The 1961/62 season was the Royals 14th season in the NBA and its fifth in Cincinnati. Oscar Robertson had a career season as he averaged a triple double on the season.[1] All 5 starters on the Royals averaged double digits points per games as the team ended a 4-year playoff drought.[1] The Royals had a record of 43–37 and the improving team finished in 2nd place. Despite that, the NBA team had real local competition for fans in The Queen City due to remarkably successful college teams there. The starting five of the team had improved, with Bob Boozer improving to join solid holdovers Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, Wayne Embry, Bucky Bockhorn. In the playoffs, the Royals dealt with injuries and would be defeated by the Detroit Pistons in 4 games.
Regular season
Record vs. opponents
| 1961-62 NBA Records |
| Team |
BOS |
CHI |
CIN |
DET |
LAL |
NYK |
PHI |
STL |
SYR |
| Boston |
— | 9–1 | 7–1 | 5–3 | 6–3 | 8–4 | 8–4 | 7–2 | 10–2 |
| Chicago |
1–9 | — | 1–9 | 3–7 | 2–8 | 6–4 | 0–10 | 4–6 | 1–9 |
| Cincinnati |
1–7 | 9–1 | — | 6–6 | 5–7 | 5–4 | 3–5 | 9–3 | 5–4 |
| Detroit |
3–5 | 7–3 | 6–6 | — | 4–8 | 5–4 | 1–7 | 7–5 | 4–5 |
| Los Angeles |
3–6 | 8–2 | 7–5 | 8–4 | — | 6–2 | 6–3 | 10–2 | 6–2 |
| New York |
4–8 | 4–6 | 4–5 | 4–5 | 2–6 | — | 4–8 | 4–4 | 3–9 |
| Philadelphia |
4–8 | 10–0 | 5–3 | 7–1 | 3–6 | 8–4 | — | 6–3 | 6–6 |
| St. Louis |
2–7 | 6–4 | 3–9 | 5–7 | 2–10 | 4–4 | 3–6 | — | 4–4 |
| Syracuse |
2–10 | 9–1 | 4–5 | 5–4 | 2–6 | 9–3 | 6–6 | 4–4 | — |
Playoffs
(2) Cincinnati Royals vs. (3) Detroit Pistons: Pistons win series 3-1
- Game 1 @ Detroit: Detroit 123, Cincinnati 122
- Game 2 @ Cincinnati: Cincinnati 129, Detroit 107
- Game 3 @ Detroit: Detroit 118, Cincinnati 107
- Game 4 @ Cincinnati: Detroit 112, Cincinnati 111
Last Playoffs meeting: 1958 Eastern Division Semifinals (Detroit won 2–0).
Awards and honors
- Oscar Robertson, All-NBA First Team
- Oscar Robertson, NBA Leader, Assists, 899