A Boston Celtics jersey worn by Larry Bird during the 1987 Eastern Conference playoffs, including two finals, sold for more than $500,000 — $524, $600 to be exact.
The jersey is being auctioned by Heritage Auctions, and when IndyStar reported on the item last month, the bid was $175,000. As of December 20, final bids (closing sales) had soared 200%.
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Heritage Auctions said of the jersey: “The 1986-87 Celtics were one of the most iconic teams of the era, and Bird was at the center of it, making this item a rare relic of basketball history.”
According to Heritage Auctions, Bird wore the jersey for at least seven games:
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April 26, 1987, Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 105-96. Bird’s statistics: 37 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
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May 13, 1987, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 129-124. Bird’s statistics: 26 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists.
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May 17, 1987, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 119-113. Bird’s statistics: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
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May 19, 1987, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 104-91. Bird’s statistics: 18 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.
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May 21, 1987, Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics defeated the Pistons 110-101. Bird’s statistics: 31 points, 9 rebounds and 12 assists.
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May 26, 1987, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics defeated the Pistons 108-107. Bird’s statistics: 36 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal.
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May 30, 1987, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics defeated the Pistons 117-114. Bird’s statistics: 37 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. NOTE: The jersey “bears a striking resemblance…but available images from that game are very limited,” according to Mills Authenticating, which used high-tech photo matching to authenticate the jersey.
The jersey worn by Larry Bird in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics is up for auction.
Mills said the jersey “clearly matches” the jersey worn by Bird in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 5, 1987, and matches two undated NBA game photos of Bird during the 1986-87 NBA regular season.
Heritage Auctions said game-matching items were more valuable than standard game-worn jerseys, and this was reflected in the final bid.
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Follow IndyStar Sports Reporter Dana Benbow on X: @danabembo. Contact her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Larry Bird’s game-worn jersey sells for more than $500,000
