This Day in NBA Sports History: May 18, 1975-2021

The best of this day in NBA sports history, May 18. The Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament, Michael Jordan’s fifth NBA MVP, and Rick Barry won Game 1 of the NBA Finals. What happened on this day in NBA sports history?

May 18, 2021

For the State Farm NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference games, the Indiana Pacers (9) defeated the Charlotte Hornets (10) 144-117, eliminating the Hornets from the competition, giving them the chance to compete for the eighth playoff spot.

Meanwhile, a brilliant perforance from Jayson Tatum, 50 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, helped the Boston Celtics (7) defeated the Washington Wizards (8) of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal 118-100. This allowed the Celtics to take the seventh position in the standings and secure a series against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Wizards and the Pacers faced off for the eighth playoff spot, with the Wizards emerging victorious. With their victory, the Wizards secured the eighth spot and advanced to the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

May 18, 1998

Michael Jordan was named the 1998 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the fifth time in his career.

His fifth MVP award tied him for second place with the legendary Bill Russell for the league’s most MVP awards.

Only the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is ahead of them being named NBA MVP six times. This is a record that still stands.

May 18, 1975

Rick Barry sank a jump shot with 38 seconds left to seal the final victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where the Golden State Warriors defeated the Washington Bullets 101-95. Barry, who was crowned the NBA Finals MVP, continued his dominant performances as the Warriors swept the Bullets 4-0 to take the title.