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1993–94 Houston Rockets season

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1993–94 Houston Rockets season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General manager
Owner(s)Leslie Alexander
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record58–24 (.707)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Knicks 4–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
RadioKTRH
< 1992–93 1994–95 >

The 1993–94 NBA season was the Houston Rockets' 27th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 23rd season in Houston.[1] The Rockets had the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, and selected Sam Cassell out of Florida State University.[2][3][4][5] During the off-season, the team acquired Mario Elie from the Portland Trail Blazers.[6][7][8] The Rockets went off to a great start, winning their first fifteen games of the season to tie the 1948–49 Washington Capitols for the best unbeaten record to open a season, while also posting a 14–0 record in November,[9][10][11] before the Golden State Warriors surpassed it in 2015 and the Cleveland Cavaliers tied Houston's mark in 2024. After losing to the Atlanta Hawks, 133–111 on the road on December 3,[12] the Rockets won their next seven games as well, falling just one victory shy of tying the 1969–70 Knicks (23–1) for the best record with one defeat in NBA history.[13][14][15] However, the Rockets would cool off as the season progressed, at one point losing four games in a row in January. Still, they held a 34–12 record at the All-Star break,[16] and finished first place in the Midwest Division with a 58–24 record,[17] a franchise record that stood until the 2017-18 team recorded their 59th win.

Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game, and won the league's Most Valuable Player award, ahead of David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls.[18][19][20] Anchoring one of the league's best defenses, Olajuwon also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, also beating out Robinson by a narrow 23 to 22 votes.[21][22][23][24] He was also named to the All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and was selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game.[25][26][27][28][29] In addition, Otis Thorpe averaged 14.0 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while Vernon Maxwell provided the team with 13.6 points, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, Kenny Smith contributed 11.6 points per game, and second-year forward Robert Horry provided with 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Elie contributed 9.3 points per game off the bench as the team's sixth man.[30]

In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round.[31][32][33][34] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the Rockets trailed 0–2 to the Phoenix Suns,[35][36][37] but would win the series in seven games,[38][39][40][41] then defeat the 5th-seeded Utah Jazz, 4–1 in the Western Conference Finals.[42][43][44][45]

In the 1994 NBA Finals, they defeated the New York Knicks in seven games after trailing 3–2,[46][47][48] and won their first championship in franchise history. It was the Rockets' third NBA finals appearance, after 1981 and 1986. Olajuwon was the only player of the 1985–86 Rockets to still be on the 1993–94 team. By winning the Finals MVP, Olajuwon also became the first player to win regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season.[49][50][51][52][53] The Rockets also became the first team from the Midwest Division since the Milwaukee Bucks 23 years prior to win the NBA title.

Offseason

[edit]

NBA draft

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School or club team
1 24 Sam Cassell Guard  United States Florida State
2 46 Richard Petruška Center  United States UCLA
2 50 Marcelo Nicola Forward  Argentina Taugres (Spain)

Roster

[edit]
1993–94 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Brooks, Scott 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1965–07–31 UC Irvine
F 50 Bullard, Matt 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–06–05 Iowa
G 10 Cassell, Sam 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–11–18 Florida State
F 35 Cureton, Earl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1957–09–03 Detroit Mercy
G 17 Elie, Mario 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–11–26 American International
F 7 Herrera, Carl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1966–12–14 Houston
F 25 Horry, Robert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
F 21 Jent, Chris 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–01–11 Ohio State
F 11 Maxwell, Vernon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–09–12 Florida
C 34 Olajuwon, Hakeem 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
C 3 Petruska, Richard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–01–25 UCLA
C 42 Riley, Eric 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–06–02 Michigan
G 20 Robinson, Larry 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–01–11 Centenary
G 30 Smith, Kenny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1965–03–08 North Carolina
F 33 Thorpe, Otis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 21, 1994

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Houston Rockets 58 24 .707 — 35–6 23–18 15–11
x-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 3 32–9 23–18 16–10
x-Utah Jazz 53 29 .646 5 33–8 20–21 21–5
x-Denver Nuggets 42 40 .512 16 28–13 14–27 14–12
Minnesota Timberwolves 20 62 .244 38 13–28 7–34 5–21
Dallas Mavericks 13 69 .159 45 6–35 7–34 7–19
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Seattle SuperSonics 63 19 .768 –
2 y-Houston Rockets 58 24 .707 5
3 x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 7
4 x-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Utah Jazz 53 29 .646 10
6 x-Golden State Warriors 50 32 .610 13
7 x-Portland Trail Blazers 47 35 .573 16
8 x-Denver Nuggets 42 40 .512 21
9 Los Angeles Lakers 33 49 .402 30
10 Sacramento Kings 28 54 .341 35
11 Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 36
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 20 62 .244 43
13 Dallas Mavericks 13 69 .159 50

