Back In The Day NBA, May 3, 1998: Knicks Eliminate Heat One Game After Infamous Jeff Van Gundy, Alonzo Mourning Incident

The No. 7 seed New York Knicks knocked out second-seeded Miami Heat

When the Miami Heat and New York Knicks played in the 1990s, there was a never a dull moment. 

One of the most memorable came in the first round of the 1998 Eastern Conference playoffs. One game after Heat center Alonzo Mourning and Knicks forward Larry Johnson were involved in a late-game brawl, New York upset No. 2 seed Miami. The flight featured the infamous image of Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy clinging to Mourning's leg while trying to break it up. 

The Knicks won despite playing without starters Johnson, Patrick Ewing and Chris Mills, who were all suspended. Mourning also served a suspension. 

“I’ve been at this 17 years,” Heat coach Pat Riley said. “Losing the seventh game in the World Championship makes you feel a helluva lot emptier than losing out in the first round. We didn’t even get started this year.”

Allen Houston led the Knicks with 30 points in the 98-81 victory. 

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