In a memorable chapter of Boston Celtics history, Dominique Wilkins climbed to eighth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Wilkins, a legendary scorer, added 19 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist to his tally during a 126-115 win over the Miami Heat, bringing his career total to 25,207 points.
Wilkins' time with the Celtics may have been brief-spanning just 77 games in the 1994-95 season-but his impact was significant. He kept the fanbase engaged during a transitional period for the team, bridging the gap between the glory days of the 1980s and the emergence of Paul Pierce in 1998. Despite his contributions, Wilkins moved on after the season, heading to Greece to play for Panathinaikos.
On this day, the Celtics also made a notable transaction by re-signing guard Kelvin Upshaw for the remainder of the 1989 season. Upshaw, who had been filling in for the injured Jim Paxson, impressed during his two 10-day contracts, averaging 8.0 points and 5.1 assists over eight games. Celtics GM Jan Volk praised Upshaw's hard work and dedication, noting his performance exceeded expectations.
Today also marks the birthdays of two former Celtics. Forward Justin Jackson, born in 1995 in Houston, Texas, was drafted 15th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, though he never played for them. Jackson's NBA journey included stints with the Kings, Mavericks, Thunder, and Bucks before joining the Celtics in 2022, only to return to the Thunder in 2023.
Chris Corchiani, a former Boston point guard, celebrates his birthday as well. Born in 1968, Corchiani was drafted 36th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1991 NBA Draft. The NC State alum played for several teams before joining the Celtics for the 1993-94 season, where he averaged 2.3 points and 1.7 assists.