1971 ABA Playoffs#(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) Memphis Pros

There was a one-game playoff for fourth place in the Western Division because the Texas Chaparrals and Denver Rockets had tied with regular season records of 30–54. The game was played on April 1 and the Chaparrals won 115–109.

This was the first season in ABA history in which the team with the best regular season record did not win the ABA championship. The Indiana Pacers had the league's best record during this season at 58–26 (.690), putting them one game ahead of the eventual league champion Utah Stars in the Western Division.

This was the first season in ABA history in which neither regular season division champion made it to the ABA finals. The second place Utah Stars represented the West while the Kentucky Colonels, second place in the East behind the Virginia Squires, met them in the finals.

Game 3 of the Eastern Finals saw 287 total points scored. This was the most points scored in any ABA playoff game, and would be the most points scored in a playoff game in either the NBA or ABA until 1992.

In the Finals, the home team won every game. 13,260 fans attended the decisive Game 7 of the ABA championship series between the Utah Stars and Kentucky Colonels at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 18, 1971. After the Stars won 131-121, the fans stormed the floor and mobbed the court for twenty minutes. Willie Wise and Zelmo Beaty rode off the floor carried upon the shoulders of Utah fans.[http://www.remembertheaba.com/Utah-Stars.html Remember the ABA: Utah Stars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218181640/http://www.remembertheaba.com/Utah-Stars.html |date=2008-12-18 }}

Zelmo Beaty was named 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=Indiana Pacers

| RD1-score1=4

| RD1-seed2=3

| RD1-team2=Memphis Pros

| RD1-score2=0

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3=Texas Chaparrals

| RD1-score3=0

| RD1-seed4=2

| RD1-team4=Utah Stars

| RD1-score4=4

| RD1-seed5=1

| RD1-team5=Virginia Squires

| RD1-score5=4

| RD1-seed6=3

| RD1-team6=New York Nets

| RD1-score6=2

| RD1-seed7=4

| RD1-team7=The Floridians

| RD1-score7=2

| RD1-seed8=2

| RD1-team8=Kentucky Colonels

| RD1-score8=4

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Indiana Pacers

| RD2-score1=3

| RD2-seed2=2

| RD2-team2=Utah Stars

| RD2-score2=4

| RD2-seed3=1

| RD2-team3=Virginia Squires

| RD2-score3=2

| RD2-seed4=2

| RD2-team4=Kentucky Colonels

| RD2-score4=4

| RD3-seed1=W2

| RD3-team1=Utah Stars

| RD3-score1=4

| RD3-seed2=E2

| RD3-team2=Kentucky Colonels

| RD3-score2=3

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 1|place= Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado

|team1= Texas Chaparrals|score1= 115

|team2= Denver Rockets|score2=109

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104010TEX.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–18 |Q2= 18–32 |Q3= 31–29 |Q4= 36–30

|points2=Larry Cannon 18 |points1= Donnie Freeman 33

|rebounds2= Julius Keye 23

|rebounds1= Gene Moore 16

|assist2=John Barnhill 6 |assist1= Donnie Freeman 6

|attendance= 2,594

|series= Texas wins tiebreaker

}}

Both teams won their regular season finales to set up a game for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Division; Denver had beaten Texas seven of twelve times in the regular season.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/childress-index-apr-01-1971-p-10/ |title=Play-Off Spot Is Still Open in ABA |work=Childress Index|agency=Associated Press|date=April 1, 1971|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

