Larry Bird’s legacy is measured in the totals fans love—points, rebounds, assists, and the efficiency that powered big moments. The page traces his rise from Indiana State, including the 33–0 run before the 1979 NCAA final, through standout college scoring and rebounding. Then it moves to the NBA: three straight MVP seasons (1984–86), three championship years (1981, 1984, 1986), and playoff production that added up across 164 games.
Key Takeaways
- Larry Bird won 3 NBA Championships: 1981, 1984, 1986
- Larry Bird was NBA MVP 3 times: 1984, 1985, 1986
- Bird Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986
- Larry Bird averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds as junior at Indiana State 1978-79
- Bird led Indiana State to 33-0 record before NCAA final loss in 1979
- As sophomore 1977-78, Bird averaged 26.1 PPG, 13.2 RPG at ISU
- In playoffs, Larry Bird averaged 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists over 164 games
- Larry Bird grabbed 1,700 rebounds in playoffs, averaging 10.3 RPG
- Bird dished 1,062 playoff assists, 6.5 APG in 164 games
- Larry Bird set NBA single-season record for consecutive FT 71 in 1982-83
- Bird only player with 3 straight MVPs 1984-86
- 35 points in final 1986 regular season game to clinch 65-17 record
- Larry Bird scored 21,791 points in 897 regular season games over 13 NBA seasons
- Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points per game in his NBA regular season career
- Larry Bird grabbed 8,974 rebounds in 897 regular season games, averaging 10.0 per game
Larry Bird won three straight MVPs and multiple titles, averaging 24.3 points and 10 rebounds.
Related reading
01 · Category
Awards And Honors30 stats
01
Larry Bird won 3 NBA Championships: 1981, 1984, 1986
02
Larry Bird was NBA MVP 3 times: 1984, 1985, 1986
03
Bird Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986
04
12x NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992)
05
9x All-NBA First Team (1980-1988)
06
3x All-NBA Second Team (1989-1992)
07
Larry Bird Rookie of the Year 1980
08
3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1984-1986)
09
Bird led East to victory in 1982 All-Star Game with 19 pts
10
NBA 50th Anniversary Team member in 1996
11
Larry Bird elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 1998
12
10x All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1988, 1989-1991)
13
Bird won J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 1984
14
NBA 75th Anniversary Team 2021
15
Larry Bird #6 retired by Celtics 1993
16
3x steals leader: 1981-84 (1.7,1.8,1.6 SPG)
17
Bird MVP of 1981 All-Star Game
18
Selected to All-Rookie First Team 1980
19
Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP equivalent performances noted
20
One of 6 players with 20k pts, 10k reb, 5k ast
21
Bird named to NBA's 35th Anniversary Team 2014
22
1984-85 All-NBA First Team unanimous selection
23
Larry Bird won 2x Three-Point Contest (1986,1988)
24
Hall of Fame as player 1998, executive later
25
Bird #2 in Celtics history scoring behind Havlicek at retirement
26
2 years: Larry Bird won NBA regular-season MVP in 1984 and 1986
27
2 years: Larry Bird won NBA Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986
28
1 year: Larry Bird won NBA regular-season MVP in 1984
29
1 year: Larry Bird won NBA Finals MVP in 1984
30
1 year: Larry Bird won NBA regular-season MVP in 1986
Interpretation
Awards And Honors Interpretation
Larry Bird’s awards and honors stand out for sustained greatness, highlighted by winning 3 NBA championships and 3 straight MVPs from 1984 to 1986 while also capturing Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986.
