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The Boston Garden reigned as the epicenter of sporting excellence in New England for several decades.
Opponents dreaded playing at the renowned venue situated above Boston’s North Station, as it provided a formidable home-court (ice) advantage for the Bruins and Celtics.
The Garden, which operated from 1928 to 1995, witnessed a multitude of incredible events. It served as the venue for 17 Stanley Cup Finals, 19 NBA Finals, four NBA All-Star Games, one NHL All-Star Game, and numerous concerts and boxing championship bouts.
The hustle and bustle at 150 Causeway Street was often overwhelming, making it difficult to keep up. In the years 1957, 1958, and 1974, the Garden witnessed the simultaneous presence of the Stanley Finals and NBA Finals.
In this list, we highlight the top eight extraordinary performances that took place at the old Boston Garden. This iconic venue, despite its cramped, hot, and creaky nature, witnessed numerous unforgettable sporting achievements throughout the 20th Century.
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8. Michael Jordan Drops 63 in 1986 NBA Playoffs
April 20, 1986
Back in 1986, Michael Jordan, a young basketball player who had showcased his skills at North Carolina and was known for sticking out his tongue while shooting, had only participated in a total of 100 regular season games (including 18 that year). Despite this, his Bulls managed to secure a spot in the NBA Playoffs and were set to take on the Celtics. However, it was during Game 2 at the Garden where Jordan provided a glimpse of his future greatness through an unforgettable performance.
Without even attempting a single 3-point shot, Jordan skillfully maneuvered, leaped, and slammed the ball past the Celtics, amassing an impressive 63 points. His shooting accuracy was commendable, with 22 successful shots out of 41 attempts from the floor. Additionally, he showcased his proficiency at the free throw line, sinking an impressive 19 out of 21 attempts.
The Bulls’ efforts fell short as they squandered a seven-point lead at halftime, resulting in a 135-131 loss to Boston. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, the seasoned Celtics, equaled Jordan’s impressive tally of 63 points combined.
In Chicago, two nights later, Jordan’s performance was limited to 19 points, resulting in the Bulls being effortlessly defeated.
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7. James Brown Concert the Evening After Martin Luther King Jr. Was Assassinated
April 5, 1968
Many American athletes were deeply affected following the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.
The country suffered a significant setback for equality with this devastating loss. The organizers of James Brown’s concert at Boston Garden, which was set to take place the following night, were hesitant about proceeding with the event. The city, notorious for racial tensions, was exhibiting signs of unrest.
However, Brown was adamant about continuing the show.
Mayor Kevin White joined Brown on stage at the Garden that evening and addressed the crowd before the music began. Their speeches, along with Brown’s powerful performance, emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for civil rights. These influential words and actions played a crucial role in preventing any violence from erupting in the city.
6. Bird’s Steal of Inbounds Pass Sinks Pistons in 1987 Conference Finals
May 26, 1987
Detroit fans were left heartbroken as Bird intercepted a careless inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas, and swiftly delivered it to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning points in an astonishing Game 5 victory.
The Celtics turned the series in their favor, winning 3 out of 5 games, and a few days later they knocked out the Pistons from the competition.
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5. Lakers Celebrate on the Famous Parquet Floor for First Time
June 9, 1985
The Boston Garden was known for its unique characteristic – a meticulously handcrafted parquet floor made of wooden tiles. This iconic flooring witnessed the Celtics’ triumphant victory in the NBA Finals on nine occasions. Remarkably, the enemy team managed to defeat the Celtics in the Boston Garden during the Finals just once.
Throughout history, the Lakers have consistently been the Celtics’ greatest rival, a fact that remains true to this day. Over the years, these two teams clashed in the NBA Finals on an impressive 11 occasions while the Celtics were based at the Garden. Out of those 11 encounters, Boston emerged victorious on eight occasions, leaving the Lakers defeated. Interestingly, the Lakers were only able to celebrate their NBA championship on the hallowed Garden floor once, out of the three times they managed to defeat their despised rivals, the Celtics.
Led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, the 1985 Lakers proved themselves to be an exceptional team, ranking among the greatest in history. In the thrilling Game 6, Kareem showcased his prowess by scoring an impressive 29 points, while Magic displayed his versatility with a triple double. Their outstanding performance led the Lakers to claim the championship title. The team jubilantly celebrated their victory in the confined and humid visitors’ locker room at the Garden.
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4. Larry Legend’s Triple Double in Game 7 Against Knicks
May 13, 1984
What do you think of these numbers for a crucial Game 7 on our own court: 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists?
In the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals, Bird played a pivotal role as Boston triumphed with a score of 121-104, securing their spot in the NBA Finals. They went on to defeat Houston and clinch the championship.
3. Bird’s Final Flight in the Garden
May 15, 1992
Bird’s back pain had become so severe by the commencement of the 1992 NBA Playoffs that he was frequently unable to participate in games.
However, the legend still had one final significant moment left within him.
In the first round, the Pacers were easily defeated by Boston, but Bird was absent from the game. However, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, coach Chris Ford welcomed Bird back on the court for Game 4. Despite his veteran status, Bird only played for 17 minutes and scored four points.
A couple of nights afterwards, Bird sensed the approaching twilight and gathered 37 minutes of pure determination in the crucial Game 6 at the Garden. In a must-win situation, Bird showcased his exceptional skills by delivering 14 assists, scoring 16 points, and even securing six rebounds along with a block. It was a mesmerizing display, reminiscent of the legendary Larry Bird of the past.
Almost every time their hero had the ball, the fans passionately chanted “LAR-RY LAR-RY.” In a victorious turn of events, the Celtics managed to win, pushing the series to a Game 7 in Cleveland. This Game 6 marked the last time Bird graced the Garden as a player.
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2. Bobby Orr’s OT Goal to Win 1970 Stanley Cup
May 10, 1970
Bobby Orr, who secured the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s MVP on three separate occasions, holds a special place in the hearts of many in Massachusetts.
Orr’s scoring prowess was on full display during Game 4 of the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals, as he skillfully tucked a shot into the net in overtime, securing a victory over the St. Louis Blues. This outstanding performance ignited an overwhelming frenzy among over 14,000 fans, creating the most exhilarating game-winning eruption ever witnessed at the Boston Garden in Bruins history.
1. ‘Havlicek Stole the Ball!’ in 1965 Game 7
April 15, 1965
During Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Finals, the renowned Celtics radio announcer Johnny Most immortalized the iconic sports moment by repeatedly exclaiming the phrase “Havlicek stole the ball!”
As the Celtics held on to a slim one-point advantage with just five seconds remaining, the 76ers readied themselves to inbound the ball after a timeout. Guard Hal Greer intended to pass the ball to Wilt Chamberlain, but to their surprise, Havlicek swiftly maneuvered in front, leaping up to snatch the basketball with an interception. This crucial play sealed yet another Boston championship.
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