1969 NBA playoffs

Bracket

| RD1-group1=Eastern Division | RD1-group2=Western Division

| RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=Baltimore* | RD1-score1=0 | RD1-seed2=E3 | RD1-team2=New York | RD1-score2=4

| RD1-seed3=E4 | RD1-team3=Boston | RD1-score3=4 | RD1-seed4=E2 | RD1-team4=Philadelphia | RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1 | RD1-team5=Los Angeles* | RD1-score5=4 | RD1-seed6=W3 | RD1-team6=San Francisco | RD1-score6=2

| RD1-seed7=W4 | RD1-team7=San Diego | RD1-score7=2 | RD1-seed8=W2 | RD1-team8=Atlanta | RD1-score8=4

| RD2-seed1=E3 | RD2-team1=New York | RD2-score1=2 | RD2-seed2=E4 | RD2-team2=Boston | RD2-score2=4

| RD2-seed3=W1 | RD2-team3=Los Angeles* | RD2-score3=4 | RD2-seed4=W2 | RD2-team4=Atlanta | RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E4 | RD3-team1=Boston | RD3-score1=4 | RD3-seed2=W1 | RD3-team2=Los Angeles | RD3-score2=3 |* Division winner |Bold Series winner |Italic Team with home-court advantage in NBA Finals}}

Division Semifinals

Eastern Division Semifinals

(1) [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]] vs. (3) [[New York Knicks]]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

(2) [[Philadelphia 76ers]] vs. (4) [[Boston Celtics]]

This was the 13th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning seven of the first 12 meetings.

Western Division Semifinals

(1) [[Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (3) [[San Francisco Warriors]]

• The Lakers become the first team to win a playoff series after losing the first 2 games at home.

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first two meetings.

(4) [[Atlanta Hawks]] vs. (2) [[San Diego Rockets]]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

Division Finals

Eastern Division Finals

(3) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (4) [[Boston Celtics]]

• John Havlicek hits the series-winning shot.

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with both teams splitting the first six meetings.

Western Division Finals

(1) [[Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (2) [[Atlanta Hawks]]

This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning five of the first eight meetings while in St. Louis.

NBA Finals: (W1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E4) Boston Celtics

Main article: 1969 NBA Finals

• Sam Jones hits the game-winner at the buzzer.
• Don Nelson hit a foul-line jumper which dropped through the basket after hitting the back rim and bouncing several feet straight up. The shot gave the Celtics a 105–102 lead after the Lakers cut their lead to 103–102.
• Bill Russell and Sam Jones’ final NBA game; Celtics become the first team to come back from a 2–0 series deficit in the NBA Finals.

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first six meetings.

References

References

1. "What history says about a No. 4 seed like the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals".
2. "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Washington Wizards (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
3. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
4. "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
5. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Houston Rockets (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
6. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
7. "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
8. "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.