Game 5 of the East Finals, April 1, 1962. The series is knotted 2-2 between the Philadelphia Warriors and the Boston Celtics. That’s when April Fools’ Day in Boston became into April Stool Day. For a brief while, Sam Jones and Wilt Chamberlain nearly made the game into a WWE match.
When Jones attempted to hit Wilt with the stool, both benches moved out of the way. Wilt was prevented from reaching Jones by Bill Russell, but Jones was still able to inform him of what was about to happen.
“As Wilt was glaring at me over his shoulders and threatening to make me eat this stool, I was yelling at him, ‘Wilt Chamberlain, I’m going to crack your kneecaps.'”
The altercation was broken up, and the game was won by the Celtics. The series was shifted to Philadelphia with a 3-2 lead. Chamberlain informed Jones before the start of the game that he was not allowed to touch the paint that evening. Jones accepted the challenge from him.
“I went in for a layup the first time I got the ball. He blocked my body instead of attempting to block the ball. I remember him coming in, going near to me, and saying, “I’ll put you flat on your back the next time you come in here,” as he was scooping me up. He then laid me flat on my back.
Back then, it was already a dangerous idea to drive into the paint. Not helping was the previous night’s events, when someone tried to swing a stool at Wilt. Jones understood the message after making his first effort.
“I declared that I would not return. I stayed out of the paint that entire evening.
It was evident in the box score. Jones scored 15 points while shooting 31.6%. The Warriors advanced to the seventh game in Boston after winning 109–99. Returning to his native court, Jones was his usual form, leading the Celtics in scoring with 28 points during a 109-107 triumph.
Despite not leading their teams in points or attempts made shots, Chamberlain and Russell combined for 22 rebounds. The most insane aspect? Each of them performed for forty-eight minutes. Send Mike Budenholzer that box score, please.
