by a huge margin for the second straight game. The Royals posted 25 more rebounds than New York. The Royals went up 30-17 in the second quarter and actually pulled their starters. The second string let the Knicks get within three points, and the Royals put the starters in once more.
New York's Max Zaslofsky posted 28 points and teammate Vince Boryla added 19. The Knicks got as close as three points in the fourth quarter, but a three-point play by Bobby Wanzer sparked a Royals scoring run that spelled the end for New York.
Bob Davies led his team with 24 points, and star Arnie Risen netted 19 as the Royals handed the Knicks their 11th straight loss in Rochester. After two double-digit Finals defeats for the Knicks, the New York Times noted, "This play-off set might very well be settled in four straight."
Game 3 -- Royals 78, Knicks 71
The Knicks were back at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York for Game 3 in front of 5,000 fans, but the result didn't change. The Royals posted a seven-point victory to go up 3-0 in the series.
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton returned to the Knicks' starting lineup, and gave New York much needed help on the boards. The Knicks continued to struggle on offense, and made only 28 of their 95 field goal attempts, and missed 10 free throws. New York forward Harry Gallatin was especially cold from the field. He missed all 11 field goals he attempted in the game.
Despite their shooting woes, the Knicks stayed in the game and trailed by just one point in the fourth quarter, but the Royals put together a 14-0 run to seal the victory.
Rochester's Arnie Risen led the team with 27 points. Through three games, Risen totaled 70 points and 47 rebounds. The Knicks got 20 points from Vince Boryla and 18 points each from Max Zaslofsky and Connie Simmons. No other Knick reached double figures, and New York found itself one game away from elimination.
Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton returned to the Knicks' starting lineup, and gave New York much needed help on the boards. The Knicks continued to struggle on offense, and made only 28 of their 95 field goal attempts, and missed 10 free throws. New York forward Harry Gallatin was especially cold from the field. He missed all 11 field goals he attempted in the game.
Despite their shooting woes, the Knicks stayed in the game and trailed by just one point in the fourth quarter, but the Royals put together a 14-0 run to seal the victory.
Rochester's Arnie Risen led the team with 27 points. Through three games, Risen totaled 70 points and 47 rebounds. The Knicks got 20 points from Vince Boryla and 18 points each from Max Zaslofsky and Connie Simmons. No other Knick reached double figures, and New York found itself one game away from elimination.
Game 4 -- Knicks 79, Royals 73
Knicks coach Joe Lapchick shook up his lineup by starting Ernie Vandeweghe over Dick McGuire at guard.
The strategy seemed to work early because New York led by as many as 17 points in the second quarter, but behind the hot hands of Arnie Risen and Bob Davies, the Royals climbed all the way back to take a six-point lead with 4:20 to go in the game.
The Knicks battled back to tie it at 69, and sparked by Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, went on a 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter to seal the win and avoid elimination.
After going scoreless in Game 3, Knicks forward Harry Gallatin led his team with 22 points. Teammate Max Zaslofsky pitched in 18. Risen led all scorers with 26 points, and Davies added 15, but no other Rochester player reached double figures. New York stayed alive, but still trailed in the series, three games to one.
The strategy seemed to work early because New York led by as many as 17 points in the second quarter, but behind the hot hands of Arnie Risen and Bob Davies, the Royals climbed all the way back to take a six-point lead with 4:20 to go in the game.
The Knicks battled back to tie it at 69, and sparked by Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, went on a 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter to seal the win and avoid elimination.
After going scoreless in Game 3, Knicks forward Harry Gallatin led his team with 22 points. Teammate Max Zaslofsky pitched in 18. Risen led all scorers with 26 points, and Davies added 15, but no other Rochester player reached double figures. New York stayed alive, but still trailed in the series, three games to one.
Game 5 -- Knicks 92, Royals 89
To avoid elimination, the Knicks had to win a game in Rochester, where they had previously lost 11 straight. A capacity crowd packed Edgerton Park Arena to see the Royals attempt to clinch the title.
Early on, it looked as if the Knicks were headed towards a 12th straight loss at the Royals' home court. The Knicks were called for two technical fouls in the first quarter, Rochester was up by five at the half and held a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. New York's Connie Simmons got hot late. It helped that his defender, Arnie Risen, was in foul trouble, and had to back off on defense.
Simmons ended up with 26 points in the game, and his teammate Max Zaslofsky posted 24 points. While Simmons and Zaslofsky were on fire, the Royals went without a field goal for a seven-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. The Knicks surged ahead, despite losing starting guard Ernie Vandeweghe to a sprained left thumb.
Down three points with 40 seconds left, the Royals gained possession but couldn't capitalize, and the Knicks held on for the victory. Risen fouled out in the final seconds but not before collecting 20 points. The Royals were led by Bobby Wanzer, who put up 21.
The Knicks earned their first win in Rochester in three years, and cut the series to 3-2 heading back home to New York.
Early on, it looked as if the Knicks were headed towards a 12th straight loss at the Royals' home court. The Knicks were called for two technical fouls in the first quarter, Rochester was up by five at the half and held a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. New York's Connie Simmons got hot late. It helped that his defender, Arnie Risen, was in foul trouble, and had to back off on defense.
Simmons ended up with 26 points in the game, and his teammate Max Zaslofsky posted 24 points. While Simmons and Zaslofsky were on fire, the Royals went without a field goal for a seven-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. The Knicks surged ahead, despite losing starting guard Ernie Vandeweghe to a sprained left thumb.
