Sam Cassell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cassell helped the Houston Rockets win back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, and won a third with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He also helped the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves reach the Conference Finals in 2001 and 2004 respectively, and helped the Los Angeles Clippers to their first-ever playoff series victory in 2006.

In Their Own Story

The 1994 NBA Finals, Game 3. The Rockets trailed the New York Knicks 93–89 with 32 seconds left. Sam Cassell, a rookie backup point guard, scored 7 points in those final 32 seconds to lift Houston to a 93–89 win. Earlier that same playoff run, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns, Cassell dropped 22 points and seven assists to help the Rockets advance. Two years later, in Game 2 of the 1995 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, Cassell scored 31 points as the Rockets completed a sweep for his second championship.

Reader's Guide

Cassell was selected 24th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1993 NBA draft. He played for the Rockets from 1993 to 1996, then was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics. He retired after the 2007–08 season.

Did You Know?

• Cassell scored 7 points in the final 32 seconds of Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals.
• He recorded a triple-double with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a double-overtime win against the Cavaliers in 2002.
• Cassell scored a franchise playoff record 40 points in his Timberwolves playoff debut in 2004.
• He was honored as one of the 20 greatest players in Milwaukee Bucks history in 2008.