Lakers vs Celtics 1984 NBA Finals Game 6

Lore & Background

The 1984 NBA Finals was the eighth time in NBA history that the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA finals, with Boston winning each of the previous seven. The series was a rematch after their rivalry was revived in 1979 with the Magic Johnson–Larry Bird pair entering the league. After alternating wins with the Lakers, the Celtics won Game 7 and the series with a score of 111–102. Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Garden was thick with smoke and anticipation, smelling of floor wax and popcorn. Fans in green filled every seat, expecting another parade down Boylston Street for their hometown heroes. But on the court, the purple and gold moved with a rhythm that defied the pressure. As the final seconds ticked away, the realization settled over the arena like a heavy curtain: the dynasty had shifted once more to Los Angeles. The roar of the crowd turned into a somber hum as Lakers players embraced, knowing they had conquered the fortress.

Reader's Guide

In Game 6, the Lakers evened the series with a 119–108 victory. The Lakers answered the Celtics' rough tactics when Laker forward James Worthy shoved Cedric Maxwell into a basket support. After the game, a Laker fan threw a beer at Celtics guard M.L. Carr as he left the floor, causing him to label the series 'all-out-war.'

Did You Know?

• Game 4 of the 1984 Finals marked the last Finals game to go into overtime until Game 2 of the 1990 NBA Finals.
• This was the last NBA Finals to use the 2–2–1–1–1 format until 2014.
• The 1984 NBA Finals has been often regarded as one of the greatest finals ever played, and is considered the 'peak' of the 1980s Celtics-Lakers rivalry.