Recounting how Havlicek stole the ball – a flashbulb moment in Celtics history

It was on this day — April 15, 1965 — that Havlicek stole the ball. This defining moment of defensive brilliance helped the Celtics secure a Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference finals at home against the dreaded Philadelphia 76ers. The C’s went on to win the title that year.

It’s the final moments of regulation, and the Sixers are chipping away at a modest fourth-quarter Celtics lead. With just a few seconds left on the clock, superstar Wilt Chamberlain puts home an easy dunk. He’ll finish the game with 30 points and 32 rebounds. Thanks to this basket, the Sixers pull within a point. The C’s are up 110-109.

Boston and Philly have played a very tight series, and here in Game 7, neither team looked able to fully pull away. Still, even with Chamberlain’s dunk, the C’s are a few free throws away from securing a narrow victory.

With only seconds remaining in the game, Boston’s own star big man Bill Russell elects to inbounds the ball. Unlike today, however, the hoop is anchored by a metal frame and four guide wires. Russell clips one of the wires as he tries to pass to a teammate for inevitable free throws. It’s a shocking and unbelievable unforced error. Sixers ball.

Philly gains possession underneath its own basket and has an opportunity to polish off an impossible come-from-behind win against the reigning world champs. The ref hands Hal Greer the ball — that’s when a 25-year-old John Havlicek knew to start counting.

Four seconds passed, and nothing happened. Hondo – who had his back to the basket — understood the Sixers were having trouble inbounding the ball. Havlicek began to turn around, and the rest is history.

Relive the incredible moment above. Come for the Havlicek heroics, stay for the now-iconic Johnny Most call. “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over”

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