New York Knicks 46–52 Boston Celtics – 98 points (Jan. 25, 1947)
On January 25, 1947, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 52–46 in one of the lowest-scoring games in early NBA history, totaling just 98 combined points.
Played during the Basketball Association of America’s inaugural season, the contest reflected the slower pace and defensive emphasis of the era, long before the shot clock sped up play.
Scoring was methodical, with teams relying heavily on set plays and mid-range attempts. Both defenses kept the game tight, turning it into a gritty battle of endurance.
This matchup remains a snapshot of basketball’s formative, hard-fought years of professional competition.
Boston Celtics 49–48 New York Knicks – 97 points (Feb. 6, 1947)
On February 6, 1947, the Boston Celtics edged the New York Knicks 49–48 in a tense, low-scoring Basketball Association of America game that totaled just 97 points.
Taking place in the league’s inaugural season, the matchup showcased the defensive strategies and deliberate tempo that defined 1940s basketball.
Field goals were rare, and possessions were carefully controlled, leading to a slow, tactical battle. Both teams struggled offensively, relying on free throws and short-range shots.
The Celtics’ narrow victory reflected their resilience in close contests and provided another glimpse into the grind-it-out style that characterized the early days of professional basketball.
Cleveland Rebels 49–47 Detroit Falcons – 96 points (Dec. 1, 1946)
On December 1, 1946, the Cleveland Rebels narrowly defeated the Detroit Falcons 49–47 in a tightly contested Basketball Association of America (BAA) game, totaling just 96 points.
Played in the league’s inaugural season, the match featured a deliberate, defense-first approach typical of the era, with both teams struggling to find consistent offense.
The Rebels’ victory was a hard-fought one, reflecting the grind of early professional basketball, where every basket counted and close finishes were common.
This game stands as an example of the low-scoring, tactical battles that characterized the formative years of the NBA, before the introduction of the shot clock revolutionized the pace of play.
St. Louis Bombers 46–50 Toronto Huskies – 96 points (Dec. 15, 1946)
On December 15, 1946, the St. Louis Bombers defeated the Toronto Huskies 50–46 at the St. Louis Arena in a tightly contested BAA game that totaled just 96 points.
Played during the league’s inaugural season, the match was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score and relying on methodical, low-tempo play.
The Bombers’ victory highlighted their strength in close games, while the Huskies, in their only season of existence, continued to grapple with offensive consistency.
This game exemplified the gritty, grind-it-out style that defined early professional basketball before the shot clock era.
Boston Celtics 48–43 Pittsburgh Ironmen – 91 points (Jan. 23, 1946)
On January 23, 1946, the Boston Celtics defeated the Pittsburgh Ironmen 48–43 at Boston Garden, combining for just 91 points in a defensive struggle during the inaugural BAA season.
The game was marked by low scoring and tight defense, typical of early professional basketball. Pittsburgh’s Coulby Gunther and Stan Noszka led all scorers with 14 and 13 points, while Boston’s top performer was Charlie Hoefer with 11 points.
Despite Pittsburgh’s individual efforts, the Celtics’ bench depth proved decisive, with three Ironmen starters failing to score.
This contest stands as another example of the grind-it-out style that defined basketball’s formative years.
Pittsburgh Ironmen 44–46 Boston Celtics – 90 points (Dec. 2, 1946)
On December 2, 1946, the Boston Celtics narrowly defeated the Pittsburgh Ironmen 46–44 at Duquesne Gardens, combining for just 90 points in a tightly contested BAA game.
The match was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score and relying on methodical play. Pittsburgh’s Harry Zeller led all scorers with 11 points, but the Celtics’ bench depth and defensive effort proved decisive.
This game exemplified the low-scoring, grind-it-out style that defined early professional basketball, highlighting the challenges faced by expansion teams like the Ironmen in the league’s inaugural season.
Washington Capitols 49–40 Pittsburgh Ironmen – 89 points (Nov. 30, 1946)
On November 30, 1946, the Washington Capitols defeated the Pittsburgh Ironmen 49–40 at Uline Arena, combining for just 89 points in a defensive battle during the inaugural BAA season.
The Capitols, who would go on to finish with the league’s best record, showcased their strength early, while the Ironmen struggled offensively.
The game was typical of the era, with low scoring and a focus on defense, reflecting the challenges faced by expansion teams like Pittsburgh.
This contest stands as another example of the grind-it-out style that defined early professional basketball.
Boston Celtics 47–38 Washington Capitols – 85 points (Jan. 16, 1947)
On January 16, 1947, the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Capitols 47–38 at Boston Garden in a low-scoring game totaling 85 points.
The game showcased the strong defensive play characterizing the early Basketball Association of America (BAA) era. Both teams struggled offensively, but the Celtics managed to maintain control, limiting the Capitols’ scoring opportunities.
The victory was part of the Celtics’ challenging 1946-47 season, reflecting the slower pace and defensive intensity of professional basketball at the time.
This game exemplified the grind-it-out style before the introduction of faster-paced basketball innovations.
Detroit Falcons 33–50 Washington Capitols – 83 points (Nov. 2, 1946)
On November 2, 1946, the Washington Capitols defeated the Detroit Falcons 50–33 in a BAA game that totaled just 83 points.
The Falcons struggled offensively, scoring only 33 points which, is lowest by any BAA team in a regular season game that year.
The Capitols, led by Red Auerbach in his professional coaching debut, showcased strong defense and controlled the game from start to finish.
This contest marked the inaugural season of the BAA and highlighted the defensive, low-scoring style typical of early professional basketball.
The Falcons’ offensive woes foreshadowed their difficult season, which ended with the team folding after one year.
Fort Wayne Pistons 19–18 Minneapolis Lakers – 37 points (Nov. 22, 1950)
On November 22, 1950, the Fort Wayne Pistons defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 19–18 in the lowest-scoring game in NBA history, totaling just 37 points.
With no shot clock, the Pistons employed a deliberate stall strategy, holding the ball for long stretches to prevent the Lakers’ star center, George Mikan, from scoring.
The game sparked outrage among fans and officials, ultimately accelerating the league’s decision to introduce the 24-second shot clock in 1954.
This contest remains a pivotal moment in basketball history, symbolizing the shift from defensive stagnation to a faster-paced, more entertaining style of play.