1996
Gregg Popovich makes his debut as head coach of the Spurs, in a 93-76 loss to the Suns. Popovich had previously served as the team’s general manager and installed himself as coach after firing Bob Hill mid-season. Over the next three decades, he would lead San Antonio to five championships while setting the career record for NBA coaching wins.
1930
Ray Felix is born in New York City, New York.
1939
Dick Bavetta is born in New York City, New York.
1946
John Barr of the St. Louis Bombers hits the first verified buzzer beater in NBA history, giving his team an overtime victory over the Cleveland Rebels.
1959
Mark Aguirre is born in Chicago, Illinois.
1970
Bryant Stith is born in Emporia, Virginia.
1971
In a 120-104 Bucks victory over the Celtics, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores 55 points, a career high and the franchise record for nearly 35 years until it’s broken by Michael Redd.
1976
John McGlocklin has his jersey #14 retired by the Bucks. McGlocklin becomes the second Bucks player honored as such, getting his jersey raised to the rafters alongside his 1971 championship teammate, Oscar Robertson.
1977
China edges South Korea 61-58 in Kuala Lumpur to clinch their second consecutive FIBA Asia Cup title. South Korea finishes with the silver medal and Japan earns bronze.
1991
Dion Waiters is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylviania.
1995
Tacko Fall is born in Dakar, Senegal.
James Worthy has his jersey #42 retired by the Lakers. In a 12-year career all spent with Los Angeles, Worthy was an All-Star seven times and part of three championship teams.
2003
Mike D’Antoni is hired as head coach of the Suns, replacing Frank Johnson, who was fired mid-season. In his first head coaching role at the NBA level, D’Antoni would completely turn the franchise around with his run-and-gun offense, executed to perfection by Steve Nash.
2011
An incredible buzzer beater from Christian Watford gives Indiana a shocking 73-72 upset over #1 ranked and previously undefeated Kentucky.
More on Coaches
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- We’re not gonna take it: Eight NBA teams that openly rebelled against their head coach
- Costs of being the boss: 13 Hall of Fame players who struggled as coaches
Basketball, Listed 