1968 ABA playoffs

Basketball competition August 2023 ABA playoffs 1968 1967–68 March 23 – May 4, 1968 8 Pittsburgh Pipers 1 New Orleans Buccaneers Minnesota Muskies Dallas Chaparrals 1969 The 1968 ABA playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967–68 season, starting on March 23 and ending on May 4. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the ABA Finals. Notable events This was the first ABA championship. The Pittsburgh Pipers won the ABA championship in the playoffs after posting the league's best record during the regular season (54–24, .692). The Minnesota Muskies had the league's second best record, but they played in the Eastern Division with the Pipers. None of the four teams that made it to the Division finals (and ABA finals) remained as they were during this season throughout the league's entire existence. The Pittsburgh Pipers spent the following season as the Minnesota Pipers, returned to play as the Pittsburgh Pipers the year after that, and then played two seasons as the Pittsburgh Condors before folding in 1972. After three seasons the New Orleans Buccaneers left town and became the Memphis Pros in 1970. The Minnesota Muskies spent the next two seasons as the Miami Floridians and then spent two seasons after that as The Floridians before folding in 1972. The Dallas Chaparrals eventually became the San Antonio Spurs, continuing to this day in the NBA. The Kentucky Colonels won the last Eastern Division playoff berth in a one-game playoff over the New Jersey Americans by forfeit when the venue chosen by the Americans, Commack Arena, had an unplayable floor. Connie Hawkins of the Pittsburgh Pipers was the Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs. Bracket Division Semifinals Division Finals ABA Finals Western Division Eastern Division 1 New Orleans Buccaneers* 3 3 Denver Rockets 2 4 Houston Mavericks 0 2 Dallas Chaparrals 3 1 Pittsburgh Pipers* 3 3 Indiana Pacers 0 4 Kentucky Colonels 2 2 Minnesota Muskies 3 1 New Orleans Bucs* 4 2 Dallas Chaparrals 1 1 Pittsburgh Pipers* 4 2 Minnesota Muskies 1 W1 New Orleans Bucs* 3 E1 Pittsburgh Pipers* 4 * Division winner Bold Series winner Italic Team with home-court advantage Division Semifinals Eastern Division Semifinals (1) Pittsburgh Pipers vs. (3) Indiana Pacers #eee March 25 Boxscore Indiana Pacers 127 Pittsburgh Pipers 146 31–35 32–36 30–33 34–42 Roger Brown 32 Roger Brown 12 Connie Hawkins 38 Trooper Washington 20 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2,189 Pittsburgh leads series, 1–0 March 26 Boxscore Indiana Pacers 108 Pittsburgh Pipers 121 30–23 29–24 33–28 29–33 Freddie Lewis 21 Ollie Darden 16 Art Heyman 32 Trooper Washington 15 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,684 Pittsburgh leads series, 2–0 #eee March 27 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 133 Indiana Pacers 114 26–26 30–29 27–48 31–30 Charlie Williams 34 Connie Hawkins 15 Freddie Lewis 32 George Peeples 20 Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana 3,141 Pittsburgh wins series, 3–0 +Regular-season seriesPittsburgh won 6–4 in the regular-season series#fff November 7, 1967 Report Indiana Pacers 100 Pittsburgh Pipers  83 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh November 16, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 116 Indiana Pacers  90 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis #fff December 3, 1967 Report Indiana Pacers 100 Pittsburgh Pipers 103 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh December 16, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 122 Indiana Pacers 117 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis December 31, 1967 Report Indiana Pacers 106 Pittsburgh Pipers 121 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh January 11, 1968 Report Indiana Pacers 115 Pittsburgh Pipers 138 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh January 13, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 99 Indiana Pacers 113 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis January 17, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 137 Indiana Pacers 101 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis January 31, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 113 Indiana Pacers 119 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis February 6, 1968 Report Indiana Pacers 113 Pittsburgh Pipers 100 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh This was the first playoff meeting between the Pipers and the Pacers. (2) Minnesota Muskies vs. (4) Kentucky Colonels #eee March 24 Boxscore Kentucky Colonels 102 Minnesota Muskies 115 22–28 27–30 37–27 16–30 Darel Carrier 29 Carrier, Ligon, Rhine 8 each Mel Daniels 44 Mel Daniels 15 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota 661 Minnesota leads series, 1–0 March 26 Boxscore Kentucky Colonels 100 Minnesota Muskies 95 26–25 22–31 22–20 30–19 Louie Dampier 24 Jim Caldwell 21 Donnie Freeman 30 