1974 ABA Playoffs#(1) New York Nets vs. (4) Virginia Squires

A one-game playoff was held to determine the fourth-place finisher in the Western Division because the San Diego Conquistadors and Denver Rockets had both tied for fourth place during the regular season. The game was played on March 29, 1974, with the Conquistadors posting a 131–111 win at Denver.

The Carolina Cougars played their final game on April 8, 1974, losing at home to the Kentucky Colonels 128–119 in the last game of their Eastern Division semifinal series, which the Colonels swept 4 games to none. The Cougars played in the remaining two seasons of the ABA as the Spirits of St. Louis and were one of only two teams (the Colonels being the other) remaining during the ABA-NBA merger to not enter the NBA.

The New York Nets and Utah Stars won the Eastern Division and Western Division, respectively, in both the regular season and the playoffs.[http://www.remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1974Playoffs.html Remember the ABA: 1973-74 Regular Season Standings and Playoff Results]

The New York Nets became the first team since the 1969-1970 Indiana Pacers to win the ABA championship after posting the league's best regular season record.

Julius Erving of the New York Nets was the Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs. He won that distinction again in 1976 and became the only player in ABA history to repeat as the MVP of the league 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=Utah Stars

| RD1-score1=4

| RD1-seed2=4

| RD1-team2=San Diego Conquistadors

| RD1-score2=2

| RD1-seed3=3

| RD1-team3=San Antonio Spurs

| RD1-score3=3

| RD1-seed4=2

| RD1-team4=Indiana Pacers

| RD1-score4=4

| RD1-seed5=1

| RD1-team5=New York Nets

| RD1-score5=4

| RD1-seed6=4

| RD1-team6=Virginia Squires

| RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=3

| RD1-team7=Carolina Cougars

| RD1-score7=0

| RD1-seed8=2

| RD1-team8=Kentucky Colonels

| RD1-score8=4

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Utah Stars

| RD2-score1=4

| RD2-seed2=2

| RD2-team2=Indiana Pacers

| RD2-score2=3

| RD2-seed3=1

| RD2-team3=New York Nets

| RD2-score3=4

| RD2-seed4=2

| RD2-team4=Kentucky Colonels

| RD2-score4=0

| RD3-seed1=W1

| RD3-team1=Utah Stars

| RD3-score1=1

| RD3-seed2=E1

| RD3-team2=New York Nets

| RD3-score2=4

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= March 29|place= Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado

|team1= San Diego Conquistadors|score1= 131

|team2= Denver Rockets |score2=111

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197403290SDA.html Box score]

|Q1= 37–29 |Q2= 30–19 |Q3= 33–33 |Q4= 31–30

|points1= Bo Lamar 40 |points2= Beck, Robisch 18 each

|rebounds1= Tim Bassett 12|rebounds2= Beck, Green 8 each

|assist1= Jimmy O'Brien 12|assist2= Al Smith 20

|attendance= 3,305

|series= San Diego wins tiebreaker

}}

With a barrage of shots that saw San Diego shoot 60% from the field and rookie Bo Lamar score 40 points, the Conquistadors vanquished the Rockets to get the fourth spot. They connected from 15 of their first 20 shots to get a 37-29 lead after one quarter and never looked back, as Denver could only narrow it to eight points in the second quarter before San Diego rolled to a 19-point lead at halftime, with Lamar scoring 17 points in the first half to go with Stu Johnson's 22 (with six more in the second half). Denver had the dubious distinction of having lost both ABA Tiebreaker Games ever played on the court to determine a playoff team.{{cite web | url=https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-mar-30-1974-p-22/|title=Hot San Diego in, Denver Out in ABA West Playoffs| work=Colorado Springs Gazette |agency=Associated Press|date=March 30, 1974 }}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=March 30 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=San Diego Conquistadors |score1= 99

|team2=Utah Stars |score2= 114

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197403300UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–33 |Q2= 23–29 |Q3= 27–22 |Q4= 19–30

|points1= Bo Lamar 23 |points2= Zelmo Beaty 27

|rebounds1= Tim Bassett 17|rebounds2= Gerald Govan 21

|assist1=Tim Bassett 7 |assist2= Ron Boone 9

|attendance= 5,558

|series= Utah leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 1|place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=San Diego Conquistadors |score1= 105

|team2= Utah Stars|score2= 119

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404010UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 25–35 |Q2= 17–24 |Q3= 28–26 |Q4= 35–34

|points1= Bo Lamar 41 |points2= Willie Wise 23

|rebounds1=Tim Bassett 19|rebounds2= Gerald Govan 25

|assist1= Lamar, O'Brien, Shepherd 5 each|assist2= Ron Boone 11

|attendance= 6,242

|series= Utah leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 3|place= Golden Hall, San Diego, California

