Today in Boston Celtics history, the team set a record by limiting the scoring of their opponent in that game to the fourth-lowest score in their storied club’s seven-plus decades of existence. The record was set in the team’s first season of existence (1946-47) – which just so happens to be the first season of the Basketball Association of America (BAA, a precursor league to the NBA). The contest was played a mere two days after Boston set a record for the second-lowest score an opponent was held to in Celtics history, a 48-43 win over the (now defunct) Pittsburgh Ironmen.
The Celtics nearly duplicated the feat in a 52-46 win over the New York Knicks on Jan. 25, 1947. Boston was led by 17 points from forward Al Brightman, with big man Connie Simmons chipping in 16 more.
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Only one player on New York’s roster broke double digits with a dozen points, that being forward Bud Palmer.
Historic outings
Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) smiles during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
It is also the date of a 38-point performance from Celtic point guard Isaiah Thomas on this date in 2017.
IT also pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 9 assists in the 120-109 home win over the Houston Rockets for one of the best all-around regular-season games of his career.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: IT gets 38 vs. Rockets; Knicks held to 46 points