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
1993-94 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 4–0 4–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 5–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Boston 0–4 — 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 2–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Charlotte 1–4 4–0 — 1–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Chicago 3–2 2–2 4–1 — 1–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 4–1 3–1 — 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–4 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 5–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 0–5 0–4 0–5 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 — 2–0 1–3 3–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–4 2–2 1–4 1–1
Detroit 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–5 2–3 1–1 0–2 — 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–4 2–0 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 — 0–4 1–1 4–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 4–1 2–2 1–4 3–1 2–0
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–0 — 1–1 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 4–0 2–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Indiana 2–3 4–0 2–2 1–4 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 — 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 2–3 3–2 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 2–2 1–1
Miami 1–3 3–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–3 4–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Milwaukee 0–5 1–3 2–3 0–4 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 — 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–4 0–2 2–2 1–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 — 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–4 0–4 1–4 0–2
New Jersey 3–1 4–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–1 1–1 — 4–1 0–5 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
New York 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 1–4 — 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0
Orlando 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 2–3 — 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–1
Philadelphia 0–4 1–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 0–4 — 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 — 3–2 4–1 3–1 2–3 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–3 — 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 — 1–3 0–5 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–0 4–2 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 — 0–4 0–5 2–0
Seattle 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 5–0 4–0 — 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 3–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 5–0 1–3 — 2–0
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–5 1–4 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
1993–94 game log
Total: 58–24 (Home: 35–6; Road: 23–18)
November: 14–0 (home: 6–0; road: 8–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 5
7:30 p.m. CST 		New Jersey W 110–88 Olajuwon (24) Olajuwon (19) Maxwell (8) The Summit
11,128 		1–0
2 November 7
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ Portland W 106–92 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (12) Olajuwon (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–0
3 November 9, 1993 @ Golden State W 102–93 Hakeem Olajuwon (32) Otis Thorpe (13) Vernon Maxwell (8) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		3–0
