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1971 ABA Playoffs

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Postseason tournament
1971 ABA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 2 – May 18, 1971
Season1970–71
Teams8
Final positions
ChampionsUtah Stars (1st title)
Runner-upKentucky Colonels
Semifinalists
← 1970
1972 →

The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970–71 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.

Notable events

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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.

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.[1]

Zelmo Beaty was named Most Valuable Player of the ABA playoffs.

Bracket

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Division semifinals Division finals ABA finals
                 
1 Indiana Pacers 4
3 Memphis Pros 0
1 Indiana Pacers 3
Western Division
2 Utah Stars 4
4 Texas Chaparrals 0
2 Utah Stars 4
W2 Utah Stars 4
E2 Kentucky Colonels 3
1 Virginia Squires 4
3 New York Nets 2
1 Virginia Squires 2
Eastern Division
2 Kentucky Colonels 4
4 The Floridians 2
2 Kentucky Colonels 4

Western Division Tiebreaker Game

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April 1
Texas Chaparrals 115, Denver Rockets 109
Scoring by quarter: 18–30, 32–18, 29–31, 30–36
Pts: Donnie Freeman 33
Rebs: Gene Moore 16
Asts: Donnie Freeman 6 Pts: Larry Cannon 18
Rebs: Julius Keye 23
Asts: John Barnhill 6
Texas wins tiebreaker

Division Semifinals

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Western Division Semifinals

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(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) Memphis Pros

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April 2
Memphis Pros 98, Indiana Pacers 114
Scoring by quarter: 24–28, 31–27, 19–30, 24–29
Pts: Jones, Williams 24 each
Rebs: Wil Jones 14
Asts: Wil Jones 6 Pts: Roger Brown 26
Rebs: Mel Daniels 18
Asts: Billy Keller 8
Indiana leads series, 1–0
April 3
Memphis Pros 104, Indiana Pacers 106
Scoring by quarter: 25–22, 28–28, 29–25, 22–31
Pts: Steve "Snapper" Jones 31
Rebs: Gerald Govan 20
Asts: Govan, Ladner 6 each Pts: Mel Daniels 31
Rebs: Mel Daniels 25
Asts: Billy Keller 7
Indiana leads series, 2–0
April 5
Indiana Pacers 91, Memphis Pros 90
Scoring by quarter: 21–24, 23–24, 23–26, 24–16
Pts: Freddie Lewis 23
Rebs: Mel Daniels 19
Asts: Brown, Lewis, Jabali 4 each Pts: Steve "Snapper" Jones 31
Rebs: Gerald Govan 15
Asts: Govan, W. Jones, J. Jones 5 each
Indiana leads series, 3–0
April 7
Indiana Pacers 102, Memphis Pros 101 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 21–33, 27–18, 20–15, Overtime: 12–11
Pts: Mel Daniels 29
Rebs: Mel Daniels 20
Asts: Freddie Lewis 8 Pts: Jimmy Jones 22
Rebs: Jimmy Jones 14
Asts: Gerald Govan 8
Indiana wins series, 4–0

(2) Utah Stars vs. (4) Texas Chaparrals

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April 2
Texas Chaparrals 115, Utah Stars 125
Scoring by quarter: 26–30, 34–36, 33–32, 22–27
Pts: Donnie Freeman 32
Rebs: John Beasley 11 Pts: Mervin Jackson 26
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 18
Asts: Boone, Jackson 8 each
Utah leads series, 1–0
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 4,375
April 3
Texas Chaparrals 107, Utah Stars 137
Scoring by quarter: 26–36, 28–28, 29–31, 24–42
Pts: Donnie Freeman 23
Rebs: Croft, Moore 9 each Pts: Glen Combs 25
Rebs: Willie Wise 15
Utah leads series, 2–0
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 6,061
April 4
Utah Stars 113, Texas Chaparrals 101
Scoring by quarter: 22–20, 35–29, 30–30, 26–22
Pts: Zelmo Beaty 32
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 15 Pts: Donnie Freeman 30
Rebs: Gene Moore 15
Utah leads series, 3–0
April 6
Utah Stars 128, Texas Chaparrals 107
Scoring by quarter: 27–22, 27–35, 35–23, 39–27
Pts: Ron Boone 23
Rebs: Red Robbins 13 Pts: Levern Tart 31
Rebs: Gene Moore 18
Utah win series, 4–0

Eastern Division Semifinals

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(1) Virginia Squires vs. (3) New York Nets

