As a fierce competitor, Larry Bird never let an opportunity to prove he was the best player on the pitch, even when it came to his teammates. On March 3, 1985, he had seen Kevin McHale break the Celtics points record with 56 points, and he had even helped him, multiplying the passes for his faithful interior.
“There aren’t many opportunities to score that much in a game. Kevin will probably never score so many again. He was incredible, he deserves it and he should have put 60.”
The former Rockets coach should have actually taken his chance because nine days later, the proud and proud Larry Bird will take his record.
Hawks bench fined for enjoying the show
The ambitious Dominique Wilkins and Doc Rivers will be perfect victims, and it is in New Orleans that the confrontation takes place. That year, the Hawks had indeed played twelve games in the small UNO Lakefront Arena. The goal was to allow residents to see the NBA again, six years after the departure of the Jazz in Utah.
Facing the Hawks, tough opponents, the All-Star winger scored 23 points in the first half, 19 in the third quarter and 18 in the last quarter with a magnificent 22/36 in shooting but only 1/4 of away (admire the variety of moves…) and an almost perfect 15/16 in free throws. As the reigning MVP never does things by halves, he adds 7 rebounds and 3 assists in front of 10,079 New Orleans spectators conquered by the demonstration of one of the best players of all time.
Even the Hawks bench goes crazy, and starts to applaud it! A reaction that will not be to the taste of the leaders who will stick fines to their own players! A huge performance, but Larry Bird keeps the sense of the collective. “60 points is terribly difficult to score and you can’t do it without the help of your teammates. “
Two franchise records in one night
Especially from Kevin McHale who gave him the necessary motivation to bring his name even more into the great Celtic history since this record of 60 points still stands today. He holds but Larry Bird must now share it with Jayson Tatum, author of 60 points (after extra time) against the Spurs a year ago. On the other hand, his 37 points in one half still stand.
In the end, the only points record that eludes him is that of a quarter, which belongs to Isaiah Thomas with 29 points.
