40 Years Ago Today: Michael Jordan Blitzes Boston for 63 Points

Photo: Michael Jordan elevates for a shot on April 20, 1986 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round. Jordan’s 63 points scored that day remain an NBA playoff record. Photo credit: Dick Raphael, NBAE, Getty Images.

Cover photo: Michael Jordan against the Boston Celtics’ Danny Ainge in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on April 20, 1986. Photo credit: Dick Raphael, NBAE, Getty Images.

Michael Jordan made his official NBA arrival on April 20, 1986. 

Having suffered a broken foot that limited him to just seven starts and 18 games total during the 1985-86 season, Jordan averaged just 22.7 points per game. After scoring 29 points and 33 points to open the season, he played 18 minutes in a game at Golden State on Oct. 29. He returned to the Bulls’ lineup on March 15 against the Milwaukee Bucks on a minutes restriction, and played 14 more games the rest of the regular season, scoring over 30 points on three different occasions. 

In Game 1 against the Celtics - a 123-104 Bulls’ loss - Jordan played 43 minutes, making 18 of his 36 shot attempts and 13 out of his 15 free-throw attempts for 49 points. 

Then in Game 2, he scored every which way against the Celtics - crossing over Larry Bird for a midrange jump shot, finishing at the rim, an inside double-clutch shot over the Celtics’ Kevin McHale that prompted CBS color announcer (and former Celtic) Tommy Heinsohn to exclaim with exasperation “Oh boy. Oh boy”. Free-throws by Jordan sent the game into overtime. The contest went into another extra frame, with the Celtics emerging 135-131. In 53 minutes, Jordan made 22-of-41 from the field and 19-of-21 from the line - 63 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks. Famously, Bird said after the game that “that was God disguised as Michael Jordan”. 

The 63 not only served as Jordan’s national arrival, but the outburst remains the highest point total in an NBA playoff game. The 63 broke Elgin Baylor’s previous record of 61, which the Laker legend recorded on April 14, 1962. 

At the tender age of 23, Jordan went up against arguably the greatest team in NBA history and authored perhaps the greatest performance in NBA playoff history.