This Date in NBA Finals History: Game 5 in 1994, Interrupted by OJ Simpson Car Chase, Sees Patrick Ewing Block Eight Shots in 91-84 Knicks’ Win

Cover photo: Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks posts up Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets during action in Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals from Madison Square Garden. Photo credit: John Biever, Sports Illustrated, Getty Images.

Thirty-one years ago, the New York Knicks appeared in their seventh NBA Finals (1951-53, 1970, 1972, 1973), facing off against the Houston Rockets who were led by Hakeem Olajuwon. 

Pat Riley’s Knicks won 57 regular season games, and disposed of the New Jersey Nets 3-1 in the first round, defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-3 in the second round, and defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Rudy Tomjanovic’s Rockets won 58 regular season games and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 in the first round, the Phoenix Suns 4-3 in the second round, and the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals. 

In a Finals matchup pitting two of the league’s top centers - Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon - against one another, each game was competitive through games one through four. The Rockets prevailed 85-78 in Game 1, the Knicks 91-83 in Game 2, the Rockets 93-89 in Game 3, and the Knicks tied the series up with a 91-82 Game 4 victory. Over the first four games: 

Ewing 

Game 1 - 23 points and 9 rebounds

Game 2 - 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 blocks

Game 3 - 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks

Game 4 - 16 points and 15 rebounds

Olajuwon

Game 1 - 28 points and 10 rebounds

Game 2 - 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks

Game 3 - 21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 blocks

Game 4 - 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks

Over the course of the series that would go seven games, Olajuwon shot 50% and averaged 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks. Ewing averaged 18.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks on 36.3% shooting.

June 17, 1994 would regularly hold no other significance in NBA history than being a 91-84 New York Knicks victory over the Houston Rockets, a game in which Knicks’ superstar center Patrick Ewing blocked a then-record eight shots to lead the Knicks to a 3-2 series lead at Madison Square Garden. 

Historical notes though will identify the game that coincided with the OJ Simpson car chase through Los Angeles, with Simpson’s USC football and Buffalo Bill friend Al Cowlings at the wheel of a white Ford Bronco, going at slow speed down the freeway as nine police cruisers followed and a police helicopter monitored overhead. 

NBC’s Tom Brokaw gave frequent updates and the Los Angeles station KNBC Channel 2 also gave a live update early in the game with a live shot of Knick Anthony Mason during a timeout before play resumed. 

On the floor, the Knicks and Rockets dueled - Ewing and Olajuwon battling while young up and comers Sam Cassell and Robert Horry turned in quality games and gave a foreshadowing of the clutch plays that they would produce throughout their careers. The Knicks got out to a 45-37 halftime lead, were outscored 24-13 in the third but had a 30-23 fourth quarter advantage in the seven-point win. Ewing finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 blocks on 11-of-21 shooting with one 3-pointer. Olajuwon was 12-of-21 shooting with one triple and 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. 

“Hello everyone, I’m Bob Costas. It is our professional obligation to cover the ball game tonight. We will do that in what we hope is an appropriate fashion,” was said pregame about the uncertain, unknown situation. 

About the series, NBC color commentator Matt Guokas said pregame, “The Knicks have to feel fortunate to be even in this series with Patrick Ewing missing 20 shots for the second straight game. But Patrick’s defense - shot blocking and rebounding are big reasons why the Knicks are feeling good about themselves.” Ewing had been 9-of-29 and 8-of-28 in games three and four, but did have six blocks in Game 2 and seven blocks in Game 3. 

Ewing began the game fronting Olajuwon as the Rocket center posted up on the left block. Ewing slipped, and Charles Oakley came over from the top of the key and aggressively bumped Olajuwon, committing the foul. 

Ewing’s first block happens when Horry curls to the left wing and gets a pass from Kenny Smith. Horry drives baseline on Charles Smith and spins inside, and as he prepares to go up for his shot Ewing comes over and gets the block with his right hand. 

After Horry finds Olajuwon down low, who banks in a layup, Ewing hits from the top from 20 feet. Olajuwon misses a baseline jump shot that is rebounded by Ewing, and at the other end Charles Oakley connects on a baseline jump shot to give the Knicks a 10-7 lead. 

