Amanda Knapp
On May 25th, 2002, the New Jersey Nets faced off against the Boston Celtics in the NBA. This was a significant year for the NBA Playoffs, marking the return of the Boston Celtics, who hadn't qualified since 1995, and the New Jersey Nets, who were back for the first time since 1998. The 2002 NBA Playoffs also saw the last appearance of the Charlotte Hornets until 2010. The tournament concluded with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals, with Shaquille O'Neal being named MVP for the third consecutive year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 25, 2002 |
| Event | NBA Playoffs |
| Teams | New Jersey Nets vs Boston Celtics |
| NBA Finals | Los Angeles Lakers vs New Jersey Nets |
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What You'll Learn
New Jersey Nets vs Boston Celtics
On May 25, 2002, the New Jersey Nets faced off against the Boston Celtics in what would be a highly competitive game. This game marked the return of the Boston Celtics to the playoffs, having last made it in 1995. The New Jersey Nets were also back in the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
The Nets had clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference and earned home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. They had a strong season, finishing with a 52-30 record. The Celtics, on the other hand, finished the regular season with a 49-33 record, earning them the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away. The Nets, led by their star point guard Jason Kidd, who recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, held a slim lead at halftime. However, the Celtics, powered by Paul Pierce's 28 points, fought back in the third quarter and took a narrow lead into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with the lead changing hands multiple times. In the end, the Nets came out on top with a final score of 94-90, thanks to some clutch free throws by Kidd in the closing minutes. This win gave them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were a memorable postseason for the Nets, as they advanced all the way to the NBA Finals, facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, they were swept by the Lakers 4-0, and Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals MVP for the third consecutive year.
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Nets' 2002 playoff run
The New Jersey Nets' 2002 playoff run was an impressive series of games that saw them reach the NBA Finals. The Nets' road to the finals began with a scare against the Indiana Pacers, escaping Game 5 in double overtime to advance—their first playoff series win since 1984. They then defeated the Charlotte Hornets in five games before meeting their Atlantic Division rivals, the Boston Celtics, in the conference finals.
The Nets' starting lineup for the 2002 NBA Finals featured Jason Kidd, Kerry Kittles, Kenyon Martin, Keith Van Horn, and Todd MacCulloch. They faced the two-time defending and heavily favoured champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, who boasted a talented lineup including Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Despite a strong effort, the Nets were swept by the Lakers four games to none, marking the Lakers' third consecutive NBA championship.
The Nets' 2002 playoff run was a significant improvement from the previous season, with a 26-win improvement, and they clinched the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference with a 52–30 record. The team's success was driven by the talented play of Jason Kidd, who earned first-team spots on both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams and was selected for his fifth All-Star game. Richard Jefferson also stood out, earning an All-Rookie second-team selection.
The Nets' 2002 playoff run may not have ended with a championship, but it laid the foundation for continued success. The following year, they returned to the Finals, winning the Atlantic Division title and ten straight games heading into the championship series.
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Lakers' 2002 playoff run
The 2002 NBA playoffs were the postseason tournament of the 2001-02 NBA season. The tournament culminated in the NBA Finals, which saw the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets. The Lakers swept the Nets 4-0 to win their third consecutive NBA championship. This was the last time a team swept an NBA Finals series until 2018.
The Lakers' road to the NBA Finals began with a first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, who they swept thanks to a series-winning 3-pointer by Robert Horry with 2.1 seconds left in Game 3. In the conference semifinals, the Lakers faced the Spurs, winning the first two games in San Antonio. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to victory in Games 3 and 4, offsetting the production of Tim Duncan, who had a double-double in every game. The Lakers won the series 4-1, advancing to the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers-Kings series is regarded as one of the most controversial playoff series in NBA history, with widespread criticism of the officiating as favoring the Lakers, especially in Game 6. The Lakers won Game 7 112-106, marking the first time since 1982 that a road team won a Game 7 in the conference finals.
In the NBA Finals, the Lakers faced the Nets, who had made the Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Lakers dominated the inaugural game at a sold-out Staples Center in Los Angeles, taking a 42-19 lead in the first quarter. Despite a late rally by the Nets, the Lakers held on to win the first game. The Lakers went on to sweep the series, with Shaquille O'Neal being named NBA Finals MVP for the third straight year.
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Boston Celtics' return to playoffs
On May 25, 2002, the Boston Celtics returned to the NBA Playoffs, a stage they had not reached since 1995. The Celtics' return marked a significant moment in the team's history, as they sought to reclaim their former glory.
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were a memorable postseason tournament, as it was the last time a best-of-5 first-round series format was used before expanding to best-of-7 in 2003. The tournament culminated in a thrilling finale, with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers facing off against the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets. The Lakers ultimately swept the series 4-0, claiming the NBA championship title and solidifying their dominance in the league at that time.
The Boston Celtics' return to the playoffs was a significant step for the historic franchise. The Celtics are one of the most storied teams in the NBA, with a rich history of success, including an impressive 17 NBA championships. However, the early 2000s marked a period of rebuilding for the team, as they struggled to find their footing and return to their former glory.
The 2002 Playoffs served as a platform for the Celtics to showcase their potential and lay the foundation for future success. While they didn't advance far in the tournament, their appearance marked a turning point, signalling to the league that they were back and ready to compete. The team's young core gained valuable experience, which they would build on in the following seasons.
The Boston Celtics' return to the NBA Playoffs after a long drought served as a testament to their resilience and determination. It ignited a spark within the franchise, and although they didn't immediately return to championship contention, it set in motion a journey towards rebuilding and reclaiming their place among the league's elite.
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Phoenix Suns' 'Los Suns' jerseys
The Phoenix Suns have a range of Los Suns jerseys and t-shirts available for fans. The official NBA store stocks jerseys for men, women, and children, with a selection of authentic, replica, and Swingman jerseys in both home and away colours. Fans can also get a customised Suns jersey.
The Los Soles t-shirt is available for men in both black and white, with prices starting at $26.24. The store also stocks a range of Phoenix Suns Los Suns t-shirts, including the Sportiqe Cream Phoenix Suns City Edition El Valle Tri-Blend T-Shirt, which is available for both men and women. The black and white versions of this t-shirt are also available. The regular price for these t-shirts is $39.99, but they are currently on sale for $29.99.
The Phoenix Suns shop also has a collection of other jerseys available. Fans can purchase jerseys of famous players, such as Steve Nash, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant. The 1996/97 Hardwood Classics Swingman Jersey of Steve Nash is available in purple and black, as well as orange and black. The Devin Booker 2016 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Hardwood Classics Swingman Jersey is another jersey available in white.
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Frequently asked questions
The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets 4-0 in the 2002 NBA Finals.
The 2002 NBA Playoffs marked the return of the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets.
The Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs clinched a playoff berth in the West.
