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Hall of Famer Tom Heinsohn recorded 37 points and 23 rebounds as a rookie to help lead the Boston Celtics to their first NBA championship over the St. Louis Hawks on this day in 1957.
The 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 24 points and 12.6 rebounds in seven games during the Finals that year to lead the Celtics to the title, which was the first of eight rings for Heinsohn.
Joining Heinsohn on that team were a few other eventual Hall of Famers in Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman as the Celtics kickstarted their dynasty to greatness.
The Celtics needed every point from Heinsohn in Game 7 as they narrowly walked away with the two-point victory over the Hawks in double-overtime. Russell, in his first season with the Celtics, tallied 19 points and 32 rebounds in Game 7.
Unfortunately, there was no NBA Finals MVP award until 1969, which was the last season for Russell while Heinsohn retired in 1965. The two likely would have battled it out for the award over their careers but they still ended up among the best players ever.
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