Daniels, Freeman, Hunter, Smith 8 each Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota 3,874 Series tied, 1–1 #eee March 27 Boxscore Minnesota Muskies 116 Kentucky Colonels 107 26–30 36–29 33–18 21–30 Les Hunter 38 Les Hunter 21 Louie Dampier 32 Jim Caldwell 9 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky 1,458 Minnesota leads series, 2–1 March 29 Boxscore Minnesota Muskies 86 Kentucky Colonels 94 24–25 22–22 21–25 19–22 Daniels, Smith 22 each Mel Daniels 22 Darel Carrier 29 Jim Ligon 21 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky 4,472 Series tied, 2–2 #eee March 30 Boxscore Kentucky Colonels 108 Minnesota Muskies 114 23–30 28–34 25–22 32–28 Louie Dampier 33 Jim Caldwell 11 Ervin Inniger 33 Mel Daniels 19 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota 879 Minnesota wins series, 3–2 A whopping crowd of less than 900 people saw Minnesota dominate the Colonels for most of the game, having led since breaking a 6–6 tie; they led 64–51 at halftime.https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-mar-31-1968-p-47/ Minnesota Holds Off Kentucky Associated Press Abilene Reporter News March 31, 1968 The Muskies had a 15-point lead with four minutes remaining before the Colonels chipped it away to five with 1:30 to go before a missed three by Louie Dampier saw the Muskies close it out with late points.Muskies Capture Playoff Series Associated Press https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-mar-31-1968-p-29/ Winona Daily News March 31, 1968 +Regular-season seriesTied 5–5 in the regular-season series#fff October 22, 1967 Report Kentucky Colonels 104 Minnesota Muskies  96 Met Center, Bloomington October 29, 1967 Report Kentucky Colonels 81 Minnesota Muskies  94 Met Center, Bloomington #fff November 8, 1967 Report Minnesota Muskies 106 Kentucky Colonels  92 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville November 14, 1967 Report Kentucky Colonels 75 Minnesota Muskies 125 Met Center, Bloomington December 12, 1967 Report Minnesota Muskies 94 Kentucky Colonels 113 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville January 8, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 103 Kentucky Colonels 107 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville January 23, 1968 Report Kentucky Colonels 97 Minnesota Muskies 120 Met Center, Bloomington February 2, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 84 Kentucky Colonels 120 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville February 5, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 86 Kentucky Colonels  95 Louisville Convention Center, Louisville February 27, 1968 Report Kentucky Colonels 93 Minnesota Muskies 102 Met Center, Bloomington This was the first playoff meeting between the Muskies and the Colonels. Western Division Semifinals (1) New Orleans Buccaneers vs. (3) Denver Rockets #eee March 26 Boxscore Denver Rockets 104 New Orleans Buccaneers 130 23–39 29–27 27–27 25–37 Larry Jones 29 Wayne Hightower 12 Larry Brown 31 Red Robbins 15 Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 3,111 New Orleans leads series, 1–0 March 27 Boxscore Denver Rockets 93 New Orleans Buccaneers 105 28–23 18–23 17–30 30–29 Willie Murrell 21 Byron Beck 15 Jimmy Jones 22 Moe, Govan 11 each Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 3,622 New Orleans leads series, 2–0 #eee March 30 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 98 Denver Rockets 105 22–26 25–21 28–34 23–24 Doug Moe 22 Moe, Robbins 12 each Wayne Hightower 28 Willie Murrell 11 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado 13,359 New Orleans leads series, 2–1 March 31 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 100 Denver Rockets 108 32–27 20–27 23–25 25–29 Doug Moe 27 Doug Moe 8 Willie Murrell 28 Byron Beck 18 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado 3,485 Series tied, 2–2 #eee April 3 Boxscore Denver Rockets 97 New Orleans Buccaneers 102 25–22 22–21 26–37 24–22 Willie Murrell 26 Murrell, Hammond, Beck 9 each Larry Brown 24 Doug Moe 12 Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 6,500 New Orleans wins series, 3–2 In front of a standout crowd of over 6,000 in New Orleans, the Buccaneers rode a third quarter surge to win the series.https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-apr-04-1968-p-14/ +Regular-season seriesTied 5–5 in the regular-season series#fff November 11, 1967 Report Denver Rockets 107 New Orleans Buccaneers 131 Loyola Field House, New Orleans November 21, 1967 Report Denver Rockets 90 New Orleans Buccaneers 107 Loyola Field House, New Orleans #fff December 15, 1967 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 100 Denver Rockets  93 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver January 4, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 107 Denver Rockets 122 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver January 18, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 97 Denver Rockets 