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April 2
New York Nets 105, Virginia Squires 113
Scoring by quarter: 26–17, 28–36, 24–28, 27–32
Pts: Rick Barry 32
Rebs: Billy Paultz 16
Asts: Bill Melchionni 12 Pts: Mike Barrett 22
Rebs: Jim Eakins 16
Asts: Charlie Scott 10
Virginia leads series, 1–0
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia
Attendance: 6,149
April 4
New York Nets 108, Virginia Squires 114
Scoring by quarter: 33–31, 28–35, 28–27, 19–21
Pts: Rick Barry 32
Rebs: Billy Paultz 16
Asts: Bill Melchionni 11 Pts: Charlie Scott 29
Rebs: George Carter 14
Asts: Charlie Scott 9
Virginia leads series, 2–0
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia
Attendance: 7,143
April 6
Virginia Squires 131, New York Nets 135
Scoring by quarter: 35–23, 33–45, 31–29, 32–38
Pts: Scott, Barrett 27 each
Rebs: Jim Eakins 11
Asts: Mike Barrett 7 Pts: Rick Barry 43
Rebs: Billy Paultz 20
Asts: Bill Melchionni 9
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.[2]

April 7
Virginia Squires 127, New York Nets 130
Scoring by quarter: 36–34, 37–30, 18–35, 36–31
Pts: George Carter 35
Rebs: Jim Eakins 13
Asts: Doug Moe 6 Pts: Bill Melchionni 35
Rebs: Jim Ard 13
Asts: Bill Melchionni 14
Series tied, 2–2
April 9
New York Nets 124, Virginia Squires 127
Scoring by quarter: 30–30, 32–36, 36–34, 26–27
Pts: Rick Barry 36
Rebs: Billy Paultz 15
Asts: Paultz, DePre, Melchionni 5 each Pts: Mike Barrett 30
Rebs: Carter, Scott 10 each
Asts: Mike Barrett 6
Virginia leads series, 3–2
Richmond Arena, Richmond, Virginia
Attendance: 4,250
April 10
Virginia Squires 118, New York Nets 114
Scoring by quarter: 34–35, 30–27, 24–27, 30–25
Pts: Charlie Scott 38
Rebs: Johnson, Carter 9 each
Asts: Charlie Scott 6 Pts: Rick Barry 45
Rebs: Rick Barry 17
Asts: Jeff Congdon 7
Virginia wins series, 4–2
Felt Forum, New York City, New York
Attendance: 3,016

(2) Kentucky Colonels vs. (4) The Floridians

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April 2
The Floridians 112, Kentucky Colonels 116
Scoring by quarter: 28–25, 24–33, 32–25, 28–33
Pts: Larry Jones 25
Rebs: Ira Harge 12
Asts: Warren Davis 9 Pts: Dan Issel 26
Rebs: Jim Ligon 16
Asts: Louie Dampier 11
Kentucky leads series, 1–0
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 3,182
April 4
The Floridians 110, Kentucky Colonels 120
Scoring by quarter: 31–33, 24–28, 23–29, 32–30
Pts: Mack Calvin 35
Rebs: Ira Harge 19 Pts: Louie Dampier 28
Rebs: Jim Ligon 15
Asts: Louie Dampier 8
Kentucky leads series, 2–0
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 3,881
April 6
Kentucky Colonels 102, The Floridians 120
Scoring by quarter: 26–33, 26–31, 24–30, 26–26
Pts: Les Hunter 21
Rebs: Dan Issel 16 Pts: Mack Calvin 24
Rebs: Ira Harge 18
Asts: Mack Calvin 12
Kentucky leads series, 2–1
April 8
Kentucky Colonels 117, The Floridians 129
Scoring by quarter: 28–31, 22–30, 36–38, 31–30
Pts: Cincy Powell 31
Rebs: Jim Ligon 18 Pts: Mack Calvin 34
Rebs: Ira Harge 20
Asts: Mack Calvin 10
Series tied, 2–2
April 10
The Floridians 101, Kentucky Colonels 118
Scoring by quarter: 27–32, 17–17, 31–33, 26–36
Pts: Mack Calvin 29
Rebs: Ira Harge 10 Pts: Darel Carrier 31
Rebs: Jim Ligon 14
Asts: Louie Dampier 18
Kentucky leads series, 3–2
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 4,996
April 12
Kentucky Colonels 112, The Floridians 103
Scoring by quarter: 28–22, 29–31, 33–20, 22–30
Pts: Dan Issel 27
Rebs: Jim Ligon 20 Pts: Calvin, Davis, Tucker 18 each
Rebs: Ira Harge 19
Kentucky wins series, 4–2

