On this day in 1985, former Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird set a franchise record with 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks in a game that Boston would win 126-115. While getting to the free-throw line 16 times (where he went 15-16), Bird also added seven rebounds and three assists to his stat line.
Although six Celtics would score in double-figures during the win (including Danny Ainge, the franchise’s current general manager and president) only Bird would score more than 20 points.
Former Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins has the team-high for Atlanta with 36 points.
Boston’s previous franchise record for points scored in a single game was held by Bird’s longtime teammate, Kevin McHale. The Hall of Fame power forward scored 56 points against the Detroit Pistons just nine days earlier (March 3) in what was also a win for the Celtics (129-138).
