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1945

Walt Frazier is born in Atlanta, Georgia.

1953

The Knicks defeat the Celtics 82-75 in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals to clinch their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Nat Clifton leads New York with 16 points and 17 rebounds while Boston’s Bob Cousy struggles, shooting just 5-of-19 from the floor.

1956

Both the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals come down to a competitive, winner-take-all game five. In the East, Paul Arizin scores 35 points to lead the Philadelphia Warriors to a 109-104 victory over the defending champion Syracuse Nationals. In the West, the Fort Wayne Pistons clinch their second consecutive NBA Finals appearance with a 102-97 victory over the St. Louis Hawks. It’s a third straight win for the Pistons after falling behind 2-0 in the series.

1959

Led by rookie sensation Elgin Baylor on both ends of the floor, the Minneapolis Lakers close out a stunning upset of the St. Louis Hawks in the Western Division Finals by winning 106-104 in game six, becoming the first team with a regular season losing record to ever make the NBA Finals.

1971

Notre Dame’s Austin Carr goes to the Cavaliers with the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Sidney Wicks (UCLA) is the #2 overall pick of the Trail Blazers, and ultimately earned Rookie of the Year.

1975

John Wooden announces his retirement, effective in two days after UCLA plays in the NCAA Tournament National Final. UCLA went on to win that game over Kentucky, giving Wooden his 10th championship as coach, all of which came in his final 12 years in charge. Over the course of Wooden’s final nine seasons, the Bruins lost just 12 total games.

1976

Indiana finishes off the most recent unbeaten season in men’s college basketball history by defeating Michigan 86-68 in the National Final of the NCAA Tournament in Philadelphia. The Hoosiers finish the season with a perfect 32-0 record. Kent Benson is named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

1987

Tennessee wins its first NCAA women’s tournament championship, defeating Louisiana Tech 67-44 in the National Final in Austin, Texas. Tonya Edwards is named Most Outstanding Player.

1989

Bob Huggins is named as the head coach of the Cincinnati men’s team, replacing Tony Yates.

1990

Hakeem Olajuwon becomes just the third player (of four) in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, finishing with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists in a Rockets win over the Bucks.

1992

The Michigan “Fab Five” freshmen – Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King – secure a surprise spot in the Final Four as a #6 seed by upsetting their conference rivals Ohio State in the Regional Final.

1998

Tennessee’s dynastic run under Pat Summit culminates with an undefeated season (39-0) and third straight NCAA women’s tournament title, by defeating Louisiana Tech 93-75 in the National Final in Kansas City. Chamique Holdsclaw is named Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive year.

1999

In the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament National Final history (by point spread), Connecticut defeats Duke 77-74 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Huskies entered the game as 9.5 point underdogs. Richard Hamilton leads all scorers with 27 points and is named Most Outstanding Player.

2008

Former general manager Jack McCloskey is honored by the Pistons with a banner raising ceremony. McCloskey was the team’s general manager from 1979 to 1992, during which time he architected the “Bad Boys” roster, leading to two championships.

2019

Manu Ginobili has his jersey #20 retired by the Spurs. Ginobili spent his entire 16-year career with the franchise, making two All-Star teams and winning four championships.

2021

Russell Westbrook sets the Wizards single game franchise record for assists, with 21 in a 132-124 victory over the Pacers.

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