On May 13 in 1999, Allen Iverson created NBA history, becoming the first and only player to ever record 10 steals in a playoff game.
In Game 3 of the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round series against the Orlando Magic, Iverson poured in 33 points, five rebounds, five assists, and 10 steals to lead the 76ers to a 97-85 win.
The only other players in NBA history to record 30 points and 10 steals in a game are Alvin Robertson (30/10) and Michael Jordan (32/10), however, both performances those games came in the regular season.
Fresh off winning his first scoring title, the then 23-year-old Iverson led the 76ers past the Magic in four games (3-1) in what was his first appearance in the playoffs, with Game 3 the 76ers first home playoff game for the Sixers in eight years.
In a lockout-shortened season, Iverson led the 76ers to a 28-22 record, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.
“It pretty much was the Allen Iverson show," Magic coach Chuck Daly said, via the Washington Post. "What he does for that team, I don’t even know if they realise it.”
Other notable events on May 13th
- In 1976, the New York Nets beat the Denver Nuggets 112-106 to win the last ABA championship (4-2). The following month, four former ABA teams were admitted to the NBA — the San Antonio, Denver, New York and Indiana Pacers.
- In 1977, Maurice Lucas scored 26 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers past the Los Angeles Lakers 105-101 to sweep the Western Conference Finals on their way to winning their first- and only NBA championship, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the FInals.
- In 1991, former NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien, National Basketball Players Association founder Larry Fleisher and NBA legends Nate Archibald, Dave Cowens and Harry Gallatin were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
- In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 85-71 in Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series, marking the Spurs' 12th straight win in one playoff run. They would lose just one more game in the 1999 playoffs on their way to winning their first-ever NBA championship, defeating the New York Knicks in five games.
Game-winning buzzer-beaters on May 13th
Toni Kukoc in Game 3 vs. New York Knicks in 1994 Eastern Conference Semi-finals
On this day in 1994: Tied at 102 with 1.8 seconds left in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, Toni Kukoc hit the game-winner.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 13, 2018
WATCH: pic.twitter.com/wWDXMGLiTO
Derek Fisher in Game 5 vs. San Antonio Spurs in 2004 Western Conference Semi-finals.
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