126 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver January 26, 1968 Report Denver Rockets 104 New Orleans Buccaneers  97 Loyola Field House, New Orleans February 4, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 105 Denver Rockets 100 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver February 11, 1968 Report Denver Rockets 90 New Orleans Buccaneers  98 Loyola Field House, New Orleans February 23, 1968 Report Denver Rockets 108 New Orleans Buccaneers 102 Loyola Field House, New Orleans March 18, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 101 Denver Rockets 108 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver This was the first playoff meeting between the Buccaneers and the Rockets. (2) Dallas Chaparrals vs. (4) Houston Mavericks #eee March 23 Boxscore Houston Mavericks 110 Dallas Chaparrals 111 18–29 34–34 29–27 29–21 Willie Somerset 42 Willie Somerset 11 John Beasley 28 John Beasley 18 Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas 1,857 Dallas leads series, 1–0 In the very first ever ABA playoff game, Jerry Pettway missed a free throw attempt with ten seconds remaining as Dallas held on to win by one point.https://newspaperarchive.com/corpus-christi-caller-times-mar-24-1968-p-36/ Dallas Takes Playoff Game Corpus Christi Caller-Times Associated Press March 24, 1968 March 27, 2025 March 25 Boxscore Dallas Chaparrals 115 Houston Mavericks 97 24–25 34–16 20–24 27–32 Charlie Beasley 27 Willie Somerset 40 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas 891 Dallas leads series, 2–0 Mavericks player-coach Slater Martin got into a shoving match near the end of the game and the police were called, but strangely enough, a foul was not called on Martin as the Chaparrals inched closer to a series victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-mar-26-1968-5001203/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Win Marred By Shoving Fond Du Lac Commonwealth Reporter Associated Press March 26, 1968 March 27, 2025 #eee March 26 Boxscore Houston Mavericks 103 Dallas Chaparrals 116 25–24 15–35 31–31 32–26 Art Becker 26 Art Becker 10 John Beasley 31 Elton McGriff 14 Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas 3,117 Dallas wins series, 3–0 Dallas rode a dominant second quarter to a series victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-mar-27-1968-5004499/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Dallas Takes Series 3-0 Phoenix Arizona Republic Associated Press March 27, 1968 March 29, 2025 +Regular-season seriesDallas won 8–2 in the regular-season series#fff October 23, 1967 Report Dallas Chaparrals 100 Houston Mavericks  83 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston November 17, 1967 Report Houston Mavericks 107 Dallas Chaparrals 116 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas #fff November 19, 1967 Report Dallas Chaparrals 100 Houston Mavericks  94 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston January 12, 1968 Report Houston Mavericks 99 Dallas Chaparrals 107 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas January 19, 1968 Report Houston Mavericks 92 Dallas Chaparrals 102 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas January 26, 1968 Report Houston Mavericks 96 Dallas Chaparrals 122 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas February 18, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 93 Houston Mavericks 110 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston February 21, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 122 Houston Mavericks 119 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston February 29, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 100 Houston Mavericks 101 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston March 8, 1968 Report Houston Mavericks 116 Dallas Chaparrals 117 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas This was the first playoff meeting between the Chaparrals and the Mavericks. Division Finals Eastern Division Finals (1) Pittsburgh Pipers vs. (2) Minnesota Muskies #eee April 4 Boxscore Minnesota Muskies 117 Pittsburgh Pipers 125 31–27 30–25 17–42 39–31 Mel Daniels 28 Mel Daniels 18 Art Heyman 34 Connie Hawkins 15 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,159 Pittsburgh leads series, 1–0 April 6 Boxscore Minnesota Muskies 137 Pittsburgh Pipers 123 30–28 24–28 41–38 42–29 Hunter, Daniels 38 each Mel Daniels 27 Williams, Hawkins 27 each Trooper Washington 35 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2,123 Series tied, 1–1 #eee April 10 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 107 Minnesota Muskies 99 22–29 31–21 26–24 28–25 Connie Hawkins 32 Les Hunter 27 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota 8,357 Pittsburgh leads series, 2–1 April 13 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 117 Minnesota Muskies 108 29–28 28–30 24–27 36–23 Connie Hawkins 38 Skip Thoren 22 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota 