On this day in history, Larry Bird grabs Isiah Thomas’ pass.
In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on this day in 1987, Larry Bird performed a magical sequence that helped the Boston Celtics overcome the Detroit Pistons.
Bird’s jumper was blocked, and with less than ten seconds remaining and the Celtics trailing by one, he missed a potential game-winning layup. With five seconds left, the ball touched the Celtics for the last time, and the Pistons held onto possession.
Isiah Thomas’s inbounds pass was taken by Bird during the subsequent possession. Then, with seconds remaining, he passed the ball over his shoulder to a cutting Dennis Johnson, who made the game-winning basket to seal the 108-107 triumph.
Later, in 2014, Thomas provided an explanation of the last few moments of the competition in the “30 for 30” documentary “Bad Boys.” He remembered that after Bird’s miss, the Pistons had the ball back and were completely disorganized.
“Everyone is staring around, wondering what to do.” stated Thomas. “I turn to see the referee clutching the basketball. Panicked, I ran over. The bird appeared out of nowhere, resembling a bolt of lightning. That was how it ended abruptly.