What Happened Today in NBA History?
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A blog dedicated to providing a daily recap of what happened in the NBA on this day in history.
Nov. 5, 1946: The first ever NBA game is played
The first ever NBA game was played on this day in 1946. The game was between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies, and it was played at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The Knicks won the game by a score of 78-74.
Nov. 7, 1988: Michael Jordan scores his first ever NBA points
On this day in 1988, Michael Jordan scored his first ever NBA points. He would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Nov. 9, 2001: Allen Iverson scores a career-high 60 points
On Nov. 9, 2001, Allen Iverson had one of the best games of his NBA career, scoring 60 points in a 116-98 win over the Orlando Magic.
Iverson was in his sixth season in the NBA and was already an All-Star and the league’s leading scorer. But on this night, he was unstoppable, shooting 22-of-35 from the field and 14-of-15 from the free throw line. He also had eight assists and four steals in the win.
It was one of the highest scoring games in Iverson’s career, and it helped cement his reputation as one of the best scorers in NBA history.
Nov. 11, 1995: Magic Johnson announces his retirement
On this day in 1995, NBA legend Magic Johnson announced his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers after revealing he had tested positive for HIV.
Johnson, who had helped the Lakers to five NBA championships during his 13 seasons with the team, made the announcement at a press conference at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
“Because of the HIV virus that I have obtained, I will have to retire from the Lakers today,” said Johnson, who was just 36 years old at the time.
The announcement came as a shock to the basketball world and brought awareness of HIV and AIDS to a whole new level. Johnson was one of the first major public figures to reveal that he was living with HIV and his decision to retire helped break down stigma around the virus.
In 1992, Johnson had come out of retirement to play in the Summer Olympics with the “Dream Team,” which went on to win gold. After his announcement in 1995, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS awareness and founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, which provides support and resources for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Nov. 13, 1996: Kobe Bryant scores a then-record 36 points in his NBA debut
On this day in 1996, a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant scored 36 points in his NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, setting a record for the most points by a player in his first game. It was the beginning of a Hall of Fame career for Bryant, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
