This Day In NBA Sports History: May 26, 1987-2015

The best of this day in NBA sports history. May 25. A Cavaliers sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals, a Bill Russell tribute, Vince Carter won Rookie of the Year, and Larry Bird won the game. What happened on this day in NBA history?

May 26, 2015

The Cleveland Cavaliers with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists from LeBron James defeated the Atlanta Hawks 118-88 in the Eastern Conference Finals to sweep the series.

Since the beginning of the game, the Cavaliers took a 12-point lead in the first quarter. They made it 17 by halftime. Kyrie Irving showed his mastery in the finish of some amazing plays, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson added another 34 points combined.

May 26, 1999

“The Bill Russell Tribute” is held at the FleetCenter in Boston, the ceremony was hosted by infamous entertainer Bill Cosby to salute the Hall of Famer.

May 26, 1999

Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors is the winner of the 1998-99 NBA Rookie of the Year award. That season he averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.54 blocks, and 1.10 steals while shooting 45% from the field.

May 26, 1987

Boston’s Larry Bird stole the win from Detroit’s Isiah Thomas, cutting an inbounds pass in the last seconds of the game, and the Celtics pulled out an improbable 108-107 win over Detroit in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. After stealing the ball, Bird fed over his shoulder to a cutting Dennis Johnson for the winning basket. The arena went wild over the excellent play. Watch the play here.