On June 17, 1994, one of the most bizarre and memorable moments in sports history occurred during the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets. Game 5 was interrupted by a live police chase involving former NFL star O.J. Simpson, who was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

The chase began in the early evening, with Simpson riding as a passenger in his white Ford Bronco SUV, driven by his friend Al Cowlings. The slow-speed pursuit was broadcast live on television, captivating millions of viewers worldwide. The event quickly overshadowed the NBA Finals, with NBC splitting the screen to show both the game and the chase simultaneously.

As the chase unfolded, the Knicks and Rockets continued to play at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Fans in the arena were seen huddled around portable televisions and radios, trying to keep up with the latest developments in the Simpson case. Players and coaches were also aware of the situation, with some even catching glimpses of the chase during timeouts and halftime.
The Knicks won the game 91-84, but the outcome was largely overshadowed by the surreal events taking place outside the arena. The chase eventually ended with Simpson surrendering to police at his Brentwood estate in Los Angeles, marking the beginning of what would become known as the "Trial of the Century."

June 17, 1994, will forever be remembered as the day when the worlds of sports and true crime collided in an unprecedented manner, creating a media spectacle that captivated the entire nation and beyond.