2003 NBA playoffs

2003 NBA playoffs

The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2002–03 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, 4 games to 2, in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.

Overview

2003 NBA playoffs

The 2003 Playoffs were notable for several reasons.

• This postseason featured the most series decided by six games in NBA playoff history. (Coincidentally, the Spurs won every single playoff series in six games en route to the championship.) • For the first time since (/wiki/1974NBAplayoffs), all series were conducted in a best-of-seven format. From (/wiki/1984NBAplayoffs) to (/wiki/2002NBAplayoffs), the first-round series were best of five. It is also notable as the only time the first round did not include any series sweeps. • This is the first postseason that the NBA Playoffs carried more games on cable television than regular broadcast television, and marks the debut for the NBA Playoffs to be aired on NBA TV, and the return broadcast on ESPN and ABC after the NBA departed from NBC and TBS. • This was the final postseason appearance for David Robinson, Steve Kerr, Shawn Kemp and John Stockton

The New Orleans Hornets made their first postseason appearance in franchise history. The franchise, which relocated to New Orleans and inherited the assets and personnel of the Charlotte Hornets, were retroactively considered an expansion team by 2014 after Charlotte (reactivated in 2004 as the Bobcats; was an expansion team in the pre-2014 timeline) reclaimed the original Hornets' franchise history in Charlotte from 1988 to 2002, while New Orleans (rebranded as the Pelicans in 2013) retained its franchise records from 2002 onward. In the pre-2014 timeline, the Hornets made the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz continued the longest active Western Conference playoff appearance streaks at the time, entering their 21st and 20th postseason appearances, respectively.

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered their seventh consecutive postseason. In addition, they were awarded home-court advantage for the first time in franchise history in their series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Orlando Magic became the seventh team to lose a playoff series despite leading 3–1, losing to the Detroit Pistons in the first round. In an infamous post-game moment following Game 4, Tracy McGrady prematurely declared, "It feels good to get into the second round", not knowing that the NBA changed its first round series to a best-of-seven. The Magic would not win another playoff game again until 2008.

Game 5 of the Kings–Jazz series was the final game featuring Karl Malone and John Stockton as members of the Utah Jazz. Stockton would retire after the season while Malone would sign with the Lakers in the offseason. After this, the Jazz would not return to the playoffs until (/wiki/2007NBAplayoffs).

With their first-round series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves earned the dubious distinction of making their first seven postseason appearances, only to lose in the first round. They would break that streak by winning their first playoff series the following postseason.

The Portland Trail Blazers snapped a ten-game playoff losing streak dating back to (/wiki/2000NBAplayoffs) with a Game 4 win in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. The Trail Blazers also became the third team in NBA History to force a Game 7 after trailing 0–3 before bowing out. They would not return to the playoffs until (/wiki/2009NBAplayoffs).

With their conference semifinals loss to the New Jersey Nets, the Boston Celtics were swept in a postseason series for the first time since (/wiki/1983NBAplayoffs), and would not return to the Conference Semifinals until (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs).

With their conference semifinals loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers' championship streak was snapped at 3. With the win, the Spurs returned to the Western Conference Finals for the third time in five seasons.

With their conference semifinals win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars-led team was swept by the Chicago Bulls in (/wiki/1991NBAplayoffs). The Pistons would go on to appear in six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals through (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs), the most consecutive appearances for any Eastern Conference team since the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics (1956–69).

With their conference semifinals victory over the Sacramento Kings, the Dallas Mavericks made the conference finals for the first time since (/wiki/1988NBAplayoffs).

This was the first Western Conference Finals since (/wiki/1995NBAplayoffs) to take place entirely in the state of Texas.

With their Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Detroit Pistons, the New Jersey Nets won ten straight postseason games, the most since the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers.

In Game 6 of the Spurs–Mavericks series, Steve Kerr and Manu Ginóbili sparked a 42–15 run to help the Spurs advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since (/wiki/1999NBAFinals). The Mavericks would not return to the Conference Finals (let alone face the Spurs in the playoffs) until (/wiki/2006NBAplayoffs).