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 96

|team2= San Diego Conquistadors|score2= 97

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404030SDA.html Box score]

|Q1= 20–35 |Q2= 25–21 |Q3= 27–17 |Q4= 24–24

|points1= Willie Wise 29 |points2= Bo Lamar 22

|rebounds1=Gerald Govan 17 |rebounds2= Caldwell Jones 18

|assist1=Ron Boone 12 |assist2=Jones, Bassett, Johnson, O'Brien 5 each

|attendance= 2,295

|series= Utah leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 4|place= Golden Hall, San Diego, California

|team1=Utah Stars |score1= 98

|team2=San Diego Conquistadors |score2=100

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404040SDA.html Box score]

|Q1= 35–19 |Q2= 28–23 |Q3= 21–30 |Q4= 14–28

|points1= Willie Wise 30 |points2= Bo Lamar 32

|rebounds1=Gerald Govan 18 |rebounds2= Jones, Bassett 13 each

|assist1=Gerald Govan 7|assist2= Jim O'Brien 5

|attendance= 2,089

|series= Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 6 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=San Diego Conquistadors |score1= 93

|team2= Utah Stars|score2= 110

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404060UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 20–19 |Q2= 29–29 |Q3= 19–31 |Q4= 25–31

|points1= Tim Bassett 26 |points2= Willie Wise 30

|rebounds1=Tim Bassett 19 |rebounds2= Gerald Govan 19

|assist1=O'Brien, Shepherd 4 each|assist2=Jimmy Jones 8

|attendance= 6,648

|series= Utah leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 8 |place= Golden Hall, San Diego, California

|team1= Utah Stars |score1= 110

|team2= San Diego Conquistadors|score2= 99

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404080SDA.html Box score]

|Q1= 34–20 |Q2= 21–36 |Q3= 24–16 |Q4= 31–27

|points1=Wise, Jones 21 each |points2= Bo Lamar 33

|rebounds1= Zelmo Beaty 12|rebounds2= Caldwell Jones 22

|assist1= Jimmy Jones 7|assist2= Bo Lamar 7

|attendance= 3,140

|series= Utah wins series, 4–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=March 30 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= San Antonio Spurs|score1= 113

|team2= Indiana Pacers|score2= 109

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197403300INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 27–28 |Q2= 33–20 |Q3= 23–27 |Q4= 30–34

|points1= Rich Jones 27 |points2= Lewis, Daniels 19 each

|rebounds1=Gervin, Nater 10 each |rebounds2=Mel Daniels 11

|assist1=Gervi, Silas 4 each|assist2= Roger Brown 7

|attendance= 7,438

|series= San Antonio leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 1 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= San Antonio Spurs|score1= 101

|team2=Indiana Pacers|score2= 128

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404010INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 18–25 |Q2= 20–35 |Q3= 32–30 |Q4= 31–38

|points1= Rich Jones 26 |points2= Billy Keller 39

|rebounds1=Swen Nater 12 |rebounds2= Darnell Hillman 10

|assist1= 6 players tied with 2|assist2= Freddie Lewis 10

|attendance= 6,988

|series= Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 3 |place= HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas

|team1= Indiana Pacers|score1= 96

|team2= San Antonio Spurs|score2=115

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404030SAA.html Box score]

|Q1= 19–31 |Q2= 24–24 |Q3= 25–27 |Q4= 28–33

|points1= George McGinnis 25 |points2= Swen Nater 27

|rebounds1=McGinnis, Daniels 10 each |rebounds2= Swen Nater 15

|assist1=Roger Brown 6 |assist2= George Karl 11

|attendance= 10,693

|series= San Antonio leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 4 |place= HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas

|team1= Indiana Pacers|score1= 91

|team2= San Antonio Spurs|score2= 89

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404040SAA.html Box score]

