1968 ABA Playoffs#(2) Minnesota Muskies vs. (4) Kentucky Colonels

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.

{{3RoundBracket-Byes | RD1= Division Semifinals

| RD2= Division Finals

| RD3= ABA Finals

| RD1-group1=Western Division

| RD1-group2=Eastern Division

| RD1-seed1=1

| RD1-team1=New Orleans Buccaneers*

| RD1-score1=3

| RD1-seed2=3

| RD1-team2=Denver Rockets

| RD1-score2=2

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3=Houston Mavericks

| RD1-score3=0

| RD1-seed4=2

| RD1-team4=Dallas Chaparrals

| RD1-score4=3

| RD1-seed5=1

| RD1-team5=Pittsburgh Pipers*

| RD1-score5=3

| RD1-seed6=3

| RD1-team6=Indiana Pacers

| RD1-score6=0

| RD1-seed7=4

| RD1-team7=Kentucky Colonels

| RD1-score7=2

| RD1-seed8=2

| RD1-team8=Minnesota Muskies

| RD1-score8=3

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=New Orleans Bucs*

| RD2-score1=4

| RD2-seed2=2

| RD2-team2=Dallas Chaparrals

| RD2-score2=1

| RD2-seed3=1

| RD2-team3=Pittsburgh Pipers*

| RD2-score3=4

| RD2-seed4=2

| RD2-team4=Minnesota Muskies

| RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=W1

| RD3-team1=New Orleans Bucs*

| RD3-score1=3

| RD3-seed2=E1

| RD3-team2=Pittsburgh Pipers*

| RD3-score2=4

}}

* Division winner

Bold Series winner

Italic Team with home-court advantage

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803250PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers | score1 = 127

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 146

| Q1 =

| points1 = Roger Brown 32 | rebounds1 = Roger Brown 12 | assist1 =

| points2 = Connie Hawkins 38 | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 20 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 2,189

| series = Pittsburgh leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803260PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers | score1 = 108

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 121

| Q1 =

| points1 = Freddie Lewis 21 | rebounds1 = Ollie Darden 16 | assist1 =

| points2 = Art Heyman 32 | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 15 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance =3,684

| series = Pittsburgh leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803270INA.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 133

| team2 = Indiana Pacers | score2 = 114

| Q1 =

| points1 = Charlie Williams 34 | rebounds1 = Connie Hawkins 15 | assist1 =

| points2 = Freddie Lewis 32 | rebounds2 = George Peeples 20 | assist2 =

| place = Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana | attendance = 3,141

| series = Pittsburgh wins series, 3–0

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Pipers and the Pacers.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 24 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803240MNM.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Kentucky Colonels | score1 = 102

| team2 = Minnesota Muskies | score2 = 115

| Q1 =

| points1 = Darel Carrier 29 | rebounds1 = Carrier, Ligon, Rhine 8 each | assist1 =

| points2 = Mel Daniels 44 | rebounds2 = Mel Daniels 15 | assist2 =

| place = Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | attendance = 661

| series = Minnesota leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803260MNM.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Kentucky Colonels | score1 = 100

| team2 = Minnesota Muskies | score2 = 95

| Q1 =

| points1 = Louie Dampier 24 | rebounds1 = Jim Caldwell 21 | assist1 =

| points2 = Donnie Freeman 30 | rebounds2 = Daniels, Freeman, Hunter, Smith 8 each | assist2 =

| place = Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | attendance = 3,874

| series = Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803270KEN.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Minnesota Muskies | score1 = 116

| team2 = Kentucky Colonels | score2 = 107

| Q1 =

| points1 = Les Hunter 38 | rebounds1 = Les Hunter 21 | assist1 =

| points2 = Louie Dampier 32 | rebounds2 = Jim Caldwell 9 | assist2 =

| place = Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky | attendance = 1,458

| series = Minnesota leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 29 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803290KEN.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Minnesota Muskies | score1 = 86

| team2 = Kentucky Colonels | score2 = 94

| Q1 =

| points1 = Daniels, Smith 22 each | rebounds1 = Mel Daniels 22 | assist1 =

| points2 = Darel Carrier 29 | rebounds2 = Jim Ligon 21 | assist2 =

| place = Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky | attendance = 4,472

| series = Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803300MNM.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Kentucky Colonels | score1 = 108

| team2 = Minnesota Muskies | score2 = 114

| Q1 =

| points1 = Louie Dampier 33 | rebounds1 = Jim Caldwell 11 | assist1 =

| points2 = Ervin Inniger 33 | rebounds2 = Mel Daniels 19 | assist2 =

| place = Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | attendance = 879

| series = Minnesota wins series, 3–2

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Muskies and the Colonels.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803260NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Denver Rockets | score1 = 104

