This Day in NBA Sports History: May 16, 1980-2001

The best of this day in NBA sports history. May 16. What happened on this special day? Only Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan are on this list, Jeff Hornacek’s retirement, eight-seeded Knicks vs. No. 1 see, Rookie and Finals MVP. Let’s dive into this day in NBA sports history!

May 16, 2001

Iverson joined Jordan as the only player to score 50 or more points in two games of the same playoff series. In Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, Iverson scored 52 points against the Toronto Raptors and 54 points in Game 2.

May 16, 2000

Following the Jazz’s elimination from the postseason at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah’s Hornacek left the court for the final time. Hornacek made his league debut as a point guard and became one of the league’s best pure shooters, averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 49.6% from the field, 40.3% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free throw line. He concluded his career after 1,077 games.

May 16, 1999

The New York Knicks became the second team in NBA playoff history to defeat a number one seed in the playoffs as the eighth seed, beating the Miami Heat in five games. Seattle was the other eighth-seeded team to advance, eliminating them in 1994.

May 16, 1980

Rookie guard Magic Johnson replaced the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center, scoring 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title by defeating Philadelphia 123-107 in Game 6 of the Finals. Johnson’s 42 points were the most scored by a rookie in an NBA Finals game. Johnson made all 14 free throws, setting a Finals record, and was named Finals MVP.