1898 - Frank Van Hennik files the first approved patent request related to the game of "basket-ball". The invention is "a horizontal gameboard with moveable elements" and the rules by which the game is played. To read the patent and see the board, click here.
1985 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (right) becomes the NBA's all-time leading point scorer in the playoffs, surpassing Jerry West, who tallied 4,457 in 14 seasons. Abdul-Jabbar finished his career with a total of 5,762 points. Michael Jordan, who finished his playoff career with 5,987 points, would eventually surpass Abdul-Jabbar's record.
1989 - Michael Jordan begins a 60-game playoff streak of 20 or more points to set an NBA Playoffs record.
1996 - Seattle, led by 26 points from Shawn Kemp and 21 from Gary Payton, defeats visiting Utah, 90-86, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, earning the SuperSonics a trip to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1979.