The Chaparrals shot out to an early lead that went to 14 three times in the first quarter, but Denver fought back to lead by two at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets led by 5 at one point before Texas overcame their troubles on the scoring of Donnie Freeman (33) and Gene Moore (28). The two teams battled and were tied multiple times in the final six minutes before Freeman scored a layup with a foul shot to give the Chapparals a 107-104 lead with 3:32 left that they would never relinquish.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-apr-02-1971-p-21/ |title=Chaps End Rockets' Year |first=Steve|last=Bauer|work=Greeley Daily Tribune|date=April 2, 1971|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 2 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104020INA.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Memphis Pros| score1 = 98

| team2 = Indiana Pacers | score2 = 114

|Q1= 24–28 |Q2= 31–27 |Q3= 19–30 |Q4= 24–29

| points1 = Jones, Williams 24 each| rebounds1 = Wil Jones 14 | assist1 = Wil Jones 6

| points2 = Roger Brown 26 | rebounds2 = Mel Daniels 18 | assist2 = Billy Keller 8

| place = Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana | attendance = 7,562

| series = Indiana leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = | date = April 3 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104030INA.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Memphis Pros | score1 = 104

| team2 = Indiana Pacers | score2 = 106

|Q1= 25–22 |Q2= 28–28 |Q3= 29–25 |Q4= 22–31

| points1 = Steve "Snapper" Jones 31 | rebounds1 =Gerald Govan 20 | assist1 =Govan, Ladner 6 each

| points2 = Mel Daniels 31| rebounds2 = Mel Daniels 25| assist2 = Billy Keller 7

| place = Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana | attendance = 8,701

| series = Indiana leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee | date = April 5 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104050MMP.html Boxscore]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers | score1 = 91

| team2 = Memphis Pros | score2 =90

|Q1= 21–24 |Q2= 23–24 |Q3= 23–26 |Q4= 24–16

| points1 = Freddie Lewis 23 | rebounds1 = Mel Daniels 19 | assist1 =Brown, Lewis, Jabali 4 each

| points2 = Steve "Snapper" Jones 31 | rebounds2 = Gerald Govan 15 | assist2 = Govan, W. Jones, J. Jones 5 each

| place = Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee | attendance = 4,107

| series = Indiana leads series, 3–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =| date = April 7 | report = [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104070MMP.html Boxscore]

| team2 = Memphis Pros | score2 = 101

| team1 = Indiana Pacers | score1 = 102

|Q1= 22–24 |Q2= 21–33 |Q3= 27–18 |Q4= 20–15 |OT=12–11

| points1 = Mel Daniels 29 | rebounds1 = Mel Daniels 20| assist1 = Freddie Lewis 8

| points2 = Jimmy Jones 22| rebounds2 = Jimmy Jones 14 | assist2 = Gerald Govan 8

| place = Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, Tennessee | attendance = 3,681

| series = Indiana wins series, 4–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 2|place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1= Texas Chaparrals|score1= 115

|team2= Utah Stars|score2=125

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104020UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–30 |Q2= 34–36 |Q3= 33–32 |Q4= 22–27

|points1= Donnie Freeman 32 |points2= Mervin Jackson 26

|rebounds1= John Beasley 11 |rebounds2= Zelmo Beaty 18

|assist1= |assist2= Boone, Jackson 8 each

|attendance= 4,375

|series= Utah leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 3|place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Texas Chaparrals |score1= 107

|team2=Utah Stars |score2=137

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104030UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–36 |Q2= 28–28 |Q3= 29–31 |Q4= 24–42

|points1= Donnie Freeman 23|points2= Glen Combs 25

|rebounds1=Croft, Moore 9 each|rebounds2= Willie Wise 15

|assist1= |assist2=

|attendance= 6,061

|series= Utah leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 4|place= Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 113

|team2= Texas Chaparrals |score2=101

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104040TEX.html Box score]

|Q1= 22–20 |Q2= 35–29 |Q3= 30–30 |Q4= 26–22

|points1= Zelmo Beaty 32 |points2= Donnie Freeman 30

|rebounds1= Zelmo Beaty 15|rebounds2=Gene Moore 15

|assist1= |assist2=

|attendance= 4,675

|series= Utah leads series, 3–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 6 |place= Moody Coliseum, University Park, Texas

