What Is 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks were an NBA team that finished the regular season with a 49–33 record, placing second in the Western Division. They were led by Hall of Fame center Bill Bridges and head coach Richfield, ultimately losing in the Western Division Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Key Facts

Finished 1967–68 season with a 49–33 win-loss record
Placed second in the NBA Western Division
Coached by Paul Seymour and later Richie Guerin
Star players included Bill Bridges and Lenny Wilkens
Lost in the Western Division Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers

Overview

The 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks represented the franchise during the 1967–68 NBA season, playing their home games at the St. Louis Arena. This team was part of a transitional era for the franchise, balancing veteran leadership with emerging talent amid growing competition in the Western Division.

Under the guidance of head coaches Paul Seymour and Richie Guerin, the Hawks achieved a winning record and secured a playoff berth. Despite strong individual performances, they fell short of an NBA Finals appearance, marking the end of a competitive but ultimately unfulfilled season.

Record: The team finished the regular season with a 49–33 record, a winning percentage of .598, reflecting consistent performance over 82 games.
Division Standing: They placed second in the Western Division, trailing the San Francisco Warriors who finished with 49 wins but a better divisional record.
Head Coaching: Paul Seymour began the season as head coach but was replaced by Richie Guerin in December 1967 due to a slow start.
Key Player:Bill Bridges led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.6 points and 13.9 rebounds per game during the season.
Playoff Result: The Hawks defeated the San Francisco Warriors in the Division Semifinals but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Division Finals.

How It Works

The 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks operated under standard NBA team structure, relying on a core of veteran players, strategic coaching changes, and a balanced offensive approach to compete in a tough division.

Team Roster: The roster featured Lenny Wilkens, Bill Bridges, and Walt Hazzard, combining scoring, playmaking, and rebounding across positions.
Coaching Shift:Richie Guerin took over mid-season and improved team chemistry, helping the Hawks win 37 of their final 58 games.
Offensive Strategy: The team averaged 110.6 points per game, ranking fifth in the league, emphasizing half-court sets and pick-and-roll actions.
Defensive Effort: They allowed 107.8 points per game, placing seventh defensively, relying on physical post defense and active perimeter rotations.
Home Court: Playing at St. Louis Arena, the team drew an average of 6,800 fans per game, below league leaders but stable for the market.
Front Office: General manager Joe O'Brien managed trades and contracts, aiming to build a contender before potential relocation rumors intensified.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks compared to key Western Division rivals in key statistical categories:

Team	Record	Pts/Game	Reb/Game	Playoff Result
San Francisco Warriors	49–33	113.1	43.2	Lost in Division Semifinals
St. Louis Hawks	49–33	110.6	45.8	Lost in Division Finals
Los Angeles Lakers	52–30	116.3	42.7	Lost in NBA Finals
Seattle SuperSonics	30–52	104.8	41.1	Did not qualify
Phoenix Suns	16–66	107.4	43.5	Did not qualify

The Hawks outperformed the Warriors in rebounding and advanced further in the playoffs despite identical records. Their loss to the Lakers, led by Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, highlighted the gap between contenders and elite teams. This season underscored the Hawks’ competitiveness but also foreshadowed their eventual relocation to Atlanta the following year.

Why It Matters

The 1967–68 season was significant as one of the final chapters for the St. Louis Hawks before the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1968. It reflected both the team’s resilience and the challenges of sustaining success in a mid-sized market.

Final Season in St. Louis: This was the last full season before the franchise relocated, marking the end of a 12-year era in Missouri.
Player Legacy:Bill Bridges earned All-NBA Second Team honors, cementing his status as one of the league’s top power forwards.
Coaching Impact:Richie Guerin’s leadership helped stabilize the team and influenced future coaching strategies in close games.
Market Challenges: Declining attendance and lack of a new arena pushed ownership to consider relocation to larger markets.
Historical Context: The season occurred during the NBA’s expansion era, with new teams like the Suns entering the league in 1968.
Transition to Atlanta: The team’s performance kept fan interest alive, aiding the successful launch of the Atlanta Hawks in 1968–69.

The 1967–68 St. Louis Hawks remain a symbol of a competitive yet transitional phase in NBA history, bridging the gap between regional franchises and the modern era of league-wide expansion.