1969 ABA Playoffs


The 1969 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1968–69 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Oakland Oaks defeating the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.

Notable events

The Oakland Oaks won the ABA championship after finishing with the league's best record during the regular season. The Pittsburgh Pipers had accomplished the same feat the year prior.
Rick Barry, now eligible to play for the Oaks after being forced to sit out the previous season, averaged 34.0 points during the regular season. However, Barry only played 35 regular season games before injuring a knee and missing the playoffs.
The Oaks, like the Pittsburgh Pipers before them, did not play in the following season as the same team. The Oakland Oaks became the Washington Caps for the 1969-1970 ABA season; the Pittsburgh Pipers had become the Minnesota Pipers after winning the ABA championship the prior season.
The Oaks' 60-18 record in this season was the best in ABA history until the Kentucky Colonels finished the 1971-1972 season with a record of 68-16, a record that was never surpassed.
Warren Jabali of Oakland was the Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs.

Western Division

Champion: Oakland Oaks
Division Semifinals
Oakland Oaks vs. Denver Rockets:
Oaks win series 4-3
New Orleans Buccaneers vs. Dallas Chaparrals:
Bucs win series 4-3
Division Finals
Oakland Oaks vs. New Orleans Buccaneers:
Oaks win series 4-0
Champion: Indiana Pacers
Division Semifinals
Indiana Pacers vs. Kentucky Colonels:
Pacers win series 4-3
Miami Floridians vs. Minnesota Pipers:
Floridians win series 4-3
Division Finals
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Floridians:
Pacers win series 4-1
Oakland Oaks VS. Indiana Pacers:
Oaks win series 4-1