Playoff qualifying

Western Conference

Seed	Team	Record
1	San Antonio Spurs	60–22 (2–2 head-to-head vs. DAL, 36–16 record vs. Western Conference)
2	Sacramento Kings	59–23
3	Dallas Mavericks	60–22 (2–2 head-to-head vs. SAS, 34–18 record vs. Western Conference)
4	Minnesota Timberwolves	51–31
5	Los Angeles Lakers	50–32 (2–2 head-to-head vs. POR, 15–9 record vs. Pacific Division, 33–19 record vs. Western Conference)
6	Portland Trail Blazers	50–32 (2–2 head-to-head vs. LAL, 15–9 record vs. Pacific Division, 29–23 record vs. Western Conference)
7	Utah Jazz	47–35
8	Phoenix Suns	44–38

Eastern Conference

Seed	Team	Record
1	Detroit Pistons	50–32
2	New Jersey Nets	49–33
3	Indiana Pacers	48–34 (2–2 head-to-head vs. PHI, 35–19 record vs. Eastern Conference)
4	Philadelphia 76ers	48–34 (2–2 head-to-head vs. IND, 35–19 record vs. Eastern Conference)
5	New Orleans Hornets	47–35
6	Boston Celtics	44–38
7	Milwaukee Bucks	42–40 (2–2 head-to-head vs. ORL, 32–22 record vs. Eastern Conference)
8	Orlando Magic	42–40 (2–2 head-to-head vs. MIL, 31–23 record vs. Eastern Conference)

Bracket

2003 NBA playoffs

	First Round					Conference Semifinals					Conference Finals					NBA Finals
	E1	Detroit	4
	E8	Orlando	3
						E1	Detroit	4
						E4	Philadelphia	2
	E4	Philadelphia	4
	E5	New Orleans	2
											E1	Detroit	0
	Eastern Conference
											E2	New Jersey	4
	E3	Indiana	2
	E6	Boston	4
						E6	Boston	0
						E2	New Jersey	4
	E2	New Jersey	4
	E7	Milwaukee	2
																E2	New Jersey	2
																W1	San Antonio	4
	W1	San Antonio	4
	W8	Phoenix	2
						W1	San Antonio	4
						W5	LA Lakers	2
	W4	Minnesota	2
	W5	LA Lakers	4
											W1	San Antonio	4
	Western Conference
											W3	Dallas	2
	W3	Dallas	4
	W6	Portland	3
						W3	Dallas	4
						W2	Sacramento	3
	W2	Sacramento	4
	W7	Utah	1

First round

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic

The Pistons became the 7th team in NBA history to overcome a 3–1 series deficit. Additionally, the Pistons would again overcome a 3–1 series deficit against the Magic in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.

Detroit won 2–1 in the regular-season series
December 25, 2002
Recap
Detroit Pistons 99, Orlando Magic 104
TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Florida
January 13, 2003
Recap
Detroit Pistons 101, Orlando Magic 86
TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Florida
February 13, 2003
Recap
Orlando Magic 88, Detroit Pistons 98
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

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

Orlando leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
1996
Detroit Pistons 0, Orlando Magic 3
1996 Eastern Conference First Round

(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks

• In Game 3, Rodney Rogers hit the game-winner with 2 seconds left. • This would be their last playoff match up until (/wiki/2020–21BrooklynNetsseason), when the Nets already moved to Brooklyn was renamed to the Brooklyn Nets. • As of (/wiki/2025-26BrooklynNets), this remains the Nets only playoff series win over Milwaukee.

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
November 6, 2002
Recap
New Jersey Nets 93, Milwaukee Bucks 99
Bradley Center, Milwaukee
December 27, 2002
Recap
Milwaukee Bucks 90, New Jersey Nets 110
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
December 28, 2002
Recap
New Jersey Nets 104, Milwaukee Bucks 96
Bradley Center, Milwaukee
March 19, 2003
Recap
Milwaukee Bucks 104, New Jersey Nets 85
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

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

Milwaukee leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1984
Milwaukee Bucks 4, New Jersey Nets 2
1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals
1986
Milwaukee Bucks 3, New Jersey Nets 0
1986 Eastern Conference First Round

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Boston Celtics

• This would be both Boston's last playoff series win until (/wiki/2007–08BostonCelticsseason) & their last against Indiana until (/wiki/2018–19BostonCelticsseason).

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
January 17, 2003
Recap
Indiana Pacers 93, Boston Celtics 98
FleetCenter, Boston
February 1, 2003
Recap
Boston Celtics 100, Indiana Pacers 109
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
February 26, 2003
Recap
Indiana Pacers 69, Boston Celtics 71
FleetCenter, Boston
March 19, 2003
Recap
Boston Celtics 72, Indiana Pacers 102
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

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

Boston leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series.
1991
Boston Celtics 3, Indiana Pacers 2
1991 Eastern Conference First Round
1992
Boston Celtics 3, Indiana Pacers 0
1992 Eastern Conference First Round

(4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) New Orleans Hornets

New Orleans won 2–1 in the regular-season series.
November 19, 2002
Recap
Philadelphia 76ers 98, New Orleans Hornets 99
New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
November 25, 2002
Recap
New Orleans Hornets 87, Philadelphia 76ers 108
First Union Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 13, 2003
Recap
New Orleans Hornets 94, Philadelphia 76ers 89
First Union Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was the first playoff meeting between the 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets franchise.