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 128

|team2= Texas Chaparrals |score2=107

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104060TEX.html Box score]

|Q1= 27–22 |Q2= 27–35|Q3= 35–23 |Q4= 39–27

|points1= Ron Boone 23 |points2= Levern Tart 31

|rebounds1=Red Robbins 13|rebounds2= Gene Moore 18

|assist1= |assist2=

|attendance= 3,666

|series= Utah win series, 4–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 2 |place= Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia

|team1=New York Nets |score1= 105

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2=113

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104020VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–17 |Q2= 28–36 |Q3= 24–28 |Q4= 27–32

|points1= Rick Barry 32 |points2= Mike Barrett 22

|rebounds1=Billy Paultz 16|rebounds2= Jim Eakins 16

|assist1=Bill Melchionni 12|assist2= Charlie Scott 10

|attendance= 6,149

|series= Virginia leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 4|place= Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia

|team1= New York Nets|score1= 108

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2=114

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104040VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 33–31 |Q2= 28–35 |Q3= 28–27 |Q4= 19–21

|points1= Rick Barry 32 |points2=Charlie Scott 29

|rebounds1=Billy Paultz 16 |rebounds2= George Carter 14

|assist1=Bill Melchionni 11 |assist2=Charlie Scott 9

|attendance= 7,143

|series= Virginia leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 6 |place= Hofstra Physical Fitness Center, Hempstead, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 131

|team2= New York Nets|score2=135

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104060NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 35–23 |Q2= 33–45 |Q3= 31–29 |Q4= 32–38

|points1=Scott, Barrett 27 each |points2= Rick Barry 43

|rebounds1=Jim Eakins 11 |rebounds2= Billy Paultz 20

|assist1=Mike Barrett 7 |assist2= Bill Melchionni 9

|attendance= 3,504

|series= Virginia leads series, 2–1

}}

Due to Island Garden being booked without expecting the Nets to reach the postseason, the Nets had to play their home playoff games in different locations.[http://www.remembertheaba.com/FanMemories/NetsFanMemories1.html New York Nets Fan Memories (Page 1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012163446/http://remembertheaba.com/FanMemories/NetsFanMemories1.html |date=2011-10-12}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 7 |place= Hofstra Physical Fitness Center, Hempstead, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 127

|team2= New York Nets|score2=130

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104070NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 36–34 |Q2= 37–30 |Q3= 18–35 |Q4= 36–31

|points1= George Carter 35 |points2= Bill Melchionni 35

|rebounds1=Jim Eakins 13|rebounds2= Jim Ard 13

|assist1=Doug Moe 6|assist2= Bill Melchionni 14

|attendance=4,134

|series= Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 9 |place= Richmond Arena, Richmond, Virginia

|team1= New York Nets|score1= 124

|team2=Virginia Squires |score2=127

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104090VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–30 |Q2= 32–36 |Q3= 36–34 |Q4= 26–27

|points1= Rick Barry 36 |points2= Mike Barrett 30

|rebounds1=Billy Paultz 15 |rebounds2= Carter, Scott 10 each

|assist1=Paultz, DePre, Melchionni 5 each|assist2=Mike Barrett 6

|attendance= 4,250

|series= Virginia leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 10 |place= Felt Forum, New York City, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 118

|team2= New York Nets|score2= 114

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104100NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 34–35 |Q2= 30–27 |Q3= 24–27 |Q4= 30–25

|points1= Charlie Scott 38 |points2= Rick Barry 45

|rebounds1=Johnson, Carter 9 each |rebounds2= Rick Barry 17

|assist1=Charlie Scott 6|assist2= Jeff Congdon 7

|attendance= 3,016

|series= Virginia wins series, 4–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 2 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= The Floridians|score1= 112

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=116

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104020KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–25 |Q2= 24–33 |Q3= 32–25 |Q4= 28–33

|points1= Larry Jones 25 |points2= Dan Issel 26

|rebounds1=Ira Harge 12 |rebounds2= Jim Ligon 16

|assist1=Warren Davis 9 |assist2=Louie Dampier 11

|attendance= 3,182

|series= Kentucky leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 4|place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1=The Floridians |score1= 110

