He’s God disguised as Michael Jordan
On April 20, 1986 – 1986: Michael Jordan is well rested for the playoffs, having played only 18 games in his second season in the NBA because of an injury. While Chicago Bulls management would have preferred Jordan not come back until next season, Air is rarin’ to go.
In the Bulls’ first playoff game, he scores 49 points against the Boston Celtics. It’s only a warm-up for today’s heavenly performance. He scores a playoff-record 63 points in the Bulls’ 135-131 double overtime loss in Boston Garden.
“He’s God disguised as Michael Jordan,” says Boston’s Larry Bird.
In breaking the 24-year-old playoff record of 61 points set by Elgin Baylor, Jordan shoots 22-of-41 from the field and 19-of-21 from the foul line. He also has six assists and five rebounds in 53 minutes. His two free throws (points 53 and 54) with no time remaining in the fourth quarter send the game into overtime.
Jordan has a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime, but misses a mid-range jump shot. “I’ll remember that shot longer than my points,” he says.
Jordan’s final four points tie the game at 131 before Boston sub Jerry Sichting hits a game-winning jumper. Bird scores 36 with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
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