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 130

| Q1 =

| points1 = Larry Jones 29 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Larry Brown 31 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 3,111

| series = New Orleans leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803270NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Denver Rockets | score1 = 93

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 105

| Q1 =

| points1 = Willie Murrell 21 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Jimmy Jones 22 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 3,622

| series = New Orleans leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 30 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803300DNR.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 98

| team2 = Denver Rockets | score2 = 105

| Q1 =

| points1 = Doug Moe 22 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Wayne Hightower 28 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado | attendance = 13,359

| series = New Orleans leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 31 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803310DNR.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 100

| team2 = Denver Rockets | score2 = 108

| Q1 =

| points1 = Doug Moe 27 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Willie Murrell 28 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado | attendance = 3,485

| series = Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 3 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804030NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Denver Rockets | score1 = 97

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 102

| Q1 =

| points1 = Willie Murrell 26 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Larry Brown 24 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 6,500

| series = New Orleans wins series, 3–2

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Buccaneers and the Rockets.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 23 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803230DLC.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Houston Mavericks | score1 = 110

| team2 = Dallas Chaparrals | score2 = 111

| Q1 =

| points1 = Willie Somerset 42 | rebounds1 = Willie Somerset 11 | assist1 =

| points2 = John Beasley 28 | rebounds2 = John Beasley 18| assist2 =

| place = Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas | attendance = 1,857

| series = Dallas leads series, 1–0

}}

Jerry Pettway missed a free throw attempt with ten seconds remaining as Dallas held on to win by one point.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/corpus-christi-caller-times-mar-24-1968-p-36/ |title=Dallas Takes Playoff Game |work=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |agency=Associated Press|date=March 24, 1968 |access-date=March 27, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = March 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803250DLC.html Boxscore]

| team2 = Houston Mavericks | score1 = 97

| team1 = Dallas Chaparrals | score2 = 115

| points2 = Willie Somerset 40 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points1 = Charlie Beasley 27 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas | attendance = 891

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-mar-26-1968-5001203/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Win Marred By Shoving |work=Fond Du Lac Commonwealth Reporter |agency=Associated Press|date=March 26, 1968 |access-date=March 27, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = March 26 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196803260HSM.html Boxscore]

| team2 = Dallas Chaparrals | score2 = 116

| team1 = Houston Mavericks | score1 = 103

| Q1 =25–24 |Q2=15–35|Q3=31–31|Q4=32–26

| points1 = John Beasley 31 | rebounds1 = Elton McGriff 14 | assist1 =

| points2 = Art Becker 26 | rebounds2 = Art Becker 10 | assist2 =

| place = Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas | attendance = 3,117

| series = Dallas wins series, 3–0

}}

Dallas rode a dominant second quarter to a series victory.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-mar-27-1968-5004499/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Dallas Takes Series 3-0|work=Phoenix Arizona Republic |agency=Associated Press|date=March 27, 1968 |access-date=March 29, 2025}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Chaparrals and the Mavericks.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804040PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Minnesota Muskies | score1 = 117

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 125

| Q1 =

| points1 = Mel Daniels 28 | rebounds1 = Mel Daniels 18 | assist1 =

| points2 = Art Heyman 34 | rebounds2 = Connie Hawkins 15 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 3,159

| series = Pittsburgh leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 6 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804060PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Minnesota Muskies | score1 = 137