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=120

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104040KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 31–33 |Q2= 24–28 |Q3= 23–29 |Q4= 32–30

|points1= Mack Calvin 35 |points2= Louie Dampier 28

|rebounds1=Ira Harge 19 |rebounds2= Jim Ligon 15

|assist1= |assist2= Louie Dampier 8

|attendance= 3,881

|series= Kentucky leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 6 |place= Miami-Dade Junior College North, Miami, Florida

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 102

|team2= The Floridians|score2=120

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104060FLO.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–33 |Q2= 26–31 |Q3= 24–30 |Q4= 26–26

|points1= Les Hunter 21 |points2= Mack Calvin 24

|rebounds1=Dan Issel 16|rebounds2= Ira Harge 18

|assist1= |assist2= Mack Calvin 12

|attendance= 4,126

|series= Kentucky leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 8 |place= Miami-Dade Junior College North, Miami, Florida

|team1=Kentucky Colonels |score1= 117

|team2=The Floridians |score2=129

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104080FLO.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–31 |Q2= 22–30 |Q3= 36–38 |Q4= 31–30

|points1= Cincy Powell 31 |points2= Mack Calvin 34

|rebounds1= Jim Ligon 18|rebounds2= Ira Harge 20

|assist1= |assist2= Mack Calvin 10

|attendance= 4,268

|series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 10 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= The Floridians|score1= 101

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=118

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104100KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 27–32 |Q2= 17–17 |Q3= 31–33 |Q4= 26–36

|points1= Mack Calvin 29 |points2= Darel Carrier 31

|rebounds1= Ira Harge 10|rebounds2=Jim Ligon 14

|assist1= |assist2= Louie Dampier 18

|attendance= 4,996

|series= Kentucky leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 12 |place= Miami-Dade Junior College North, Miami, Florida

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 112

|team2= The Floridians|score2=103

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104120FLO.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–22 |Q2= 29–31 |Q3= 33–20 |Q4= 22–30

|points1= Dan Issel 27 |points2= Calvin, Davis, Tucker 18 each

|rebounds1= Jim Ligon 20|rebounds2= Ira Harge 19

|assist1= |assist2=

|attendance= 4,478

|series= Kentucky wins series, 4–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 12 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 120

|team2= Indiana Pacers|score2= 118

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104120INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 31–38 |Q2= 34–31 |Q3= 30–26 |Q4= 25–23

|points1= Mervin Jackson 28|points2=Mel Daniels 27

|rebounds1=Zelmo Beaty 15|rebounds2= Mel Daniels 15

|assist1=Willie Wise 9|assist2=Brown, Lewis 7 each

|attendance= 7,734

|series= Utah leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 14 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 107

|team2= Indiana Pacers|score2= 120

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104140INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 40–33 |Q2= 17–25 |Q3= 24–33 |Q4= 26–29

|points1=Mervin Jackson 27 |points2= Billy Keller 31

|rebounds1=Beaty, Robbins 12 each|rebounds2= Mel Daniels 20

|assist1=Ron Boone 5|assist2= Brown, Jabali, Lewis 6 each

|attendance= 9,458

|series= Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 17 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 108

|team2= Utah Stars|score2= 121

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104170UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 22–33 |Q2= 28–32 |Q3= 31–28 |Q4= 27–28

|points1= Roger Brown 23 |points2= Ron Boone 27

|rebounds1= Mel Daniels 20|rebounds2=Zelmo Beaty 14

|assist1=Billy Keller 10 |assist2= Ron Boone 11

|attendance= 12,711

|series= Utah leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 20 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 99

|team2= Utah Stars |score2=126

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104200UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 13–33 |Q2= 23–20 |Q3= 22–37 |Q4= 41–36

