1993 NBA playoffs


The 1993 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1992–93 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for the third straight year. This was the Suns' second Western Conference title; they made their first NBA Finals appearance since 1976, losing to the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks–Pacers rivalry started in their first-round encounter, which New York won, 3–1. But it wasn't until the next two meetings that the rivalry became even more intense, particularly due to Reggie Miller's heroics in the Garden that made him a household name and Indiana legitimate contenders in the East.
The Charlotte Hornets made their playoff debut. Their opening-round series versus Boston was also last time the Celtics made the playoffs with Kevin McHale, who retired after the series, and Robert Parish, who left as a free agent. Game 1 of the series was the final game of Reggie Lewis' career, as he collapsed during the first quarter and did not play for the rest of the series; he died in July of a heart attack.
Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals saw the Suns attempt sixty-four free throws while connecting on fifty-seven of them, both NBA postseason records.
Sportswriter Bill Simmons called the 1993 post-season the best in NBA history.

Bracket

Western Conference

Champion: Phoenix Suns

First Round

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Suns win series 3–2
Phoenix won 5–0 in the regular-season series


This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first seven meetings.
Los Angeles leads 6–1 in all-time playoff series.


Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Rockets win series 3–2
Houston won 4–0 in the regular-season series.


This was the first playoff meeting between the Rockets and the Clippers.
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Utah Jazz: Sonics win series 3–2
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series


This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Jazz winning the first meeting.
Utah leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series


Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs: Spurs win series 3–1
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series


This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Trail Blazers winning the first meeting.
Portland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

Conference Semifinals

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs: Suns win series 4–2
Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series.


This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first meeting.
Phoenix leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series.


Houston Rockets vs. Seattle SuperSonics: Sonics win series 4–3
Seattle won 3–1 in the regular-season series


This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning the first three meetings.
Seattle leads 3–0 in all-time playoff series

Conference Finals

Phoenix Suns vs. Seattle SuperSonics: Suns win series 4–3
Seattle won 3–2 in the regular-season series.


This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series.
Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series

Eastern Conference

Champion: Chicago Bulls

First Round

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers: Knicks win series 3–1
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series


This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Knicks.
Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks: Bulls win series 3–0
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series


This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning the first meeting.
Atlanta leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series


Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Jersey Nets: Cavaliers win series 3–2
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series


This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Cavaliers winning the first meeting.
Cleveland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series


Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets: Hornets win series 3–1
Boston won 3–1 in the regular-season series


This was the first playoff meeting between the Celtics and the Hornets.

Conference Semifinals

New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets: Knicks win series 4–1
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series


This was the first playoff meeting between the Hornets and the Knicks.
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bulls win series 4–0
Cleveland won 3–2 in the regular-season series


This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first three meetings.
Chicago leads 3–0 in all-time playoff series

Conference Finals

New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls: Bulls win series 4–2
New York won 3–1 in the regular-season series.


This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first four meetings.
Chicago leads 4–0 in all-time playoff series

NBA Finals

Phoenix Suns vs. Chicago Bulls: Bulls win series 4–2
Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series


This was the first playoff meeting between the Bulls and the Suns.