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Patrick Ewing · Long before the dramatics of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals’ Game 7 had reached peak form, the night’s broadcasters, in admiration of one New York superstar’s ambition, offered an innocent thought: “It’s a different story on the offensive boards for Patrick Ewing.” Prescient as it was, that Hall of Fame commentator couldn’t have known that Ewing — one possession away from rewriting his own turbulent postseason legacy — had saved his grandest statement for the closing chapter. Finding his resolve tested by a 90-89 deficit with 34.5 seconds remaining, Ewing steps into a pick-and-roll, clearing his fellow All-Star teammate’s rim path with multiple Indiana Pacers defenders converging. Already rolling to the paint, and now at eye-level with a missed shot that seemed divinely presented for him, Ewing takes his moment, elevating through for a demonstrative, putback flush. Joined by thousands of others in airborne celebration thereafter, Ewing’s marquee play stamped the Knicks’ ticket into the 1994 NBA Finals. Observers and stakeholders would deem it Ewing’s finest performance, as he overcame a 12-point second half deficit, foul trouble, and career-long skeptics to record 24 points, 22 rebounds (11 offensive), seven assists, one steal, and five blocks on June 5, 1994. · State of Mint