|points1= Billy Keller 20 |points2= Zelmo Beaty 22

|rebounds1= Mel Daniels 16|rebounds2= Zelmo Beaty 13

|assist1=Jabali, Mount 4 each|assist2= Mervin Jackson 12

|attendance= 12,761

|series= Utah leads series, 3–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 22 |place= Anderson High School Wigwam, Anderson, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 109

|team2= Indiana Pacers|score2= 127

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104220INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–28 |Q2= 19–39 |Q3= 26–26 |Q4= 34–34

|points1= Willie Wise 21 |points2= Bob Netolicky 29

|rebounds1=Red Robbins 14 |rebounds2= Mel Daniels 27

|assist1= Willie Wise 8|assist2= Billy Keller 9

|attendance= 8,279

|series= Indiana leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 24 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 105

|team2=Utah Stars |score2= 102

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104240UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–20 |Q2= 20–28 |Q3= 30–21 |Q4= 29–33

|points1= Billy Keller 28 |points2= Zelmo Beaty 32

|rebounds1= Mel Daniels 15 |rebounds2= Zelmo Beaty 20

|assist1=Billy Keller 6|assist2= Ron Boone 8

|attendance= 13,208

|series= Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 28 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 108

|team2=Indiana Pacers |score2= 101

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104280INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 27–27 |Q2= 17–24 |Q3= 41–23 |Q4= 23–27

|points1= Willie Wise 31 |points2= Billy Keller 33

|rebounds1= Red Robbins 14 |rebounds2= Mel Daniels 17

|assist1= Mervin Jackson 10|assist2= Roger Brown 5

|attendance= 11,202

|series= Utah wins series, 4–3

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 15 |place= Richmond Arena, Richmond, Virginia

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 136

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2= 132

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104150VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 31–23 |Q2= 36–41 |Q3= 39–33 |Q4= 30–35

|points1= Dan Issel 46 |points2= Charlie Scott 35

|rebounds1= Cincy Powell 18|rebounds2=George Carter 16

|assist1= Louie Dampier 6 |assist2= Charlie Scott 7

|attendance= 4,250

|series= Kentucky leads series, 1–0

}}

Issel scored 46 points, which was the most for a player in any game od the 1971 postseason, as the Colonels withstood a narrow second hand to win Game 1.

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 17 |place= Old Dominion University Fieldhouse, Norfolk, Virginia

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 122

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2= 142

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104170VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 32–32 |Q2= 26–42 |Q3= 28–37 |Q4= 36–31

|points1=Dan Issel 32 |points2=Scott, Moe 28 each

|rebounds1= Dan Issel 10|rebounds2=Charlie Scott 9

|assist1=Louie Dampier 7|assist2=Scott, Eakins 9 each

|attendance= 5,000

|series= Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 19 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 150

|team2=Kentucky Colonels |score2= 137

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104190KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 34–35 |Q2= 36–41 |Q3= 39–30 |Q4= 41–31

|points1= C. Scott, R. Scott 30 each |points2= Dan Issel 27

|rebounds1=Neil Johnson 11 |rebounds2= Cincy Powell 27

|assist1=Charlie Scott 13|assist2= Louie Dampier 9

|attendance= 4,777

|series= Virginia leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 21 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 110

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2= 128

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104210KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 35–34 |Q2= 25–29 |Q3= 24–35 |Q4= 26–30

|points1= Charlie Scott 30 |points2= Dan Issel 31

|rebounds1= Neil Johnson 14 |rebounds2= Jim Ligon 17

|assist1=Fatty Taylor 4|assist2= Louie Dampier 11

|attendance= 5,221

|series= Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 23 |place= Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 117

|team2=Virginia Squires |score2= 105

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104230VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–27 |Q2= 38–26 |Q3= 19–27 |Q4= 30–27

|points1= Dan Issel 36 |points2= Doug Moe 29

|rebounds1=Dan Issel 21 |rebounds2= Neil Johnson 15

|assist1=Louie Dampier 7|assist2= Scott, Barrett 7 each

|attendance= 10,013

|series= Kentucky leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 24 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 117

