1993–94 Houston Rockets season

1993–94 Houston Rockets season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General manager
OwnerLeslie Alexander
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record58–24 (.707)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA champions
(Defeated Knicks 4–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
(Bill Worrell, Calvin Murphy)
RadioKTRH
(Gene Peterson, Jim Foley)

The 1993–94 Houston Rockets season was the 27th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association, and their 23rd season in Houston, Texas.[1] The Rockets had the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, and selected point guard Sam Cassell out of Florida State University,[2][3][4] and acquired Mario Elie from the Portland Trail Blazers during the off-season.[5][6][7]

With the addition of Elie and Cassell, the Rockets got off to a great start, winning their first fifteen games of the regular 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.[8][9][10] The Golden State Warriors surpassed the record in 2015, and the Cleveland Cavaliers tied the Rockets' mark in 2024. After losing their first regular season game to the Atlanta Hawks on the road, 133–111 at the Omni Coliseum on December 3, 1993,[11] the Rockets posted a seven-game winning streak, falling just one victory short of tying the 1969–70 New York Knicks, (23–1) for the best record with one defeat in NBA history.[12][13][14] However, the Rockets slowed down as the season progressed, at one point losing four straight games in January, and later on holding a 34–12 record at the All-Star break.[15] The Rockets finished in first place in the Midwest Division with a 58–24 record,[16] a franchise record that stood until the 2017-18 team recorded their 59th win; the team earned the second seed in the Western Conference.

Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game, and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year, ahead of David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls;[17][18][19] Olajuwon was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, also beating out Robinson by a narrow 23 to 22 votes.[20][21][22] He was also named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. 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, and also led them with 120 three-point field goals, despite shooting .298 in three-point percentage, Kenny Smith contributed 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game, and second-year forward Robert Horry provided with 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Off the bench, Elie played a sixth man role averaging 9.3 points per game, while Cassell provided with 6.7 points and 2.9 assists per game, Scott Brooks contributed 5.2 points per game, and Carl Herrera averaged 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.[23]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Olajuwon was selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team,[24][25][26] while Cassell was selected for the inaugural NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Phenoms team.[27][28] Elie finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,[29][30] while head coach Rudy Tomjanovich finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.[31][30]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1994 NBA playoffs, the Rockets faced off against the 7th–seeded Portland Trail Blazers, a team that featured All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, All-Star forward Clifford Robinson, and Rod Strickland. The Rockets won the first two games over the Trail Blazers at home at The Summit, before losing Game 3 on the road, 118–115 at the Memorial Coliseum. The Rockets won Game 4 over the Trail Blazers on the road, 92–89 to win the series in four games.[32][33][34]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded Phoenix Suns, who were led by the All-Star trio of Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, and three-point specialist Dan Majerle. The Rockets lost the first two games to the Suns at The Summit,[35][36][37] but managed to win the next two games on the road at the America West Arena to even the series. The Rockets won Game 5 at home, 109–86, but then lost Game 6 on the road, 103–89 as the Suns evened the series. The Rockets won Game 7 over the Suns at The Summit, 104–94 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series.[38][39][40]

In the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets then faced off against the 5th–seeded Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Hornacek. The Rockets won the first two games over the Jazz at The Summit, before losing Game 3 on the road, 95–86 at the Delta Center. After winning Game 4 on the road, 80–78, the Rockets won Game 5 over the Jazz at The Summit, 94–83 to win the series in five games, and advance to the NBA Finals.[41][42][43]

In the 1994 NBA Finals, the Rockets faced off against the 2nd–seeded New York Knicks, who were led by the All-Star trio of Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley. The Rockets took a 2–1 series lead, but the Knicks managed to win the next three games at Madison Square Garden, defeating the Rockets in Game 5, 91–84 to take a 3–2 series lead.[44][45][46] However, the Rockets won the next two games at The Summit, including a Game 7 home win over the Knicks, 90–84, thus winning in a hard-fought seven-game series, and winning their first ever NBA championship in franchise history; Olajuwon was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.[47][48][49] This was the Rockets' third NBA Finals appearance, after 1981 and 1986; Olajuwon was the only player from the 1985–86 Rockets team to still be on the 1993–94 team. By winning the Finals MVP award, Olajuwon also became the first player ever to win regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. The Rockets also became the first team from the Midwest Division since the Milwaukee Bucks, 23 years prior to win an NBA title.