Division Finals

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Western Division Finals

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(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (2) Utah Stars

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April 12
Utah Stars 120, Indiana Pacers 118
Scoring by quarter: 31–38, 34–31, 30–26, 25–23
Pts: Mervin Jackson 28
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 15
Asts: Willie Wise 9 Pts: Mel Daniels 27
Rebs: Mel Daniels 15
Asts: Brown, Lewis 7 each
Utah leads series, 1–0
April 14
Utah Stars 107, Indiana Pacers 120
Scoring by quarter: 40–33, 17–25, 24–33, 26–29
Pts: Mervin Jackson 27
Rebs: Beaty, Robbins 12 each
Asts: Ron Boone 5 Pts: Billy Keller 31
Rebs: Mel Daniels 20
Asts: Brown, Jabali, Lewis 6 each
Series tied, 1–1
April 17
Indiana Pacers 108, Utah Stars 121
Scoring by quarter: 22–33, 28–32, 31–28, 27–28
Pts: Roger Brown 23
Rebs: Mel Daniels 20
Asts: Billy Keller 10 Pts: Ron Boone 27
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 14
Asts: Ron Boone 11
Utah leads series, 2–1
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 12,711
April 20
Indiana Pacers 99, Utah Stars 126
Scoring by quarter: 13–33, 23–20, 22–37, 41–36
Pts: Billy Keller 20
Rebs: Mel Daniels 16
Asts: Jabali, Mount 4 each Pts: Zelmo Beaty 22
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 13
Asts: Mervin Jackson 12
Utah leads series, 3–1
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 12,761
April 22
Utah Stars 109, Indiana Pacers 127
Scoring by quarter: 30–28, 19–39, 26–26, 34–34
Pts: Willie Wise 21
Rebs: Red Robbins 14
Asts: Willie Wise 8 Pts: Bob Netolicky 29
Rebs: Mel Daniels 27
Asts: Billy Keller 9
Indiana leads series, 3–2
April 24
Indiana Pacers 105, Utah Stars 102
Scoring by quarter: 26–20, 20–28, 30–21, 29–33
Pts: Billy Keller 28
Rebs: Mel Daniels 15
Asts: Billy Keller 6 Pts: Zelmo Beaty 32
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 20
Asts: Ron Boone 8
Series tied, 3–3
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 13,208
April 28
Utah Stars 108, Indiana Pacers 101
Scoring by quarter: 27–27, 17–24, 41–23, 23–27
Pts: Willie Wise 31
Rebs: Red Robbins 14
Asts: Mervin Jackson 10 Pts: Billy Keller 33
Rebs: Mel Daniels 17
Asts: Roger Brown 5
Utah wins series, 4–3

Eastern Division Finals

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(1) Virginia Squires vs. (2) Kentucky Colonels

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April 15
Kentucky Colonels 136, Virginia Squires 132
Scoring by quarter: 31–23, 36–41, 39–33, 30–35
Pts: Dan Issel 46
Rebs: Cincy Powell 18
Asts: Louie Dampier 6 Pts: Charlie Scott 35
Rebs: George Carter 16
Asts: Charlie Scott 7
Kentucky leads series, 1–0
Richmond Arena, Richmond, Virginia
Attendance: 4,250
April 17
Kentucky Colonels 122, Virginia Squires 142
Scoring by quarter: 32–32, 26–42, 28–37, 36–31
Pts: Dan Issel 32
Rebs: Dan Issel 10
Asts: Louie Dampier 7 Pts: Scott, Moe 28 each
Rebs: Charlie Scott 9
Asts: Scott, Eakins 9 each
Series tied, 1–1
April 19
Virginia Squires 150, Kentucky Colonels 137
Scoring by quarter: 34–35, 36–41, 39–30, 41–31
Pts: C. Scott, R. Scott 30 each
Rebs: Neil Johnson 11
Asts: Charlie Scott 13 Pts: Dan Issel 27
Rebs: Cincy Powell 27
Asts: Louie Dampier 9
Virginia leads series, 2–1
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 4,777
April 21
Virginia Squires 110, Kentucky Colonels 128
Scoring by quarter: 35–34, 25–29, 24–35, 26–30
Pts: Charlie Scott 30
Rebs: Neil Johnson 14
Asts: Fatty Taylor 4 Pts: Dan Issel 31
Rebs: Jim Ligon 17
Asts: Louie Dampier 11
Series tied, 2–2
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 5,221
April 23
Kentucky Colonels 117, Virginia Squires 105
Scoring by quarter: 28–27, 38–26, 19–27, 30–27
Pts: Dan Issel 36
Rebs: Dan Issel 21
Asts: Louie Dampier 7 Pts: Doug Moe 29
Rebs: Neil Johnson 15
Asts: Scott, Barrett 7 each
Kentucky leads series, 3–2
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia
Attendance: 10,013
April 24
Virginia Squires 117, Kentucky Colonels 129
Scoring by quarter: 28–29, 28–36, 32–26, 29–38
Pts: Carter, Moe 25 each
Rebs: George Carter13
Asts: Charlie Scott 6 Pts: Dan Issel 31
Rebs: Jim Ligon 20
Asts: Louie Dampier 17
Kentucky wins series, 4–2
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 12,822

