1956

Bill Russell makes his NBA debut, finishing with six points and 16 rebounds in a 95-93 Celtics win over the St. Louis Hawks at the Boston Garden. Russell had missed the first 24 games of his rookie season in order to retain his amateur eligibility and compete in the Melbourne Olympics.

1949

NCAA All-American Dave Robisch is born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1961

Following a brief legal battle, Dick Barnett is released of his Syracuse Nationals contract so that he can join the Cleveland Pipers of the ABL.

1998

The American Basketball League (ABL) suspends operations in the midst of its third season after declaring bankruptcy. The women’s professional league got started in 1996 and featured superstar players like Teresa Edwards and Yolanda Griffith, but ultimately could not compete with the WNBA.

2007

Avery Johnson has his jersey #6 retired by the Spurs. An indelible member of the ’98-’99 title team, Johnson also retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists.

2016

Shaquille O’Neal has his jersey #32 retired by the Heat. Traded to Miami in 2004, O’Neal spent three-and-a-half seasons with the franchise and helped them win the title in 2006.

2020

The ’20-’21 NBA season gets underway with the Nets defeating the Warriors 125-99 and the Clippers defeating the defending champion Lakers 116-110 on opening night. Both games are played in the team’s home arenas but without fans in attendance, due to COVID-19 protocols. In his first appearance in an NBA game in 18 months due to injuries, Kevin Durant scores 22 points in his Nets debut.