The Rockets finished 18th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 615,227 at The Summit during the regular season.[23][50]

Draft

Main article: 1993 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club
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

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

Roster
Updated: April 21, 1994

Regular season

Season standings

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

Game log

Regular season

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
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ Golden State W 102–93 Olajuwon (32) Thorpe (13) Maxwell (8) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		3–0
4 November 11
7:30 p.m. CST 		Minnesota W 107–99 Olajuwon (36) Olajuwon (17) Smith (9) The Summit
10,238 		4–0
5 November 13
7:30 p.m. CST 		Phoenix W 99–95 Maxwell
Olajuwon (24) 		Olajuwon (16) Olajuwon
Smith
Thorpe (4) 		The Summit
16,611 		5–0
6 November 15
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Philadelphia W 88–84 Olajuwon (21) Thorpe (19) Smith (6) Spectrum
9,282 		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
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Indiana W 99–83 Thorpe (24) Thorpe (11) Maxwell (7) Market Square Arena
9,276 		8–0
9 November 20
7:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Clippers W 108–86 Olajuwon (22) Olajuwon (12) Brooks (6) The Summit
15,678 		9–0
10 November 23
7:30 p.m. CST 		Chicago W 100–93 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (11) Maxwell (10) The Summit
16,611 		10–0
11 November 24
8:00 p.m. CST 		@ Utah W 95–93 (OT) Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (17) Maxwell (7) Delta Center
19,911 		11–0
12 November 26
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ Sacramento W 92–89 Olajuwon (36) Thorpe (14) Horry
Thorpe (4) 		ARCO Arena
17,317 		12–0
13 November 27
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Clippers W 82–80 Maxwell (17) Olajuwon (15) Maxwell (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
13,807 		13–0
14 November 30
7:30 p.m. CST 		Milwaukee W 102–91 Olajuwon (20) Olajuwon (12) Olajuwon (6) The Summit
14,186 		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
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ New York W 94–85 Olajuwon (37) Herrera (15) Horry (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		15–0
16 December 3
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Atlanta L 111–133 Maxwell (26) Olajuwon (7) Horry (5) The Omni
16,368 		15–1
17 December 5
6:00 p.m. CST 		@ Cleveland W 99–98 Olajuwon (22) Olajuwon (9) Maxwell (6) Richfield Coliseum
17,393 		16–1
18 December 7
7:30 p.m. CST 		Charlotte W 121–102 Thorpe (40) Olajuwon
Thorpe (7) 		Maxwell (7) The Summit
16,611 		17–1
19 December 9
7:30 p.m. CST 		Miami W 115–109 (OT) Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (16) Elie (5) The Summit
12,707 		18–1
20 December 11
7:30 p.m. CST 		Seattle W 82–75 Olajuwon (23) Thorpe (14) Elie (6) The Summit
16,611 		19–1
21 December 14
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Miami W 97–88 Maxwell (25) Olajuwon (11) Maxwell (6) Miami Arena
15,011 		20–1
22 December 18
7:30 p.m. CST 		Dallas W 104–93 Olajuwon (28) Thorpe (15) Smith (6) The Summit
15,798 		21–1
23 December 21
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ San Antonio W 90–88 Maxwell (35) Olajuwon (10) Maxwell
Olajuwon (6) 		Alamodome
32,631 		22–1
24 December 23
7:30 p.m. CST 		Denver L 93–106 Olajuwon (35) Olajuwon (17) Maxwell (7) The Summit
16,611 		22–2
25 December 25
1:30 p.m. CST 		@ Phoenix L 91–111 Olajuwon (27) Olajuwon (13) Horry (8) America West Arena
19,023 		22–3
26 December 26
9:00 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Lakers W 118–93 Smith (41) Olajuwon (14) Maxwell
Smith (6) 		Great Western Forum
15,393 		23–3
27 December 28
