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.
2024
Panathinaikos defeats Real Madrid 95-80 in the EuroLeague Final in Berlin. Kostas Sloukas is the leading scorer with 24 points off the bench and is named Final Four MVP. Spanish legends Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez of Real Madrid both played in their final pro game before retiring in the ensuing offseason.