One Final Game: The last great performance for NBA legends

One Final Game: Larry Bird

Date: March 15, 1992

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were linked throughout their careers, facing off for the college basketball title before winning eight of the ten titles through the 1980s, including three head-to-head matchups in the NBA Finals. Their careers ended in very different ways, however. Johnson was forced to retire while still in his prime when he contracted HIV; Larry Bird’s body broke down and cut short the end of his career.

Injuries didn’t end Bird’s effectiveness, but rather his ability to consistently suit up. The pain and stiffness in his back was such that he was often prohibited from playing. He averaged 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game in his final year, 1991-92, but played just 45 games. Only once in his final four seasons did he play more than 60.

During that pain-plagued final year Bird was limber enough to uncork a few truly elite performances, throwbacks to the days of his MVP seasons. The last one came on March 15, 1992 against a Portland Trail Blazers team that would play in the NBA Finals that season. He scored 49 points as part of a triple-double with 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 4 steals and a block in a four-point win.

Those numbers are insane for any player, but especially an older veteran player basically immobile from back issues when off the court. He is the only player in NBA history with such a line, a truly special performance in front of the home crown.