2002 NBA playoffs

2002 NBA playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 20–June 12, 2002
Season2001–02
Teams16
Final positions
ChampionsLos Angeles Lakers (14th title)
Runner-upNew Jersey Nets
Semifinalists
← 2001
2003 →

The 2002 NBA playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This was the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; the 2003 NBA playoffs saw those series expand to a best-of-7 format. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets 4 games to 0 in the 2002 NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the third straight year.

The 2002 playoffs are best remembered for that year's Western Conference Finals between the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. The matchup between the Lakers and Kings is regarded as one of the most controversial playoff series in NBA history.[1][2][3] At the time, there was widespread criticism of the officiating as favoring the Lakers, especially in Game 6. Several years later, disgraced referee Tim Donaghy accused the Game 6 officiating crew of fixing the game, at the behest of the NBA's front office.[4]

  1. ^ "All the Kings' Men". May 7, 2014.
  2. ^ "Donaghy docs allege refs altered playoff games". June 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "Kings 'robbed' in 2002 Western Conference finals, Tim Donaghy claims".
  4. ^ Sheridan, Chris (June 10, 2008). "2002 Lakers-Kings Game 6 at heart of Donaghy allegations". ESPN.com.