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