|Q1= 33–21 |Q2= 17–23 |Q3= 17–28 |Q4= 24–17

|points1= Roger Brown 29|points2= Rich Jones 28

|rebounds1=George McGinnis 8|rebounds2= Rich Jones 8

|assist1=Roger Brown 8|assist2= James Silas 5

|attendance= 12,079

|series= Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 6 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= San Antonio Spurs|score1= 100

|team2=Indiana Pacers |score2= 105

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404060INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 22–25 |Q2= 24–24 |Q3= 23–24 |Q4= 31–32

|points1= James Silas 28 |points2= Freddie Lewis 35

|rebounds1=Swen Nater 12|rebounds2= Mel Daniels 14

|assist1=James Silas 7|assist2=Billy Keller 5

|attendance= 10,079

|series= Indiana leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 10 |place= HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 86

|team2=San Antonio Spurs |score2= 102

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404100SAA.html Box score]

|Q1= 23–28 |Q2= 19–24 |Q3= 25–24 |Q4= 19–26

|points1= Roger Brown 26 |points2= Bird Averitt 19

|rebounds1=Mel Daniels 14 |rebounds2= Swen Nater 13

|assist1=Roger Brown 6|assist2= James Silas 7

|attendance= 12,304

|series= Series tied, 3–3

}}

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

|team1=San Antonio Spurs |score1= 79

|team2=Indiana Pacers|score2= 86

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404120INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 12–14 |Q2= 30–15 |Q3= 22–30 |Q4= 15–27

|points1=James Silas 27 |points2=Roger Brown 28

|rebounds1=Swen Nater 13 |rebounds2= George McGinnis 17

|assist1=Swen Nater 6 |assist2=Brown, Lewis 3 each

|attendance= 10,079

|series= Indiana wins series, 4–3

}}

The Pacers trailed 42-29 at halftime, earning a record for least points in a half that they did with 8-of-33 shooting. Late in the third quarter, George McGinnis scored ten points to go along with 12 by Roger Brown to get the Pacers close as the final quarter loomed. The two teams were tied at 64 with 9:47 to go in a tight defensive battle that saw Indiana outshot in total field goals (27-of-78 to San Antonio's 31-of-74). With the score 72-69 and under six minutes to go, Brown sunk a three-pointer to give the Pacers a six-point lead that they managed to pull away for the remaining minutes. The Pacers received plenty of free throws, scoring 30 from 43 shots while San Antonio went 17-of-25.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-apr-13-1974-p-8/ |first=Mike|last=Chappell|title=Pacers survive miserable first half to down Spurs |work=Anderson Herald Bulletin |date=April 13, 1974 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=March 29 |place= Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 96

|team2= New York Nets|score2=108

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197403290NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 27–28 |Q2= 19–26 |Q3= 26–27 |Q4= 24–27

|points1=Cincy Powell 22 |points2= Julius Erving 24

|rebounds1=Cincy Powell 15 |rebounds2= Larry Kenon 12

|assist1=Mike Barr 7|assist2= Julius Erving 12

|attendance= 9,784

|series= New York leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 1 |place= Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 110

|team2= New York Nets|score2=129

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404010NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 28–33 |Q2= 20–39 |Q3= 28–24 |Q4= 34–33

|points1= George Carter 27 |points2= Julius Erving 35

|rebounds1=Carter, Eakins 7 each|rebounds2= Larry Kenon 12

|assist1=Fatty Taylor 6 |assist2= Gale, Taylor 7 each

|attendance= 10,747

|series= New York leads series, 2–0

}}

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

|team1= New York Nets|score1= 115

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2=116

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404040VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 29–21 |Q2= 26–31 |Q3= 24–32 |Q4= 36–32

|points1= Julius Erving 29 |points2= Jim Eakins 31

|rebounds1=Julius Erving 12 |rebounds2= Fatty Taylor 9

|assist1= Brian Taylor 7|assist2= Fatty Taylor 5

|attendance= 2,544

|series= New York leads series, 2–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 7 |place= Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia

|team1=New York Nets |score1=116

|team2= Virginia Squires|score2=88

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404070VIR.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–29 |Q2= 30–15 |Q3= 24–27 |Q4= 32–17

|points1= Larry Kenon 25 |points2= Cincy Powell 22

|rebounds1= Larry Kenon 11|rebounds2=Cincy Powell 10

|assist1= Erving, Gale 5 each|assist2= Fatty Taylor 8

|attendance= 4,220

|series= New York leads series, 3–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 8 |place= Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1= Virginia Squires|score1= 96

|team2= New York Nets|score2=108

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404080NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 16–20 |Q2= 26–23 |Q3= 27–29 |Q4= 27–36

|points1= Jim Eakins 36 |points2= Larry Kenon 22

|rebounds1=Jim Eakins 21 |rebounds2= Billy Paultz 9

|assist1=Fatty Taylor 4 |assist2= Erving, Taylor 5 each

|attendance= 11,903

|series= New York wins series, 4–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 1 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= Carolina Cougars|score1= 102

