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1954

The fifth and final title of the George Mikan era goes down to the wire, with the Minneapolis Lakers defeating the Syracuse Nationals 87-80 in game seven of the NBA Finals. The Lakers become the first franchise to win three consecutive NBA titles and the first to win five total. Mikan announced his retirement soon after the game and took a job in the Lakers front office.

1974

Despite Willis Reed playing limited minutes with torn cartilage in his knee (which would force him to retire in the ensuing off-season), the Knicks upset the Bullets 91-81 in the winner-take-all game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Earl Monroe leads New York with 30 points while Reed’s replacement at center, John Gianelli, puts up 12 points and 15 rebounds while defensively shutting down Washington’s Elvin Hayes.

A surprisingly competitive series comes down to a controversial ending, with a questionable foul call on the Braves’ Bob McAdoo giving Jo Jo White a chance to hit two free throws with no time on the clock to give the Celtics a 106-104 victory in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

1975

Both the Rockets and SuperSonics clinch the first playoff series win in franchise history on the same day. The Rockets, led by 25 points from Rudy Tomjanovich, advance with a 118-96 victory over the Knicks in game three of an Eastern Conference first round series. The SuperSonics, under coach Bill Russell, are also victorious in a winner-take-all game three, defeating the Pistons 100-93 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

1976

Two-time NBA All-Star Brad Miller is born in Kendallville, Indiana.

1977

The Spurs debut in the NBA playoffs in their first year in the league after joining from the ABA, losing 104-94 to the Celtics in game one of an Eastern Conference first round series. Larry Kenon and George Gervin score 20 each for San Antonio, while Jo Jo White leads Boston with 24 points. The Celtics went on to win game two to advance in a sweep.

The Trail Blazers make their playoffs debut in the team’s seventh season of existence, defeating the Bulls 96-83 in game one of a Western Conference first round series. Maurice Lucas leads Portland with 29 points while Bill Walton adds 11 points and nine rebounds. The Blazers would subsequently win the series in three games, then defeat the Nuggets, Lakers, and 76ers in succession to win the first title in franchise history.

1979

As part of a house cleaning ahead of an anticipated relocation from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Elgin Baylor is fired as head coach of the Jazz after three seasons. Baylor would never coach again, instead soon after becoming a long time front office executive for the Clippers.

1992

Alyssa Thomas is born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She remains the all-time leading scorer at Central Dauphin High School and was Pennsylvania Player of the Year in 2010.

2001

The NBA Board of Governors announce several defensive rule changes for the ’01-’02 season, most notably including a crackdown on hand-checking.

2016

The Spurs become just the second team in NBA history to win 40 home games in a season, improving their record in San Antonio to 40-1 with a 102-98 victory over the Thunder. They join the ’85-’86 Celtics on the exclusive list.

2018

A’ja Wilson (South Carolina) is the #1 overall pick of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Draft. Wilson went on to make an All-Star appearance in her first season and was named Rookie of the Year. It was the first draft for the franchise as the Aces, as they had relocated in the prior offseason from San Antonio.

2021

Stephen Curry becomes the Warriors’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain with his 17,784th point during a Warriors victory over the Nuggets. Chamberlain had been the record holder since 1963, when he surpassed Paul Arizin. Chamberlain is still second on the list, with Rick Barry third and Arizin fourth.

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