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Phoenix Suns

In Game 1, after Amar'e Stoudemire banks in a game-tying 3 with 7.9 seconds left in regulation, Stephon Marbury hits the game-winning 3 at the buzzer in OT.

Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series
November 29, 2002
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 87, Phoenix Suns 94
America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
January 14, 2003
Recap
Phoenix Suns 100, San Antonio Spurs 108 (OT)
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
March 4, 2003
Recap
Phoenix Suns 104, San Antonio Spurs 97
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
April 13, 2003
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 85, Phoenix Suns 92
America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

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

Phoenix leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series.
1992
Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 0
1992 Western Conference First Round
1993
Phoenix Suns 4, San Antonio Spurs 2
1993 Western Conference Semifinals
1996
Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3
1996 Western Conference First Round
1998
Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3
1998 Western Conference First Round
2000
Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 1
2000 Western Conference First Round

(2) Sacramento Kings vs. (7) Utah Jazz

Game 5 was John Stockton's final NBA game. It was also Karl Malone's last game in Utah as he joined the Los Angeles Lakers during the following offseason.

Sacramento won 3–1 in the regular-season series.
December 14, 2002
Recap
Sacramento Kings 98, Utah Jazz 96
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
January 28, 2003
Recap
Utah Jazz 102, Sacramento Kings 92
ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California
March 7, 2003
Recap
Sacramento Kings 108, Utah Jazz 105 (OT)
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
April 16, 2003
Recap
Utah Jazz 84, Sacramento Kings 95
ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

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

Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series
1999
Sacramento Kings 2, Utah Jazz 3
1999 Western Conference First Round
2002
Sacramento Kings 3, Utah Jazz 1
2002 Western Conference First Round

(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers became the third NBA team to force a Game 7 after being down 0–3, after the New York Knicks in the 1951 NBA Finals and the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 Western Conference semifinals. This would not happen again until (/wiki/2023NBAplayoffs).

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
November 11, 2002
Recap
Portland Trail Blazers 73, Dallas Mavericks 82
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
December 4, 2002
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 103, Portland Trail Blazers 88
Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon
January 26, 2003
Recap
Portland Trail Blazers 100, Dallas Mavericks 93
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
March 28, 2003
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 95, Portland Trail Blazers 112
Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon

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

Portland leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series
1985
Dallas Mavericks 1, Portland Trail Blazers 3
1985 Western Conference First Round
1990
Dallas Mavericks 0, Portland Trail Blazers 3
1990 Western Conference First Round

(4) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
December 1, 2002
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves 110, Los Angeles Lakers 107
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
December 17, 2002
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 80, Minnesota Timberwolves 96
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 7, 2003
Recap
Minnesota Timberwolves 96, Los Angeles Lakers 106
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
March 14, 2003
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 106, Minnesota Timberwolves 99
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This was the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and the Timberwolves.

Conference semifinals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers

• In Game 5, Chucky Atkins hit the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left after Derrick Coleman was called for goaltending on the shot.

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
January 8, 2003
Recap
Detroit Pistons 103, Philadelphia 76ers 94 (OT)
First Union Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 22, 2003
Recap
Philadelphia 76ers 92, Detroit Pistons 83
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
March 20, 2003
Recap
Philadelphia 76ers 85, Detroit Pistons 113
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
April 8, 2003
Recap
Detroit Pistons 74, Philadelphia 76ers 91
First Union Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning the first meeting, which occurred when the Nationals/76ers franchise were in Syracuse and the Pistons franchise were in Fort Wayne.

Philadelphia/ Syracuse leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
1955
Fort Wayne Pistons 3, Syracuse Nationals 4
1955 NBA Finals

(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Boston Celtics

New Jersey won 3–1 in the regular-season series
November 20, 2002
Recap
New Jersey Nets 79, Boston Celtics 96
FleetCenter, Boston
December 25, 2002
Recap
Boston Celtics 81, New Jersey Nets 117
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
March 13, 2003
Recap
Boston Celtics 75, New Jersey Nets 90
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
March 18, 2003
Recap
New Jersey Nets 87, Boston Celtics 74
FleetCenter, Boston

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

New Jersey leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2002
Boston Celtics 2, New Jersey Nets 4
2002 Eastern Conference Finals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers

• In Game 5, the Lakers nearly overcame a 25-point deficit, but Robert Horry's potential game-winning 3 went in and out.

