The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks were locked in a fierce battle during the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals, but it was Game 7 on May 22, 1988, that became one of the most iconic individual showdowns in NBA history.
Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird, two of the greatest players of their era, traded baskets with relentless determination, turning the fourth quarter into a personal duel. While the Celtics ultimately secured a 118-116 victory, this game was about more than just the result—it was a display of competitive greatness at its absolute peak.
Wilkins, known for his high-flying athleticism and elite scoring ability, was virtually unstoppable, finishing with 47 points on 19-for-23 shooting. But Bird, despite a slow start to the game, delivered an unforgettable fourth-quarter masterpiece, scoring 20 of his 34 points in the final frame.
“The basket was like a well,” Wilkins later recalled. “I couldn’t miss. He couldn’t miss. That’s the greatest game I’ve ever played in or seen played. It was two guys who just did not want to lose.”
Fans inside the Boston Garden witnessed one of the greatest playoff moments ever, as Wilkins and Bird matched each other shot-for-shot, refusing to back down until the final buzzer.
The Hawks and Celtics combined to shoot .588 from the field, marking the second-highest shooting percentage in playoff history at the time. The game was a clinic in offensive execution, with both teams delivering precision scoring despite the enormous pressure of a Game 7.
Bird, known for his clutch performances, delivered in the biggest moment, knocking down contested jumpers and securing the win for Boston, allowing the Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
More than three decades later, Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals remains one of the most celebrated individual battles in postseason history. The duel between Wilkins and Bird is often referenced as the gold standard for competitiveness, skill, and the pure will to win.
While the Celtics ultimately fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Bird’s legendary fourth-quarter surge and Wilkins’ relentless scoring remain etched in NBA lore as one of the greatest playoff performances ever witnessed.
