The Boston Celtics won their sixth NBA Championship for the 1961–62 season on this day in team history. In the seventh game of their series against the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Los Angeles Lakers, their longstanding adversaries, the banner was won.\

Legendary big man Bill Russell scored thirty points and pulled down forty rebounds in overtime to help Boston win the pivotal game 110-107. Russell’s 189 total rebounds during the Finals series still remains as a record. Famous guard Sam Jones of the Celtics would contribute 27 points and 8 rebounds to the victory as well.

After Laker Frank Selvy missed a shot with seconds remaining that would have won the game for Los Angeles, it rebounded off the rim and Boston went on to win the game in overtime.

Additionally, Marcus Smart was named the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner on this day, making him the first backcourt player to receive this honor since Gary Payton Sr. in 1996.

The NBA had Payton present Smart with the award during a surprise event at Auerbach Center, which was a classy move on the part of the league.