Final answer:
The NBA was formed in 1949 when the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America merged.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1949, the merger of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA) gave rise to the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA). This historic union brought together notable teams from both leagues, with the Minneapolis Lakers representing the NBL and the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics from the BAA, among others.
The consolidation of these leagues laid the foundation for the NBA's ascent as a premier professional basketball organization. Over the years, the league expanded its reach and popularity, evolving into a national and eventually global sports phenomenon. The NBA's rich history, marked by the convergence of talent and teams from the NBL and BAA, underscores the significance of this merger in shaping the landscape of professional basketball on an international scale.