See Also

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball Basketball

Basketball is a sport [i] in which two teams of five players each try to score points on one another by ... 

 team based in Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Massachusetts [i] in the United States [i] ... 

. They play in the National Basketball Association National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the world's premier men's professional basketball [i] league and ... 

 . Their 16 NBA championships are the most of any NBA franchise.

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Timeline

2002   The Boston Celtics come back from 26 points down to defeat the New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball [i] team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey [i]. ... 

 in Game 3 of the National Basketball Association National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the world's premier men's professional basketball [i] league and ... 

's Eastern Conference Finals.



Encyclopedia

The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball Basketball

Basketball is a sport [i] in which two teams of five players each try to score points on one another by ... 

 team based in Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Massachusetts [i] in the United States [i] ... 

. They play in the National Basketball Association National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the world's premier men's professional basketball [i] league and ... 

 . Their 16 NBA championships are the most of any NBA franchise.

Home arenas

Boston Arena Matthews Arena

Matthews Arena, located in Boston, Massachusetts [i], is the world's oldest indoor hockey arena. ... 

  Site of the first Celtics game. Served as a secondary venue during the franchise's early years. Where parquet floor was originally installed. Now known as Northeastern University Northeastern University, Boston

Northeastern University is a private [i] research [i] university [i] in Boston, Massachusetts [i] ... 

's Matthews Arena.
Boston Garden Boston Garden

The Boston Garden was an arena built in 1928 [i] and demolished in 1998 [i] after the completion of its ... 

TD Banknorth Garden TD Banknorth Garden

TD Banknorth Garden, named after its sponsor, TD Banknorth [i], is often called simply the Garden, ... 

, formerly the Fleet Center.

Franchise History


The Beginning of a Dynasty
The Celtics were formed in 1946 as a team in the Basketball Association of America, and became part of the National Basketball Association National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the world's premier men's professional basketball [i] league and ... 

 after the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League to form the NBA in the fall of 1949. The Celtics had struggled during their early years, but the hiring of Coach Red Auerbach would change their fortunes. One of the first major players to join the Celtics was Bob Cousy Bob Cousy

Robert Joseph Cousy is an American former professional basketball [i] player, who played point guard [i] ... 

, whom Auerbach initially refused to draft. Cousy eventually became the property of the Chicago Stags Chicago Stags

The Chicago Stags were a National Basketball Association [i] team based in Chicago, Illinois [i].
... 

. When that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy was acquired by the Celtics in a dispersal draft. He would become a huge part of the Celtics' success and eventually became good friends with his new coach. Under Auerbach, the Celtics acquired rookie Bill Russell in 1956. Russell was an even more important acquistion than Cousy, as he was the player around whom Auerbach would build the Celtics for more than a decade. Russell had an immediate impact during the 1956 season; the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 in seven games, giving the Celtics the first of their record 16 NBA Championships. In 1957, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games. However, with the acquisition of K.C. Jones, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for over a decade.

In 1959, with Russell and Jones, the Celtics won the NBA Championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

. Still coached by Auerbach, the Celtics won another seven championships, thus winning eight in a row. During that timespan, the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals six times, starting an intense and often bitter rivalry. The Celtics would eventually meet the Lakers a total of 10 times in the NBA Finals. After the 1966 championship, Auerbach retired as coach but remained General Manager, a position he would hold well into the 1980s. Russell took over as player-coach. However, that year the Celtics' string of NBA titles was broken as they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The aging team managed two more championships in 1968 and 1969, each against the Lakers Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 in the NBA Finals. Russell retired after the 1969 season, effectively ending a dominant Celtics dynasty that had garnered 11 NBA titles. The streak of 8 consecutive NBA championships is the longest streak of consecutive championships in U.S. sports history. Other important players during this era included Sam Jones, John Havlicek, and Tommy Heinsohn Tom Heinsohn

Thomas William Heinsohn is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame [i] as a player on the Boston Celtics [i] ... 

.
Rebuilding the Dynasty
The next season was one of rebuilding as the Celtics had their first losing record in a long time. However, with Dave Cowens Dave Cowens

David William Cowens is a former professional basketball [i] player. At 6'9", he played the center [i] ... 

