Larry Bird, the legendary Boston Celtics forward, is considered one of the greatest shooters and scorers in NBA history. During his 13-year Hall of Fame career, Bird lit up scoreboards with his incredible shooting ability and knack for putting up points in a hurry. One of the most impressive scoring feats in basketball is a 60-point game, an achievement only the top scorers ever reach. So just how many times did Larry Bird have a 60-point outburst during his storied career?
Larry Bird’s Scoring Ability
First, to understand how many 60-point games Larry Bird had, it’s important to examine his overall scoring ability. Bird averaged 24.3 points per game over his career, incredible production that ranks among the NBA’s all-time leaders. At his peak from 1984 to 1987, Bird averaged over 28 points per game, capturing three straight NBA scoring titles. He was a lethal shooter from the outside as well as a crafty scorer from the midrange and low post. Bird could pour in points from anywhere on the court.
Bird had an outstanding shooting touch for a big man, making nearly 38% of his 3-point attempts over his career. He made nearly 90% of his free throws as well. Bird was also a tenacious rebounder and brilliant passer, making him a complete offensive threat. With this mix of shooting, scoring, rebounding, and passing skills, Bird had the ability to put up huge stat lines on any given night.
Bird’s Top Scoring Performances
In his 13 seasons, Bird had many incredible scoring nights where he put up 50+ points. Here are some of his top scoring performances:
- March 30, 1983 – 53 points vs. Indiana Pacers
- February 18, 1985 – 60 points vs. Atlanta Hawks
- March 12, 1985 – 60 points vs. Atlanta Hawks
- November 10, 1985 – 60 points vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- April 3, 1986 – 53 points vs. Chicago Bulls
- October 29, 1986 – 53 points vs. Detroit Pistons
- December 13, 1986 – 49 points vs. Portland Trail Blazers
As you can see, Bird was capable of erupting for big scoring numbers on any given night. His career-high was 60 points, which he achieved in back-to-back games against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1984-85 season. The three 60-point explosions show how dominant a scorer Bird could be.
Larry Bird’s 60-Point Games
This brings us to the specific question of how many 60-point games Larry Bird had over his NBA career. The answer is:
Larry Bird had 3 career 60-point games.
Here are more details on each of Bird’s 60-point explosions:
60 points vs. Atlanta Hawks (February 18, 1985)
- Bird scored 60 points on 22/36 FG and 16/17 FT
- He added 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the 126-115 win
- It was the first 60-point game of his career
60 points vs. Atlanta Hawks (March 12, 1985)
- Just 23 days after his first 60-point game, Bird scored 60 again vs. Atlanta
- He shot 22/39 FG and 15/16 FT in the 155-148 2OT win
- Bird added 14 rebounds and 6 assists
60 points vs. Milwaukee Bucks (November 10, 1985)
- Bird poured in 60 points on 20/35 FG and 18/21 FT
- He added 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the 126-108 win against the Bucks
- It was the 3rd and final 60-point game of his career
So in the 1984-85 season, Bird had back-to-back 60+ point games, then followed with his third and final 60-point performance the next season. It was an incredible scoring stretch even for a player of Bird’s caliber.
How Bird’s 60-Point Games Rank in NBA History
Larry Bird finished with 3 career 60-point games in his 13 NBA seasons. Here is how that ranks historically:
Player | 60-Point Games |
---|---|
Wilt Chamberlain | 32 |
Kobe Bryant | 6 |
Michael Jordan | 4 |
Elgin Baylor | 4 |
Larry Bird | 3 |
As you can see, Bird’s 3 career 60-point games put him in elite company. Only a handful of players like Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Elgin Baylor ever topped 60 points multiple times. Bird cementing his place on that list is a testament to his incredible scoring ability.
Conclusion
In summary, Larry Bird had 3 career 60-point games in his legendary tenure with the Boston Celtics. He put up 60+ points against the Atlanta Hawks (twice) and Milwaukee Bucks between 1985 and 1986, joining the exclusive list of players who achieved multiple 60-point performances. Bird’s sharpshooting and diverse offensive skillset allowed him to deliver some of the most memorable high-scoring nights in NBA history. Although 60-point efforts were rare for Bird, he proved on multiple occasions why he is considered one of the most prolific scorers ever to play the game of basketball.