4 November 11, 1993 Minnesota W 107–99 The Summit 4–0
5 November 13, 1993 Phoenix W 99–95 The Summit 5–0
6 November 15, 1993 @ Philadelphia W 88–84 The Spectrum 6–0
7 November 16
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ New Jersey W 90–84 Olajuwon (20) Olajuwon (19) Maxwell,
Olajuwon (3) 		Brendan Byrne Arena
9,110 		7–0
8 November 18, 1993 @ Indiana W 99–83 Market Square Arena 8–0
9 November 20, 1993 L.A. Clippers W 108–86 The Summit 9–0
10 November 23, 1993 Chicago W 100–93 The Summit 10–0
11 November 24, 1993 @ Utah W 95–93 (OT) Delta Center 11–0
12 November 26, 1993 @ Sacramento W 92–89 ARCO Arena 12–0
13 November 27, 1993 @ L.A. Clippers W 82–80 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 13–0
14 November 30, 1993 Milwaukee W 102–91 The Summit 14–0
December: 10–4 (home: 4–1; road: 6–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 December 2, 1993 @ New York W 94–85 Madison Square Garden 15–0
16 December 3, 1993 @ Atlanta L 111–133 The Omni 15–1
17 December 5, 1993 @ Cleveland W 99–98 Richfield Coliseum 16–1
18 December 7, 1993 Charlotte W 121–102 The Summit 17–1
19 December 9, 1993 Miami W 115–109 (OT) The Summit 18–1
20 December 11, 1993 Seattle W 82–75 The Summit 19–1
21 December 14, 1993 @ Miami W 97–88 Miami Arena 20–1
22 December 18, 1993 Dallas W 104–93 The Summit 21–1
23 December 21, 1993 @ San Antonio W 90–88 Alamodome 22–1
24 December 23, 1993 Denver L 93–106 The Summit 22–2
25 December 25, 1993 @ Phoenix L 91–111 America West Arena 22–3
26 December 26, 1993 @ L.A. Lakers W 118–93 Great Western Forum 23–3
27 December 28, 1993 @ Seattle L 97–112 Seattle Center Coliseum 23–4
28 December 30, 1993 @ Minnesota W 110–104 Target Center 24–4
January: 7–6 (home: 5–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 4
7:30 p.m. CST 		Portland W 106–95 Olajuwon (33) Thorpe (13) Maxwell (11) The Summit
16,611 		25–4
30 January 5, 1994 @ Dallas W 114–102 Reunion Arena 26–4
31 January 8, 1994 Philadelphia W 100–93 The Summit 27–4
32 January 10, 1994 @ Orlando L 100–115 Orlando Arena 27–5
33 January 12, 1994 @ Boston W 94–84 Boston Garden 28–5
34 January 13, 1994 @ Washington L 102–120 USAir Arena 28–6
35 January 15, 1994 @ Chicago L 76–82 Chicago Stadium 28–7
36 January 18, 1994 Boston L 83–95 The Summit 28–8
37 January 20, 1994 @ Denver L 106–111 (2OT) McNichols Sports Arena 28–9
38 January 22, 1994 Utah W 106–101 The Summit 29–9
39 January 25, 1994 Cleveland W 96–93 The Summit 30–9
40 January 27, 1994 Sacramento W 113–97 The Summit 31–9
41 January 29, 1994 Indiana L 108–119 The Summit 31–10
February: 7–5 (home: 6–1; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
42 February 1, 1994 @ Utah L 88–104 Delta Center 31–11
43 February 3, 1994 L.A. Lakers W 99–88 The Summit 32–11
44 February 6, 1994 Minnesota W 110–104 The Summit 33–11
45 February 8, 1994 @ Milwaukee L 98–106 Bradley Center 33–12
46 February 10, 1994 @ Detroit W 104–81 The Palace of Auburn Hills 34–12
All-Star Break
47 February 15, 1994 Atlanta W 103–99 The Summit 35–12
48 February 16, 1994 @ Charlotte L 97–102 Charlotte Coliseum 35–13
49 February 19, 1994 Phoenix W 106–88 The Summit 36–13
50 February 22, 1994 Denver W 98–97 The Summit 37–13
51 February 24, 1994 New York W 93–73 The Summit 38–13
52 February 26, 1994 Utah L 85–95 The Summit 38–14
53 February 28, 1994 @ Utah L 85–89 Delta Center 38–15
March: 12–4 (home: 9–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
54 March 1, 1994 Orlando W 97–85 The Summit 39–15
55 March 5, 1994 L.A. Clippers W 124–107 The Summit 40–15
56 March 8, 1994 @ San Antonio L 99–115 Alamodome 40–16
