On February 5 , 1960 1960: Grabbing three rebounds in the final 36 seconds, Bill Russell becomes the first player to pull down 50 in a game. The 6-foot-10 Boston Celtics center finishes with 51, breaking the NBA mark of 49 he set on Nov. 16, 1957. Coach Red Auerbach is told about Russell’s chance for the record and lets him play the entire 48 minutes. Russell gets 24 rebounds in the first half and 27 in the second half in the Celtics’ 124-100 romp over the Syracuse Nationals before 5,518 fans in Boston. He also scores 23 points, making 8-of-16 field-goal attempts, and has five assists. Russell’s record will last only 9½ months. Arch-rival Wilt Chamberlain of Philadelphia will grab 55 rebounds against Russell and the Celtics on Nov. 24.
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