Game 5, 1975-76 NBA Finals
June 4, 1976 · Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Game 5, 1975-76 NBA Finals: BCBoston Celtics 128–126 Phoenix Suns, at Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts on June 4, 1976.
Widely called "the greatest game ever played": regulation ended tied after a clutch Havlicek free throw; in the second overtime Phoenix led on a Curtis Perry jumper before Havlicek banked in a driving shot with apparent time expiring (fans stormed the court believing Boston had won), officials put 1 second back on the clock, Boston's Jo Jo White made a technical free throw off a Phoenix timeout the Suns didn't have, and Phoenix's Gar Heard hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to force a third overtime, which Boston won 128-126 to take a 3-2 series lead.
Box score
| BCBoston Celtics starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Jo Jo White | 33 | 6 | 9 |
| Dave Cowens | 26 | 19 | 4 |
| John Havlicek | 22 | 9 | 8 |
| Paul Silas | 17 | 14 | 4 |
| Charlie Scott | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| PSPhoenix Suns starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Paul Westphal | 25 | 2 | 2 |
| Ricky Sobers | 25 | 2 | 6 |
| Curtis Perry | 23 | 15 | 6 |
| Alvan Adams | 20 | 9 | 5 |
| Gar Heard | 17 | 12 | 4 |
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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