, Paul Silas, and Jo Jo White Jo Jo White

Joseph Henry "Jo Jo" White is an America [i]n former professional basketball [i] player.
... 

, the Celtics became dominant again. In 1974 the team bested the Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 in the NBA Finals, and in 1976 the team won yet another championship thanks to defeating the Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball [i] team based in Phoenix [i], Arizona [i] ... 

. The 1976 NBA Finals featured one of the greatest games in the history of the NBA. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Suns trailed early in the Boston Garden, but came back to force overtime. In double overtime, a Gar Heard turn-around jumper at the top of the key sent the game to an unprecedented third overtime, at which point the Celtics prevailed. Tommy Heinsohn Tom Heinsohn

Thomas William Heinsohn is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame [i] as a player on the Boston Celtics [i] ... 

 coached the team for those two championships. After the 1976 victory, however, Boston went into another phase of rebuilding.
The Bird Years
The rebuilding phase only lasted two years. Auerbach selected Larry Bird Larry Bird

Larry Joe Bird is an American [i] former NBA [i] basketball [i] ... 

 in the 1978 NBA Draft. Bird elected to remain in college for his senior year but the Celtics retained his rights . Bird would debut for the Celtics during the 1979-80 season, a year after his selection, and go on to win Rookie of the Year honors. In the following season, Bird was joined by another Celtics draft pick, Kevin McHale Kevin McHale

Kevin Edward McHale is an American former professional basketball [i] player who starred for thirteen se ... 

, and trade acquisition Robert Parish Robert Parish

Robert Lee Parish, is an American [i] former basketball [i] center [i]. ... 

. With these three future Hall of Famers in place, the Celtics yet again became a dominant team in the NBA. At this time the Celtics also had Cedric Maxwell Cedric Maxwell

Cedric Bryan "Cornbread" Maxwell was an American [i] professional basketball [i] player an ... 

, a solid veteran who was part of the first two "Bird Era" championship teams. The Celtics went on to capture the NBA Championship in 1981, just two years after Bird had been drafted, under head coach Bill Fitch Bill Fitch

Bill Fitch is a former NBA [i] coach who has been successful in making t ... 

.

K.C. Jones was named head coach after Fitch's reign ended. Under their new coach, the Celtics would fail to achieve postseason glory for a few more years. During this time, the Celtics added players like Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, and M.L. Carr. In 1984 the Celtics would come back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 in the NBA Finals, thus winning their 15th championship. Bird renewed his college rivalry with Lakers star Magic Johnson Magic Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. is an American former basketball [i] player, widely regarded as one of the ... 

 during this series. In 1985, the Lakers and Celtics would meet again, but this time the Lakers would take home the championship. During the following offseason the Celtics acquired Bill Walton from the Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i]. ... 

 in exchange for Cedric Maxwell Cedric Maxwell

Cedric Bryan "Cornbread" Maxwell was an American [i] professional basketball [i] player an ... 

. Walton was a future Hall of Famer and had been a big star with the Portland Trailblazers, but injuries had kept him from living up to expectations. He was also a lifelong Celtics fan. He would be a big part of the Celtics' success in 1986. That year, the Celtics fielded one of the best teams in NBA history. They would win their 16th and last championship to date, easily defeating the Houston Rockets Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 in the NBA Finals. Jones had led the Celtics to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances against the Lakers and Houston Rockets Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 when all was said and done. Unfortunately, Walton would not stay with the team much longer as injuries would force his retirement. The Celtics would remain competitive for the rest of the 80's, but would only return once more to the NBA Finals again after 1986.

The Celtics drafted Len Bias Len Bias

Leonard Kevin Bias was a college basketball [i] player who suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia [i] that ... 

 in the 1986 NBA Draft and had high hopes for the young University of Maryland University of Maryland, College Park

name=University of Maryland, College Park|
... 

 star. Fans believed Bias, who had superstar potential, would be the perfect complement to the aging but still strong Celtics, and he ensured the franchise would remain a powerhouse after Bird, McHale and Parish retired. Bias died 48 hours after he was drafted, after experimenting with cocaine at a party and overdosing. It would be the first in a long string of bad luck for the Celtics, and many fans believe the Celtics have never recovered from the loss of Bias.
Tragedy and Decline
The era of the great teams of the 1980's drew to close as Larry Bird Larry Bird

Larry Joe Bird is an American [i] former NBA [i] basketball [i] ... 

 began to experience back trouble and Kevin McHale Kevin McHale

Kevin Edward McHale is an American former professional basketball [i] player who starred for thirteen se ... 

 and Robert Parish Robert Parish

Robert Lee Parish, is an American [i] former basketball [i] center [i]. ... 

