Today in Boston Celtics history, John Havlicek hit a historic milestone, scoring 24 field goals in his outstanding play during Game 1 of the 1973 Eastern Conference semifinals. This achievement is currently matched only by Hall of Fame NBA legends Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.
The game ended in a decisive victory for the Massachusetts franchise, with Boston winning 134-109 largely due to Havlicek’s record-setting performance. His remarkable 54-point game required the full 48 minutes of play and occurred during a series against Eastern Conference foe, the Atlanta Hawks, which Boston ultimately came away with the series win four games to two.
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However, Boston later faced defeat against Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier’s New York Knicks in the East finals, losing four games to three, while New York went on to secure its second and final NBA title.
Unknown date; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward John Havlicek (17) in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Historic milestones
In 2016, Boston snapped the Golden State Warriors’ 54-game home winning streak 109-106 on the road in Oakland, California with a 22-point performance from Isaiah Thomas. “Everybody’s bummed,” said head coach Steve Kerr of the Warriors’ loss via the AP.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
“I congratulated them. Are you kidding me? They just won 54 home games in a row. What our guys accomplished is incredible. I don’t know if people understand the intensity it takes and the work that it takes to put together a streak like that.”
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It was also on this date that shooting guard Bobby Wilson was waived by the Celtics in 1977, signed earlier in the season by the team in free agency. Wilson played his college ball at Wichita State and was picked up by the Chicago Bulls with the 52nd overall pick of the 1974 NBA Draft, where he would play two seasons before being waived in October 1976.
May 15, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen at center court before game seven of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
He was signed by the Celtics in January 1977, but only lasted a few months with the team before they cut him on this date in the same year. Wilson averaged 2 points and 0.6 assists per game over the 25 games he played for Boston.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Havlicek gets 54; Celts snap Dubs’ 54-game streak; Wilson cut