1994 NBA Playoffs

The 1994 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1993-94 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. It was the first NBA Championship for the Rockets after two previous appearances in 1981 and 1986, both losses to the Celtics in 6 games. Hakeem Olajuwon was named NBA Finals MVP.

The biggest shocker came in the first round, when the Denver Nuggets came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Seattle SuperSonics in 5, marking the first time in NBA history that an 8th-seed had defeated a #1 seed. Denver stretched their second-round playoff series with the Utah Jazz to 7 games, but Utah defeated them in Game 7 91-81.

The playoffs also featured the very first playoff series victory for the Indiana Pacers in their 18-year NBA existence, as they swept the Orlando Magic (who were making their first playoffs appearance in franchise history) in the first round, and then eliminated the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in the second round. The Pacers advanced within one game of the NBA Finals, but lost Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Knicks.

This was the first time since the ABA-NBA merger prior to the 1976-77 season that all four former ABA teams (Indiana, Denver, San Antonio and New Jersey) made the playoffs in the same year.

For the Chicago Bulls, this was the only playoff run they accomplished between the first retirement of Michael Jordan and his return on March 17, 1995. After sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, they fell in 7 games to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

For the Knicks, they made history by playing a record 25 playoff games (1 short of a full length postseason), the most postseason games that an NBA team had ever played. The Detroit Pistons team of 2005 tied this record.^[1] However, it was broken by the 2008 Celtics.^[1] Their easiest series was the first-round 3-1 advancement over the Nets. New York then forced 3 straight Game 7's, eliminating the Bulls 4-3 in the Conference Semifinals, knocking off the Pacers 4-3 in the Conference Finals, both times at Madison Square Garden, before falling in Game 7 to the Rockets at The Summit in the NBA Finals, which meant New York was denied both NBA and NHL titles. Game 4 of the Finals took place at the Garden a day after hosting the New York Rangers first Stanley Cup celebration in 54 years following their 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals. Knicks coach Pat Riley made history by becoming the first (and to this date, the only) person in NBA history to have coached a Game 7 in the NBA Finals on 2 different teams, having been with the Lakers in 1984 and 1988. However, he had the unfortunate distinction to have become the first (and as of 2012, only) coach to lose a Game 7 in the NBA Finals on two different teams, as his Lakers lost to the Celtics in 1984. It also denied him the distinction of becoming the first coach to win a Game 7 in the NBA Finals with two different teams, as his Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons in 1988.

This would be the last playoff appearance for the Golden State Warriors until the 2006-07 NBA season.

This was also the first time that the Boston Celtics, since 1979, and the Los Angeles Lakers, since 1976, did not make the playoffs and their first-ever absence since the playoff field expanded to 16 teams in 1984. This was the first (and so far, only) time that both the Lakers and Celtics missed the playoffs in the same year.

Game 3 of the Bulls-Cavs series was the last game ever played at the Coliseum at Richfield.

Game 6 of the Bulls-Knicks series was the last game ever played at Chicago Stadium.

Game 5 of the Nuggets-Sonics series was the last to be played at Seattle Center Coliseum before the renovations and its renaming into KeyArena two years later. The Sonics played the intervening 1994–95 NBA season at Tacoma Dome in nearby Tacoma, Washington.

The Clock Incident

The Clock Incident happened in the last moments of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Rockets and Jazz. Tom Chambers inbounded the ball to Jeff Hornacek with 13.5 seconds left and Utah down 2. As play resumed, the Jazz timekeeper didn't start the clock as the Jazz were trying to look for an open shot. After 8 seconds, the clock finally started as Chambers attempted a shot. However, Utah didn't take advantage of the extra time they were given, and after Chambers missed the shot, there was a mad scramble for the ball. It ended up in Robert Horry's hands, who passed it to Kenny Smith as Houston ran out the clock and won 80-78 to take a 3-1 series lead. They won Game 5 at home 94-83 to clinch the series and eventually won the 1994 NBA Title in 7 against the Knicks.

