The 10 greatest NBA Playoffs performances of all time

5. Larry Bird, Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, May 26, 1987

In 1987, the Detroit Pistons thought their time had finally come. After splitting the first four games of the Eastern Conference Finals against their rivals, the Boston Celtics, the team was up by one point with just 17 seconds to go in the pivotal Game 5.

The lead came as a result of a beautiful midrange jumper off the dribble by Isiah Thomas. The shot put the Pistons ahead 107–106; all they needed now was one stop and the series would head back to Detroit with them possessing a commanding lead of three games to two. After a timeout, the Celtics predictably inbounded the ball to Larry Bird, but Detroit was able to come up with the stop they needed.

Bird’s attempt at a baseline runner was blocked, and in a scramble, the referees determined that the ball went out of bounds off of one of the Celtics’ role players.

In haste, Isiah Thomas rushed to inbound the ball. That’s when Larry Bird cleverly intercepted the inbounds pass that was intended for Bill Laimbeer and then threw a perfect pass to a cutting Dennis Johnson. Johnson made the layup with one second left in the game, and the Celtics escaped with a 108-107 victory.

Although this play has become one of the most famous moments of Bird’s career, many people have forgotten how brilliantly he played the entire game. His overall stat line reads 36 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, and, of course, 1 steal. His final play will forever live on in the highlight reels, but Larry Bird’s performance in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals is truly one of the greatest in NBA playoff history.