report visual · Comparison
Larry Bird’s MVPs: Regular Season vs Finals
Across 1984–1986, Larry Bird earned MVP honors in both the regular season and the Finals, with the awards tied across the two years—no clear gap between regular-season MVP (1984, 1
2 years: Larry Bird won NBA regular-season MVP in 1984 and 19862 years
2 years: Larry Bird won NBA Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986
2 years
1 year: Larry Bird won NBA regular-season MVP in 1984
1 year
source-verifiedbasketball-reference.com1984
02 · Category
College Stats25 stats
01
Larry Bird averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds as junior at Indiana State 1978-79
02
Bird led Indiana State to 33-0 record before NCAA final loss in 1979
03
As sophomore 1977-78, Bird averaged 26.1 PPG, 13.2 RPG at ISU
04
Freshman year 1976-77: 20.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG in 26 games for ISU
05
Bird named Indiana Mr. Basketball 1974 while at Springs Valley HS, but college: led ISU in scoring all 3 years
06
Career college 3PT% 41.7% on limited attempts at ISU
07
Bird had 69 assists as freshman, averaging 2.7 APG
08
In 1979 NCAA Championship game, Bird 31 pts, 14 reb vs Michigan St
09
Larry Bird 2,129 career college points at ISU, averaging 25.7 PPG over 82 games
10
ISU rebound leader career with 1,096 under Bird
11
Bird consensus First Team All-American 1979
12
Shot 53.7% FG career college
13
Bird averaged 4.4 APG as junior at ISU
14
Played 27.4 MPG career college
15
Bird 1,096 rebounds career, 13.4 RPG at Indiana State
16
Junior year blocks leader at ISU with notable shot-blocking
17
Bird MVC Player of the Year 1978-79
18
Scored 44 points vs Flordia St in 1979 Mideast Regional
19
Bird 83-1 record at ISU over 3 years effectively
20
Career 1.8 steals per game estimated in college stats
21
Bird FT% 82.2% career college on high volume
22
Led nation in minutes per game 38.6 as junior 1979
23
Larry Bird holds ISU single-season rebound record 474 in 1978-79
24
1979 season: 36.9 MPG for Bird at ISU
25
Bird second in nation scoring 30.3 PPG junior year
Interpretation
College Stats Interpretation
Larry Bird’s college production at Indiana State shows a clear upward scoring trend and dominance on the glass, culminating in his junior year averages of 30.3 points and 13.3 rebounds while leading the program to a 33–0 run to the 1979 title game.
03 · Category
Playoff Stats27 stats
01
In playoffs, Larry Bird averaged 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists over 164 games
02
Larry Bird grabbed 1,700 rebounds in playoffs, averaging 10.3 RPG
03
Bird dished 1,062 playoff assists, 6.5 APG in 164 games
04
Bird shot 47.7% FG in playoffs on 4,305 attempts
05
Larry Bird made 432 threes at 32.1% in 1,347 playoff attempts
06
Bird averaged 1.8 steals per game in playoffs with 294 total
07
Larry Bird blocked 92 shots in playoffs, 0.6 BPG
08
Bird's playoff FT% was 89.0% on 1,332 makes of 1,497
09
In 1981 Finals, Bird averaged 15.8 PPG but 21 RPG over 6 games vs Rockets
10
Larry Bird averaged 27.5 PPG in 1984 ECF vs Nets
11
In 1986 Finals, Bird averaged 24.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 9.5 APG vs Rockets
12
Bird had 33.8 PER in 1987 playoffs
13
Larry Bird's playoff true shooting 54.8%
14
In 1981 playoffs, Bird averaged 21.9 PPG, 14.1 RPG
15
Bird scored 40 points in Game 5 of 1986 ECF vs Bucks
16
Larry Bird had triple-double in Game 6 1987 ECF: 20-13-12 vs Pistons
17
In 1984 Finals Game 1, Bird 34 pts, 14 reb vs Lakers
18
Bird averaged 25.7 PPG in 1985 playoffs
19
Larry Bird's career playoff win shares 23.6
20
In 1988 playoffs, Bird averaged 26.1 PPG despite injury
21
Bird had 18 assists in Game 3 1986 Finals
22
Larry Bird 29 points, 22 rebounds in Game 3 1981 ECF vs 76ers
23
Playoff BPM for Bird 5.9 career
24
Bird shot 88.6% FT in 1986 playoffs
25
Larry Bird 164 playoff games, all with Celtics
26
In 1991 playoffs, Bird averaged 18.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG in first round
27
Bird's 1987 Finals avg 26.0 PPG vs Lakers
Interpretation
Playoff Stats Interpretation
In the playoffs, Larry Bird delivered a dominant all around line of 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, showing the kind of impact that defines his playoff stats.