Bracket

Western Conference

Champion: Houston Rockets

1st Round

(1) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (8) Denver Nuggets: Nuggets win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (April 28): Seattle 106, Denver 82
• Game 2 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (April 30): Seattle 97, Denver 87
• Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 2): Denver 110, Seattle 93
• Game 4 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 5): Denver 94, Seattle 85 (OT)
• Game 5 @ Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle (May 7): Denver 98, Seattle 94 (OT) (The Nuggets become the first 8th seed to beat the 1st seed in playoff history)

Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Western Conference First Round (Denver won 3-2)

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers: Rockets win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston (April 29): Houston 115, Portland 104
• Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston (May 1): Houston 114, Portland 104
• Game 3 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 3): Portland 118, Houston 115
• Game 4 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 6): Houston 92, Portland 89

Last Playoff Meeting: 1987 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3-1)

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Golden State Warriors: Suns win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (April 29): Phoenix 111, Golden State 104
• Game 2 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 1): Phoenix 117, Golden State 111
• Game 3 @ Oakland Coliseum, Oakland (May 4): Phoenix 140, Golden State 133

Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference Semifinals (Phoenix won 4-1)

(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Utah Jazz: Jazz win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (April 28): San Antonio 106, Utah 89
• Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (April 30): Utah 96, San Antonio 84
• Game 3 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 3): Utah 105, San Antonio 72
• Game 4 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 5): Utah 95, San Antonio 90

Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Spurs and Jazz.

Conference Semifinals

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Phoenix Suns: Rockets win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston (May 8): Phoenix 91, Houston 87
• Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston (May 11): Phoenix 124, Houston 117 (OT)
• Game 3 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 13): Houston 118, Phoenix 102
• Game 4 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 15): Houston 107, Phoenix 96 (Kevin Johnson's famous dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon)
• Game 5 @ The Summit, Houston (May 17): Houston 109, Phoenix 86
• Game 6 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 19): Phoenix 103, Houston 89
• Game 7 @ The Summit, Houston (May 21): Houston 104, Phoenix 94 (The Rockets become the second team to win a playoff series after losing the first 2 games at home.)

Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Rockets and Suns.

(5) Utah Jazz vs. (8) Denver Nuggets: Jazz win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 10): Utah 100, Denver 91
• Game 2 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 12): Utah 104, Denver 94
• Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 14): Utah 111, Denver 109 (OT)
• Game 4 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 15): Denver 83, Utah 82
• Game 5 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 17): Denver 109, Utah 101 (2OT)
• Game 6 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 19): Denver 94, Utah 91
• Game 7 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 21): Utah 91, Denver 81

Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference Semifinals (Denver won 4-1)

Conference Finals

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Utah Jazz: Rockets win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston (May 23): Houston 100, Utah 88
• Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston (May 25): Houston 104, Utah 99
• Game 3 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 27): Utah 95, Houston 86
• Game 4 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 29): Houston 80, Utah 78
• Game 5 @ The Summit, Houston (May 31): Houston 94, Utah 83

Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3-2)

Eastern Conference

Champion: New York Knicks

1st Round

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Miami Heat: Hawks win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ The Omni, Atlanta (April 28): Miami 93, Atlanta 88
• Game 2 @ The Omni, Atlanta (April 30): Atlanta 104, Miami 86 (In the 3rd quarter, when Atlanta point guard Craig Ehlo missed a shot, Duane Ferrell went up for the rebound, but got pulled away by Miami power forward Grant Long as he got poked in the eye by Ferrell. Long tried to choke Ferrell and started a bench-clearing brawl. Keith Askins punched rookie Doug Edwards and Edwards punched him back. Alvin Gentry broke his wrist while trying to hold Grant Long from the fight.)
• Game 3 @ Miami Arena, Miami (May 3): Miami 90, Atlanta 86
• Game 4 @ Miami Arena, Miami (May 5): Atlanta 103, Miami 89
• Game 5 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 8): Atlanta 102, Miami 91

Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Hawks and Heat.

