Today in Sports, June 22 — The Houston Rockets defeated the New York Knicks in 7 games to win the first NBA championship | Sports

June 22

1918 — Molla Bjurstedt wins the US Lawn Tennis Association women’s title for the fourth consecutive year, defeating Eleanor Goss 6-4, 6-3.

1937 — Joe Louis knocks out Jim Braddock in the eighth round at Comiskey Park in Chicago to win the world heavyweight title, which he would hold for 11 years.

1938 — In a rematch described in both countries as good versus evil, American Joe Louis knocks out German Max Schmeling at 2:04 of the first round at Yankee Stadium to retain the world heavyweight title.

1949 — Ezzard Charles wins a 15-round unanimous decision over Jersey Joe Walcott at Comiskey Park in Chicago to win the vacant world heavyweight title.

1977 — John Ziegler is named the fourth president in NHL history, succeeding Clarence Campbell.

1979 — Larry Holmes stops Mike Weaver in the 12th round to retain the WBC heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York.

1980 — UEFA European Championship Final, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy: Horst Hrubesch scores a brace as Germany beats Belgium, 2-1.

1981 — John McEnroe throws a tantrum during his 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-3 first-round victory over Tom Gullikson on day one at Wimbledon. McEnroe’s return of Gullickson’s serve is ruled out by chair umpire Edward James. McEnroe shouts his famous line: “You can’t be serious.” He then calls Jacques “the abyss of the world” and an “incompetent fool.” Tournament referee Fred Hoyles is called to the field after James hits McEnroe with a penalty point. After McEnroe’s arguments with Hoyle are unsatisfied, Gullikson holds serve and McEnroe curses Hoyle on the changeover, causing another points penalty. He will then be fined $1,500.

1991 — NHL Draft: Oshawa Generals center Eric Lindros, first choice by the Quebec Nordiques.

1994 — The Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, win their first NBA title by defeating New York 90-84 in Game 7 of the Finals. Olajuwon had 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.

1994 — FIFA World Cup: The United States beat Colombia 2-1 in the first leg at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, 1st World Cup victory since 1950.

1996 — Michael Moorer defeats Axel Shultz in 11 points for the IBF heavyweight boxing title.

1999 — In one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon’s 113-year history, top-ranked Martina Hingis loses 6-2, 6-0 in the first round to Jelena Dokic, a 16-year-old qualifier ranked 129th.

2001 — Karrie Webb sets two LPGA Championship scoring records by shooting a 7-under 64 for a three-shot lead. Webb, at 11-under 131, breaks the 36-hole scoring record by two strokes. Webb shoots a 29 on the front nine for the lowest nine-hole score in the championship’s 47-year history.

2006 — The U.S. soccer team is eliminated from the World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Ghana.

2007 — For the first time, the Americans find themselves among the top two picks in the NHL draft. Chicago selects Patrick Kane with the first pick. Philadelphia then selected left winger James vanRiemsdyk with the second pick.

2012 — Jerry Sandusky is convicted of 45 counts of sexually assaulting 10 boys aged 15. Those accusations led to the firing of Joe Paterno, the beloved Penn State coach, who died of lung cancer on Jan. 22. Penn State’s board of trustees ousted Paterno for what was called his “failure of leadership” regarding the Sandusky allegations.

2012 — NHL Draft: Sarnia Sting (OHL) right winger Nail Yakupov, first choice by the Edmonton Oilers.

2014 — Michelle Wie wins the US Women’s Open for her first major championship. She beats the first Stacy Lewis by two strokes.

2017 — Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

2018 — NHL Draft: Rasmus Dahlin, defenseman from Frolunda HC (SHL), first choice by the Buffalo Sabres.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.