Out of a timeout, Starks gets the ball to Ewing on the right block who is defended by Olajuwon. Horry brings a double and Ewing passes back out to Starks before getting a pass again. Olajuwon gets his hand on the ball but Ewing retrieves and turns baseline before going up for a shot that is goaltended by Otis Thorpe. 

On a sequence that included an Oakley transition pass to John Starks for a layup, an Oakley jump shot from the left side, and a Starks make from the right baseline, the Knicks took a 20-14 lead, forcing the Rockets to call timeout with 3:18 remaining in the quarter. 

The Knicks led 22-21 after the first quarter, Ewing playing all of it while Olajuwon rested the last 48 seconds. As Kenny Smith also sat down, the rookie guard Cassell entered the game, and after an Horry knock away of an entry pass intended for the Knicks’ Smith, Cassell retrieved and pushed the ball, dishing to a trailing Carl Herrera who finished with a finger roll. An impressive play from the rookie Cassell. Veteran Knick guard Derek Harper posted 6 points and 3 assists on 3-of-5 shooting in the quarter. 

After an Horry baseline miss that hits the back of the rim, Ewing rebounds. Oakley gets the ball and shoots from 18 feet out, missing, but Ewing is there for the rebound and the put-back off the glass. The third field-goal for Ewing (6 points) as the Knicks lead 24-21. 

Cassell on the next Rocket possession loses the ball on a drive but recovers and retreats to 17 feet and hits. It is a shot that would become one of Cassell’s signatures throughout his career as he would become one of the NBA’s best post-up guards and midrange shooters. 

With Olajuwon on the bench, Ewing is double-teamed on post entries by Horry and Thorpe. Greg Anthony gets the ball on the right baseline and takes a dribble before pulling up on a shot that hits the back of the rim. Ewing flies in and completes a left-handed slam. 26-23 Knicks, 10 minutes remaining second quarter. 

Ewing remains doubled, with Cassell now coming over to help Thorpe. Mason posts up on Horry and connects on a jump hook. Mason then connects from 17 feet out - 30-30 with 8:15 on the clock. 

Cassell misses a runner, and Anthony rebounds before giving off to Mason in transition who is beyond the 3-point line on the left wing. Mason takes four dribbles into the paint before finger-rolling the ball home. Mason was one of the unique players of his time, a big and powerfully built forward with ball-handling abilities. New York leads 32-30. Out of the next timeout, Ewing gets a rest and Olajuwon is back on the floor. 

Mason rebounds a miss and flies into the open floor, driving and crossing over on Olajuwon before being called for the offensive foul. A timeout is called with 6:39 on the clock, 34-32 Knicks. Before the broadcast comes back after the timeout, Tom Brokaw interrupts after a Mazda truck commercial. 

“We are looking at live pictures of Interstate 5 in Los Angeles,” explains Brokaw. “We believe that that white vehicle belongs to Al Cowlings, who disappeared with OJ Simpson earlier today shortly after Mr. Simpson was informed that he was going to be formally charged.” 

The live coverage continues for about three minutes before the game broadcast is back on with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter with the Knicks leading 34-33. Ewing returns with 5:25 on the clock and the game tied at 34. 

The Rockets get Olajuwon from the right block to left block with cross action, Ewing momentarily fronting before playing him from behind. An entry pass is made to Olajuwon in the paint as Ewing pushes him up further from the basket. Ewing reaches to knock the ball away. A three-second violation on Olajuwon is called. 

Mason drives from the left wing into the lane and finds Ewing at the top of the free-throw circle from 18 feet. The shot is good from Ewing, the center with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Cassell then drives the middle of the lane and drops off to Olajuwon, who goes up and has the ball deflected. Mario Elie misses on a 3-point attempt and Mason tips the ball to himself for the rebound and pushes up the floor. 

Ewing gets the ball on the left block and Horry brings the double team. Ewing passes out to Mason who cans the jump shot. 39-34 Knicks coming up on four minutes remaining in the half. 

