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1926

Naismith Hall of Fame inductee Bill Sharman is born in Abilene, Texas.

1932

K.C. Jones is born in Taylor, Texas. “K.C.” was his given name and passed down from his father, who himself was named as such as a play on the name “Casey.”

1963

The host Brazilians defeat the United States 85-81 to clinch their second straight FIBA World Championship title. Wlamir Marques is named tournament MVP. With their third loss of the tournament, the U.S. fails to medal in the FIBA Worlds for the first time, finishing in fourth place, behind the Yugoslavians who earn silver, and the Soviet Union, who wins bronze.

1968

NBA steals leader Kendall Gill is born in Chicago, Illinois.

1970

The Indiana Pacers clinch their first ABA title with a 111-107 victory over the Los Angeles Stars in game six of the ABA Finals. Roger Brown leads the way with 45 points and 11 rebounds and is named Playoffs MVP. The Stars re-locate to Salt Lake City in the ensuing offseason and came back to win the 1971 ABA title as the Utah Stars.

1975

The Warriors complete a sweep of the Bullets in an NBA Finals upset with a 96-95 victory in game four. Rick Barry scores 20 points and is named Finals MVP.

1984

The Lakers close out a surprisingly feisty Suns team in the Western Conference Finals, with a 99-97 victory in game six to advance to their third consecutive NBA Finals.

1987

James Worthy scores 26 points and Magic Johnson adds 21 points and 12 assists as the Lakers defeat the SuperSonics 133-102 in game four of the Western Conference Finals. It completes a series sweep and sends the Lakers to their sixth NBA Finals appearance of the decade.

1988

Michael Jordan is named NBA league MVP for the first of five times in his career. Larry Bird finishes second in voting and Magic Johnson in third. Jordan is also named Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player ever to earn both awards in the same season, a feat that has only been matched since by Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

1991

Derrick Williams is born in Bellflower, California. His mother Rhoma Moore played college basketball at Mississippi Valley State.

1993

Norman Powell is born in San Diego, California. He has Jamaican heritage, and recently committed to joining the island nation’s national team.

Charles Barkley is named NBA league MVP for the ’92-’93 season. Hakeem Olajuwon finishes second in voting with reigning two-time MVP Michael Jordan coming in third.

1997

The Rockets win game four of the Western Conference Finals over the Jazz 95-92 on a buzzer beater from Eddie Johnson to tie the series at 2-2.

1998

An instant classic game four of the Eastern Conference Finals ends on a Reggie Miller buzzer beater over Michael Jordan to give the Pacers a 96-94 win over the Bulls to even the series at 2-2.

2011

Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion score 26 points each as the Mavericks defeat the Thunder 100-96 in game five of the Western Conference Finals, clinching the series and the second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.

2017

During game five of the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James passes Michael Jordan as the all-time NBA career postseason scoring leader, by scoring his 5,989th career point as the Cavaliers defeat the Celtics 135-102 to advance to their third consecutive NBA Finals.

2019

Kawhi Leonard leads the way with 27 points and 17 rebounds as the Raptors defeat the Bucks 100-94 in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals to clinch the series and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

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