Forty years ago today, Boston Celtics legend Kevin McHale etched his name into the team’s history books. On March 3, 1985, McHale connected on an impressive 22-of-28 field goal attempts and scored a team-record 56 points, leading the Celtics to a thrilling 138-129 victory over the Detroit Pistons at the iconic Boston Garden.
His 56-point outburst set a new standard for the Celtics, surpassing the previous record held by Larry Bird.
However, McHale’s record would not stand for long. Just nine days later, on March 12, 1985, Larry Bird took to the court with a determination to outdo his teammate, and take back his record. Facing the Atlanta Hawks, Bird delivered an unforgettable performance.
Bird scored a staggering 60 points, setting a new Celtics single-game scoring record.