57 March 10, 1994 Seattle W 87–82 The Summit 41–16
58 March 12, 1994 San Antonio L 98–109 The Summit 41–17
59 March 13, 1994 @ Dallas W 100–93 Reunion Arena 42–17
60 March 15
7:30 p.m. CST 		Portland W 105–99 Olajuwon (41) Thorpe (16) Tied|Horry, Olajuwon (6) The Summit
15,930 		43–17
61 March 17, 1994 Golden State W 112–99 The Summit 44–17
62 March 19, 1994 Detroit W 106–88 The Summit 45–17
63 March 21, 1994 Washington W 128–112 The Summit 46–17
64 March 22, 1994 @ Minnesota L 81–83 Target Center 46–18
65 March 24, 1994 L.A. Lakers W 113–107 The Summit 47–18
66 March 26, 1994 Utah W 98–83 The Summit 48–18
67 March 27, 1994 @ Phoenix L 98–113 America West Arena 48–19
68 March 29, 1994 @ Sacramento W 122–101 ARCO Arena 49–19
69 March 30, 1994 @ Golden State W 114–104 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 50–19
April: 8–5 (home: 5–1; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
70 April 1, 1994 @ L.A. Lakers L 88–101 Great Western Forum 50–20
71 April 3, 1994 @ L.A. Clippers W 106–98 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 51–20
72 April 7, 1994 Golden State W 134–102 The Summit 52–20
73 April 9, 1994 San Antonio W 100–89 The Summit 53–20
74 April 10, 1994 @ Denver W 93–92 McNichols Sports Arena 54–20
75 April 12, 1994 Minnesota W 98–89 The Summit 55–20
76 April 14, 1994 Sacramento W 104–99 The Summit 56–20
77 April 16, 1994 @ Seattle L 97–100 Seattle Center Coliseum 56–21
78 April 17
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Portland W 119–110 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (12) Maxwell (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		57–21
79 April 19, 1994 @ San Antonio L 80–90 Alamodome 57–22
80 April 21, 1994 Dallas W 104–93 The Summit 58–22
81 April 22, 1994 @ Dallas L 95–107 Reunion Arena 58–23
82 April 24, 1994 Denver L 107–115 The Summit 58–24
1993–94 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Scott Brooks 73 0 16.8 .491 .377 .871 1.4 2.0 .70 .03 5.2
Matt Bullard 65 0 11.2 .345 .325 .769 1.3 1.0 .22 .09 3.5
Sam Cassell 66 6 17.0 .418 .295 .841 2.0 2.9 .89 .11 6.7
Earl Cureton 2 0 15.0 .250 .000 .000 6.0 .0 .00 .00 2.0
Mario Elie 67 8 24.0 .446 .335 .860 2.7 3.1 .75 .12 9.3
Carl Herrera 75 0 17.2 .458 .000 .711 3.8 .5 .43 .35 4.7
Robert Horry 81 81 29.3 .459 .324 .732 5.4 2.9 1.47 .93 9.9
Chris Jent 3 0 26.0 .500 .364 .500 5.0 2.3 .00 .00 10.3
Vernon Maxwell 75 73 34.3 .389 .298 .749 3.1 5.1 1.67 .27 13.6
Hakeem Olajuwon 80 80 41.0 .528 .421 .716 11.9 3.6 1.60 3.71 27.3
Richard Petruška 22 0 4.2 .435 .467 .750 1.4 .0 .09 .14 2.4
Eric Riley 47 2 4.7 .486 .000 .541 1.3 .2 .11 .19 1.9
Larry Robinson 6 0 9.2 .500 .250 .375 1.7 1.0 1.17 .00 4.2
Kenny Smith 78 78 28.3 .480 .405 .871 1.8 4.2 .76 .05 11.6
Otis Thorpe 82 82 35.5 .561 .000 .657 10.6 2.3 .80 .34 14.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Scott Brooks 5 0 4.6 .833 1.000 .000 .4 .6 .00 .00 2.2
Matt Bullard 10 0 5.5 .211 .200 .750 1.0 .0 .10 .20 1.6
Sam Cassell 22 0 21.7 .394 .378 .865 2.7 4.2 .95 .23 9.4
Earl Cureton 10 0 10.0 .800 .000 1.000 2.9 .2 .10 .20 1.8
Mario Elie 23 0 16.6 .396 .313 .851 1.7 1.7 .35 .13 5.8
Carl Herrera 16 0 15.5 .534 .000 .813 2.8 .2 .31 .19 4.7
Robert Horry 23 23 33.8 .434 .382 .765 6.1 3.6 1.52 .87 11.7
Chris Jent 11 0 5.6 .250 .231 .000 .8 .6 .18 .00 1.2
Vernon Maxwell 23 23 38.3 .376 .326 .685 3.5 4.2 .87 .09 13.8
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 23 43.0 .519 .500 .795 11.0 4.3 1.74 4.00 28.9
Kenny Smith 23 23 30.3 .455 .447 .808 2.3 4.1 .96 .17 10.8
Otis Thorpe 23 23 37.1 .572 .500 .567 9.9 2.3 .57 .43 11.3