's skills began to diminish with age. In 1992, the Celtics won the Atlantic Division title, an achievement they would not attain again until the 2004-2005 season. After thirteen seasons with the club, Bird retired due to his back injuries. By this time former player Chris Ford was the coach of the Celtics. 26-year old Reggie Lewis was seen as Bird's successor and became the new franchise player for the Celtics. In 1995, the Celtics moved from the Boston Garden Boston Garden

The Boston Garden was an arena built in 1928 [i] and demolished in 1998 [i] after the completion of its ... 

 into the Fleet Center .

Lewis, a forward, fainted during a playoff matchup with the Charlotte Hornets New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets

The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets are a professional basketball [i] team based in New Orleans, Louisiana [i] ... 

. It was later revealed that Lewis had heart problems, yet he was able to get doctors to clear him for a comeback. He died of a heart attack Myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease that occurs when the ... 

 after participating in a pickup basketball game during the offseason. The Celtics honored his memory during the following season by retiring his number.

Former player M.L. Carr soon became the team's General Manager and drafted young players like Eric Montross and Eric Williams Eric Williams

Dr. Eric Eustace Williams was the first Prime Minister [i] of Trinidad and Tobago [i]... 

. He later fired Chris Ford and took the coaching reins himself. After a somewhat disappointing season, the Celtics made the playoffs only to be eliminated in the first round by the Orlando Magic Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball [i] team based in Orlando, Florida [i]. ... 

.The Celtics wallowed in mediocrity for the next few years and would fail to make the playoffs.

Carr stepped aside to another job in the organization when the Celtics acquired Rick Pitino Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino is the head basketball [i] coach [i] at the University of Louisville [i]. ... 

 to serve as the team's President, Front Office Manager, and Head Coach. Pitino had led the University of Kentucky University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky, also referred to as UK, is a public [i], co-educational [i] ... 

 to an NCAA Championship and was a very successful head coach, with a short NBA stint with the New York Knicks New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 several years prior. Unfortunately for the Celtics, Pitino was not the savior everyone expected him to be, although he did bring several talented young players to the team during his tenure. The Celtics, at 15-67, had the worst record in franchise history and the worst record in the NBA overall during the 1996-97 season, but they failed to win the NBA's Draft Lottery to determine who would receive the first pick in the NBA Draft . Instead, the Celtics received the third and sixth picks. They drafted Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer and seemed ready to pair them with Antoine Walker Antoine Walker

Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball [i] player with the Miami Heat [i] in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

, the second-year player out of Kentucky, who had a solid rookie season. Unfortunately, two of these players would not remain as fixtures on the team in the long term . The following year the Celtics drafted Paul Pierce Paul Pierce

Paul Anthony Pierce is a professional basketball [i] player for the Boston Celtics [i] of the NBA [i] ... 

, a college star who had been expected to be drafted much higher than the Celtics' number 10 pick overall. Other notable players Pitino acquired were Walter McCarty, Tony Delk, Eric Williams Eric Williams

Dr. Eric Eustace Williams was the first Prime Minister [i] of Trinidad and Tobago [i]... 

 , and veteran Kenny Anderson.

Pitino failed to coach any successful teams and resigned in 2001, leaving the Celtics in the hands of assistant coach Jim O'Brien, a friend of Pitino's who subsequently took the reins as interim head coach. Chris Wallace became the general manager of the team.
Rebuilding a Contender
The Celtics improved greatly after this coaching change. Paul Pierce Paul Pierce

Paul Anthony Pierce is a professional basketball [i] player for the Boston Celtics [i] of the NBA [i] ... 

 matured into an NBA star and was complemented by Antoine Walker Antoine Walker

Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball [i] player with the Miami Heat [i] in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

, along with the other young veteran players acquired over the years. O'Brien was later made the permanent head coach. The Celtics had three picks in the draft that year, but Wallace used them on players who did not work out in the long run . The Celtics made the playoffs for the first time since 1995 the following season. The team made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball [i] team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey [i]. ... 

