On June 5th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1966 during the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. This was Game 7 of the series, and it turned out to be a classic encounter.
The game was played at the historic Boston Garden, and the Celtics were looking to clinch their eighth consecutive NBA championship. The Lakers, led by the legendary Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, were determined to stop the Celtics' dominance.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers held a one-point lead with just seconds remaining on the clock. The Celtics had possession, and they turned to their star player, Bill Russell, to make a play.
Russell, who was known for his defensive prowess, made a crucial play that would go down in history. He intercepted a pass from the Lakers' Jerry West and quickly outlet the ball to his teammate, Sam Jones. Jones took the ball down the court and made a clutch shot with just two seconds left on the clock, giving the Celtics a one-point lead.
The Lakers had one final chance to win the game, but their desperation shot fell short, and the Celtics emerged victorious with a 95-93 win. This marked the Celtics' eighth straight NBA championship, a record that still stands today.
Bill Russell's defensive play and Sam Jones' clutch shot have become iconic moments in NBA history. The game also marked the end of an era, as it was the last time the Celtics would win the championship with their legendary core of players, including Russell, Jones, and K.C. Jones.
The 1966 NBA Finals Game 7 remains one of the most thrilling and memorable games in the history of the league, and it showcased the incredible talent and competitiveness of two of the greatest teams of all time.