3,787 Pittsburgh leads series, 3–1 #eee April 14 Boxscore Minnesota Muskies 105 Pittsburgh Pipers 114 22–28 25–28 26–29 32–29 Donnie Freeman 23 Skip Thoren 13 Donnie Freeman 11 Connie Hawkins 24 Leroy Wright 17 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,350 Pittsburgh wins series, 4–1 With low attendance being noted in the press, the future of the Muskies in Minnesota was raised after the end of the game; the team ultimately moved to Miami.https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-apr-15-1968-p-10/ +Regular-season seriesPittsburgh won 7–4 in the regular-season series#fff October 24, 1967 Report Minnesota Muskies 104 Pittsburgh Pipers  86 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh November 9, 1967 Report Minnesota Muskies 86 Pittsburgh Pipers  97 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh #fff November 23, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 75 Minnesota Muskies 101 Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota December 10, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 114 Minnesota Muskies  99 Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota December 17, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 121 Minnesota Muskies 116 OT Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota January 12, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 103 Minnesota Muskies 120 Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota January 26, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 107 Pittsburgh Pipers 115 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh January 30, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 112 Pittsburgh Pipers 121 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh February 4, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 95 Minnesota Muskies 114 Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota February 19, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 120 Minnesota Muskies 115 Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota February 23, 1968 Report Minnesota Muskies 102 Pittsburgh Pipers 110 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Western Division Finals (1) New Orleans Buccaneers vs. (2) Dallas Chaparrals #eee April 5 Boxscore Dallas Chaparrals 99 New Orleans Buccaneers 104 21–27 26–30 35–24 17–23 John Beasley 27 Powell, McGriff 15 each Moe, Jones 28 each Moe Robbins, Moreland 16 each Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 3,332 New Orleans leads series, 1–0 April 9 Boxscore Dallas Chaparrals 112 New Orleans Buccaneers 109 23–23 26–21 37–30 26–35 Charlie Beasley 31 John Beasley 16 Doug Moe 30 Moreland, Govan 10 each Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 5,287 Series tied, 1–1 #eee April 10 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 110 Dallas Chaparrals 107 26–24 28–30 33–30 23–23 Larry Brown 25 Gerald Govan 15 Cincy Powell 33 John Beasley 13 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas 4,825 New Orleans leads series, 2–1 April 11 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 119 Dallas Chaparrals 103 28–24 34–22 27–23 30–34 Jesse Branson 26 Jesse Branson 13 Maurice McHartley 26 Cincy Powell 11 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas 3,623 New Orleans leads series, 3–1 #eee April 13 Boxscore Dallas Chaparrals 107 New Orleans Buccaneers 108 33–30 28–29 22–26 24–23 Cincy Powell 27 Cincy Powell 14 Larry Brown 26 Jones, Robbins 13 each Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 4,614 New Orleans wins series, 4–1 +Regular-season seriesNew Orleans won 6–4 in the regular-season series#fff October 27, 1967 Report Dallas Chaparrals 97 New Orleans Buccaneers 101 Loyola Field House, New Orleans December 10, 1967 Report Dallas Chaparrals 110 New Orleans Buccaneers 125 Loyola Field House, New Orleans #fff December 12, 1967 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 109 Dallas Chaparrals 105 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas December 19, 1967 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 96 Dallas Chaparrals  93 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas January 7, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 101 Dallas Chaparrals 113 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas January 23, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 104 New Orleans Buccaneers 112 Loyola Field House, New Orleans January 24, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 94 New Orleans Buccaneers 112 Loyola Field House, New Orleans January 25, 1968 Report Dallas Chaparrals 102 New Orleans Buccaneers 101 Loyola Field House, New Orleans February 15, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 113 Dallas Chaparrals 121 OT Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas March 14, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 87 Dallas Chaparrals  90 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas This was