. In 2003, the Celtics were sold by owner Paul Gaston to Boston Basketball Partners LLC, led by H. Irving Grousbeck, Wycliffe Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca, Robert Epstein, David Epstein, and John Svenson. The team made it back to the playoffs but were eliminated in the second round this time, again by the Nets.

Before their elimination, the team hired Danny Ainge to take over the front office, pushing Chris Wallace to another job in the organization. Ainge believed the team had reached its peak and promptly traded many of its stars throughout the next season. Antoine Walker Antoine Walker

Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball [i] player with the Miami Heat [i] in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 was the most notable player to go, being traded to the Mavericks during training camp. Eric Williams and Tony Battie also left during that year. They were replaced by Ricky Davis Ricky Davis

Tyree Ricardo "Ricky" Davis is a professional basketball [i] player currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves [i] ... 

, Jiri Welsch Jirí Welsch

... 

, Raef LaFrentz and others. The team struggled a bit as they tried to find their new identity.

Jim O'Brien stepped down during the 2004 season to be replaced by interim coach John Carroll. The Celtics made the playoffs only to be swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

. Ainge received a lot of criticism for breaking up the previous team, but he was able to have a few successful drafts, including picks like Marcus Banks, Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, Delonte West and others. During his second off-season, Ainge was able to unload some payroll when he acquired veterans Gary Payton Gary Payton

Gary Dwayne Payton is an American [i] professional basketball [i] player currently with th ... 

 and Rick Fox Rick Fox

Ulrich Alexander Fox is an actor and former professional basketball [i] player.
... 

 from the Los Angeles Lakers. Fox retired before playing with the team, and Payton threatened not to show up at training camp, but eventually ended up playing for the team during the 2004-05 season.

The Celtics were a young team under new coach Doc Rivers, yet they seemed to have a core of good young players, led by rookie Al Jefferson, with a selection of able veterans . Before the trading deadline in the winter of 2005 the Celtics re-acquired Antoine Walker when they dealt Gary Payton to the Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 . With Walker back in the fold, the Celtics improved enormously. They won their first Atlantic Division title since 1993. The Pacers, however, defeated them in the first round yet again.

Payton and Walker both became free agents. Walker was traded to the Miami Heat Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are a professional basketball [i] team based in Miami [i], Florida [i], United States [i] ... 

 in a multi-team sign-and-trade deal that brought the Celtics two players who would later be released and money. Payton later chose to sign with the Heat as well. Ainge brought in a few more young players during the draft, including Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, and Orien Greene.

During the 2006 season, Ainge traded Davis, Blount, Banks, Justin Reed, and two conditional second-round draft picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional basketball [i] team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota [i]. ... 

 for forward Wally Szczerbiak Wally Szczerbiak

Walter Robert "Wally" Szczerbiak is an American basketball [i] player for the Boston Celtics [i].... 

, centers Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones, and a first-round pick. The team's direction is still skeptical. However, Ainge has stated more than once that he is committed to continuing the rebuilding process under team captain Paul Pierce Paul Pierce

Paul Anthony Pierce is a professional basketball [i] player for the Boston Celtics [i] of the NBA [i] ... 

, who played some of the best basketball of his career in 2006. The Celtics missed the 2006 playoffs with a 33-49 record.

The Boston Celtics contined to rebuild on the night of the 2006 NBA Draft 2006 NBA Draft

The 2006 [i] NBA Draft [i] was held on June 28 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden [i] ... 

. Danny Ainge traded the rights to the seventh overall pick Randy Foye, Dan Dickau Dan Dickau

Daniel David Dickau plays basketball [i] in the National Basketball Association [i], currently with the ... 

 and Raef LaFrentz to the Portland Trail Blazers in for Sebastian Telfair Sebastian Telfair

Sebastian Telfair is an American professional basketball [i] player in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

, Theo Ratliff, and a future second round pick. A subsequent trade with the Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 for Allen Iverson Allen Iverson

Allen Ezail Iverson003, Iverson was ranked 53rd on SLAM Magazine [i]'s Top 75 NBA players of all time. ... 

 was reported as a potential move beneficial to each team, although such a trade never eventuated.