Thorpe gets the ball on a cut down the middle of the lane and goes up for a layup. Ewing meets him for a strong block, pushing the ball to the glass. Thorpe attempts to go up again and Ewing, grounded and hands up, forces a bad miss. Starks in transition to Derek Harper for a layup off the glass that is deemed goaltending, plus the foul. Harper’s free-throw is good. A 7-0 run by the Knicks and eight consecutive misses for the Rockets. 

Cassell maneuvers inside and finds Thorpe who goes up for a layup. The shot is missed but Olajuwon skies for the one-handed putback dunk. An impressive, athletic play. 41-36 New York. 

Starks misses on a jump shot, and Mason grabs the rebound on the right baseline. Mason goes up, challenged by Olajuwon, and misses. Ewing follows up with a right-hand slam - 43-36 Knicks with just over two minutes remaining in the half. 

“Patrick Ewing easily having his best performance of the NBA Finals,” says Marv Albert. 

With 1:40 remaining in the half, Mason attempts a sweeping hook over Olajuwon in the lane. As Mason goes up for the shot (which missed), Albert sends to Brokaw, with live coverage of the Santa Ana Freeway and the Simpson chase. The cruisers continue behind the Ford Bronco.

The NBC Finals’ broadcast is brought back with 49.9 seconds remaining in the first half with the Knicks leading 45-36. While the broadcast was away from the game, Olajuwon, spinning on Mason in the post, caught the Knicks’ forward with an elbow, leading to the two needing to be separated as well as Harper and Vernon Maxwell. Horry misses a shot from 17 feet, and Starks throws a pass ahead to Mason who goes up for a dunk but is fouled by Horry with 36 seconds remaining in the half. 

Harper works inside against Kenny Smith and ducks under an Olajuwon block attempt before scooping the ball up with his left hand, the ball hitting the back of the rim before falling through. 48-37 Knicks, who are on a 14-3 run. Ewing with 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 7 rebounds in the half and Mason with 12 points as well. The Knicks are shooting 51% and the Rockets’ 38%. 

As the broadcast comes back, Costas shifts again to Brokaw, who says, “We are witnessing tonight a modern tragedy and drama of Shakespearian proportions.” The coverage continues for four and a half minutes before going to commercial and back to NBC’s Finals’ broadcast. 

Ewing is fronting Olajuwon as Olajuwon makes his way across the lane to get a post pass. Thorpe airballs with the shot clock winding down. 

Olajuwon gets the ball on the right block on the Rockets’ next possession and faces up Ewing. Olajuwon fakes right and takes a quick dribble left, creating space on Ewing. The Rocket center attempts to go up but is fouled by his counterpart. 

Starks connects on a reverse layup to give the Knicks a 50-40 lead. Olajuwon posts on Smith but Smith knocks the ball away. Ewing down the left side of the floor in transition gets a pass from Starks and has the ball knocked away. 

Olajuwon is doubled by Oakley and Smith in an attempt to frustrate Olajuwon and make things tough on the all-world center. Olajuwon gets the ball on the right block and spins toward the baseline for a jump hook that misses off the glass. Just 36% shooting for the Rockets. Ewing rebounds and gets the ball to Starks. 

Harper gets a screen from Ewing and makes a move on Smith toward the baseline. Harper’s shot is good, the guard now 6-of-9 for 12 points. Knicks lead 54-43. Seven minutes to go in the third quarter. 

Horry throws the ball to Olajuwon on the right side but Smith knocks the ball away. Harper grabs it and throws ahead to Starks who gets the ball ahead to Mason. Mason takes one dribble and delivers a one-handed bounce pass to Ewing for a one-handed slam over Horry. The Knicks lead 56-43 and the Rockets call timeout with 6:49 remaining.

After a preview commercial of Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest film True Lies, Brokaw is back and opening the broadcast up with more Simpson coverage from the San Diego Freeway. Coverage of the chase continues for roughly a minute before heading back to the game. 

Thorpe misses a free-throw and Horry rebounds and retreats to the line uncovered and releases. The shot is good, 56-47. 

With five on the shot clock, Oakley is inbounding from the side and passes to Ewing at the elbow. Ewing passes to Starks who takes one dribble. Ewing moves to the 3-point line and catches from Starks and releases a high, fading triple over Olajuwon that connects. 17 points now for Ewing and the first 3-point make of the game for the Knicks.