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2= 129

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197104240KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–29 |Q2= 28–36 |Q3= 32–26 |Q4= 29–38

|points1=Carter, Moe 25 each |points2= Dan Issel 31

|rebounds1=George Carter13 |rebounds2=Jim Ligon 20

|assist1=Charlie Scott 6|assist2= Louie Dampier 17

|attendance= 12,822

|series= Kentucky wins series, 4–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 3 |time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Kentucky Colonels |score1=117

|team2= Utah Stars |score2=136

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105030UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=35–26 |Q2=25–50 |Q3=33–25|Q4=24–35

|points1=Darel Carrier 36 |points2=Beaty, Stone 26 each

|rebounds1=Cincy Powell 11 |rebounds2=Zelmo Beaty 16

|assist1=Jim Ligon 6 |assist2=Mervin Jackson 9

|attendance= 12,051

|referee=

|series= Utah leads series, 1–0

}}

Kentucky started the game with a rapid attack led by Dan Issel that had him score 17 points in the first 12 minutes as the Colonels led 32-19 at one point in the first quarter. Stars coach Bill Sharman decided to send in reserve George Stone into the game along with later sending in Ron Boone to get outside shooting strength that saw the two combined for 37 points as the Stars led by 16 at halftime. The Stars continued to roll with a defense and tough rebounding effort (outdoing them 59-56) as Zelmo Beaty and Stone led the Stars in scoring with 26 each. The 50 points scored in the second quarter set a league record for a playoff game.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/ogden-standard-examiner-may-04-1971-p-14/ |title=Stone Ignites Stars to 136-117 Victory |work=Ogden Standard Examiner|agency=UPI|date=May 4, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/albuquerque-journal-may-04-1971-p-19/ |title=Utah Beats Kentucky |work=Albuquerque Journal|agency=AP|date=May 4, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|date=May 5 |time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Kentucky Colonels |score1= 125

|team2=Utah Stars |score2=138

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105050UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=28–37 |Q2=34–28 |Q3=29–32 |Q4=34–41

|points1=Dan Issel 40 |points2=Zelmo Beaty 40

|rebounds1=Dan Issel 11 |rebounds2=Willie Wise 24

|assist1=Dampier, Hunter 6 each |assist2=Wise, Jackson 8 ach

|attendance=13,208

|referee=

|series=Utah leads series, 2–0

}}

In a game where both teams had a leading scorer with 40 points (Zelmo Beaty, Dan Issel), the Stars pulled a 2-0 series lead. Beaty went 18-of-23 while his teammate Willie Wise scored 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting with eight free throws to go with 24 rebounds and eight assists. Utah pulled away in the second quarter, never trailing after halftime; Utah shot 57 percent from the line while Kentucky could only muster 48 percent.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-06-1971-p-32/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Beaty Pours in 40 Points As Utah Gains 2-0 Edge |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 6, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 7 |time= |place=Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=110

|team2=Kentucky Colonels |score2= 116

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105070KEN.html Box score]

|Q1=27–30 |Q2=28–25 |Q3=26–28 |Q4=29–33

|points1=Willie Wise 29 |points2=Darel Carrier 25

|rebounds1=Willie Wise 17 |rebounds2=Issel, Powell, Ligon 17 each

|assist1=Willie Wise 5 |assist2=Louie Dampier 11

|attendance= 12,337

|referee=

|series=Utah leads series, 2–1

}}

Wracked with injuries to Merv Jackson (tendonitis) and Red Robbins (intestinal flu), the Stars were trounced by the Colonels in a game where Zelmo Beaty ran into foul trouble early as the trio of Cincy Powell, Dan Issel and Jim Ligon dominated on the boards with 17 rebounds each; the Colonels outrebounded the Stars (69-57), particularly on the offensive side (23-14).{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-08-1971-p-18/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Colonels Gun Down Stars, 116-110 |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 8, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox||date=May 8 |time= |place=Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=125

