1994 NBA Championship
The Rockets defeated the Knicks in seven games to win the team's first NBA championship.
The 1994 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1993–94 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion Houston Rockets played the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks for the championship, with the Rockets holding home court advantage in the best of seven series. The Rockets defeated the Knicks in seven games to win the team's first NBA championship. This was the first major professional sports championship ever won by a Houston-based team.
Lore & Background
This matchup was Hakeem Olajuwon's second NBA Finals appearance, his other being in 1986, when Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics defeated the Rockets, four games to two. The series was Patrick Ewing's first NBA Finals appearance. The Rockets came in with strong determination to win not only the franchise's first NBA championship, but the city's first championship in a league that still existed. The Knicks, who had been recently acquired by Viacom when it bought Paramount Communications (formerly Gulf+Western), were looking to win their third NBA championship and first since 1973.
Reader's Guide
The series was hailed as a meeting of the two great centers who had previously played for a championship in college. In 1984, while Olajuwon was with the University of Houston and Ewing was with Georgetown University, Georgetown beat Houston 84–75 in the 1984 NCAA Championship game. But in this series, Olajuwon outperformed Ewing, outscoring him in every game of the series and posting numbers of 26.9 ppg on 50.0% shooting compared to Ewing's 18.9 ppg on 36.3% shooting. However, Ewing set an NBA finals record in the series with a total of 30 blocks, and tied the single-game record of 8 blocks in Game 5. Tim Duncan later set the record for most blocks in a Finals series with 32 blocks in six games, while Dwight Howard set the record for most blocked shots in a Finals game with 9 blocked shots in Game 4 of the 2009 Finals with the Orlando Magic.
Did You Know?
- In Game 6, Olajuwon blocked a last-second three-point shot attempt by John Starks that would have given the Knicks their third NBA title, instead giving the Rockets an 86–84 victory and forcing a Game 7.
- The Knicks set a record for most playoff games played in one season, with 25.
- The Rockets beat the Knicks in Game 7, 90–84, enabling the city of Houston to celebrate its first NBA and fifth professional sports championship (first in an existing league).
- For his efforts, Olajuwon was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Rockets win their first title?
The franchise captured its maiden ring on June 23, 1994, following a grueling seven-game battle. This win concluded the regular season and playoffs with a historic victory for Houston.
Who was the Finals MVP of the 1994 series?
Center Hakeem Olajuwon received the Finals MVP honor due to his commanding performance on both ends of the floor. His iconic footwork and scoring ability were instrumental in shutting down New York's defense.
Who did the Rockets beat to win in 1994?
The team defeated the New York Knicks to secure the banner after a grueling seven-game series. They finished with a final record of 4-3 against their rivals from the East.
What role did Clyde Drexler play in this championship?
Brought in through a major trade, he provided essential scoring support alongside Olajuwon. His presence allowed the squad to secure the title while prioritizing defense over raw point totals.
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