9:00 p.m. CST 		@ Seattle L 97–112 Olajuwon (34) Thorpe (12) Smith (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,813 		23–4
28 December 30
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Minnesota W 110–104 Olajuwon (34) Thorpe (17) Maxwell (7) Target Center
18,461 		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
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ Dallas W 114–102 Olajuwon (37) Olajuwon (14) Olajuwon (8) Reunion Arena
11,721 		26–4
31 January 8
7:30 p.m. CST 		Philadelphia W 100–93 Olajuwon (23) Olajuwon (17) Cassell (9) The Summit
16,611 		27–4
32 January 10
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Orlando L 100–115 Olajuwon (26) Olajuwon (11) Smith (8) Orlando Arena
15,291 		27–5
33 January 12
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Boston W 94–84 Olajuwon (37) Thorpe (13) Smith (7) Boston Garden
14,890 		28–5
34 January 13
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Washington L 102–120 Olajuwon (45) Thorpe (11) Elie (5) USAir Arena
16.024 		28–6
35 January 15
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ Chicago L 76–82 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon
Thorpe (10) 		Maxwell (5) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		28–7
36 January 18
7:30 p.m. CST 		Boston L 83–95 Olajuwon (28) Thorpe (14) Maxwell (8) The Summit
16,611 		28–8
37 January 20
8:00 p.m. CST 		@ Denver L 106–111 (2OT) Thorpe (24) Thorpe (20) Elie (6) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171 		28–9
38 January 22
7:30 p.m. CST 		Utah W 106–101 Olajuwon (40) Thorpe (11) Maxwell (7) The Summit
16,611 		29–9
39 January 25
7:30 p.m. CST 		Cleveland W 96–93 Maxwell (21) Olajuwon (10) Maxwell (10) The Summit
13,006 		30–9
40 January 27
7:30 p.m. CST 		Sacramento W 113–97 Olajuwon (24) Thorpe (14) Maxwell (8) The Summit
11,467 		31–9
41 January 29
7:30 p.m. CST 		Indiana L 108–119 Olajuwon (27) Olajuwon (12) Cassell (6) The Summit
16,611 		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
8:00 p.m. CST 		@ Utah L 88–104 Olajuwon (23) Herrera
Olajuwon (7) 		Maxwell (6) Delta Center
19,911 		31–11
43 February 3
7:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Lakers W 99–88 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (15) Maxwell (5) The Summit
12,092 		32–11
44 February 6
5:00 p.m. CST 		Minnesota W 110–104 Olajuwon (25) Olajuwon
Thorpe (17) 		Elie (7) The Summit
13,805 		33–11
45 February 8
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ Milwaukee L 98–106 Olajuwon (27) Olajuwon (12) Brooks (6) Bradley Center
15,189 		33–12
46 February 10
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Detroit W 104–81 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (20) Maxwell (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
17,135 		34–12
All-Star Break
47 February 15
7:30 p.m. CST 		Atlanta W 103–99 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (14) Smith (10) The Summit
15,204 		35–12
48 February 16
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Charlotte L 97–102 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon (12) Maxwell (6) Charlotte Coliseum
23,698 		35–13
49 February 19
7:30 p.m. CST 		Phoenix W 106–88 Maxwell (25) Thorpe (18) Horry (5) The Summit
16,611 		36–13
50 February 22
7:30 p.m. CST 		Denver W 98–97 Olajuwon (33) Olajuwon (13) Maxwell (8) The Summit
12,043 		37–13
51 February 24
7:00 p.m. CST 		New York W 93–73 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (20) Maxwell (6) The Summit
16,611 		38–13
52 February 26
7:30 p.m. CST 		Utah L 85–95 Olajuwon (23) Olajuwon
Thorpe (9) 		Maxwell
Smith (5) 		The Summit
16,611 		38–14
53 February 28
8:00 p.m. CST 		@ Utah L 85–89 Olajuwon (20) Thorpe (11) Cassell (4) Delta Center
19,911 		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
7:30 p.m. CST 		Orlando W 97–85 Olajuwon (26) Thorpe (19) Maxwell (6) The Summit
16,611 		39–15
55 March 5
7:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Clippers W 124–107 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon (12) Maxwell (9) The Summit
15,009 		40–15
56 March 8
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ San Antonio L 99–115 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (11) Maxwell (6) Alamodome
20,539 		40–16
57 March 10
7:00 p.m. CST 		Seattle W 87–82 Olajuwon (23) Olajuwon (8) Maxwell (6) The Summit
16,611 		41–16
58 March 12
7:30 p.m. CST 		San Antonio L 98–109 Olajuwon (27) Olajuwon (18) Maxwell (7) The Summit
16,611 		41–17
59 March 13
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Dallas W 100–93 Maxwell (27) Thorpe (15) Maxwell (8) Reunion Arena
12,525 		42–17
60 March 15
7:30 p.m. CST 		Portland W 105–99 Olajuwon (41) Thorpe (16) Horry
Olajuwon (6) 		The Summit
15,930 		43–17
61 March 17
7:30 p.m. CST 		Golden State W 112–99 Maxwell (25) Thorpe (21) Maxwell (8) The Summit
14,707 		44–17
62 March 19
7:30 p.m. CST 		Detroit W 106–88 Olajuwon (32) Elie (15) Smith (5) The Summit
15,512 		45–17
63 March 21
7:30 p.m. CST 		Washington W 128–112 Olajuwon (35) Olajuwon (14) Elie
Smith (6) 		The Summit
11,247 		46–17
64 March 22
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Minnesota L 81–83 Olajuwon (25) Thorpe (10) Elie
Smith (6) 		Target Center
17,178 		46–18
65 March 24
7:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Lakers W 113–107 Olajuwon (37) Thorpe (14) Smith (10) The Summit
14,688 		47–18
66 March 26
7:30 p.m. CST 		Utah W 98–83 Olajuwon (37) Olajuwon (19) Cassell (8) The Summit
16,611 		48–18
67 March 27
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Phoenix L 98–113 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (11) Thorpe (8) America West Arena
19,023 		48–19
68 March 29
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ Sacramento W 122–101 Thorpe (21) Thorpe (18) Cassell (8) ARCO Arena
17,317 		49–19
69 March 30
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ Golden State W 114–104 Maxwell (28) Thorpe (21) Horry
Smith (8) 		Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		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
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 88–101 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (12) Smith (8) Great Western Forum
15,316 		50–20
71 April 3
5:00 p.m. CDT 		@ L.A. Clippers W 106–98 Olajuwon (39) Olajuwon (11) Smith (7) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
10,474 		51–20
72 April 7
7:00 p.m. CDT 		Golden State W 134–102 Olajuwon (26) Olajuwon (13) Olajuwon (10) The Summit
15,914 		52–20
73 April 9
2:30 p.m. CDT 		San Antonio W 100–89 Maxwell (27) Olajuwon (13) Olajuwon
Smith (7) 		The Summit
16,611 		53–20
74 April 10
8:00 p.m. CDT 		@ Denver W 93–92 Olajuwon (31) Olajuwon (12) Cassell (5) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171 		54–20
75 April 12
7:30 p.m. CDT 		Minnesota W 98–89 Olajuwon (42) Horry (13) Maxwell (8) The Summit
12,048 		55–20
76 April 14
7:30 p.m. CDT 		Sacramento W 104–99 Olajuwon (34) Horry (14) Cassell
Horry (7) 		The Summit
13,127 		56–20
77 April 16
2:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Seattle L 97–100 Olajuwon (31) Olajuwon
Thorpe (8) 		Smith (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,813 		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
7:00 p.m. CDT 		@ San Antonio L 80–90 Olajuwon (25) Thorpe (15) Cassell
Smith (5) 		Alamodome
32,807 		57–22
80 April 21
7:30 p.m. CDT 		Dallas W 104–93 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (14) Cassell
Maxwell (7) 		The Summit
14,081 		58–22
81 April 22
7:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Dallas L 95–107 Smith
Thorpe (19) 		Thorpe (15) Cassell (8) Reunion Arena
13,865 		58–23
82 April 24
2:30 p.m. CDT 		Denver L 107–115 Olajuwon (34) Olajuwon (13) Cassell (8) The Summit
16,611 		58–24
1993–94 schedule