As of 2006 2006

2006 is a common year starting on Sunday [i] of the Gregorian calendar [i].
... 

 the Celtics have never lost the seventh game of the NBA Finals. They are a perfect 7-0 in these games, winning in 1957, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1969, 1974, and 1984.
Historical Rivalries
The Boston Celtics have had a longstanding rivalry, especially throughout the 80s, with the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

. At the height of the rivalry, the Lakers and Celtics would win 8 NBA Championships in the decade , and would play each other in the NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 3 different times. The rivalry was cooled off as the Celtics slipped into mediocrity in the 90s, but Lakers-Celtics is considered by many NBA fans to be the league's greatest rivalry. The Celtics also have historical ties with the Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

, who played with the Celtics in tense playoff series in the 60s and 80s.

Season-by-season records

|-
|1946-47 || 22 || 38 || .367 || Lost Quarterfinals || Chicago Stags Chicago Stags

The Chicago Stags were a National Basketball Association [i] team based in Chicago, Illinois [i].
... 

 2, Boston 1
|-
|1947-48 || 20 || 28 || .417
|-
|1948-49 || 25 || 35 || .417
|-
|1949-50 || 22 || 46 || .324
|-
|1950-51 || 39 || 30 || .565 || Lost Division Semifinals || New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 2, Boston 0
|-
|1951-52 || 39 || 27 || .591 || Lost Division Semifinals || New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 2, Boston 1
|-
|1952-53 || 46 || 25 || .648 || Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals || Boston 2, Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 0
New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 3, Boston 1
|-
|1953-54 || 42 || 30 || .583 || Round-Robin
Round-Robin
Lost Division Finals || Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 2, Boston 0
Boston 2, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 0
Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 2, Boston 0
|-
|1954-55 || 36 || 36 || .500 || Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals || Boston 2, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 1
Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 3, Boston 1
|-
|1955-56 || 39 || 33 || .542 || Lost Division Semifinals || Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 2, Boston 1
|-
|1956-57 || 44 || 28 || .611 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 3, Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 0
Boston 4, St. Louis Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 3

|-
|1957-58 || 49 || 23 || .681 || Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 || Boston 4, Philadelphia Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball [i] team based in Oakland, California [i].... 

 1
St. Louis Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1958-59 || 52 || 20 || .722 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 3
Boston 4, Minneapolis Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 0

|-
|1959-60 || 59 || 16 || .787 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Philadelphia Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball [i] team based in Oakland, California [i].... 

 2
Boston 4, St. Louis Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 3

|-
|1960-61 || 57 || 22 || .722 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Syracuse Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, St. Louis Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 1

|-
|1961-62 || 60 || 20 || .750 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Philadelphia Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball [i] team based in Oakland, California [i].... 

 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 3

|-
|1962-63 || 58 || 22 || .725 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Cincinnati Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball [i] team based in Sacramento, California [i].... 

 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 2

|-
|1963-64 || 59 || 21 || .738 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Cincinnati Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball [i] team based in Sacramento, California [i].... 

 1
Boston 4, San Francisco Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball [i] team based in Oakland, California [i].... 

 1

|-
|1964-65 || 62 || 18 || .755 || Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 1

|-
|1965-66 || 54 || 26 || .675 || Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 3, Cincinnati Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball [i] team based in Sacramento, California [i].... 

 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 3

|-
|1966-67 || 60 || 21 || .741 || Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals || Boston 3, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 1
Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 1
|-
|1967-68 || 54 || 28 || .659 || Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 2
|-
|1968-69 || 48 || 34 || .585 || Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 
|| Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 2
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 3
|-
|1969-70 || 34 || 48 || .415
|-
|1970-71 || 44 || 38 || .537
|-
|1971-72 || 56 || 26 || .683 || Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 4, Atlanta Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 2
New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 4, Boston 1
|-
|1972-73 || 68 || 14 || .829 || Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 4, Atlanta Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 2
New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 4, Boston 3
|-
|1973-74 || 56 || 26 || .683 || Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 4, Buffalo Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i]. ... 

