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. Hakeem Olajuwon was named NBA Finals MVP.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

1994 NBA playoffs

This was also the first time that the Boston Celtics (since 1979) and Los Angeles Lakers (since 1976) missed the playoffs. It was their first absence from the playoffs since the playoff field expanded to 16 teams in 1984. It was also the first time that both missed the playoffs in the same year. This would not occur again until (/wiki/2014NBAplayoffs). It also marked the first time both of the two Los Angeles-based NBA teams, the Lakers and Clippers (who arrived in L.A. in 1984), missed the playoffs together.

The biggest upset came in the first round, when the Denver Nuggets came back from a 2–0 deficit to beat the Seattle SuperSonics in five games, marking the first time in NBA history that an eighth seed had defeated a #1 seed. Denver stretched their improbable playoff run with the Utah Jazz to seven games after being down 0–3, but Utah defeated them in Game 7 91–81.

The playoffs also featured the 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 playoff appearance in franchise history) in the first round, 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 former ABA teams (Pacers, Nuggets, Spurs, and Nets) made the playoffs in the same year.

The Chicago Bulls, who made the playoffs despite the retirement of Michael Jordan, swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, but then lost in seven games to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This was also the fourth consecutive season the Bulls and Knicks met in the NBA playoffs with the Bulls winning all three prior series. They would meet again in the 1996 NBA Playoffs with the Bulls winning in five games.

The Knicks made history by playing a record 25 playoff games (one short of the maximum), the most postseason games an NBA team has played. The 2004–05 Detroit Pistons tied this record by playing 25 games, though their run ended with a seven-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. The mark was later surpassed by the 2007–08 Celtics, who played a record 26 games en route to winning the NBA Finals. The Knicks' easiest series was the first-round 3–1 win over the Nets. New York then forced three consecutive Game 7s, 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 losing in Game 7 to the Rockets at The Summit in the NBA Finals. Game 4 of the NBA Finals took place at the Garden a day after the New York Rangers won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years 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 for two teams, having been with the Lakers in (/wiki/1984NBAFinals) and (/wiki/1988NBAFinals).

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors made their last playoff appearance until (/wiki/2007NBAplayoffs). Game 3 of the Suns–Warriors series would be the last playoff game to take place inside the original bowl of the Oakland Coliseum Arena; the building was heavily renovated with increased seating capacity throughout the 1996–97 season, during which the Warriors moved to San Jose Arena, home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks. The arena was reopened the following season.

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

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

Game 5 of the Nuggets-Sonics series was the last to be played at Seattle Center Coliseum before its first renovation and eventual rechristening as KeyArena in 1995. During the renovations, the Sonics played the intervening 1994–95 NBA season at Tacoma Dome in nearby Tacoma, Washington; the arena had also been used intermittently by them during the early 1990s. After the SuperSonics relocated to and rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, the building (which is still being used by the Sonics' former WNBA sister team Seattle Storm) later received a second renovation project to accommodate the NHL's Seattle Kraken. This third iteration of the Coliseum became Climate Pledge Arena and was reopened in 2021.

This postseason was notable for the infamous broadcast interruption of NFL Hall of Famer O. J. Simpson's slow speed freeway chase with the Los Angeles Police Department. During Game 5 of the 1994 NBA Finals, most NBC affiliates split the coverage of the game between the chase. At the time, Simpson was an NFL analyst on NBC.

This would be last time when neither conference's number one seed reached the conference finals until (/wiki/2021NBAplayoffs).

Clock incident

1994 NBA playoffs

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 did not start the clock as they were trying to look for an open shot. After 8 seconds, the clock finally started as Chambers got the ball down low but Utah did not take advantage of the extra time they were given, and after Chambers attempted a shot and missed, there was a mad scramble for the ball. It ended up in Robert Horry's hands, who passed it to Kenny Smith; Houston ran out the clock to win 80–78.