Playoffs

See also: 1994 NBA playoffs
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) Maxwell
Smith (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) Horry
Olajuwon (6) 		Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		2–1
4 May 6
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Portland W 92–89 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (16) Maxwell
Olajuwon
Smith (3) 		Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		3–1
Western 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
2:00 p.m. CDT 		Phoenix L 87–91 Olajuwon (36) Olajuwon (16) Horry
Maxwell (8) 		The Summit
15,073 		0–1
2 May 11
8:30 p.m. CDT 		Phoenix L 117–124 (OT) Olajuwon (31) Olajuwon (17) Maxwell (9) The Summit
16,611 		0–2
3 May 13
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Phoenix W 118–102 Maxwell (34) Olajuwon (15) Cassell (10) America West Arena
19,023 		1–2
4 May 15
2:15 p.m. CDT 		@ Phoenix W 107–96 Olajuwon (28) Thorpe (13) Olajuwon (8) America West Arena
19,023 		2–2
5 May 17
8:45 p.m. CDT 		Phoenix W 109–86 Olajuwon
Thorpe (20) 		Olajuwon (13) Smith (8) The Summit
16,611 		3–2
6 May 19
10:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Phoenix L 89–103 Olajuwon (23) Olajuwon (12) Olajuwon (5) America West Arena
19,023 		3–3
7 May 21
12 Noon CDT 		Phoenix W 104–94 Olajuwon (37) Olajuwon (17) Cassell (7) The Summit
16,611 		4–3
Western 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
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Utah W 100–86 Olajuqon (31) Horry (11) Cassell (7) The Summit
16,611 		1–0
2 May 25
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Utah W 104–99 Olajuwon (41) Olajuwon (13) Smith (7) The Summit
16,611 		2–0
3 May 27
8:00 p.m. CDT 		@ Utah L 86–95 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (13) Olajuwon (5) Delta Center
19,911 		2–1
4 May 29
2:30 p.m. CDT 		@ Utah W 80–78 Smith (25) Horry (10) Horry (5) Delta Center
19,911 		3–1
5 May 31
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Utah W 94–83 Horry
Olajuwon (22) 		Thorpe (16) 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
8:00 p.m. CDT 		New York W 85–78 Olajuwon (28) Thorpe (16) Smith (5) The Summit
16,611 		1–0
2 June 10
8:00 p.m. CDT 		New York L 83–91 Olajuwon (25) Thorpe (12) Smith (6) The Summit
16,611 		1–1
3 June 12
6:00 p.m. CDT 		@ New York W 93–89 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (11) Olajuwon (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 June 15
8:00 p.m. CDT 		@ New York L 82–91 Olajuwon (32) Thorpe (10) Cassell (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–2
5 June 17
8:00 p.m. CDT 		@ New York L 84–91 Olajuwon (27) Thorpe (13) Horry (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–3
6 June 19
6:00 p.m. CDT 		New York W 86–84 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon
Thorpe (10) 		Thorpe (6) The Summit
16,611 		3–3
7 June 22
8:00 p.m. CDT 		New York W 90–84 Olajuwon (25) Olajuwon (10) Olajuwon (7) The Summit
16,611 		4–3
1994 schedule

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

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".[51][52]

Player statistics

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

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

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

Player statistics citation:[23]

Award winners

Name Award
Hakeem Olajuwon NBA Player of the Week November 15, 1993
March 21, 1994
NBA Player of the Month November 1993
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
NBA All-Defensive First Team
NBA Most Valuable Player Award
All-NBA First Team
NBA Most Valuable Player Award
Rudy Tomjanovich NBA Coach of the Month November 1993

Transactions

Trades

August 2, 1993 To Houston Rockets
Mario Elie 		To Portland Trail Blazers
1995 POR second-round pick

Additions

Date Player Former team Ref.

Subtractions

Date Player Reason left New team Ref.
July 1, 1993 Kennard Winchester Waived
August 2, 1993 Sleepy Floyd Waived
November 1, 1993 Dave Jamerson Waived
November 2, 1993 Ashraf Amaya Waived

References

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