|team2=Kentucky Colonels |score2= 129

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105080KEN.html Box score]

|Q1=24–35 |Q2=30–32 |Q3=31–30 |Q4=34–22|OT=6–10

|points1=Willie Wise 34 |points2=Louie Dampier 33

|rebounds1=Willie Wise 17|rebounds2=Jim Ligon 17

|assist1=Ron Boone 8|assist2=Darel Carrier 6

|attendance= 9,863

|referee=

|series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

The Colonels ran off into a 13-point lead at halftime after the Stars shot miserably, but Utah (still with a sore Jackson and sickened Robbins) managed to narrow it down to single digits with time expiring. Zelmo Beaty fouled out with less than five minutes remaining, while Robbins missed foul shots and a jumper that would've given Utah a late lead as the two teams went into overtime. The Colonels took control from there, with Carrier and Louie Dampier scoring and playing defense that saw them outscore Utah 10-6 to tie the series. Utah shot 41.8 percent from the field while Kentucky shot 45.9%. Willie Wise had 34 points to lead Utah while Dampier had 33.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-09-1971-p-40/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Colonels Clip Stars in Overtime, Even Series |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 9, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 12 |time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Kentucky Colonels |score1=127

|team2= Utah Stars |score2=137

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105120UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=25–34|Q2=31–41 |Q3=32–29 |Q4=39–33

|points1=Dan Issel 33 |points2=Zelmo Beaty 32

|rebounds1=Issel, Powell 16 each |rebounds2=Zelmo Beaty 22

|assist1=Louie Dampier 11 |assist2=Glen Combs 8

|attendance= 13,250

|referee=Joe Gushue, John Vanak

|series= Utah lead series 3–2

}}

Utah rode a first half where they led by 19 on 53 percent shooting to coast to victory, with Zelmo Beaty scoring 32 on 11-of-21 from the field (with 10 free throws) while getting 22 rebounds and five assists. A skirmish broke out in the third quarter when Willie Wise and Cincy Powell tangled that saw both benches empty before Ron Boone managed to "bop" Powell; Boone received a technical and Powell received a personal foul as the game moved forward.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-13-1971-p-23/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Utah Stars Gallop Past Kentucky, 137-127 |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 9, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|date=May 15 |time= |place=Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=102

|team2=Kentucky Colonels |score2= 105

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105150KEN.html Box score]

|Q1=24–31 |Q2=25–27 |Q3=34–23 |Q4=19–24

|points1=Willie Wise 34 |points2=Cincy Powell 31

|rebounds1=Zelmo Beaty 16|rebounds2=Cincy Powell 17

|assist1=Mervin Jackson 4 |assist2=Louie Dampier 10

|attendance= 11,793

|referee=

|series= Series tied, 3–3

}}

Cincy Powell openly had stated he would "get Ron Boone" in the days leading up to Game 6. As it turned out, Powell would impact the game by leading the Colonels in scoring with 31 points on 14-of-23 shooting (with three free throws) while getting 17 rebounds as the home team once again won in the Finals. Utah shot barely over 40% from the field (while missing all nine three-point attempts) and were outrebounded as late fouls plagued them; the trio of Ron Boone, Merv Jackson and Glen Combs combined for just 20. Within two hours of the box office being opened at Salt Palace for a Game 7, every ticket had been purchased.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-16-1971-p-33/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Colonels Win; Force Salt Palace Showdown |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 16, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 18 |time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Kentucky Colonels |score1=127

|team2= Utah Stars |score2=131

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197105180UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=32–28|Q2=22–33 |Q3=36–37 |Q4=31–33