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=118

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404010KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 24–29 |Q2= 24–28 |Q3= 21–26 |Q4= 33–35

|points1= Mack Calvin 21 |points2= Artis Gilmore 33

|rebounds1= Jim Chones 7 |rebounds2= Artis Gilmore 19

|assist1= Gene Littles 6 |assist2= Chuck Williams 7

|attendance= 6,749

|series= Kentucky leads series, 1–0

}}

With high winds blowing outside Freedom Hall, the Colonels beat the Cougars handily.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-apr-02-1974-p-2/|first=Bob|last=Watson|agency=Associated Press|work=The Corbin Times Tribune|date=April 2, 1974|title=Colonels Roll Over Carolina Cougars|access-date=April 23, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 5|place= Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 99

|team2= Carolina Cougars|score2=96

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404050KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 18–21|Q2= 23–25 |Q3= 27–23 |Q4= 31–27

|points1= Artis Gilmore 34 |points2= Calvin, McClain 20 each

|rebounds1=Artis Gilmore 20 |rebounds2= Joe Caldwell 13

|assist1=Artis Gilmore 4 |assist2= Mack Calvin 5

|attendance= 8,638

|series= Kentucky leads series, 2–0

}}

Game 2 was delayed from the original date of April 3 due to a tornado that had caused damage to Freedom Hall that meant that the two teams had to play in Greensboro rather than in Kentucky. Billy Cunningham played for seventeen minutes despite having recently undergone a kidney operation. Carolina was outrebounded (58-43) and out fouled (committing 33 to Kentucky's 24, with team coach Larry Brown even garnering a technical foul). With six minutes remaining, Louie Dampier hit a bank shot to give Kentucky an 85-84 lead with 6:23 remaining. The Colonels led by five with 1:32 to go, but the Cougars managed to get it down to one with layups by Marv Roberts with 0:19 remaining. Dampier was quickly fouled and only made one free throw while Carolina managed to get a chance to inbound for the potential tie/win with 15 seconds to go. But on the play, it fell to Jim Chones to have to take a shot from 12 feet out that missed for Kentucky to recover and then add another free throw to ice the game.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-record-and-landmark-apr-04-1974-p-25/|title=Playoff Contest Delayed|agency=Associated Press|work=Statesville Record & Landmark|date=April 4, 1974|access-date=April 23, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-apr-06-1974-p-17/|title=Nightmarish Night - Defeat For Cougars|first=Bill |last=Hunter|work=Burlington Daily Times|date=April 6, 1974|access-date=April 23, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 6 |place= Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina

|team1= Kentucky Colonels|score1= 120

|team2=Carolina Cougars |score2=110

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404060CAR.html Box score]

|Q1= 26–14 |Q2= 26–22 |Q3= 38–31 |Q4= 30–43

|points1= Artis Gilmore 19 |points2= Mack Calvin 25

|rebounds1= Artis Gilmore 15|rebounds2= Jim Chones 9

|assist1= Chuck Williams 8 |assist2= Caldwell, Littles 3 each

|attendance= 3,724

|series= Kentucky leads series, 3–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 8 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= Carolina Cougars|score1= 119

