In Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals, Elgin Baylor delivered one of the most astonishing performances in basketball history, scoring 61 points, the most ever in an NBA Finals game. While we talk about it now, when he walked off that court, he had no idea what he did.
Baylor was simply locked in, focused on leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a critical win over the Boston Celtics in the old Boston Garden, going 22-46 and making 17 free throws. Walking off the court after the 5 point victory over the Celtics, Baylor asked Hot Rod Hundley why the Celtic crowd was cheering despite the loss, and Elgin was shocked to hear that he had actually scored 61 points. To go with his 61 points, he grabbed 22 rebounds, and had 60 less assists than he did points, helping the Lakers take a 3–2 series lead.
But the series would go to a decisive game 7, and after Frank Selvy missed an open shot that would’ve gave the Lakers the title, the game went to overtime, and the Celtics won 110-107. Bill Russell setting a record that still stands in that game with 40 rebounds as the Celtics won their 4th of 8 straight titles with 5 of those wins over the Lakers.
What’s Happening
Oilers win OT thriller 5-4 to even series.
Brewers Misiorowski brings no hitter to 6th before leaving after injury.
This Day In Sports History
1947: 1st night game at Fenway Park between White Sox and Red Sox.
1948: Babe Ruth gives final farewell at Yankee Stadium
1957: Ted Williams becomes 1st AL player to have 2, 3 home run games in one season.
1989: Detroit Pistons win first NBA Finals with sweep over Lakers.
2012: Matt Cain throws 22nd perfect game in MLB history.
2019: Toronto Raptors win first NBA Finals in 6 games over Warriors.
2023: Las Vegas Golden Knights win first Stanley Cup in 5 games over Panthers.
Random Stat Of The Day
Kevin Love made the NBA Finals in each of his first 5 playoff appearances. Going to the Finals with the Cavaliers from 2015-2018, then helping the Miami Heat make the finals as an 8 seed in 2023. Love’s streak however came to an end last year when the Heat would lose to the Celtics in 5 games. His 5 appearances without at least making the finals where his teams went 1-4, is the 2nd most behind Tom Heinsohn. Winning 8 titles in 9 years with the Celtics in a hall of fame career, granted there were only 4 team playoffs in this time.