1946 Philadelphia Founding
Founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, the team moved to the Bay Area in 1962 and became the Golden State Warriors in 1971.
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 in Philadelphia, the Warriors moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and took the city's name before changing its geographic moniker to Golden State in 1971. The team plays its home games at Chase Center.
- League Affiliation
- Basketball Association of America (BAA) / National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Founding Year
- 1946
- Home Arena
- Philadelphia Arena & Philadelphia Convention Hall
- First NBA Championship
- 1956
- Key Founding Figure
- Joe Lapchick
- Defining Era Status
- Charter Member
Lore & Background
The Warriors were founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, a charter member of the Basketball Association of America. They were owned by Peter A. Tyrrell, who also owned the Philadelphia Rockets of the American Hockey League. Tyrrell hired Eddie Gottlieb, a longtime basketball promoter in the Philadelphia area, as head coach and general manager. The owners named the team after the Philadelphia Warriors, an old basketball team who played in the American Basketball League in 1925.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Convention Hall was thick with cigarette smoke and the roar of a city that had never seen basketball played like this before. It was April 1956, Game 5 against Fort Wayne—the clincher for the title. The score was tight, the clock ticking down in the fourth quarter. Paul Arizin drove hard to the basket, his sneakers squeaking violently on the polished hardwood as he absorbed contact from two defenders. He didn't flinch. With a fluid motion that seemed to defy gravity, he released a jumper over the outstretched arms of the defense. The ball hung in the air for an eternity before swishing through the net, sealing the victory and cementing the legend of Philadelphia.
Reader's Guide
The Warriors won the inaugural Basketball Association of America (BAA) championship in 1947, and won again in 1956, led by Hall of Fame trio Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston. After the trade of star Wilt Chamberlain in January 1965, the team finished the 1964–65 season with the NBA's worst record (17–63). Their rebuilding period was brief, however, as they drafted Rick Barry four months after the trade. Barry, along with Jamaal Wilkes, powered the Warriors to their third championship in 1975, widely considered one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The team struggled in the 1980s, then became playoff regulars at the turn of the decade with stars Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, nicknamed 'Run TMC'. Led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the team returned to championship glory in 2015. In 2016, the Warriors achieved the best-ever regular-season record at 73–9 before losing the Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games after surrendering a 3–1 series lead. After signing former MVP Kevin Durant, the team won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. They lost the 2019 Finals to the Toronto Raptors and Durant left that off-season. After missing the playoffs the next two seasons, the Warriors returned to the playoffs and defeated the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Finals.
Did You Know?
- The Warriors won the inaugural BAA championship in 1947.
- Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game on March 2, 1962.
- The Warriors' 1975 championship is widely considered one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.
- The 2016 Warriors achieved the best-ever regular-season record at 73–9.
- Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are generally considered one of the greatest backcourts of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Warriors in 1946?
The franchise was established as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America by key figure Joe Lapchick. This founding occurred amidst post-war energy in Philadelphia, setting the stage for the team's eventual move to the Bay Area.
What league did the 1946 Warriors play in?
Originally formed as part of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the club later became a foundational member when that league merged into the National Basketball Association. This affiliation marked the beginning of their long history within professional basketball's premier competition.
Where did the team play its home games during this era?
During their Philadelphia tenure, the Warriors hosted matches at venues including the Philadelphia Arena and Philadelphia Convention Hall. These locations served as the physical home for the franchise before it relocated to San Francisco.
Who was the star player of the 1946 founding era?
Paul Arizin emerged as a defining scoring force who rivaled any contemporary star during these formative years. His talent and competitive toughness helped establish the cultural groundwork for the franchise's future success.
Why is the 1946 Philadelphia period significant to Warriors history?
This era is crucial because it produced the team's first NBA Championship in 1956, proving their viability as a dynasty before moving west. It represents the distinct origin story where legends were born and the structural identity of the club was forged.
More in Club History
Elsewhere in the Golden State Warriors universe
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