Schayes missed 24 games during the 1961–62 season and failed to lead the team in scoring for the first time in 14 years, as Hal Greer led the way with 22.8 points per game. The Nationals would go on to finish in third place again with a 41–39 record. In the playoffs the Nationals would drop their first two games to the Warriors on the road. Facing elimination the Nationals would win the next two games to force a fifth game in Philadelphia. However, in Game 5 the Warriors would prove to be too strong as they ended the Nationals' season with a 121–104 victory.