Today in Boston Celtics history, Gerald Henderson intercepted a pass thrown across the court by James Worthy of the Los Angeles Lakers. With 13 just seconds remaining in Game 2 of the 1984 NBA Finals and the Celtics trailing the Lakers 113-111, Henderson seized the opportunity of a lifetime to steal the errant pass and somehow also managed to score a layup.
This basket ultimately tied the game for Boston and sent it into overtime, following an unexpected decision by legendary forward Magic Johnson to dribble out the final seconds. This pivotal steal fueled the Celtics’ crucial 124-121 victory over Los Angeles, coming after their loss in Game 1 of the series at home. Larry Bird later said the team might have been swept by Los Angeles if not for the timely steal.
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While Boston lost Game 3 of the series, it won the series in seven games to secure its 15th banner, then the most in league history.
Jun 1984; Boston, MA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Michael Cooper (21) takes a shot over Boston Celtics guard Gerald Henderson (43) during the 1984 NBA Finals at the Boston Garden. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 4 games to 3. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
Birthdays
On this day, Boston’s first coach, John “Honey” Russell was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1902. Russell had a long career as a player and player-coach before being recruited to join the Celtics in their inaugural season (1946-47) in which they logged an unimpressive 22-38 record. The following season, Russell’s last before returning to Seton Hall to coach its basketball program, Boston recorded a 20-28 record, good enough for a postseason berth in that era.
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It is also the birthday of former Celtics small forward Ron Bonham, who played for the Celtics for two seasons, winning titles in both 1965 and 1966. Selected 16th in the 1964 NBA Draft out of Cincinnati, the Indiana native averaged 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists with the team before being taken by the Chicago Bulls in the 1966 expansion draft.
BOSTON – JUNE 10: (L-R) Nate Robinson #4, Ray Allen #20, Tony Allen #42, Glen Davis #11 and Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics celebrate a play during Game Four of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 10, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Nate Robinson was born today in Seattle, Washington, in 1984. Robinson joined the team after being traded from the New York Knicks in 2010. The Washingtonian played for Boston for parts of two seasons, averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 boards and 1.9 assists. He was traded with Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, cash and draft considerations.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Henderson stole the ball; Russell, Bonham, Robinson born