Horry drives right and gets the ball knocked away by Smith and Starks briefly recovers before Olajuwon gets possession and converts a finger roll. 59-49 with 5:30 remaining in the third. 

In transition, Olajuwon gets the ball in the post and spins towards the middle, making a pass to Thorpe. Ewing blocks the attempt from Thorpe and gains possession. At the next whistle, Ewing goes to the bench. Mason replaces him and now defends Olajuwon. 

Olajuwon makes a post catch from a Maxwell pass. Olajuwon dribbles left, spins right, and spins back toward the baseline, pump fakes and releases a fadeaway over Mason that is good. The Rockets are in the midst of a 10-3 run, and with 3:54 to go in the third the Knicks call time leading 59-53. 

A jump shot from the left elbow by Cassell with three minutes remaining in the quarter cuts the deficit to four at 59-55. 

Ewing on the right baseline gets an entry pass from Starks and turns and hits a high-arching shot over Olajuwon. On the other end with the shot clock winding down, Olajuwon misses on a 3-point attempt from the left wing. Mason brings the ball up the floor and passes to Ewing at the top of the free-throw circle who misses. Cassell then uses a screen from Olajuwon on the left side and turns, crossing over on Harper and getting into the lane where he is fouled. Cassell converts both, the rookie now with six points.

Ewing posts Olajuwon, takes two dribbles and turns inside and releases a jump shot. Olajuwon stands his ground with a good contest and the shot is off. On the next Knicks’ possession, leading 61-57, Mason gets the ball on the block and takes a power dribble before spinning and pump faking. Olajuwon gets the block. 

Mason fronts Olajuwon, but Thorpe drives and finds Olajuwon on the baseline, who connects on a jump shot. 61-59 Knicks with 45 seconds remaining in the third quarter. 

With both the game clock and shot clock winding, Cassell finds Olajuwon who is posted up far from the basket. Olajuwon takes a dribble and turns baseline for a fadeaway that hits with 5.4 seconds remaining in the quarter. A tough shot for any center past, present, or future. The score is tied at 61. Eight points in the fourth for Olajuwon as the Rockets ended the frame on an 18-5 run. 

Maxwell opens the fourth quarter scoring with a jump shot from straightaway. 63-61. Olajuwon and Ewing are both getting rest. 

An athletic play from Thorpe as he catches the ball from Herrera and takes a power dribble before elevating for a left-handed dunk. 65-61 Rockets. Starks drives and misses a finger roll but Smith rebounds and is fouled. Out of the timeout, Olajuwon and Ewing return. Smith connects on both. 65-63 with 9:40 remaining. Another athletic play from Thorpe as he drives right on Mason and rises, ball in his right hand, and banks. A screen and roll by Ewing and Anthony and Ewing rolls to the baseline. Anthony delivers the pass and Ewing connects on the jump shot. 

Olajuwon posts up Ewing and gets the ball inside, turning and shooting a jump hook that looks to be deflected by Ewing. The center grabs the ball and outlets to Anthony. A fine defensive play. 

Ewing posts and hits a fadeaway over Olajuwon from about 10 feet. Olajuwon screens for Cassell and rolls toward the baseline. Cassell finds him and Olajuwon alertly delivers to Thorpe underneath for a bank layup over Ewing. The Rockets lead 69-67. 

On the Knicks’ next possession, Harper passes to Ewing on the baseline. Ewing drives on Olajuwon and is bumped as he gets an attempt off. Ewing’s free-throws are good and the game is tied with eight minutes to go. Ewing with six points thus far in the quarter and 25 points and 11 rebounds in the game. 

With the score 72-71 Knicks going to a timeout with 6:49 remaining in the game, Albert gives thanks to Brokaw for the transition from the coverage of Simpson back to the game. For roughly 20 minutes, NBC News had taken over coverage. An experience never seen before in a Finals’ game. 

Olajuwon, posting on Ewing on the right baseline, gets an entry feed from Smith and turns baseline for a hook shot over Ewing that he banks off the glass. 73-72 Rockets and Olajuwon with 18 points and 6 rebounds.  

