Larry Bird

Cross-checked NBA historical features, Celtics retrospectives, official box scores, Finals-performance rankings, and fan memory. Bird's self-assessment, championship and elimination stakes, iconic plays, and enduring folklore take precedence over a purely statistical ordering.

1. #1. In the game Bird himself called his best, he posted 29 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, and three steals to close the 1986 Finals and complete his third title and second Finals MVP run. Basketball Reference: Greatest 1980s Finals performances · NBA history: This date in June
2. #2. Bird nearly recorded a 36-point triple-double before making 'the steal' on Isiah Thomas's inbound and finding Dennis Johnson for the winning layup in 1987 East finals Game 5. NBA: Bird's steal rescues Boston · NBA: Pistons–Celtics 1987 Game 5 box score
3. #3. Battling bronchial pneumonia in Game 7, Bird answered Dominique Wilkins's 47 by scoring 20 fourth-quarter points and 34 overall to win their legendary shootout 118–116. NBA: Bird and Wilkins stage a Game 7 classic · Celtics: Boston's memorable Game 7 performances
4. #4. Saving his right hand for the Lakers, Bird scored primarily left-handed and still amassed 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in an overtime win at Portland. NBA: Bird's left-handed triple-double · NBA: Legends profile—Larry Bird
5. #5. Bird scored 32 points in a 14-minute second-half eruption and finished with a career-high 60 as even Atlanta's bench celebrated the shot-making spectacle. NBA: Bird scores 60 against Atlanta · NBA: Bird's 60-point game in history

Reviewed through 2026-07-17