Today the NBA is home to the world’s greatest basketball talent.  Every season, millions of Americans and a growing number of international fans watch and support their favorite teams, but in the mid-20th century basketball was just emerging.

On this day, November 1st, in 1946, the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Huskies in the first ever pro basketball game.  Both teams were part of the Basketball Association of America, which included 16 teams.  The BAA enjoyed an exciting first season, as the Philadelphia Warriors won the first championship.

After three years, the BAA went on to merge with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association.  There are still six teams from the original BAA in the NBA today.