More related reading
04 · Category
Records And Milestones20 stats
01
Larry Bird set NBA single-season record for consecutive FT 71 in 1982-83
02
Bird only player with 3 straight MVPs 1984-86
03
35 points in final 1986 regular season game to clinch 65-17 record
04
Bird 60 triple-doubles career, most by forward pre-2000s
05
Led NBA in steals 3 straight years 1981-84
06
Bird's 89-game double-double streak 1989-90 season start
07
50/40/90 club member 3 times (1986-88)
08
Bird-Celtics 281-97 record with him playing 1980-88
09
First player to average 30 PPG post-30 years old (1987-88 at 31)
10
37 points, 21 rebounds, 9 assists in college vs Notre Dame 1979
11
Bird 47 points vs Atlanta Hawks Dec 1981, career high adjusted
12
Back-to-back 40+ pt triple-doubles 1985 vs Jazz and Kings
13
Led league in minutes 40.6 MPG 1981-82 season
14
Bird only guard-eligible with 10k rebounds
15
1980 Finals rookie debut 15 pts 12 reb despite loss
16
Bird 29 pts in 1986 Finals Game 6 to win title
17
52 points on 22/33 FG vs Hawks 1985
18
Bird steals leader with 240 in 1983-84 season
19
First unanimous MVP 1984
20
30.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG career vs Lakers regular season
Interpretation
Records And Milestones Interpretation
In the Records And Milestones category, Larry Bird’s standout trend is sustained peak excellence shown by his 71 straight free throws in 1982-83 and his 3 consecutive MVPs from 1984 to 1986, alongside defining stretches like 3 straight seasons leading the league in steals.
05 · Category
Regular Season Stats30 stats
01
Larry Bird scored 21,791 points in 897 regular season games over 13 NBA seasons
02
Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points per game in his NBA regular season career
03
Larry Bird grabbed 8,974 rebounds in 897 regular season games, averaging 10.0 per game
04
Larry Bird dished out 5,695 assists in his NBA career, averaging 6.3 per game
05
Larry Bird shot 49.6% from the field on 18,005 field goal attempts in regular season play
06
Larry Bird made 3,726 three-pointers at 37.6% on 9,901 attempts in his career
07
Larry Bird averaged 1.7 steals per game with 1,556 total steals in regular season
08
Larry Bird blocked 755 shots at 0.8 per game during his NBA regular season tenure
09
Larry Bird had a career free throw percentage of 88.6% on 6,541 makes out of 7,389 attempts
10
In 1984-85 season, Larry Bird averaged 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game
11
Larry Bird led the NBA in points per game with 29.9 in the 1987-88 season
12
Larry Bird played 36.0 minutes per game on average over his career, totaling 32,266 minutes
13
Larry Bird's career PER was 23.5 in regular season play
14
Larry Bird had a true shooting percentage of 56.5% career regular season
15
In rookie season 1979-80, Bird averaged 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG
16
Larry Bird averaged 24.3 PPG in home games over career
17
Bird shot 50.8% FG in 1985-86 regular season
18
Larry Bird had 39.4% career 3P% on high volume
19
Bird led league in double-doubles with 59 in 1989-90 season
20
Larry Bird's career win shares total 145.8 in regular season
21
Bird averaged 10.5 RPG in 1981-82, leading forwards
22
Larry Bird had 5,695 assists, 4th all-time among forwards at retirement
23
In 1986-87, Bird averaged 28.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.6 APG
24
Bird's career box plus/minus was 6.2 in regular season
25
Larry Bird shot 90.1% FT in 1989-90, leading NBA
26
Bird had 897 games played, 900 started in regular season career
27
Larry Bird averaged 26.4 PPG in 1984 playoffs but wait no regular
28
Bird's 1987-88 season: 29.9 PPG on 52.5% FG
29
Career VORP 93.3 for Bird in regular season
30
Larry Bird had 1,556 steals, averaging 1.7 SPG career regular
Interpretation
Regular Season Stats Interpretation
In his 13 NBA seasons of Regular Season Stats, Larry Bird put up 24.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while converting 49.6% of his field goals and hitting 3,726 threes at a 37.6% rate.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Larry Bird Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/larry-bird-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Larry Bird Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/larry-bird-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Larry Bird Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/larry-bird-statistics.
Sources & references
2 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+1 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)