The day when Michael Jordan had an unbelievable 63-point performance against the Boston Celtics.
On April 20, 1986, Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan delivered a performance so otherworldly that Boston Celtics superstar Larry Bird thought it came from the heavens. After sitting out most of his second season due to an injured foot, His Airness unleashed an NBA Playoff-record 63 points in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against Boston. Although the Celtics still won in double-overtime, 135-131, Bird afterward said it was “God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
Record-breaking feat
Jordan’s scoring explosion on that day eclipsed the single-game record for most points scored in an NBA Playoff game. The previous mark was 61 points which Elgin Baylor set in 1962. Jordan made 22 of his 41 shots and went 19-of-21 from the free-throw line. He also peppered his stat line by adding 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
The performance was so fascinating that both friends and foes were left in awe. Jordan’s teammate John Paxson admitted that he wanted to take a seat and just take in the show that Jordan was putting on at the Boston Garden.
“Michael was doing so much and so well, I found myself just wanting to stop and watch him — and I was playing,” said Paxson.
Bird, as mentioned, paid Jordan the highest compliment with his memorable comparison of the latter to God himself.
“I didn’t think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us,” Larry Bird marveled. “He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
Jordan wasn’t feeling great
The intense competitor that he was, Jordan wasn’t feeling great afterward. Despite the record-breaking feat, the only thing His Airness cared about was the victory, which the Bulls failed to get. The Celtics would eventually sweep the Bulls out of the Playoffs with another win in Chicago.
“Fifty points, 49 points, 63 points, I just want to win again,” Jordan said. “The points don’t mean anything to me.”
Source: si.com
