The
Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the
National Basketball League (NBL) merged in 1949 to form the
National Basketball Association. However, the NBA contracted after the 1949–50 season, losing six teams: The
Anderson Packers,
Sheboygan Red Skins and
Waterloo Hawks jumped to the NPBL, while the
Chicago Stags,
Denver Nuggets and
St. Louis Bombers folded. Midway through the season, the
Washington Capitols folded as well, bringing the number of teams in the NBA down to ten. The National Professional Basketball League formed around the three former NBA teams, with teams added in new larger markets. The charter teams were the Packers, Red Skins,
Louisville Alumnites, and
Grand Rapids Hornets in the East Division, while the
Denver Refiners/
Evansville Agogans,
Saint Paul Lights,
Kansas City Hi-Spots and Hawks made up the West Division. The league played just one season, with
Doxie Moore serving as commissioner. The Hornets, Hi-Spots, Alumnites, and Lights folded during the season, and the Refiners relocated to
Evansville, Indiana to become the
Evansville Agogans. Although no championship game was staged, the Red Skins and Hawks both claimed the championship because they were both in first place in their respective divisions at the end of the season. ==Standings==