The St. Louis Hawks: A Forgotten Chapter in NBA History

The Forgotten NBA Team of St. Louis

From 1955 to 1968, the St. Louis Hawks thrilled basketball fans in the Gateway City. The franchise gave St. Louis its only NBA Championship and produced Hall of Fame players like Bob Pettit before relocating to Atlanta.

Early Years: From Buffalo to the Tri-Cities

• Founded in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons
• Moved after 13 games to Illinois/Iowa as the Tri-City Blackhawks
• Became one of the NBA’s 17 original teams in 1949
• Relocated to Milwaukee in 1951, then finally to St. Louis in 1955

The Hawks Arrive in St. Louis

On May 11, 1955, the NBA approved the move. The team debuted at Kiel Auditorium on November 8, 1955, defeating the Minneapolis Lakers in front of 7,545 fans. That season, forward Bob Pettit became the NBA’s first-ever MVP.

The 1958 NBA Championship

The pinnacle of the Hawks’ time in St. Louis came in 1958 when they defeated the Boston Celtics 4–2 in the NBA Finals. In the decisive Game 6, Bob Pettit scored 50 points, a Finals record that still stands. It remains the city’s only NBA title.

Bob Pettit: St. Louis’ Basketball Legend

• 11 seasons with the Hawks
• 4-time NBA MVP (matched only by Kobe Bryant)
• 20,000+ career points
• One of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players

Why the Hawks Left St. Louis

Despite their success, several challenges pushed the Hawks to relocate in 1968:

• Competition from the NFL’s Cardinals and NHL’s Blues
• Small and outdated Kiel Auditorium
• Segregation and racism affecting attendance
• Declining city population and resources

Legacy of the St. Louis Hawks

In 13 seasons in St. Louis, the Hawks achieved:

• 553 wins
• 10 conference titles
• 6 division titles
• 4 NBA Finals appearances
• 1 NBA Championship

Today, their memory lives on at the St. Louis Sports Center in Affton, which features memorabilia and the original Kiel Auditorium court.