Amanda Knapp
On May 8, 1970, the New York Knicks faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA World Championship Series. This game, played at Madison Square Garden, was the first NBA Finals game to be nationally televised in full, with ABC providing the coverage. The Knicks won the game, defeating the Lakers in seven games to claim their first NBA title. The game was also notable for the return of Willis Reed, who had been injured, and for the performance of Jerry West, who made a miracle shot from beyond midcourt to send the game to overtime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 8, 1970 |
| Event | 1970 NBA Finals Game 7 |
| Teams | Lakers vs Knicks |
| Champion | New York Knicks |
| Score | 111-108 |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden |
| TV Coverage | ABC |
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What You'll Learn
Lakers vs Knicks
On May 8, 1970, the New York Knicks faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. This game, played at Madison Square Garden, would decide the championship series of the 1970 NBA playoffs, concluding the 1969-70 NBA season.
The Knicks, representing the Eastern Division, faced off against the Western Division champion Lakers. The Knicks had a 3-2 lead in the series coming into the game, but the Lakers had won the previous two games, forcing a decisive Game 7.
The game was nationally televised, with ABC providing full coverage of the finals. Chris Schenkel was the play-by-play man, with Jack Twyman serving as the color analyst. Howard Cosell provided interviews from the Knicks' locker room following the game.
The Knicks won the game 113-99, claiming their first NBA title. The game was named by ESPN in 2010 as the greatest Game 7 in finals history, featuring a return from injury for Willis Reed.
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First nationally televised NBA Finals
The 1970 NBA Finals were the first to be nationally televised in full, with ABC providing the coverage. The Eastern Division champion New York Knicks defeated the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to win their first NBA title. The final game of the series was named by ESPN in 2010 as the greatest Game 7 in finals history.
The play-by-play commentator for the nationally televised game was Chris Schenkel, with Jack Twyman serving as the colour analyst. Howard Cosell provided interviews from the Knicks' locker room following their victory and was famously doused with champagne. However, the Knicks' victory in Game 7 was not seen live on broadcast TV in New York; ABC's coverage was blacked out on WABC-TV, causing angry fans to flood the WABC switchboard. Schenkel announced during the broadcast that the game would be aired in New York at 11:30 p.m. that night. The game was shown live on the premium channel MSG Network in New York City, available in about 25,000 cable households in Manhattan.
The NBA has had a long history of partnership with television networks in the United States. The league signed a contract with DuMont in its 8th season (1953–54), marking the first year the NBA had a national television broadcaster. NBC took over the rights for the 1954–55 season, broadcasting the first nationally televised NBA Finals game in 1956. NBC's first tenure with the NBA lasted until 1962, after which Sports Network Incorporated (later known as the Hughes Television Network) signed up for two-year coverage in the 1962–63 and 1963–64 seasons. ABC then gained the NBA in 1964, airing its first NBA game on January 3, 1965. Up until the 1970–71 season, ABC often aired NBA games as segments of its popular anthology series, ABC's Wide World of Sports. Since the 1970 finals, every NBA Finals game has been carried across the United States, though local blackouts continued for some time.
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Willis Reed's return from injury
On May 8, 1970, Willis Reed of the New York Knicks made a historic return from injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a moment that not only inspired his team but also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Reed had suffered a serious thigh injury in the previous game and his absence was felt heavily by the Knicks as they lost that game. The injury caused him to miss the first two games of the Finals, and the Knicks struggled without their star player, falling behind 2-0 in the series. However, his return in Game 3 shifted the momentum of the entire series.
Willis Reed, a dominant center known for his relentless rebounding and scoring prowess, inspired his team with his sheer determination and will to win. Before the injury, he was an integral part of the Knicks' success, having been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player that season. His presence on the court was a huge boost to the team's morale and confidence. Despite the injury, Reed started Game 3, surprising everyone, including his own teammates. He played a crucial role, scoring the first two baskets and grabbing the initial two rebounds, setting the tone for the Knicks' victory.
