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1946

The Basketball Association of American (BAA) is established in a meeting in New York. Maurice Podoloff is named as the league’s commissioner and 11 franchises are chartered.

1967

The United States defeats the Soviet Union for the first time in FIBA World Championship competition, 59-58 in a second round game. It’s their first victory over the U.S.S.R. after two previous losses but the Soviets go undefeated the rest of the tournament to win gold while the U.S. loses two of their final three games to finish off the medal stand.

1976

Two days after surviving a triple-overtime thriller in game five, the Celtics put away the Suns in the NBA Finals with an 87-80 victory in game six. Jo Jo White is named Finals MVP.

1981

Cheryl Ford is born in Homer, Louisiana. Her father is Karl Malone, a biological connection she was not aware of until 1991, when Malone took a court-ordered DNA test.

1984

Game four of the NBA Finals turns ugly, with Kevin McHale clotheslining Kurt Rambis on a hard foul and Magic Johnson making a series of late blunders to allow the Celtics to win 129-125 in overtime and tie the series at 2-2.

1989

The Pistons defeat the Lakers 109-97 in game one of the NBA Finals, behind 24 points and nine assists from Isiah Thomas. It’s the first loss of the postseason for the Lakers, who were previously 11-0 with sweeps in their first three series. Byron Scott misses the game and Magic Johnson is hobbled, both due to injuries suffered during a controversial mini-camp put on by coach Pat Riley days prior.

1999

David Robinson leads the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Spurs defeat the Trail Blazers 94-80 in game four of the Western Conference Finals, completing a series sweep and clinching the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.

2000

Franchise legend Joe Dumars is named the Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations, a role he would hold for 14 years and that included a championship in 2004.

2005

With Dwyane Wade suffering from the effects of a rib injury, the Pistons defeat the Heat 88-82 in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals to clinch their second straight NBA Finals appearance. Richard Hamilton leads Detroit with 22 points and seven assists.

2012

Kevin Durant goes off for 34 points and 14 rebounds as the Thunder finish the Western Conference Finals with a 107-99 victory over the Spurs in game six. It clinches their first NBA Finals appearance since 1996, when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

2021

Despite 46 points and 14 assists from Luka Doncic, the Clippers defeat the Mavericks 126-111 in a Western Conference first round winner-take-all game seven. Kawhi Leonard leads Los Angeles with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

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