ABA Finals: (W2) Utah Stars vs. (E2) Kentucky Colonels

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May 3
Kentucky Colonels 117, Utah Stars 136
Scoring by quarter: 35–26, 25–50, 33–25, 24–35
Pts: Darel Carrier 36
Rebs: Cincy Powell 11
Asts: Jim Ligon 6 Pts: Beaty, Stone 26 each
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 16
Asts: Mervin Jackson 9
Utah leads series, 1–0
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 12,051
May 5
Kentucky Colonels 125, Utah Stars 138
Scoring by quarter: 28–37, 34–28, 29–32, 34–41
Pts: Dan Issel 40
Rebs: Dan Issel 11
Asts: Dampier, Hunter 6 each Pts: Zelmo Beaty 40
Rebs: Willie Wise 24
Asts: Wise, Jackson 8 ach
Utah leads series, 2–0
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 13,208
May 7
Utah Stars 110, Kentucky Colonels 116
Scoring by quarter: 27–30, 28–25, 26–28, 29–33
Pts: Willie Wise 29
Rebs: Willie Wise 17
Asts: Willie Wise 5 Pts: Darel Carrier 25
Rebs: Issel, Powell, Ligon 17 each
Asts: Louie Dampier 11
Utah leads series, 2–1
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 12,337
May 8
Utah Stars 125, Kentucky Colonels 129 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 24–35, 30–32, 31–30, 34–22, Overtime: 6–10
Pts: Willie Wise 34
Rebs: Willie Wise 17
Asts: Ron Boone 8 Pts: Louie Dampier 33
Rebs: Jim Ligon 17
Asts: Darel Carrier 6
Series tied, 2–2
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 9,863
May 12
Kentucky Colonels 127, Utah Stars 137
Scoring by quarter: 25–34, 31–41, 32–29, 39–33
Pts: Dan Issel 33
Rebs: Issel, Powell 16 each
Asts: Louie Dampier 11 Pts: Zelmo Beaty 32
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 22
Asts: Glen Combs 8
Utah lead series 3–2
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 13,250
May 15
Utah Stars 102, Kentucky Colonels 105
Scoring by quarter: 24–31, 25–27, 34–23, 19–24
Pts: Willie Wise 34
Rebs: Zelmo Beaty 16
Asts: Mervin Jackson 4 Pts: Cincy Powell 31
Rebs: Cincy Powell 17
Asts: Louie Dampier 10
Series tied, 3–3
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 11,793
May 18
Kentucky Colonels 127, Utah Stars 131
Scoring by quarter: 32–28, 22–33, 36–37, 31–33
Pts: Dan Issel 41
Rebs: Cincy Powell 20
Asts: Louie Dampier 14 Pts: Zelmo Beaty 36
Rebs: Willie Wise 20
Asts: Mervin Jackson 7
Utah wins series 4–3
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah
Attendance: 13,260


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. Frank Ramsey was not retained by Kentucky, who hired Joe Mullaney in the offseason.

Celebration spilled out of the 10,000-seat Salt Palace 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.[3]

Statistical leaders

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Category Total Average
Player Team Total Player Team Avg. Games played
Points Dan Issel Kentucky Colonels 534 Rick Barry New York Nets 33.7 6
Rebounds Zelmo Beaty Utah Stars 263 Mel Daniels Indiana Pacers 19.2 11
Assists Louie Dampier Kentucky Colonels 179 Louie Dampier Kentucky Colonels 9.4 19

Total leaders

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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

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

References

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