However, the injury had not fully healed, and Reed's mobility was limited. He couldn't move as freely as he normally would, and his playing time was reduced. Still, his impact was immense. His mere presence on the court lifted the spirits of his teammates and struck fear into the hearts of their opponents. The Knicks won Game 3 and went on to take the next three games as well, completing an improbable comeback to win the series 4-3. Willis Reed's return from injury stands as one of the most iconic and inspiring moments in NBA history.
His determination to play through pain and contribute to his team's success embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and exemplifies the impact a true leader can have. For Knicks fans and basketball enthusiasts, May 8, 1970, remains a day to remember, celebrating the indomitable will and leadership of a basketball legend, Willis Reed. His impact extended beyond that single game, as he helped pave the way for the Knicks' future success, including their NBA championship wins in 1970 and 1973.
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Jerry West's miracle shot
On May 8, 1970, Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers made one of the most memorable and dramatic shots in NBA history, now known as "Jerry West's Miracle Shot." With the score tied at 102 between the Lakers and the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals, West launched a desperation heave from just inside the half-court line as time expired. The ball found the bottom of the net, giving the Lakers a seemingly improbable 104-102 victory and a crucial 2-1 lead in the series. What made the shot even more remarkable was the fact that West was suffering from a severe hamstring injury and had struggled to even get on the court for the game.
Earlier in the game, it seemed uncertain whether West would be able to continue playing due to his injury. However, he gutted it out and ended up being the hero. The shot itself was a perfect illustration of West's incredible talent and clutch gene. With the game on the line and the ball in his hands, he showed composure, skill, and accuracy to make a game-winning shot from an extremely difficult position. The fact that it was a buzzer-beater only added to the drama and the "miracle" nature of the moment.
The significance of the shot was immense. Not only did it give the Lakers a crucial lead in the series, but it also provided a massive psychological boost to the team. The Lakers had lost the previous two NBA Finals, and this shot helped to banish any doubts or negative thoughts that may have been lingering. Additionally, it further enhanced West's reputation as one of the all-time great clutch performers in NBA history, a reputation that was already well-earned due to his stellar career.
The "Miracle Shot" has gone down in NBA lore, often recalled when discussing the greatest or most memorable shots in league history. It is a testament to Jerry West's skill, determination, and clutch gene, and it remains one of the defining moments of his illustrious career. West's career was filled with accolades and achievements, including an NBA championship, an NBA Finals MVP award, and an Olympic gold medal. However, for many, "Jerry West's Miracle Shot" stands out as one of the most remarkable and iconic moments, showcasing the talent and willpower of one of the NBA's all-time greats.
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Wilt Chamberlain's loss
On May 8, 1970, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a loss against the New York Knicks in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. The game, played at Madison Square Garden, marked the Knicks' first NBA title. While the Lakers' Wilt Chamberlain put up 21 points and 24 rebounds, it wasn't enough to overcome the Knicks, who were led by Willis Reed.
Chamberlain's performance in the 1970 NBA Finals is notable for a few reasons. Firstly, he averaged 399 rebounds throughout the playoffs, the most of any player. Secondly, he was coming off a career-threatening injury, which some commentators felt was overlooked in criticisms of his Game 7 performance. Finally, his free-throw shooting in Game 7 was particularly poor, making just 1 out of 11 attempts.
The series as a whole was highly competitive, with the deciding game going down in history as the greatest Game 7 in NBA Finals history, according to ESPN in 2010. The Knicks' victory was the first time an NBA Finals game had been nationally televised in full, although it was blacked out in New York, causing an uproar among local fans.
Wilt Chamberlain, despite his loss in the 1970 NBA Finals, was an exceptional player. Standing at 7-foot-1 (2.16m) tall and weighing 275 lbs (124 kg), he was a dominant force on the court. He led the league in rebounding during the 1970-71 season, averaging 18.2 rebounds per game. Chamberlain was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 and is remembered as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Los Angeles Lakers played the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks won the game, and with it, their first NBA title.
The game took place at Madison Square Garden.
The final score was 111-108 to the Knicks.
Yes, it was the first NBA Finals game to be nationally televised in full, with ABC providing the coverage. However, the Knicks' victory was not shown live in New York; ABC's coverage was blacked out on WABC-TV.
