September 15, 2024

SPORTS HISTORY IN BLACK: Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal face off

Then-Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon (34) passes the ball as he is pressured by Then-Orlando Magic players Shaquille O'Neal (32) and Horace Grant (54) during the second quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Houston on June 11, 1995. Photo credit: Rick Bowmer, The Associated Press

The Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, made it to the NBA Finals to face the Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O’Neal, almost 30 years ago. The matchup pitted two of the best big men in the NBA against each other in the 1995 NBA Finals. Needless to say, this matchup was incredibly anticipated.

Game 1 on June 7, 1995, saw the Magic race out to a 20-point lead in the first half. But the
Rockets were not done that quickly.

Then-Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon (34) passes the ball as he is pressured by Then-Orlando Magic players Shaquille O'Neal (32) and Horace Grant (54) during the second quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Houston on June 11, 1995. Photo credit: Rick Bowmer, The Associated Press
Then-Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon (34) passes the ball as he is pressured by Then-Orlando Magic players Shaquille O’Neal (32) and Horace Grant (54) during the second quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Houston on June 11, 1995. Photo credit: Rick Bowmer, The Associated Press

Kenny Smith would set an NBA record of seven threes in a game and the Rockets would
storm back, forcing this game into overtime. And in overtime, the Rockets would prevail 120-118.

The Rockets would go on to win the series as well and claim the NBA title. And the Magic
wouldn’t reach the NBA Finals again until 14 years later, led by young star center Dwight
Howard.

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