Today in Boston Celtics history, the team triumphed in a 128-126 triple-overtime battle against the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals, marking what was then the longest Finals game in league history.
Celtics point guard Jo Jo White led Boston with 33 points, while forward John Havlicek made a crucial 15-foot bank shot to extend the game into a second overtime. At the conclusion of that extra period, Phoenix forward Gar Heard hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to force a third overtime, setting a record for minutes played in a Finals game with 61 minutes. This record remained unbroken until 1993, when the Suns and Chicago Bulls played another triple-overtime game, with Phoenix’s Kevin Johnson logging 62 minutes.
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Boston would go on to win the series two days later and secure their 13th banner.
Birthdays
It is also the birthday of former Celtic forward Xavier McDaniel, born in Columbia South Carolina in 1963. He played his college ball with Wichita State and was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1985 with the fourth pick. McDaniel also played stints with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks before signing with Boston as a free agent in 1992, with whom he played three seasons. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game with the Celtics.
BOSTON, : Xavier McDaniel (L) of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Chris Gatling (R) of the Golden State Warriors 27 January 1995 at the Boston Garden. (COLOR KEY: Ball is orange.) AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images)
Ex-Celtic big man Greg Monroe was also born today in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1990. His NCAA ball was played at Georgetown, and he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the ninth pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. Monroe also played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Suns before joining Boston as a late-season free agent add in 2018. He played for Boston in two seasons, averaging 9.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
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It is also the date of the 1968 NBA draft — held in New York City — where Boston selected three players of note. The first was big man Rich Johnson, who was taken 46th overall out of Grambling State. Johnson played three seasons for the Celtics between 1968 and 1971, winning a championship in 1969. He recorded 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game with Boston.
The Celtics also took center Garfield Smith from Eastern Kentucky with the 32nd overall pick. Smith played two seasons with Boston, averaging 2.7 points, 2.1 boards, and 0.3 assists per contest.
March 6, 1971; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Knicks guard Walt Frazier (10) is defended by Boston Celtics guard Don Chaney (12) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, the Celtics drafted shooting guard Don Chaney with the 12th overall pick out of Houston. Chaney won two titles with the team in 1969 and 1974 and four All-Defensive team selections between 1972 and 1975 over his two stints and ten seasons with Boston. He averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over that stretch.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: triple OT win vs. Suns in G5 of ’76 Finals; Chaney drafted