On this day: Bill Russell pulls down an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds
On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary big man Bill Russell pulled down an NBA Finals record 40 rebounds in Game 2 of the 1960 NBA Finals, which Boston played against the (then) St. Louis (now, Atlanta) Hawks.
Despite the Louisiana native’s historic performance, the Celtics lost the game to the Hawks 113 – 103, but Boston would go on to win the series with outstanding play from Russell and point guard Bob Cousy. Earlier in that season, the USF product would set the regular-season record for rebounds as well, ripping down 51 against the Syracuse Nationals on February 5th.
That record would stand less than a year, as rival big man Wilt Chamberlain of the then-Philadelphia Warriors would grab 55 boards (and 34 points) in a loss to — of all teams — the Celtics on November 24th of the same year.
It is also the anniversary of three wins since the season of Boston's last championship in 2007-08. The first of the three is a 103 - 84 blowout over the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009 that saw reserve center Glen Davis come alive with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Big Baby would get as many stitches in the third quarter after being elbowed in the head, but returned to add 15 of his 19 points afterwards. "Baby's a bleeder," said Paul Pierce (27 points) at the time via the Associated Press. "I don't know what's going on with him. I just know that if we ever get into it, I know where to hit him." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_X6D7uxkkQ
The next was a 118 - 107 win over the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 powered by a Pierce triple-double. The Truth logged 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to secure the win, and forward Jeff Green added 27 points. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZMgQBTlloA
The third and final such win was a 114 - 112 victory over the Indiana Pacers in 2019 where a late layup by point guard Kyrie Irving with just 0.5 seconds remaining helped Boston steal the win. The Duke product scored 30 points and five assists, and big man Al Horford contributed 19 points and seven rebounds. Center Aron Baynes had 13 points and 13 rebounds as well. https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=lN80ncVbwx-1219576-8380&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=48397,48392,48374,48357] [listicle id=48401]
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