Playoffs

[edit]

Game log

[edit]
1994 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 29
8:30 p.m. CDT 		Portland W 114–104 Olajuwon (26) Thorpe (12) Tied (7) The Summit
16,333 		1–0
2 May 1
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Portland W 115–104 Olajuwon (46) Thorpe (12) Cassell (9) The Summit
16,355 		2–0
3 May 3
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Portland L 115–118 Olajuwon (36) Thorpe (11) Tied (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–1
4 May 6
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Portland W 92–89 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (16) Tied (3) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		3–1
Conference Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 2–2; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 8, 1994 Phoenix L 87–91 Hakeem Olajuwon (36) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Maxwell, Horry (8) The Summit
15,073 		0–1
2 May 11, 1994 Phoenix L 117–124 (OT) Hakeem Olajuwon (31) Hakeem Olajuwon (17) Vernon Maxwell (9) The Summit
16,611 		0–2
3 May 13, 1994 @ Phoenix W 118–102 Vernon Maxwell (34) Hakeem Olajuwon (15) Sam Cassell (10) America West Arena
19,023 		1–2
4 May 15, 1994 @ Phoenix W 107–96 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Otis Thorpe (13) Hakeem Olajuwon (8) America West Arena
19,023 		2–2
5 May 17, 1994 Phoenix W 109–86 Thorpe, Olajuwon (20) Hakeem Olajuwon (13) Kenny Smith (8) The Summit
16,611 		3–2
6 May 19, 1994 @ Phoenix L 89–103 Hakeem Olajuwon (23) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Hakeem Olajuwon (5) America West Arena
19,023 		3–3
7 May 21, 1994 Phoenix W 104–94 Hakeem Olajuwon (37) Hakeem Olajuwon (17) Sam Cassell (7) The Summit
16,611 		4–3
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 23, 1994 Utah W 100–86 Hakeem Olajuwon (31) Robert Horry (11) Sam Cassell (7) The Summit
16,611 		1–0
2 May 25, 1994 Utah W 104–99 Hakeem Olajuwon (41) Hakeem Olajuwon (13) Kenny Smith (7) The Summit
16,611 		2–0
3 May 27, 1994 @ Utah L 86–95 Hakeem Olajuwon (29) Hakeem Olajuwon (13) Hakeem Olajuwon (5) Delta Center
19,911 		2–1
4 May 29, 1994 @ Utah W 80–78 Kenny Smith (25) Robert Horry (10) Robert Horry (5) Delta Center
19,911 		3–1
5 May 31, 1994 Utah W 94–83 Olajuwon, Horry (22) Otis Thorpe (16) Sam Cassell (7) The Summit
16,611 		4–1
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 8, 1994 New York W 85–78 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Otis Thorpe (16) Kenny Smith (5) The Summit
16,611 		1–0
2 June 10, 1994 New York L 83–91 Hakeem Olajuwon (25) Otis Thorpe (12) Kenny Smith (6) The Summit
16,611 		1–1
3 June 12, 1994 @ New York W 93–89 Hakeem Olajuwon (21) Hakeem Olajuwon (11) Hakeem Olajuwon (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 June 15, 1994 @ New York L 82–91 Hakeem Olajuwon (32) Otis Thorpe (10) Sam Cassell (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–2
5 June 17, 1994 @ New York L 84–91 Hakeem Olajuwon (27) Otis Thorpe (13) Robert Horry (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–3
6 June 19, 1994 New York W 86–84 Hakeem Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon, Thorpe (10) Otis Thorpe (6) The Summit
16,611 		3–3
7 June 22, 1994 New York W 90–84 Hakeem Olajuwon (25) Hakeem Olajuwon (10) Hakeem Olajuwon (7) The Summit
16,611 		4–3
1994 schedule

Interruption of Game 5 NBA Finals telecast by O. J. Simpson car chase

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See also: O. J. Simpson murder case

During Game 5 (June 17, 1994), most NBC affiliates (with the noted exception being WNBC-TV out of New York City) split the coverage of the game between NFL Hall of Famer O. J. Simpson's slow-speed freeway chase with the LAPD. At the time, Simpson had been an NFL analyst on NBC. A visibly confused and distraught Bob Costas (NBC's anchor for their NBA Finals coverage) said during the telecast from Madison Square Garden that the Simpson situation was "not just tragic but now surreal".[54][55]

