On this day in Boston Celtics history, a rookie and future Celtics Hall of Famer made history as legendary small forward Larry Bird scored the very first 3-point shot in the history of the All-Star Game, in a contest that was played at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland in 1979.
The Hick from French Lick (as Bird was sometimes called as a nickname by his fans with affection) hit the shot in the corner during the extra period of the Eastern Conference’s 144-136 overtime win over the West. It was all the sweeter as Bird managed to do it while facing off against his career-long rival, former Michigan State Spartan and then-Los Angeles Laker Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
The Indiana State product’s record-setting trey was part of his overall 7-point, 6-rebound, 7-assist performance in the first of a dozen All-Star appearances.