It was Valentine’s Day 1986. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics were in Portland taking on the Trail Blazers. The Blazers were a playoff-caliber team, but the Celtics were having a dominant season (they would go on to win the NBA Finals). Early in the game, wanting a challenge, Bird started shooting left-handed.
According to The Athletic, he scored 20 points from the field with his left hand, and another 27 points with his right. Known for his limitless confidence, he also casually sank three left-handed shots in a row in the fourth quarter to help keep the game close. This wasn’t a blowout in which one might mess around, but Bird’s left hand nonetheless took the Celtics to overtime, in which they won. He walked out of the stadium with a triple-double: 47 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists (via NBA.com).
There’s no debate over whether this was an historic event, and it was quintessential Bird in three ways: It showcased his incredible talent, unshakable certainty, and love of making an absolute mockery of anyone who stood in his way.
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