Bracket

1994 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>First round</th><th></th><th></th><th>Quarter-finals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Semi-finals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Final</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Atlanta</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>Miami</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Atlanta</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Orlando</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Indiana</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Indiana</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New York</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Chicago</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Cleveland</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Chicago</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New York</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New York</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>New Jersey</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New York</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Houston</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Seattle</td><td>2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Denver</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Denver</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Utah</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Utah</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Utah</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Houston</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Golden State</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Houston</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Houston</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>Portland</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

First round

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Miami Heat

<table><thead><tr><th>Atlanta won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 19, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 95, Miami Heat 92</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>February 10, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 98, Atlanta Hawks 114</td></tr><tr><td>The Omni, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 90, Atlanta Hawks 100</td></tr><tr><td>The Omni, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>April 21, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 89, Miami Heat 94</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Arena, Miami</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Hawks and the Heat.

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) New Jersey Nets

<table><thead><tr><th>New Jersey won 4–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 21, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 81, New Jersey Nets 85</td></tr><tr><td>Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>December 28, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 97, New York Knicks 95</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>February 15, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 83, New Jersey Nets 103</td></tr><tr><td>Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>March 3, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 86, New York Knicks 97</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 88, New Jersey Nets 107</td></tr><tr><td>Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 0, New York Knicks 2</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers

<table><thead><tr><th>Cleveland won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 11, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 84, Chicago Bulls 93</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>January 27, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 84, Cleveland Cavaliers 100</td></tr><tr><td>The Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio</td></tr><tr><td>February 28, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland Cavaliers 89, Chicago Bulls 81</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>March 6, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 95, Cleveland Cavaliers 99</td></tr><tr><td>The Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first four meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Chicago leads 4–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(4) Orlando Magic vs. (5) Indiana Pacers

• Byron Scott hits the game-winning 3 with 2 seconds left.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 9, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 98, Orlando Magic 104</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>December 9, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 105, Indiana Pacers 111</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>February 23, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 99, Orlando Magic 103</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Arena, Orlando, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>April 2, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando Magic 113, Indiana Pacers 128</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Magic.

(1) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (8) Denver Nuggets

• Denver becomes the first 8th seed to beat the 1st seed in playoff history.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 9, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 86, Seattle SuperSonics 118</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>January 22, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 91, Denver Nuggets 98</td></tr><tr><td>McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>March 28, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 97, Seattle SuperSonics 111</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>April 7, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 90, Denver Nuggets 104</td></tr><tr><td>McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1978</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 2, Seattle SuperSonics 4</td></tr><tr><td>1978 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 3, Seattle SuperSonics 2</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers

<table><thead><tr><th>Houston won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 7, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 106, Portland Trail Blazers 92</td></tr><tr><td>Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>January 4, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 95, Houston Rockets 106</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>March 15, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 99, Houston Rockets 105</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>April 17, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 119, Portland Trail Blazers 110</td></tr><tr><td>Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Houston leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 3, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

<table><thead><tr><th>Phoenix won 3–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 16, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 116, Golden State Warriors 104</td></tr><tr><td>Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>December 15, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State Warriors 104, Phoenix Suns 110</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>January 9, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State Warriors 107, Phoenix Suns 122</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>January 17, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 99, Golden State Warriors 104</td></tr><tr><td>Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 3, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 107, Golden State Warriors 120</td></tr><tr><td>Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first two meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Phoenix leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1976</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State Warriors 3, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>1976 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Golden State Warriors 1, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Utah Jazz

<table><thead><tr><th>Utah won 5–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 13, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 87, Utah Jazz 102</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>December 23, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 96, San Antonio Spurs 88</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>February 23, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 102, Utah Jazz 106 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>March 2, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 106, San Antonio Spurs 96</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>April 14, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 90, Utah Jazz 101</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Spurs and the Jazz.

Conference semifinals

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Indiana Pacers

<table><thead><tr><th>Atlanta won 3–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 5, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 110, Atlanta Hawks 116</td></tr><tr><td>The Omni, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>December 16, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 99, Atlanta Hawks 81</td></tr><tr><td>The Omni, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>January 15, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 91, Indiana Pacers 94</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 5, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 88, Atlanta Hawks 90</td></tr><tr><td>The Omni, Atlanta</td></tr><tr><td>March 18, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 81, Indiana Pacers 78</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Atlanta leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1987</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta Hawks 3, Indiana Pacers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1987 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Chicago Bulls

• This game was infamously remembered for a bench clearing brawl that occurred between Derek Harper and Jo Jo English that rolled into the stands, and took place steps in front of then NBA Commissioner David Stern. • Toni Kukoč hits the game-winner at the buzzer.