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 123

| Q1 =

| points1 = Hunter, Daniels 38 each | rebounds1 = Mel Daniels 27 | assist1 =

| points2 = Williams, Hawkins 27 each | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 35 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 2,123

| series = Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 10 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804100MNM.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 107

| team2 = Minnesota Muskies | score2 = 99

| Q1 =

| points1 = Connie Hawkins 32 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Les Hunter 27 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | attendance = 8,357

| series = Pittsburgh leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 13 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804130MNM.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 117

| team2 = Minnesota Muskies | score2 = 108

| Q1 =

| points1 = Connie Hawkins 38 | rebounds1 = | assist1 =

| points2 = Skip Thoren 22 | rebounds2 = | assist2 =

| place = Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | attendance = 3,787

| series = Pittsburgh leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 14 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804140PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Minnesota Muskies | score1 = 105

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 114

| Q1 =

| points1 = Donnie Freeman 23 | rebounds1 = Skip Thoren 13 | assist1 = Donnie Freeman 11

| points2 = Connie Hawkins 24 | rebounds2 = Leroy Wright 17 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 3,350

| series = Pittsburgh wins series, 4–1

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804050NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Dallas Chaparrals | score1 = 99

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 104

| Q1 =

| points1 = John Beasley 27 | rebounds1 = Powell, McGriff 15 each | assist1 =

| points2 = Moe, Jones 28 each | rebounds2 = Moe Robbins, Moreland 16 each | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 3,332

| series = New Orleans leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 9 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804090NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Dallas Chaparrals | score1 = 112

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 109

| Q1 =

| points1 = Charlie Beasley 31 | rebounds1 = John Beasley 16 | assist1 =

| points2 = Doug Moe 30 | rebounds2 = Moreland, Govan 10 each | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 5,287

| series = Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 10 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804100DLC.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 110

| team2 = Dallas Chaparrals | score2 = 107

| Q1 =

| points1 = Larry Brown 25 | rebounds1 = Gerald Govan 15 | assist1 =

| points2 = Cincy Powell 33 | rebounds2 = John Beasley 13 | assist2 =

| place = Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas | attendance = 4,825

| series = New Orleans leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 11 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804110DLC.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 119

| team2 = Dallas Chaparrals | score2 = 103

| Q1 =

| points1 = Jesse Branson 26 | rebounds1 = Jesse Branson 13| assist1 =

| points2 = Maurice McHartley 26 | rebounds2 = Cincy Powell 11 | assist2 =

| place = Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas | attendance = 3,623

| series = New Orleans leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 13 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804130NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Dallas Chaparrals | score1 = 107

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 108

| Q1 =

| points1 = Cincy Powell 27 | rebounds1 = Cincy Powell 14 | assist1 =

| points2 = Larry Brown 26 | rebounds2 =Jones, Robbins 13 each | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 4,614

| series = New Orleans wins series, 4–1

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Buccaneers and the Chaparrals.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 18 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804180PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 112

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 120

|Q1= 24–25 |Q2= 26–35|Q3= 35–35 |Q4= 27–25

| points1 = Red Robbins 41 | rebounds1 = Red Robbins 23 | assist1 =

| points2 = Connie Hawkins 39 | rebounds2 = Washington, Wright 11 each | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 2,665

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-19-1968-4994074/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping// |title=Pipers roll in opener|work=Monessen Valley Independent |agency=UPI|date=April 19, 1968 |access-date=March 29, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-apr-19-1968-p-17/|title = Pipers Get Off Flying Start With Victory|first=Doug|last=Bailey|work=Indiana Evening Gazette|agency=Associated Press|date=April 19, 1968|access-date=April 23, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 20 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804200PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 109

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 100

|Q1= 22–22 |Q2= 32–25 |Q3= 30–24 |Q4= 25–29

| points1 = Larry Brown 28 | rebounds1 = Red Robbins 23 | assist1 =

| points2 = Chico Vaughn 27 | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 17 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 3,877

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-21-1968-4994077/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Bucs Defeat Pipers, Even Up Playoffs|work=Danville Register |agency=Associated Press|date=April 21, 1968 |access-date=March 29, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 24 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804240NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 101

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 109

|Q1= 29–19 |Q2= 28–28 |Q3= 28–28 |Q4= 16–34

| points1 = Chico Vaughn 27 | rebounds1 = Trooper Washington 14 | assist1 =

| points2 = Red Robbins 30 | rebounds2 = Red Robbins 22 | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 6,310

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-25-1968-4994080/?utm_source=newspaperarchive/ |title=Bucs beat Pipers|work=Somerset Daily American |agency=AP|date=April 25, 1968 |access-date=March 29, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 25 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804250NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 106