the first playoff meeting between the Buccaneers and the Chaparrals. ABA Finals: (W1) New Orleans Buccaneers vs. (E1) Pittsburgh Pipers Series summary Game Date Away team Result Home team Game 1 April 18 New Orleans Buccaneers 112–120 (0–1) Pittsburgh Pipers Game 2 April 20 New Orleans Buccaneers 109–100 (1–1) Pittsburgh Pipers Game 3 April 24 Pittsburgh Pipers 101–109 (1–2) New Orleans Buccaneers Game 4 April 25 Pittsburgh Pipers 106–105 (OT) (2–2) New Orleans Buccaneers Game 5 April 27 New Orleans Buccaneers 111–108 (3–2) Pittsburgh Pipers Game 6 May 1 Pittsburgh Pipers 118–112 (3–3) New Orleans Buccaneers Game 7 May 4 New Orleans Buccaneers 113–122 (3–4) Pittsburgh Pipers Series results #eee April 18 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 112 Pittsburgh Pipers 120 24–25 26–35 35–35 27–25 Red Robbins 41 Red Robbins 23 Connie Hawkins 39 Washington, Wright 11 each Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2,665 Pittsburgh leads series, 1–0 Connie Hawkins, already named the league MVP, scored 39 points (28 in the second half, after sitting for multiple minutes in the first half due to foul trouble) while Charlie Williams scored 26 as Pittsburgh led from the close of the first quarter to the end of the game.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-19-1968-4994074/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping// Pipers roll in opener Monessen Valley Independent UPI April 19, 1968 March 29, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-apr-19-1968-p-17/ Pipers Get Off Flying Start With Victory Doug Bailey Indiana Evening Gazette Associated Press April 19, 1968 April 23, 2025 April 20 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 109 Pittsburgh Pipers 100 22–22 32–25 30–24 25–29 Larry Brown 28 Red Robbins 23 Chico Vaughn 27 Trooper Washington 17 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,877 Series tied, 1–1 Larry Brown and Jimmy Jones combined for 52 points while playing tight defense to counter Pittsburgh' fast break that saw Connie Hawkins make just one field goal in the first half on the way to an 18-point performance before fouling out late in the third quarter. The Buccaneers eventually pulled away by the last minutes of the third quarter.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-21-1968-4994077/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Bucs Defeat Pipers, Even Up Playoffs Danville Register Associated Press April 21, 1968 March 29, 2025 #eee April 24 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 101 New Orleans Buccaneers 109 29–19 28–28 28–28 16–34 Chico Vaughn 27 Trooper Washington 14 Red Robbins 30 Red Robbins 22 Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 6,310 New Orleans leads series, 2–1 Pittsburgh had ten-point leads at the end of each of the first three quarters, but New Orleans rallied late, with Jimmy Jones giving New Orleans the lead for good with a layup to make it 102-101 with 1:19 to go.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-25-1968-4994080/?utm_source=newspaperarchive/ Bucs beat Pipers Somerset Daily American AP April 25, 1968 March 29, 2025 April 25 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 106 New Orleans Buccaneers 105 OT 25–28 22–24 36–30 25–16 8–7 Connie Hawkins 47 Trooper Washington 25 Jimmy Jones 23 Red Robbins 10 Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 7,000 Series tied, 2–2 New Orleans led for most of the game before Pittsburgh took advantage of foul trouble to rally late to tie the game with three minutes to go before taking a 98–95 lead with 1:15 to go. Larry Brown knocked a 25-foot three-pointer with time expiring to force overtime. Charlie Williams was fouled with one second remaining and made a free throw to provide the Pipers a 106–105 victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-26-1968-5005078/ Pipers even series in overtime Monessen Valley Independent UPI April 26, 1968 March 29, 2025 #eee April 27 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 111 Pittsburgh Pipers 108 25–30 29–28 25–24 32–26 Doug Moe 31 Red Robbins 10 Charlie Williams 29 Trooper Washington 17 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,347 New Orleans leads series, 3–2 Due to a torn knee tendon, Connie Hawkins missed the game for the Pipers. Pittsburgh actually led for most of the first three quarters, but the Buccaneers rallied late on the strength of Larry Brown, who scored 13 points in the final eight minutes, which included a free-throw shot with 2:09 to go to give the team a 102-101 lead that they would hold for the rest of the way.