1987
Game five of the Eastern Conference Finals ends in an improbable fashion, as Larry Bird steals an inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas and dishes it to Dennis Johnson for a buzzer beating layup to give the Celtics a 108-107 victory over the Pistons. It was immortalized by the radio call from legendary Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most: “Now there’s a steal by Bird!” Boston takes a 3-2 series lead and eventually won in seven games.
1939
Longtime NBA Finals broadcaster Brent Musburger is born in Portland, Oregon.
1950
Steve Hawes is born in Seattle, Washington. He played in basketball in his hometown at the high school (Mercer Island High School), college (University of Washington), and professional (SuperSonics) levels.
1952
Charles “Tom” McMillen is born in Elmira, New York. He followed in the footsteps of his older brother Jay by playing at the University of Maryland.
1953
Dan Roundfield is born in Detroit, Michigan. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
1955
Upset by numerous failed attempts to re-locate an NBA team to Washington or charter an expansion franchise in the city, the Washington Professional Basketball Corporation files an anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA. They eventually lose due to lack of evidence that they possessed their smoking gun: A supposed letter from commissioner Maurice Podoloff promising a Washington franchise.
1968
Willie Burton is born in Detroit, Michigan. He led St. Martin de Porres High School to back-to-back Michigan state titles in 1985 and 1986.
1979
NBA All-Star Mehmet Okur is born in Yalova, Turkey.
1999
Vince Carter of the Raptors is named NBA Rookie of the Year for the ’98-’99 season in a near unanimous vote, with Sacramento’s Jason Williams a distant second.
2011
Miami’s big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all finish with 20+ points as the Heat defeat the Bulls 83-80 in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals, clinching the series and an NBA Finals appearance in James’ first season with the team.
2012
The Celtics survive a surprisingly difficult fight from the #8 seed 76ers with an 85-75 victory in the winner-take-all game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. All five Boston starters score in double digits, led by Rajon Rondo’s 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
2015
In his first season back in Cleveland, LeBron James leads the Cavaliers to the second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, finishing off an Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Hawks with a 118-88 victory in game four.
2022
After two consecutive years missing the playoffs altogether, the Warriors make it back to the NBA Finals with a 120-110 victory over the Mavericks in game five of the Western Conference Finals. Golden State is led by 32 points from Klay Thompson, who had recently returned after 2 1/2 years sidelined by injuries.
More on the Boston Celtics
- Loyal foot soldiers: 10 role players who spent their entire NBA career with one team
- Won’t see my picture on the cover: 10 NBA Finals that weren’t featured on a Sports Illustrated cover
- Faces in the crowd: 12 NBA celebrity superfans
- Golden voices: Eight NBA announcers with retired microphones
- Foregone conclusion: 10 playoff series that were considered “virtual” NBA Finals
- Slamming the door shut: 19 winner-take-all NBA playoff game blowouts
- Bird is the word: Ranking the 21 players who won a championship as Larry Bird’s Celtics teammate
- When the game was theirs: Eight crucial games that defined the Bird vs. Magic rivalry
- Larry Bird isn’t walking through that door: 14 successful NCAA coaches who struggled at the NBA level
- Get in loser, we’re winning a title: Nine in-season free agent signees of NBA champs
More on Larry Bird
- Tough act to follow: 23 (mostly) forgotten NBA players who replaced departing legends
- You’re the best around: 80 greatest NBA players of the 1980s
- Slamming the door shut: 19 winner-take-all NBA playoff game blowouts
- Saving the best for last: 21 most exciting NCAA Tournament National Finals
- Spreading it around: 17 great play makers who were not point guards
- Strictly commercials: 19 memorable television advertisements starring NBA players
- Don’t you forget about me: 80 basketball moments from the ’80s that changed the sport forever
- Bird is the word: Ranking the 21 players who won a championship as Larry Bird’s Celtics teammate
- When the game was theirs: Eight crucial games that defined the Bird vs. Magic rivalry
- Better luck next time, kid: 19 greatest rookie performances that didn’t earn Rookie of the Year
Basketball, Listed 