Larry Bird Broke His Own Face in the Playoffs — Then Refused to Stay Down 😳 The 1991 Tapes

Another entry from the CLNS archive vault — May 5, 1991, Boston Garden. Larry Bird dives for a loose ball, shatters his cheekbone, and gets sent to the locker room with a severe concussion. What happens next became one of the defining moments of his career.

Featuring rare footage and soundbites from Red Auerbach, Kevin McHale, Chuck Person, and Robert Parish.

0:00 — Bird’s legendary toughness
0:50 — The 1991 playoffs and the Chuck Person rivalry
2:45 — Bird’s chronic back injuries mount
3:50 — Bird dives for a loose ball and breaks his face
4:59 — Bird emerges from the tunnel to a roaring Garden
5:15 — Bird takes over the second half
6:35 — Legacy and retirement

Is this the gutsiest comeback in NBA playoff history? Let us know in the comments.

🍀 Related: Top 5 Trades in Boston Celtics History & How They Changed the NBA Forever
youtu.be/JEIWZmTufbw

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