• Scottie Pippen's famous dunk on Patrick Ewing; final Bulls game at Chicago Stadium.

<table><thead><tr><th>New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 17, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 86, Chicago Bulls 98</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>February 20, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 68, New York Knicks 86</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>March 22, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 78, New York Knicks 87</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>April 24, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 92, Chicago Bulls 76</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first five meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Chicago leads 5–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 2, New York Knicks 0</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, New York Knicks 2</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, New York Knicks 0</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 4, New York Knicks 2</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Phoenix Suns

• Kevin Johnson's famous dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon.

• The Rockets become the second team to win a best-of-seven playoff series after losing the first 2 games at home.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 13, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 95, Houston Rockets 99</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>December 25, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 91, Phoenix Suns 111</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>February 19, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 88, Houston Rockets 106</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>March 27, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 98, Phoenix Suns 113</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Rockets and the Suns.

(5) Utah Jazz vs. (8) Denver Nuggets

• Karl Malone hits the game-tying shot with 9.2 seconds left.

• Reggie Williams hits the game-winner with 1.9 seconds left.

• Denver became the first team since the 1951 New York Knicks to force a Game 7 after being down 0–3.

<table><thead><tr><th>Utah won 4–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 30, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 92, Utah Jazz 103</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>December 10, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 98, Denver Nuggets 107</td></tr><tr><td>McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>February 8, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 96, Denver Nuggets 95</td></tr><tr><td>McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>April 2, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 91, Utah Jazz 101</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>April 22, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 113, Denver Nuggets 106</td></tr><tr><td>McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 2, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 4, Utah Jazz 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

Conference finals

(2) New York Knicks vs. (5) Indiana Pacers

• Reggie Miller's 25-point 4th quarter performance.

• Patrick Ewing's clutch dunk with 26.9 seconds left.

<table><thead><tr><th>New York won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 12, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 103, Indiana Pacers 84</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>December 11, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 91, New York Knicks 98</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>March 15, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 82, New York Knicks 88</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>March 25, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 85, Indiana Pacers 82</td></tr><tr><td>Market Square Arena, Indianapolis</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 1, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Utah Jazz

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 24, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 95, Utah Jazz 93 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>January 22, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 101, Houston Rockets 106</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>February 1, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 88, Utah Jazz 104</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>February 26, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 95, Houston Rockets 85</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr><tr><td>February 28, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 85, Utah Jazz 89</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 83, Houston Rockets 98</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Jazz winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Utah leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 2, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

NBA Finals (W2) Houston Rockets vs. (E2) New York Knicks

1994 NBA playoffs

• Sam Cassell hits the game-winning 3 with 32.6 seconds left.

• Hakeem Olajuwon blocks John Starks' title-winning 3-point attempt.

<table><thead><tr><th>Houston won 2–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 2, 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 94, New York Knicks 85</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>February 24, 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 73, Houston Rockets 93</td></tr><tr><td>The Summit, Houston</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Houston leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1975</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 2, New York Knicks 1</td></tr><tr><td>1975 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

Statistical leaders

1994 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Game high</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>High</td><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Avg.</td><td>GP</td></tr><tr><td>Points</td><td>Charles Barkley</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>56</td><td>Hakeem Olajuwon</td><td>Houston Rockets</td><td>28.9</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Charles Oakley</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>24</td><td>Dennis Rodman</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>16.0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Mookie Blaylock John Stockton</td><td>Atlanta Hawks Utah Jazz</td><td>18</td><td>John Stockton</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>9.8</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Haywoode Workman</td><td>Indiana Pacers</td><td>7</td><td>Charles Barkley</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>2.5</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Patrick Ewing Dikembe Mutombo</td><td>New York Knicks Denver Nuggets</td><td>8</td><td>Dikembe Mutombo</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>5.8</td><td>12</td></tr></tbody></table>