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) New Jersey Nets: Knicks win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (April 29): New York 91, New Jersey 80
• Game 2 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 1): New York 90, New Jersey 81
• Game 3 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (May 4): New Jersey 93, New York 92 (OT)
• Game 4 @ Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford (May 6): New York 102, New Jersey 92

Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 Eastern Conference First Round (New York won 2-0)

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Bulls win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (April 29): Chicago 104, Cleveland 96
• Game 2 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 1): Chicago 105, Cleveland 96
• Game 3 @ The Coliseum, Richfield (May 3): Chicago 95, Cleveland 92 (OT)

Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Chicago won 4-0)

(4) Orlando Magic vs. (5) Indiana Pacers: Pacers win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ Orlando Arena, Orlando (April 28): Indiana 89, Orlando 88 (Byron Scott nails the game-winning 3 with 2 seconds left)
• Game 2 @ Orlando Arena, Orlando (April 30): Indiana 103, Orlando 101
• Game 3 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 2): Indiana 99, Orlando 86

Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Pacers and Magic.

Conference Semifinals

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Indiana Pacers: Pacers win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 10): Indiana 96, Atlanta 85
• Game 2 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 12): Atlanta 92, Indiana 69
• Game 3 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 14): Indiana 101, Atlanta 81
• Game 4 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 15): Indiana 102, Atlanta 86
• Game 5 @ The Omni, Atlanta (May 17): Atlanta 88, Indiana 76
• Game 6 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 19): Indiana 98, Atlanta 79

Last Playoff Meeting: 1987 Eastern Conference First Round (Atlanta won 3-1)

(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Chicago Bulls: Knicks win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 8): New York 90, Chicago 86
• Game 2 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 11): New York 96, Chicago 91
• Game 3 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 13): Chicago 104, New York 102 (Toni Kukoc hits the game-winner)
• Game 4 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 15): Chicago 95, New York 83
• Game 5 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 18): New York 87, Chicago 86 (Hue Hollins' questionable foul call)
• Game 6 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 20): Chicago 93, New York 79 (Scottie Pippen's famous dunk on Patrick Ewing)
• Game 7 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 22): New York 87, Chicago 77

Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Eastern Conference Finals (Chicago won 4-2)

Conference Finals

(2) New York Knicks vs. (5) Indiana Pacers: Knicks win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 24): New York 100, Indiana 89
• Game 2 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 26): New York 89, Indiana 78
• Game 3 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 28): Indiana 88, New York 68
• Game 4 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 30): Indiana 83, New York 77
• Game 5 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 1): Indiana 93, New York 86 (Reggie Miller's 25-point 4th quarter performance)
• Game 6 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (June 3): New York 98, Indiana 91
• Game 7 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 5): New York 94, Indiana 90

Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Eastern Conference First Round (New York won 3-1)

NBA Finals

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (2) New York Knicks: Rockets win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston (June 8): Houston 85, New York 78
• Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston (June 10): New York 91, Houston 83
• Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 12): Houston 93, New York 89
• Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 15): New York 91, Houston 82
• Game 5 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 17): New York 91, Houston 84
• Game 6 @ The Summit, Houston (June 19): Houston 86, New York 84 (Hakeem Olajuwon blocks John Starks' title-winning 3-point attempt)
• Game 7 @ The Summit, Houston (June 22): Houston 90, New York 84

Last Playoff Meeting: 1975 Eastern Conference First Round (Houston won 2-1)

Notes

• Down 2-0 against #1 seed Seattle, #8 seed Denver came back to win their first round series 3-2. By doing so, Denver became the first #8 seed to advance in the playoffs.
• Both #5 seeds Indiana and Utah beat their #4 seeded opponents in the first round.
• Down 3-0 in the series against Utah in the Western Conference Semifinals, Denver won 3 straight games to force a Game 7. They became only the second team in league history to accomplish this. However, as of 2012, no team that forced a seventh game after losing the first three has won the decisive Game 7.
• Down 2-0 in the series against #3 seeded Phoenix, Houston came back to win the Conference Semifinals 4-3 after losing the first 2 at home. They are 1 of 3 teams in NBA playoff history to win a 7-game series after losing the first 2 games at home.
• Coverage of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on NBC had frequent updates of the OJ Simpson/Al Cowlings car chase. NBC executives had to make on-the-spot decisions to determine whether they would cover the game or car chase.
• There were a record 5 Game 7s in this playoffs.

References

External links

• Basketball-Reference.com's 1994 NBA Playoffs page