After Mason misses on a baseline attempt, Ewing soars for the rebound but cannot convert the follow. Mason and Herrera battle for the ball going to the floor. The Knicks win the tip off the jump ball and Ewing gets the ball on the right side before he is stripped by Olajuwon. 

On the other side, Olajuwon gets the ball in the post on the right block guarded by Oakley. Olajuwon dribbles and, heading toward the middle of the paint, fades and releases a beautiful shot that drops in. Rockets lead 75-72. 

Olajuwon is again guarded by Oakley on the right block. He gets the ball, moves inside and is fouled by Oakley. Both free-throws are good. Olajuwon now with 22 points and 6 rebounds. 

Another entry pass from Smith to Olajuwon on the right block. This time Ewing is providing the defense. Olajuwon again takes one dribble and fades toward the middle, converting. A confident stroll back down the court. 24 points. 

Starks scores on a drive, and Olajuwon again is posting Ewing on the block. A dribble and an attempt at a fade once again, but Ewing is there for the rejection. Timeout is called with 3:22 remaining in the game and the Rockets leading 79-78. 

Ewing posts Olajuwon inside the right elbow but misses on a fade. On the next Knicks’ possession, Starks hits a wing triple from the right side. 16 points for Starks and the score is 81-80 Knicks.

On the Rockets’ next possession, Smith misses on a right wing triple, and Herrera, who rebounded the ball, gets blocked by Ewing. Harper ahead of the pack is fouled by Kenny Smith.  

As Harper hits his free-throws, Albert gives an update on the Simpson situation.

“There has been no change in the Brentwood, California situation outside the home of OJ Simpson. If developments start, we will flip back to Tom Brokaw and NBC News.”

Meanwhile, the Knick crowd is roaring as the home team now has an 83-80 lead with 1:50 remaining. The Rockets started the fourth hitting eight of twelve but have at this point missed their last four shots. 

On the Rockets’ possession out of the timeout, Cassell backs down Harper at the left wing at the 3-point line before giving it up to Horry at the top of the arc. Horry is tightly guarded by Mason and throws back to Cassell, who gives the ball to Olajuwon in the post. Cut off, Olajuwon throws back out to Horry who misses on a three ball. Oakley to Starks to Harper to Mason, and Mason punches home a one-handed dunk with 1:25 on the clock. Mason’s slam is a powerful exclamation point on a rousing Knick victory. 85-80 Knicks. 7-0 run New York. 

Olajuwon misses and Thorpe misses as the clock winds inside 40 seconds, the Knicks playing furious defense down the stretch as chants of DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!” reverberate through Madison Square Garden. 

If you wanted an identifier of how the Knicks were back then, this game would be an indicator. Advantage on the boards (45-42), while holding the rest of the Rocket starters now named Olajuwon to a combined 13-of-43.

Starks played sidekick to Ewing, with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Oakley tallied 10 points and 6 rebounds and he, Mason, and Smith all played admirable defense on Olajuwon, despite the pivot getting going in the third quarter. 

Herrera was strong off the Rocket bench with 11 points on 5-of-8 in 18 minutes. Cassell registered 6 points and 5 assists on 2-of-5 shooting.

The eight blocks by Ewing in the game tied Bill Walton (1977) and Olajuwon (1986) for most rejections in a NBA Finals game. Incidentally, both Ewing and Olajuwon posted seven blocks apiece in Game 3. In Game 3 of the 1978 Finals, Seattle SuperSonic defensive dynamo guard Dennis Johnson recorded seven blocks. Ewing’s record eight was tied by Shaquille O’Neal in Game 2 of the 2001 Finals and by Tim Duncan in Game 6 of the 2003 Finals. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard posted a new Finals record, with nine blocked shots, in Game 4 of the 2009 Finals.

The Knicks lost Game 6 by an 86-84 score and Game 7 by a 90-84 score as Olajuwon put up 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6 and 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 7. 

But on June 17, 1994 in Game 5 in a bizarre night that has now become infamous for one historic American event that upstaged the NBA Finals, they took a 3-2 lead with a tough performance behind a record-setting night from their Hall of Fame center.