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-29-1968-4994081/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ New Orleans Has 3-2 Lead In ABA Playoff Sarasota Herald Tribune AP April 29, 1968 March 30, 2025 May 1 Boxscore Pittsburgh Pipers 118 New Orleans Buccaneers 112 33–32 26–40 34–21 25–19 Connie Hawkins 41 Trooper Washington 16 Doug Moe 25 Red Robbins 11 Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana 7,200 Series tied, 3–3 Nursing a knee injury he suffered in Game 4 that saw him taped up extensively, Connie Hawkins led the way in scoring with 41 points to help the team overcome a 72-59 halftime deficit to send the series to a decisive Game 7.https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-may-01-1968-5005079/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Hawkins bolsters Pipers Kittanning Simpson Leader Times UPI May 1, 1968 March 30, 2025https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-02-1968-4994082/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Hawkins' return lifts Pipers Monessen Valley Independent UPI May 2, 1968 March 30, 2025 #eee May 4 Boxscore New Orleans Buccaneers 113 Pittsburgh Pipers 122 32–36 23–31 31–35 27–20 Doug Moe 28 Red Robbins 13 Charlie Williams 35 Trooper Washington 14 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 11,457 Pittsburgh wins series, 4–3 Pittsburgh led by 12 points by halftime and road the hot hand of Charlie Williams for 35 points. Doug Moe rallied the Buccaneers from being down 20 in the third quarter to get within five points three times in the final minute of the game. Moe committed his fifth personal foul and then a double technical that ended the rally as Pittsburgh cruised to a 122-113 victory.https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-06-1968-4994062/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ Pipers Whip New Orleans To Win ABA Sarasota Herald Tribune Associated Press May 6, 1968 March 27, 2025 This is the only professional basketball championship for the city of Pittsburgh. It is also the closest the city of New Orleans came to a pro championship until Super Bowl XLIV. Connie Hawkins and Larry Brown would later join the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In the summer, Minnesota-based lawyer Bill Erickson purchased a majority share of the team and moved the team to Minnesota (the team proceeded to move back to Pittsburgh the following year, albeit without Hawkins). A contract dispute involving money requested for the move between the team and head coach Vince Cazzetta led to his resignation. He never coached a basketball game ever again, but he enjoyed the experience of having coached the team to victory, with him often wearing a championship ring in his later years; 37 years to the day of the Game 7 victory, Cazzetta passed away.https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2005/05/09/Coach-who-led-Pipers-for-one-season-and-to-ABA-title-dies/stories/200505090196 Chuck Finder Pittsburgh Post Gazette Coach who led Pipers for one season and to ABA title dies May 8, 2005 The trophy won by the Pipers is held on display at the Heinz History Center; despite their historical impact on the ABA, however, the team is not even mentioned at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.https://pittnews.com/article/124589/featured/pittsburgh-pipers-forgotten-champions/ Grant Burgman Pittsburgh Pipers: The forgotten champions The Pitt News November 8, 2017 March 27, 2025 +Regular-season seriesTied 3–3 in the regular-season series#fff October 30, 1967 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 128 Pittsburgh Pipers  99 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh November 17, 1967 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 94 Pittsburgh Pipers 95 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh #fff November 28, 1967 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 99 New Orleans Buccaneers 106 Loyola Field House, New Orleans January 19, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 126 Pittsburgh Pipers 132 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh February 17, 1968 Report New Orleans Buccaneers 121 Pittsburgh Pipers 129 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh March 8, 1968 Report Pittsburgh Pipers 114 New Orleans Buccaneers 116 Loyola Field House, New Orleans Sports Statistical leaders Category Total AveragePlayer Team Total Player Team Avg. Games played Points Connie Hawkins Pittsburgh Pipers 419 Connie Hawkins Pittsburgh Pipers 29.9 14 Rebounds Trooper Washington Pittsburgh Pipers 261 Trooper Washington Pittsburgh Pipers 17.4 15 Assists Larry Brown New Orleans Buccaneers 129 Larry Brown New Orleans Buccaneers 7.6 17 Total leaders Points Connie Hawkins - 419 Doug Moe - 399 Jimmy Jones - 375 Charlie Williams - 356 Art Heyman - 296 Red Robbins - 296 Rebounds Trooper Washington - 261 Red Robbins - 234 Connie Hawkins - 172 Doug Moe - 169 Mel Daniels - 161 Assists Larry Brown - 129 Connie Hawkins - 64 Art Heyman - 58 Donnie Freeman - 56 Jimmy Jones - 56 Minutes Jimmy Jones - 785 Doug Moe - 715 Larry Brown - 696 Charlie Williams - 626 Red Robbins - 621 References External links RememberTheABA.com page on 1968 ABA playoffs Basketball-Reference.com's 1968 ABA Playoffs page Playoffs Category:American Basketball Association playoffs