San Antonio won 4–0 in the regular-season series
October 29, 2002
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 87, Los Angeles Lakers 82
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
November 20, 2002
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 88, San Antonio Spurs 95
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
February 14, 2003
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 103, Los Angeles Lakers 95
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
March 23, 2003
Recap
Los Angeles Lakers 89, San Antonio Spurs 98
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first eight meetings.

Los Angeles leads 6–2 in all-time playoff series
1982
Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 0
1982 Western Conference Finals
1983
Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 2
1983 Western Conference Finals
1986
Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0
1986 Western Conference First Round
1988
Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0
1988 Western Conference First Round
1995
Los Angeles Lakers 2, San Antonio Spurs 4
1995 Western Conference Semifinals
1999
Los Angeles Lakers 0, San Antonio Spurs 4
1999 Western Conference Semifinals
2001
Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 0
2001 Western Conference Finals
2002
Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 1
2002 Western Conference Semifinals

(2) Sacramento Kings vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks

Sacramento won 3–1 in the regular-season series
January 15, 2003
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 94, Sacramento Kings 123
ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California
February 4, 2003
Recap
Sacramento Kings 110, Dallas Mavericks 109
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
February 27, 2003
Recap
Sacramento Kings 126, Dallas Mavericks 124 (OT)
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
March 16, 2003
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 129, Sacramento Kings 123 (OT)
ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

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

Sacramento leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2002
Dallas Mavericks 1, Sacramento Kings 4
2002 Western Conference Semifinals

Conference finals

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) New Jersey Nets

• Jason Kidd hit the game-winning jumper with 1.4 seconds left in Game 1.

Detroit won 2–1 in the regular-season series
December 15, 2002
Recap
New Jersey Nets 91, Detroit Pistons 101
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
December 21, 2002
Recap
Detroit Pistons 92, New Jersey Nets 100
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
February 1, 2003
Recap
New Jersey Nets 84, Detroit Pistons 106
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

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

Detroit leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
1985
Detroit Pistons 3, New Jersey Nets 0
1985 Eastern Conference First Round

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Dallas Mavericks

Steve Kerr puts on a shooting performance for the ages connecting on 4 3-pointers closing out Dallas in game 6. Dirk Nowitzki missed the final three games with a knee injury.

Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series
December 11, 2002
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 104, San Antonio Spurs 111
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas
February 20, 2003
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 87, Dallas Mavericks 95
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
March 20, 2003
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 112, Dallas Mavericks 110 (OT)
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
April 16, 2003
Recap
Dallas Mavericks 93, San Antonio Spurs 72
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

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

San Antonio leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2001
Dallas Mavericks 1, San Antonio Spurs 4
2001 Western Conference Semifinals

NBA Finals (W1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) New Jersey Nets

2003 NBA playoffs

• Game 6 is David Robinson's final NBA game.

The Spurs become the first team to win all playoff series in 6 games.

Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series
November 13, 2002
Recap
San Antonio Spurs 82, New Jersey Nets 91
Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
March 6, 2003
Recap
New Jersey Nets 78, San Antonio Spurs 92
SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

This was the first NBA playoff meeting between the Nets and the Spurs. As members of the ABA, both teams met in the 1976 ABA Semifinals, where the Nets won 4–3.

Statistical leaders

2003 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Category</th><th colspan="3">Game high</th><th colspan="4">Average</th></tr><tr><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>High</th><th>Player</th><th>Team</th><th>Avg.</th><th>GP</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Points</td><td>Allen Iverson</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>55</td><td>Kobe Bryant</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>32.1</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Tim Duncan Ben Wallace</td><td>San Antonio Spurs Detroit Pistons</td><td>24</td><td>Jermaine O'Neal</td><td>Indiana Pacers</td><td>17.5</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Gary Payton Jason Kidd</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks New Jersey Nets</td><td>14</td><td>Gary Payton</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>8.7</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Ben Wallace</td><td>Detroit Pistons</td><td>7</td><td>Ben Wallace</td><td>Detroit Pistons</td><td>2.5</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Tim Duncan</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>8</td><td>Tim Duncan</td><td>San Antonio Spurs</td><td>3.3</td><td>24</td></tr></tbody></table>