Dan Majerle

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Majerle played for the Miami Heat from 1996 to 2001. Injuries limited him to 36 games during the 1996–97 season, as the Heat won a franchise-best 61 games and the Atlantic Division. On December 7, 1996, against the Chicago Bulls, Majerle made a three-pointer with one second remaining to win the game 83–80. In the playoffs, the Heat beat the Orlando Magic in the first round, then faced the Knicks in a 7-game series, and eventually fell to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals in 5 games. He played as the team's backup small forward in 1997–98, averaging 7 points. In the 1998–99 season, he started in 48 games. In 1999–2000, he started in 69 games and averaged 7 points. In the 2000–01 season, he served as a reserve, and the Heat lost in the first round to the Charlotte Hornets.

In Their Own Story

The 1997–98 season saw Majerle adapting to a backup role at small forward behind Chris Mills, averaging 7 points while remaining one of Miami's primary three-point threats. The Heat secured another winning season before succumbing to New York in the first round. A significant shift occurred during the lockout-shortened 1998–99 campaign. With teammate Voshon Lenard sidelined by injury for much of the year, Majerle stepped up to start 48 games. This resilience helped Miami claim another Atlantic Division title, though they again fell to New York in five first-round games. Entering the 1999–2000 season, he started 69 of 82 games, averaging 7 points and leading the team with 20 three-pointers in a playoff run that saw them defeat Detroit before losing another seven-game series to New York.

Reader's Guide

Dan Majerle played for the Miami Heat from 1996 to 2001. He was a key three-point threat and defensive specialist. His most notable moment with the Heat was a game-winning three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls on December 7, 1996, with one second left. The Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997 but lost to the Bulls.

Did You Know?

• Majerle made a game-winning three-pointer with one second remaining against the Chicago Bulls on December 7, 1996.
• He helped the Heat win a franchise-best 61 games in the 1996–97 season.
• The Heat lost to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997.