On this day: IT goes for 53, Bill Russell hangs first banner as coach

On this day in 2017, Isaiah Thomas hung 53 points on the Wizards on his late sister’s birthday, and in 1968 Bill Russell won his first championship as a coach.

It is also former Celtic big man Troy Murphy’s birthday; Murphy was born in 1980 in Morristown, New Jersey, and would play for Notre Dame in college and the Indiana Pacers and New Jersey (at that time) Nets before being dealt to the Golden State Warriors in 2011.

Murphy would be bought out, and would sign with Boston for the remainder of the season to help shore up the Celtics aging frontcourt. He would appear in 17 regular season games for Boston, averaging 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game while with the team.