|points1=Dan Issel 41 |points2=Zelmo Beaty 36

|rebounds1=Cincy Powell 20 |rebounds2=Willie Wise 20

|assist1=Louie Dampier 14 |assist2=Mervin Jackson 7

|attendance= 13,260

|referee=

|series=Utah wins series 4–3

}}

A sellout crowd of 13,260 watched the game despite the game being broadcast locally in Utah. The Stars scored 10 of the first eleven points in the game, but Kentucky soon got hot and led by the end of the first quarter. Their biggest lead of the night was a seven-point lead early in the second quarter, but the Stars and Colonels both would trade the lead before Glen Combs gave the Stars a 41-40 lead. The Stars never trailed after the shot. Darel Carrier had 31 points for Kentucky, with three straight three-pointers near the end of the third quarter to help narrow the deficit. With 4:29 to go, Kentucky was down by just four after being down by as much as 14, but Willie Wise scored a layup with a made free throw to go along with Zelmo Beaty making a layup to give Utah a nine point lead in just over a minute of play. The tough defense by Utah limited Kentucky to just 39 percent shooting while Beaty outrebounded Dan Issel in the battle of centers (16-12) to counteract the 41 points scored by Issel.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-19-1971-p-41/ |first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Utah Stars Cap Meteoric Climb to ABA Crown |work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=May 19, 1971 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

Celebration spilled out of the 10,000-seat Salt Palace (where the fans actually swarmed the court) and into the streets of the state capital for jubilant Stars fans. It was the first professional sports championship for the state of Utah and the only one until MLS Cup 2009 by Real Salt Lake; it is still the only professional basketball championship in the state of Utah.{{cite news|url=https://www.ksl.com/article/40169012/here-come-the-stars-the-making-of-utahs-1st-pro-sports-championship |first=Sean|last=Walker|title=Here Come the Stars: the making of Utah's 1st pro sports championship|work=KSL.com|date=June 11, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/provo-daily-herald-may-19-1971-p-7/ |first=Joe|last=Watts|title=Stars Top Colonels for ABA Title 131-121|work=Provo Daily Herald|date=May 19, 1971|access-date=April 7, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-may-19-1971-p-35/ |title=Utah Stars New ABA Champs|work=Kingston Daily Freeman|agency=Associated Press|date=May 19, 1971|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

Two members of the Stars would eventually be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Zelmo Beaty (2016) and head coach Bill Sharman (2004). This was the last game coached by Sharman with the Stars, as he elected to resign to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. He was replaced by LaDell Andersen. On June 20, Frank Ramsey (who had taken over for Gene Rhodes in the middle of the season as head coach) was fired by the Colonels and replaced by former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Joe Mullaney.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-jun-20-1971-p-3/ |agency=Associated Press|title=Frank Ramsey Reported Fired As Colonel Coach|work=Corbin Times Tribune|date=June 20, 1971|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-3}}

Points

1. Dan Issel - 534
2. Zelmo Beaty - 418
3. Darel Carrier - 369
4. Willie Wise - 359
5. Cincy Powell - 350

Rebounds

1. Zelmo Beaty - 263
2. Cincy Powell - 248
3. Dan Issel - 221
4. Willie Wise - 220
5. Jim Ligon - 219

{{Col-3}}

Assists

1. Louie Dampier - 179
2. Mervin Jackson - 109
3. Ron Boone - 94
4. Willie Wise - 82
5. Charlie Scott - 82

Minutes

1. Louie Dampier - 828
2. Cincy Powell - 702
3. Zelmo Beaty - 698
4. Willie Wise - 691
5. Darel Carrier - 675

{{Col-end}}

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150611213734/http://www.remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1971Playoffs.html RememberTheABA.com page on 1971 ABA playoffs]
• [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1971.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1971 ABA Playoffs page]

{{ABA seasons}}

{{Utah Stars 1970–71 ABA Champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1971 Aba Playoffs}}

Playoffs

Category:American Basketball Association playoffs