Down three points with 40 seconds left, the Royals gained possession but couldn't capitalize, and the Knicks held on for the victory. Risen fouled out in the final seconds but not before collecting 20 points. The Royals were led by Bobby Wanzer, who put up 21.
The Knicks earned their first win in Rochester in three years, and cut the series to 3-2 heading back home to New York.
Game 6 -- Knicks 80, Royals 73
The 69th Regiment Armory was once again sold out. 4,500 fans were on hand to watch the Knicks attempt to avoid elimination for the third straight game.
The game was tight from the outset. The lead changed hands 12 times in the first half, and the halftime score stood tied at 38. Royals star Arnie Risen had an off night from the floor, and made just three of 13 field goals. Bobby Wanzer, Rochester's leading scorer in Game 5, fouled out midway through the third quarter.
With their stars struggling, the Royals fell behind in the third, and the Knicks never relinquished the lead. Knicks guard Ernie Vandeweghe was playing with a bandaged left wrist and thumb after suffering a sprain in Game 6, but made 7 of 10 field goals to contribute 18 points.
Max Zaslofsky led New York with 23 points, 13 of which came on free throws. Rochester's Arnie Johnson was the game's leading scorer with 27 points, but the Royals shot just 34 percent from the floor in the loss.
The Knicks came all the way back from an 0-3 deficit in the series to force a Game 7 in Rochester, where they lost 11 of their last 12 contests.
The game was tight from the outset. The lead changed hands 12 times in the first half, and the halftime score stood tied at 38. Royals star Arnie Risen had an off night from the floor, and made just three of 13 field goals. Bobby Wanzer, Rochester's leading scorer in Game 5, fouled out midway through the third quarter.
With their stars struggling, the Royals fell behind in the third, and the Knicks never relinquished the lead. Knicks guard Ernie Vandeweghe was playing with a bandaged left wrist and thumb after suffering a sprain in Game 6, but made 7 of 10 field goals to contribute 18 points.
Max Zaslofsky led New York with 23 points, 13 of which came on free throws. Rochester's Arnie Johnson was the game's leading scorer with 27 points, but the Royals shot just 34 percent from the floor in the loss.
The Knicks came all the way back from an 0-3 deficit in the series to force a Game 7 in Rochester, where they lost 11 of their last 12 contests.
Game 7 -- Royals 79, Knicks 75
The first Game 7 in NBA Finals history was held at Rochester's Edgerton Park Arena where the Royals had won 85 percent of their games in the past three seasons.
Early on, it looked like the Knicks would suffer another big loss in Rochester. They committed 10 turnovers in the 1st half, and trailed by 14 points at one point in the second quarter. New York managed to pull within six points at halftime, and tied the score at 69 with six minutes left in the game.
Knicks big man Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton fouled out with five minutes remaining, but the Knicks still held a two-point lead, 74-72, with two minutes left to play.
New York lost another key frontcourt player when Connie Simmons was disqualified on fouls with 1:53 remaining. Taking advantage of the Knicks' depletion in the post, the Royals took back the lead, 75-74, on a three-point play by Arnie Risen. New York's Vince Boryla then made a free throw to tie the game at 75 with 59 seconds remaining.
Rochester coach Les Harrison called a timeout to strategize the Royals' ensuing possession. Rather than let the clock run down, Royals guard Bob Davies drove to the basket with 44 seconds remaining. Knicks guard Dick McGuire fouled Davies on his way to the hoop, and forced Davies to win it at the line. Davies knocked down both free throws to put Rochester up, 77-75.
The Knicks failed to convert on their end of the floor, and Royals big man Jack Coleman made an insurance basket off an assist from Red Holzman, who would later coach the Knicks to two championships. Coleman's shot gave the Royals the four-point lead that sealed the victory, 79-75.
Risen finished as Rochester's leading scorer with 24 points, and Davies added 20. Conversely, the Knicks failed to have any player reach the 20-point mark, but Max Zaslofksy and Boryla posted 16 each.
Despite coming back from three games down to force a Game 7, the Knicks were defeated by Rochester, four games to three.
Early on, it looked like the Knicks would suffer another big loss in Rochester. They committed 10 turnovers in the 1st half, and trailed by 14 points at one point in the second quarter. New York managed to pull within six points at halftime, and tied the score at 69 with six minutes left in the game.
Knicks big man Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton fouled out with five minutes remaining, but the Knicks still held a two-point lead, 74-72, with two minutes left to play.
New York lost another key frontcourt player when Connie Simmons was disqualified on fouls with 1:53 remaining. Taking advantage of the Knicks' depletion in the post, the Royals took back the lead, 75-74, on a three-point play by Arnie Risen. New York's Vince Boryla then made a free throw to tie the game at 75 with 59 seconds remaining.
Rochester coach Les Harrison called a timeout to strategize the Royals' ensuing possession. Rather than let the clock run down, Royals guard Bob Davies drove to the basket with 44 seconds remaining. Knicks guard Dick McGuire fouled Davies on his way to the hoop, and forced Davies to win it at the line. Davies knocked down both free throws to put Rochester up, 77-75.
The Knicks failed to convert on their end of the floor, and Royals big man Jack Coleman made an insurance basket off an assist from Red Holzman, who would later coach the Knicks to two championships. Coleman's shot gave the Royals the four-point lead that sealed the victory, 79-75.
Risen finished as Rochester's leading scorer with 24 points, and Davies added 20. Conversely, the Knicks failed to have any player reach the 20-point mark, but Max Zaslofksy and Boryla posted 16 each.
Despite coming back from three games down to force a Game 7, the Knicks were defeated by Rochester, four games to three.