1948-49 NBA Imperialism Map

Minneapolis Lakers77–56Washington Capitols+12 territories
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Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Minneapolis Lakers finished on top with 12 of 12 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Minneapolis Lakers 12 (100.0%)

Play with the NBA Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

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How NBA Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ How to make your own map

Data sources: Sports Reference (game data); VenueStats (venue data).

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+12
in a single day (1949-03-16)
Longest Reign
28
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
52
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−12
lost in one day (1949-03-23)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Edgerton Park Arena

51 days led peak 12 +25 taken

Uline Arena

28 days led peak 12 +33 taken

Chicago Stadium

16 days led peak 12 +33 taken

Minneapolis Auditorium

12 days led peak 12 +52 taken

Philadelphia Arena

12 days led peak 7 +13 taken

Butler Fieldhouse

7 days led peak 7 +8 taken

Madison Square Garden

7 days led peak 7 +24 taken

Boston Garden

1 day led peak 12 +13 taken

St. Louis Arena

1 day led peak 7 +26 taken

Baltimore Coliseum

0 days led peak 4 +4 taken

Explore NBA Through the Years

All 81 NBA seasons, 1946-47 to 2026-27. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?

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