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=128

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404080CAR.html Box score]

|Q1= 31–28 |Q2= 25–35 |Q3= 24–30 |Q4= 39–35

|points1= Mack Calvin 31 |points2= Artis Gilmore 33

|rebounds1= McClain, Cunningham, Caldwell 7 each |rebounds2= Artis Gilmore 20

|assist1= Gene Littles 7|assist2= Louie Dampier 8

|attendance= 5,243

|series= Kentucky wins series, 4–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 13 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 96

|team2= Utah Stars|score2= 105

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404130UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 24–31 |Q2= 19–22 |Q3= 29–21 |Q4= 24–31

|points1= George McGinnis 39 |points2= Willie Wise 34

|rebounds1=George McGinnis 14 |rebounds2= Gerald Govan 17

|assist1=Freddie Lewis 5 |assist2= Govan, Jones 6 each

|attendance= 7,557

|series= Utah leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 15 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1= Indiana Pacers|score1= 102

|team2= Utah Stars |score2= 106

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404150UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 18–24 |Q2= 26–32 |Q3= 26–26 |Q4= 32–24

|points1= George McGinnis 30 |points2= Ron Boone 20

|rebounds1=George McGinnis 17 |rebounds2= Zelmo Beaty 13

|assist1=George McGinnis 5 |assist2= Ron Boone 8

|attendance= 7,143

|series= Utah leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 17 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 99

|team2=Indiana Pacers|score2= 90

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404170INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 20–26 |Q2= 32–19 |Q3= 17–23 |Q4= 30–22

|points1= Ron Boone 24 |points2= George McGinnis 27

|rebounds1=Zelmo Beaty 20 |rebounds2= George McGinnis 13

|assist1=Govan, Boone 5 each|assist2= Don Buse 6

|attendance= 6,337

|series= Utah leads series, 3–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 18 |place= Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 107

|team2= Indiana Pacers|score2= 118

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404180INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 23–24 |Q2= 37–26 |Q3= 27–42 |Q4= 20–26

|points1= Willie Wise 22 |points2= Freddie Lewis 40

|rebounds1= Zelmo Beaty 9|rebounds2= Mel Daniels 14

|assist1=Ron Boone 6 |assist2= Freddie Lewis 6

|attendance= 6,265

|series= Utah leads series, 3–1

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 22 |place= Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=Indiana Pacers |score1= 110

|team2= Utah Stars|score2= 101

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404220UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 19–20 |Q2= 37–26 |Q3= 25–36 |Q4= 29–19

|points1= Daniels, McGinnis 29 each |points2= Willie Wise 27

|rebounds1=Daniels, McGinnis 14 each |rebounds2= Gerald Govan 13

|assist1= George McGinnis 10 |assist2= Jimmy Jones 7

|attendance= 10,248

|series= Utah leads series, 3–2

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 25 |place=Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana

|team1= Utah Stars|score1= 89

|team2=Indiana Pacers |score2= 91

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404250INA.html Box score]

|Q1= 15–27 |Q2= 25–21 |Q3= 22–20 |Q4= 27–23

|points1= Willie Wise 24 |points2= George McGinnis 23

|rebounds1=Willie Wise 10 |rebounds2= McGinnis, Hillman 16 each

|assist1=Ron Boone 6|assist2= Don Buse 6

|attendance= 9,482

|series= Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 27|place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1= Indiana Pacers|score1= 87

|team2= Utah Stars|score2=109

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404270UTS.html Box score]

|Q1= 20–36 |Q2= 23–28 |Q3= 17–16 |Q4= 27–29

|points1= Roger Brown 21 |points2= Jimmy Jones 29

|rebounds1=George McGinnis 13 |rebounds2= Govan, Wise 10 each

|assist1= McGinnis, Lewis, Keller 3 each|assist2= Jimmy Jones 9

|attendance= 12,191

|series= Utah wins series, 4–3

}}

====(1) New York Nets vs. (2) Kentucky Colonels====

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 13 |place= Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1= Kentucky Colonels |score1= 106

|team2= New York Nets |score2=119

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404130NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 30–26 |Q2= 21–26|Q3= 24–38 |Q4= 31–29

|points1= Dan Issel 22 |points2= Julius Erving 35

|rebounds1= Artis Gilmore 10|rebounds2= Larry Kenon 15

|assist1=Chuck Williams 7 |assist2= Brian Taylor 7

|attendance= 12,817

|series= New York leads series, 1–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date=April 15 |place= Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1= Kentucky Colonels |score1= 80

|team2= New York Nets |score2=99

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404150NYA.html Box score]

|Q1= 22–21 |Q2= 13–18 |Q3= 26–30 |Q4= 19–30

|points1= Louie Dampier 16 |rebounds1= Artis Gilmore 18|assist1=Artis Gilmore 4

|points2= Julius Erving 27 |rebounds2=Wendell Ladner 14 |assist2= Wendell Ladner 5

|attendance= 13,726

|series= New York leads series, 2–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date= April 17 |place= Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= New York Nets|score1= 89

