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1923

Two-time NBA All-Star Frankie Brian is born in Zachary, Louisiana.

1959

Eddie A. Johnson is born in Chicago, Illinois. He was teammates at Westinghouse High School with future #1 overall pick Mark Aguirre.

1966

An expansion draft is held for the Chicago Bulls ahead of their inaugural season. Their most significant selection is Jerry Sloan, who becomes a cornerstone for the franchise.

1969

Billy Owens is born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He led Carlisle High School to four consecutive Pennsylvania state titles.

1971

Formerly known as Lew Alcindor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar publicly announces his conversion to Islam and resultant name change.

1975

Austin Croshere is born in Los Angeles, California. His classmates at Crossroads High School in Santa Monica included actresses Maya Rudolph, Emily Deschanel, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Liv Tyler.

1977

The 76ers eliminate the defending champion Celtics with an 83-77 victory in the deciding game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. World B. Free leads the Sixers with 23 points off the bench, while John Havlicek shoots just 4-of-19 from the field in his final NBA playoff game before retiring.

1980

The NBA officially awards an expansion franchise to Dallas, later named the Mavericks, set to begin play in the ’80-’81 season.

1987

Amir Johnson is born in Los Angeles, California. He led Westchester High School to a California state title in 2005 and was named Mr. Basketball California.

1988

Michael Jordan becomes the first player in NBA history to score 50+ points in consecutive playoff games by dropping 55 for the Bulls in a 106-101 game two victory over the Cavaliers in a first round series. He also ties the postseason record for most field goals in a game, with 24.

1990

Reigning Rookie of the Year winner David Robinson dominates with 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Spurs defeat the Nuggets 131-120 in game three to sweep their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. It’s the first playoff series win for San Antonio in seven years.

1998

Spike Lee’s He Got Game is released in theaters. It features NBA star Ray Allen as a high school basketball phenom with Denzel Washington playing his father.

2002

Chet Holmgren is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father Dave is 7’0″ and played basketball at the University of Minnesota.

2004

Anthony Parker scores 21 points to lead Maccabi Tel Aviv to a 118-74 victory over Italian club Fortitudo Bologna in the EuroLeague Final in Tel Aviv. Maccabi sets the EuroLeague Final records for most points in a game and largest margin of victory.

2006

For the first time since re-locating to California in 1978, the Clippers win a playoff series, clinching a Western Conference Quarterfinals upset over the Nuggets with a 101-83 victory in game five. Elton Brand leads the way for Los Angeles with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

2025

With a 116-113 defeat against the Knicks in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Pistons set the NBA record with their 10th consecutive home playoff game loss. The record had previously been held by the 76ers, who lost nine straight between 1968 and 1971. Jalen Brunson finishes with 40 points and hits the game-winning three-pointer to clinch the series for New York.

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