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 105 |overtime=OT

|Q1= 25–28 |Q2= 22–24 |Q3= 36–30 |Q4= 25–16 |OT=8–7

| points1 = Connie Hawkins 47 | rebounds1 = Trooper Washington 25 | assist1 =

| points2 = Jimmy Jones 23 | rebounds2 = Red Robbins 10 | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 7,000

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-apr-26-1968-5005078/ |title=Pipers even series in overtime|work=Monessen Valley Independent |agency=UPI|date=April 26, 1968 |access-date=March 29, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 27 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196804270PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 111

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 108

|Q1= 25–30 |Q2= 29–28 |Q3= 25–24 |Q4= 32–26

| points1 = Doug Moe 31 | rebounds1 = Red Robbins 10 | assist1 =

| points2 = Charlie Williams 29 | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 17 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 3,347

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-29-1968-4994081/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=New Orleans Has 3-2 Lead In ABA Playoff|work=Sarasota Herald Tribune|agency=AP|date=April 29, 1968 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = May 1 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196805010NOB.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score1 = 118

| team2 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score2 = 112

|Q1= 33–32 |Q2= 26–40 |Q3= 34–21 |Q4= 25–19

| points1 = Connie Hawkins 41 | rebounds1 = Trooper Washington 16 | assist1 =

| points2 = Doug Moe 25 | rebounds2 = Red Robbins 11 | assist2 =

| place = Loyola Field House, New Orleans, Louisiana | attendance = 7,200

| series = 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.{{cite news|url=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/ |title=Hawkins bolsters Pipers|work=Kittanning Simpson Leader Times|agency=UPI|date=May 1, 1968 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-02-1968-4994082/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Hawkins' return lifts Pipers|work=Monessen Valley Independent|agency=UPI|date=May 2, 1968 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = May 4 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/196805040PTP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = New Orleans Buccaneers | score1 = 113

| team2 = Pittsburgh Pipers | score2 = 122

|Q1= 32–36 |Q2= 23–31 |Q3= 31–35 |Q4= 27–20

| points1 = Doug Moe 28 | rebounds1 = Red Robbins 13 | assist1 =

| points2 = Charlie Williams 35 | rebounds2 = Trooper Washington 14 | assist2 =

| place = Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | attendance = 11,457

| series = Pittsburgh wins series, 4–3

}}

Pitsburgh 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.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-06-1968-4994062/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/ |title=Pipers Whip New Orleans To Win ABA|work=Sarasota Herald Tribune |agency=Associated Press|date=May 6, 1968 |access-date=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.{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2005/05/09/Coach-who-led-Pipers-for-one-season-and-to-ABA-title-dies/stories/200505090196|first=Chuck|last=Finder|work=Pittsburgh Post Gazette|title=Coach who led Pipers for one season and to ABA title dies|date=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.{{cite news|url=https://pittnews.com/article/124589/featured/pittsburgh-pipers-forgotten-champions/ |first=Grant|last=Burgman|title=Pittsburgh Pipers: The forgotten champions |work=The Pitt News|date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2025}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

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Points

1. Connie Hawkins - 419
2. Doug Moe - 399
3. Jimmy Jones - 375
4. Charlie Williams - 356
5. Art Heyman - 296
6. Red Robbins - 296

Rebounds

1. Trooper Washington - 261
2. Red Robbins - 234
3. Connie Hawkins - 172
4. Doug Moe - 169
5. Mel Daniels - 161

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Assists

1. Larry Brown - 129
2. Connie Hawkins - 64
3. Art Heyman - 58
4. Donnie Freeman - 56
5. Jimmy Jones - 56

Minutes

1. Jimmy Jones - 785
2. Doug Moe - 715
3. Larry Brown - 696
4. Charlie Williams - 626
5. Red Robbins - 621

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{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101129164930/http://remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1968Playoffs.html RememberTheABA.com page on 1968 ABA playoffs]
• [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1968.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1968 ABA Playoffs page]

{{ABA seasons}}

{{Pittsburgh Pipers 1967-68 ABA Champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1968 Aba Playoffs}}

Playoffs

Category:American Basketball Association playoffs