1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6 vs New York Knicks

A brawl-turned-suspension-fueled comeback kept Miami alive in 1997.

In Game 6 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 95–90 to tie the series at 3–3.

Quick Facts

Key figures

Alonzo Mourning
Pat Riley
P.J. Brown

Notable event

Bench-clearing Brawl

Lore & Background

The brawl that started when P.J. Brown objected to Charlie Ward's attempt to gain position for a rebound occurred in Game 5. Brown flipped Ward over and threw him to the ground, and a melee ensued. During the brawl, Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson and John Starks left the bench; the league punished them by handing out 1-game suspensions spread out over the series' final 2 games. Ewing, Houston and Ward were suspended for Game 6; Johnson and Starks were suspended for Game 7. Shorthanded by the suspensions, the Knicks lost Games 6 and 7 95–90 and 101–90 respectively.