Award winners

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NBA All-Star Game

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1993–94 Houston Rockets
  2. ^ Heisler, Mark (July 1, 1993). "THE NBA DRAFT: Big Deal for Warriors: Webber for Hardaway: Basketball: Golden State Finally Gets Someone with Size. Orlando Gets Memphis State Guard to Complement O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "NBA Draft at a Glance". Los Angeles Times. July 1, 1993. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Landman, Brian (July 1, 1993). "Magic Picks Up a "Penny"". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  5. ^ "1993 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "Rockets Release Floyd, Trade Pick for Elie". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 3, 1993. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "Team-by-Team Look at the NBA for the 1993-94 Season". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 31, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Houston Rockets". Chicago Tribune. November 5, 1993. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Brown, Clifton (December 3, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Are All Talk, But No Action Versus Rockets". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  10. ^ Schabner, Dean (December 3, 1993). "Rockets 94, Knicks 85". United Press International. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "NBA Teams That Went Unbeaten for a Full Month". HoopsHype. December 3, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Winderman, Ira (December 5, 1993). "ROCKETS: Unwanted...and Almost Undefeated". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Buzzer-Beating Shot Makes Rockets 22-1". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 22, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "NBA ROUNDUP : Rockets Get a Lift from Maxwell, 90-88". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 22, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  15. ^ "Maxwell Perks Up Rockets". The Washington Post. December 22, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 10, 1994". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "1993–94 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  18. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert McG. (May 25, 1994). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets' Olajuwon Named Most Valuable Player". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 25, 1994). "Patience Pays Off for Rockets' Olajuwon: Pro Basketball: Two Years After Furor Involving Team Owner, He Becomes the First Center Since 1983 to Be Voted the League's Most Valuable Player". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  21. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Olajuwon Named N.B.A.'s Top Defender". The New York Times. May 10, 1994. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  22. ^ "Olajuwon Honored". The Washington Post. May 10, 1994. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  24. ^ "1993–94 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  25. ^ Smith, Sam (January 18, 1994). "Armstrong a Surprising All-Star Starter as Fans Ignore Big Names". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "All-Stars Are Short on Magic". Orlando Sentinel. February 2, 1994. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Taylor, Phil (February 14, 1994). "The NBA". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "1994 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  29. ^ "1994 NBA All-Star Game: East 127, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  30. ^ "1993–94 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  31. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Oust Trail Blazers". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  32. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS: Tune-up Over, Knicks Ready for Bulls". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  33. ^ "Ewing Puts Nets Away; Bulls Next". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  34. ^ "1994 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  35. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Suns Stage a Record Comeback". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1994. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  36. ^ "Suns Blister Rockets with Record Rally: NBA Playoffs: Barkley Scores 34 as Phoenix Overcomes 20-Point Deficit in Final Quarter to Take 2-0 Lead in Series". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1994. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  37. ^ "Down 20 in 4th Quarter, Suns Rally to Win in OT". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 12, 1994. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  38. ^ Howe Verhovek, Sam (May 22, 1994). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Give Houston Victory as Big as Texas". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  39. ^ Baker, Chris (May 22, 1994). "The Future Is Now for Barkley, 104-94: Pro Basketball: After Rockets Eliminate Suns, He Says He Will Retire if Doctors Say He Needs Major Back Surgery to Keep Playing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  40. ^ Cotton, Anthony (May 22, 1994). "Rockets Leave Suns in the Dust, to Play Jazz in Wild, Wild West". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  41. ^ "1994 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Suns vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  42. ^ Rhoden, William C. (June 1, 1994). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Beat Jazz and Reach Finals". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  43. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 1, 1994). "Rockets Now Rest and Wait: Pro Basketball: Houston Controls Game Early and Wraps Up Series with a 94-83 Victory Over Jazz. NBA Finals Next". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  44. ^ Jasner, Phil (June 1, 1994). "Rockets Win West, Rest After Jazz Plays a Dirge". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  45. ^ "1994 NBA Western Conference Finals: Jazz vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  46. ^ Schabner, Dean (June 18, 1994). "Knicks 91, Rockets 84". United Press International. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  47. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 19, 1994). "N.B.A. FINALS; Knicks Take a Deep Breath at Hint of a Title in Air". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  48. ^ Justice, Richard (June 19, 1994). "Knicks See Light at End of Championship Tunnel". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  49. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 23, 1994). "N.B.A. FINALS; Rockets Hit the Heights as Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  50. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 23, 1994). "Rockets Follow Their Leader to First NBA Championship: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon Shows the Way, Leading Houston to 90-84 Victory over Knicks in Game 7". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  51. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 23, 1994). "Rockets Silence Knicks in Game 7, 90-84". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  52. ^ Schabner, Dean (June 23, 1994). "Rockets 90, Knicks 84". United Press International. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  53. ^ "1994 NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  54. ^ Sandomir, Richard (June 19, 1994). "NBC Angered Some Fans with Its Simpson Coverage". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  55. ^ Cerone, Daniel (June 22, 1994). "TV Ratings: Arresting Coverage Deflates NBC's NBA Numbers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
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