1988

In game seven of the NBA Finals, James Worthy compiles the only triple-double of his career with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 108-105 Lakers win over the Pistons. It’s the fifth and final championship of the “Showtime” era and the Lakers become the first back-to-back champs since 1969. Playing through a sprained ankle, Isiah Thomas scores just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

1959

Four-time NBA All-Star Tom Chambers is born in Ogden, Utah.

1967

NBA All-Star Derrick Coleman is born in Mobile, Alabama.

1973

Merlakia Jones is born in Montgomery, Alabama. She returned to her hometown after retiring as a player and took an assistant coaching job for the boys high school team at her alma mater.

1980

NBA champion Richard Jefferson is born in Los Angeles, California.

1988

Thaddeus Young is born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father Felton played college basketball at Jacksonville University and was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 1978 NBA Draft.

1997

In the inaugural WNBA game, the Houston Comets defeat the Cleveland Rockers 76-56 behind 25 points from Cynthia Cooper.

2012

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh make good on their “Big Three” promise of delivering a title to Miami, defeating the Thunder 121-106 in game five of the NBA Finals to clinch the series as a minor upset. James is named Finals MVP for the first of four times in his career.

2018

Deandre Ayton of Arizona is the #1 overall pick of the Suns in an NBA Draft class that also includes Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic, Trae Young (Oklahoma), Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (Kentucky), and Jalen Brunson (Villanova).