of draft pick Jerry Lucas, Robertson led the team to a third win over the Celtics in Game Six to force a seventh game. The Royals lost Game Seven in Boston on April 10, 142–131. Robertson had 43 points, the Celtics' Sam Jones had 47 in that concluding game. The season marks arguably the closest the Cincinnati Royals ever came to an NBA title, despite the obstacles mentioned above. Ballyhooed #1 pick Jerry Lucas, two-time NCAA Player of The Year, was signed away by George Steinbrenner of the ABL Cleveland Pipers, a serious blow to this year's team. 2 pick was 6' 8 Bud Olsen of Louisville, a college star with local ties. Roster <noinclude> Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Season schedule The Royals won five straight to move to 10–6 in November, and followed that with a 6–8 December. They were 9–9 in both January and February, reaching 36–31 on 2-21-63. The Royals won four straight to finish the season 42-38. Playoffs |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | March 19 | @ Syracuse | L 120–123 | Oscar Robertson (29) | Onondaga War Memorial4,335 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | March 21 | Syracuse | W 133–115 | Oscar Robertson (41) | Cincinnati Gardens3,205 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | March 23 | @ Syracuse | L 117–121 | Embry, Twyman (24) | Onondaga War Memorial8,007 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | March 24 | Syracuse | W 125–118 | Oscar Robertson (29) | Cincinnati Gardens3,331 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | March 26 | @ Syracuse | W 131–127 (OT) | Oscar Robertson (32) | Onondaga War Memorial7,418 | 3–2 |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | March 28 | @ Boston | W 135–132 | Oscar Robertson (43) | Oscar Robertson (14) | Oscar Robertson (10) | Boston Garden13,798 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | March 29 | Boston | L 102–125 | Oscar Robertson (28) | Wayne Embry (16) | — | Cincinnati Gardens11,102 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | March 31 | @ Boston | W 121–116 | Oscar Robertson (23) | Bob Boozer (14) | Oscar Robertson (8) | Boston Garden13,909 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 3 | Boston | L 110–128 | Oscar Robertson (25) | Robertson, Embry (15) | — | Cincinnati Gardens3,498 |