On this day in NBA history, Michael Jordan delivered one of the greatest scoring performances the game has ever seen.
In Game 2 of the 1986 First Round, a 23-year-old Jordan exploded for a playoff-record 63 points against the Boston Celtics, pushing the eventual NBA champions to double overtime. He finished with 22 made field goals and 21 free throw attempts, as two Celtics fouled out trying to contain him.
Despite the Chicago Bulls falling 135-131, the performance became instantly legendary.
After the game, Larry Bird said it best:
“I think he’s God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
Posts tagged as “Bill Walton”
Here are some but not all of the tributes and posts on Bill Walton, who passed away at 71, after prolonged battle with cancer.
Larry Bird has issued a statement about the passing of his teammate on the 1986 champion Celtics, and longtime friend, Bill Walton: pic.twitter.com/xF2T7zs9Cj
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 27, 2024
https://t.co/I8QRobQL8t pic.twitter.com/jKSJjAg7GU
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2024
UCLA mourns the passing of two-time NCAA champion Bill Walton, a Naismith Hall of Fame inductee (1993) and charter member of the @UCLAAthletics Hall of Fame (1984).
𝑰𝑵 𝑴𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑴: https://t.co/VwZwd9uVDs pic.twitter.com/6GrCWvplK7
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) May 27, 2024
"The memories are beyond priceless… To me he was a living, breathing event in history."
Coach Rick Carlisle remembers his former '86 Celtics teammate Bill Walton 🫶☘️ pic.twitter.com/sSoIW3BXlc
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2024
Rip City icon & basketball legend.
Rest in Peace, Bill 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/czZ4IiX6m2
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 27, 2024
We have lost one of the greatest players and personalities that this franchise, this sport and this region have ever known. Bill Walton is synonymous with Southern California basketball: a San Diego native, a UCLA phenom, a Clipper icon.
He defined the game as a player, a… pic.twitter.com/KAXvnG8Mkk
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton was one of the most consequential players of his era. A Hall of Famer, Most Valuable Player, and two-time NBA Champion, Walton could do it all, possessing great timing, complete vision of the floor, excellent fundamentals, and was of one of the greatest passing big… pic.twitter.com/AW1PIUxALk
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 27, 2024
Today I had to say goodbye to
a great friend that I will always miss….@UCLAAthletics @UCLAMBB @NBA pic.twitter.com/JIA3sORJgY— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) May 27, 2024
I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
A moment of silence was held in honor of Bill Walton before Game 4 of Celtics-Pacers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cH6otsTYY1
— ESPN (@espn) May 28, 2024
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of my buddy, Bill Walton.
His game was ahead of its time, truly one of the greatest big men who ever played. Yet, nothing compared to his passion and love of life, itself.
I can hear him now imploring me to “smile……cherish… pic.twitter.com/IBI7Enjr5K
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 27, 2024
"[He reminded] you of how blessed you are just to be alive. [Bill] was one of those people." 👏 @stephenasmith on Bill Walton's life and legacy: pic.twitter.com/G5HVqvLAtT
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 27, 2024
Rest in peace to a friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most skilled centers we’ve ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis is by far the most dominate NCAA Championship performance ever – he shot 21 for 22 and had…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2024
Sending our love to the Walton family and all the people who have been so lucky knowing Bill’s love and support over the years. We will miss that big smile and bigger infectious spirit! Bill will be greeted with a joyous guitar riff and big smiles as he arrives on the other side.… pic.twitter.com/x65giB1y2D
— Jerry Garcia (@jerrygarcia) May 27, 2024
NBA Hall of Famer and Basketball legend Bill Walton, has passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Walton, a two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, died on Monday surrounded by family in a statement released by the NBA.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/fdlty5X3F5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton is a two-time NBA champion; 1976–77 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, also named Finals MVP, and 1984–85 season with Boston Celtics, earning the sixth man award. Walton is a member of both the NBA’s 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. For his college career, he is a two-time champion at UCLA and a three-time national player of the year.
Tributes are pouring in from across the basketball community. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Walton “truly one of a kind,” while former teammate Larry Bird described him as a “great friend” and “a thrill to play with.”