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=87

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404170KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 18–31 |Q2= 27–23 |Q3= 24–19 |Q4= 20–14

|points1= Julius Erving 30 |points2= Dan Issel 26

|rebounds1=Julius Erving 14|rebounds2= Artis Gilmore 27

|assist1=Gale, Williamson 4 each |assist2= Louie Dampier 8

|attendance= 13,797

|series= New York leads series, 3–0

}}

Kentucky led for most of the game, even leading at nine at halftime and four to start the final quarter before Larry Kenon made a shot to give New York an 87-85 lead late in the game on the cusp of a 20-12 run. Jim Bradley then sunk a shot in to tie the game at 87 before Julius Erving went up with the ball, moved around Artis Gilmore at the top of the key before moving to the foul line to shoot a one-handed 15-foot shot as the buzzer sounded. It is believed to be the first ABA buzzer-beater playoff shot in history.{{cite web |title=Game-Winning Buzzer-Beaters |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/buzzer-beaters-aba.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-apr-18-1974-5043588/?utm_source=newspaperarchive&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=share_link&utm_content=newspaper_clipping/|title=Dr. J Buzzes Colonels|agency=Associated Press|work=Red Bank Register|date=April 18, 1974|access-date=April 23, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg= |date= April 20|place= Memorial Coliseum, Louisville, Kentucky

|team1= New York Nets|score1= 103

|team2= Kentucky Colonels|score2=90

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404200KEN.html Box score]

|Q1= 31–27 |Q2= 33–22 |Q3= 20–23 |Q4= 19–18

|points1= Julius Erving 27 |points2= Artis Gilmore 20

|rebounds1= Billy Paultz 12|rebounds2= Artis Gilmore 20

|assist1= Brian Taylor 6 |assist2=John Roche 7

|attendance= 7,800

|series= New York wins series, 4–0

}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=April 30 |time= |place=Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=85

|team2=New York Nets |score2=89

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197404300NYA.html Box score]

|Q1=14–22 |Q2=26–20 |Q3=25–25 |Q4=20–22

|points1=Jimmy Jones 25 |points2=Julius Erving 47

|rebounds1=Wise, Gerald Govan 12 each |rebounds2=Larry Kenon 20

|assist1=Jones, Wise, Govan, Bruce Seals 2 each |assist2=John Williamson 5

|attendance=13,740

|referee=

|series=New York leads series, 1–0

}}

Julius Erving scored 47 points (26 in the first half) as the Nets went on a 15-6 run that saw him and Larry Kenon (who combined for 65 points lift the Nets over the Stars. Utah was outshot and outrebounded while battling injuries to Zelmo Beaty (out since Game 5 of the last round with an infection and fever) and Gerald Govan, who tweaked his knee late in the game.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-01-1974-p-27/|first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Dr. J Masterminds Net Win Over Stars |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=May 1, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/the-times-herald-record-may-01-1974-p-56/ |title=Erving tosses in 47 to lead Nets, 89-85|agency=UPI|work=The Times Herald Record|date=May 1, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|date=May 4 |time= |place=Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=94

|team2=New York Nets |score2=118

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197405040NYA.html Box score]

|Q1=19–28 |Q2=18–33 |Q3=30–20 |Q4=27–37

|points1=Jones, Wise 19 each |points2=Julius Erving 32

|rebounds1=Wise, Govan 12 each |rebounds2=Larry Kenon 13

|assist1=Ron Boone 8 |assist2=Bill Melchionni 7

|attendance=15,934

|referee=

|series=New York leads series, 2–0

}}

A battered Utah team with no Beaty and a diminished Govan shot under 30 percent in the first half and could not recover from there as Julius Erving scored 32 points to give the Nets their eight straight playoff win.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-05-1974-p-63/|first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Nets blister Utah Stars, 118-94|work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=May 5, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/the-times-herald-record-may-05-1974-p-62/ |title=Nets trounce Stars, 118-94, to take 2-0 lead|agency=UPI|work=The Times Herald Record|date=May 5, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee|date=May 6|time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=New York Nets |score1= 103

|team2=Utah Stars|score2=100

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197405060UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=17–25 |Q2=26–18 |Q3=31–19 |Q4=20–32|OT=9–6

