Cliff Hagan
All-NBA Second Team forward who helped the Hawks win their only NBA title in 1958.
Cliff Hagan was a key player for the St. Louis Hawks during their 1958 NBA Championship season. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors that year, recognized as one of the league's top performers. Hagan's contributions helped the Hawks defeat the Boston Celtics in a six-game Finals series, securing the franchise's first and only NBA title. His role on that championship squad remains a defining part of his career.
- Championships
- 1 (1957-58 season)
- NBA All-Star Selections
- 8 times
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The 1957–58 St. Louis Hawks season was the franchise's third in St. Louis and ninth in the NBA. Coming off a trip to the 1957 NBA Finals, the Hawks won the Western Division by eight games with a 41–31 record. In the Western Finals, they beat the Detroit Pistons in five games. Facing the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, the series was tied after two games. The Hawks took Game 3 after Celtics center Bill Russell suffered an ankle injury. Despite Russell's absence, Boston won Game 4. The Hawks pulled out a two-point victory in Game 5 to take control. Needing one more win for their first NBA Championship, the Hawks beat the Celtics 110–109 in Game 6. Bob Pettit scored 50 points playing against an injured Russell as the Hawks and owner Ben Kerner won their first NBA Title. Cliff Hagan was named to the All-NBA Second Team that season.
In Their Own Story
The Hawks entered the 1958 NBA Finals with the series tied at one game apiece as they headed to St. Louis. In Game 3, the Celtics lost Bill Russell to an ankle injury, and the Hawks took the win. Despite playing without Russell, the Celtics were triumphant in Game 4. The Hawks pulled out a two-point victory in Game 5 to take control of the series. Needing one more win for their first NBA Championship, the Hawks beat the Celtics 110–109 in Game 6. Bob Pettit scored 50 points playing against an injured Russell as the Hawks and owner Ben Kerner won their first NBA Title. Cliff Hagan, earning All-NBA Second Team honors, was a vital part of that championship run.
Reader's Guide
Cliff Hagan played for the St. Louis Hawks during their 1958 NBA Championship season. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team that year, recognizing his performance alongside teammate Slater Martin. The Hawks won the Western Division by eight games with a 41–31 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Pistons in five games in the Western Finals. In the NBA Finals, the Hawks beat the Boston Celtics in six games, with Bob Pettit scoring 50 points in the decisive Game 6. Hagan's All-NBA Second Team selection highlights his importance to that championship squad. The 1958 title remains the only one won by the franchise, which has been based in Atlanta since 1968.
Did You Know?
- Cliff Hagan was named to the All-NBA Second Team during the 1957–58 season.
- The 1958 NBA Championship is the only title won by the Hawks franchise, which moved to Atlanta in 1968.
- Bob Pettit scored 50 points in Game 6 of the 1958 NBA Finals against an injured Bill Russell.
- The Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 110–109 in Game 6 to win the championship.
- The Hawks won the Western Division by eight games with a 41–31 record in the 1957–58 season.