The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was a professional basketball league in the United States, founded in 1946. It aimed to promote the sport and attract fans with exciting games and star players. The BAA was known for its high-scoring matches and innovative rules, which helped shape modern basketball. In 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). This merger allowed the NBA to expand its reach and solidify its position as the premier professional basketball league in North America, featuring teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.