|points1=Julius Erving 24 |points2=Jimmy Jones 28

|rebounds1=Julius Erving 13 |rebounds2=Zelmo Beaty 16

|assist1=Mike Gale 8 |assist2=Jimmy Jones 6

|attendance= 10,743

|referee=

|series=New York leads series, 3–0

}}

Utah (now with Beaty playing) had managed to overcome a 15-point deficit to pull ahead late 94-91 with under 15 seconds to go. Wendell Ladner missed the shot but rebounded it and passed it to Brian Taylor, who successfully made it from the three-line to send the game into overtime. The Nets took control from there and won the game to get one win away from a sweep.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-07-1974-p-27/|first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Time Running Out-Stars Fall, 103-100|work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=May 7, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-may-07-1974-p-15/|agency=Associated Press|title=Nets Three-Point Stars|work=Kingston Daily Freeman |date=May 7, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|date=May 8|time= |place=Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah

|team1=New York Nets |score1= 89

|team2=Utah Stars|score2=97

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197405080UTS.html Box score]

|Q1=18–26 |Q2=24–24 |Q3=34–24 |Q4= 13–23

|points1=Julius Erving 18 |points2=Jimmy Jones 24

|rebounds1=Larry Kenon 15 |rebounds2=Gerald Govan 23

|assist1=Julius Erving 7 |assist2=Ron Boone 10

|attendance= 10,743

|referee=

|series=New York leads series, 3–1

}}

New York managed to lead by two after the third quarter, but the Stars took control with tough defense that allowed just 13 points in the fourth quarter while Jimmy Jones scored 24 points.{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-may-09-1974-p-12/|agency=Associated Press|title=Nets Fail To Sweep Series|work=Syracuse Post Standard|date=May 9, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-tribune-may-09-1974-p-42/|first=Steve|last=Rudman|title=Stars Finally Cut Down Nets|work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=May 9, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=May 10 |time= |place=Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

|team1=Utah Stars |score1=100

|team2=New York Nets |score2=111

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197405100NYA.html Box score]

|Q1=27–28|Q2=21–22 |Q3=29–30 |Q4=23–31

|points1=Willie Wise 34 |points2=Larry Kenon 23

|rebounds1=Gerald Govan 10 |rebounds2=Julius Erving 16

|assist1=Willie Wise 6 |assist2=Williamson, Gale 5 each

|attendance= 15,934

|referee=

|series=New York wins series, 4–1

}}

The Nets completed their dominant run (winning 12 of their 14 playoff games, a record for most dominant run for an ABA champion) with 23 points by Larry Kenon.{{cite web | url=https://newspaperarchive.com/auburn-citizen-advertiser-may-11-1974-p-13/|title=Erving, Kenon pace New York to victory| work=Auburn Citizen Advertiser |agency=Associated Press|date=May 11, 1974|access-date=April 7, 2025 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/history/2019/07/22/1974-aba-champions|title=1974 ABA Champions| work=NBA.com|first=Tom|last=Dowd|date=July 22, 2019|access-date=April 7, 2025 }}{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-may-11-1974-p-14/|agency=UPI|title=Nets Whip Utah To Take Title|work=Syracuse Post Standard|date=May 11, 1974 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-3}}

Points

1. Willie Wise - 420
2. Julius Erving - 390
3. Jimmy Jones - 374
4. George McGinnis - 336
5. Ron Boone - 308

Rebounds

1. Gerald Govan - 246
2. George McGinnis - 166
3. Larry Kenon - 163
4. Mel Daniels - 160
5. Willie Wise - 149
6. Artis Gilmore - 149

{{Col-3}}

Assists

1. Ron Boone - 109
2. Jimmy Jones - 98
3. Gerald Govan - 73
4. Julius Erving - 67
5. Freddie Lewis - 62
6. Brian Taylor - 62

Minutes

1. Willie Wise - 792
2. Ron Boone - 747
3. Jimmy Jones - 742
4. Gerald Govan - 714
5. George McGinnis - 585

{{Col-end}}

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

• [http://www.remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1974Playoffs.html RememberTheABA.com page on 1974 ABA playoffs]
• [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1974.html Basketball-Reference.com's 1974 ABA Playoffs page]

{{ABA seasons}}

{{New York Nets 1973-74 ABA champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1974 Aba Playoffs}}

Playoffs

Category:American Basketball Association playoffs