 2
Boston 4, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 1
Boston 4, Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 3

|-
|1974-75 || 60 || 22 || .732 || Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 4, Houston Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 1
Washington Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball [i] team based in Washington, D.C. [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1975-76 || 54 || 28 || .659 || Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 4, Buffalo Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i]. ... 

 2
Boston 4, Cleveland Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers is a professional basketball [i] team based in Cleveland, Ohio [i]. ... 

 2
Boston 4, Phoenix Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball [i] team based in Phoenix [i], Arizona [i] ... 

 2

|-
|1976-77 || 44 || 38 || .537 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals || Boston 2, San Antonio San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball [i] team based in San Antonio, Texas [i]. ... 

 0
Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 3
|-
|1977-78 || 32 || 50 || .390
|-
|1978-79 || 29 || 53 || .354
|-
|1979-80 || 61 || 21 || .744 || Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 4, Houston Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 0
Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 1
|-
|1980-81 || 62 || 20 || .756 || Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 4, Chicago Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball [i] team based in Chicago [i], Illinois [i].... 

 0
Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, Houston Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 2

|-
|1981-82 || 63 || 19 || .768 || Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 4, Washington Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball [i] team based in Washington, D.C. [i]. ... 

 1
Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 3
|-
|1982-83 || 56 || 26 || .683 || Lost Conference Semifinals || Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 0
|-
|1983-84 || 62 || 20 || .756 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 3, Washington Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball [i] team based in Washington, D.C. [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 3
Boston 4, Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 3

|-
|1984-85 || 63 || 19 || .768 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 || Boston 3, Cleveland Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers is a professional basketball [i] team based in Cleveland, Ohio [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 1
Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1985-86 || 67 || 15 || .817 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

|| Boston 3, Chicago Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball [i] team based in Chicago [i], Illinois [i].... 

 0
Boston 4, Atlanta Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 1
Boston 4, Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 0
Boston 4, Houston Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball [i] team based in Houston, Texas [i]. ... 

 2

|-
|1986-87 || 59 || 23 || .720 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association [i], played under a best-of-seven playoff [i] ... 

 || Boston 3, Chicago Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball [i] team based in Chicago [i], Illinois [i].... 

 0
Boston 4, Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin [i]. ... 

 3
Boston 4, Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 3
Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Los Angeles, California [i], who ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1987-88 || 57 || 25 || .695 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 3, New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 1
Boston 4, Atlanta Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball [i] team based in Atlanta, Georgia [i]. ... 

 3
Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1988-89 || 42 || 40 || .512 || Lost First Round || Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 3, Boston 0
|-
|1989-90 || 52 || 30 || .634 || Lost First Round || New York New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbocker [i]s, or Knicks, are a professional basketball [i] team based in New York City [i]... 

 3, Boston 2
|-
|1990-91 || 56 || 26 || .683 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Seminfinals || Boston 3, Indiana Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 2
Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|1991-92 || 51 || 31 || .622 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Seminfinals || Boston 3, Indiana Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 0
Cleveland Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers is a professional basketball [i] team based in Cleveland, Ohio [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 3
|-
|1992-93 || 48 || 34 || .585 || Lost First Round || Charlotte New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets

The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets are a professional basketball [i] team based in New Orleans, Louisiana [i] ... 

 3, Boston 1
|-
|1993-94 || 32 || 50 || .390
|-
|1994-95 || 35 || 47 || .427 || Lost First Round || Orlando Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball [i] team based in Orlando, Florida [i]. ... 

 3, Boston 1
|-
|1995-96 || 33 || 49 || .402
|-
|1996-97 || 15 || 67 || .183
|-
|1997-98 || 36 || 46 || .439
|-
|1998-99 || 19 || 31 || .380
|-
|1999-2000 || 35 || 47 || .427
|-
|2000-01 || 36 || 46 || .439
|-
|2001-02 || 49 || 33 || .598 || Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals || Boston 3, Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball [i] team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [i]. ... 

 2
Boston 4, Detroit Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association [i] team based in the Detroit [i] ... 

 1
New Jersey New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball [i] team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 2
|-
|2002-03 || 44 || 38 || .537 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals || Boston 4, Indiana Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 2
New Jersey New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball [i] team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey [i]. ... 

 4, Boston 0
|-
|2003-04 || 36 || 46 || .439 || Lost First Round || Indiana Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 4, Boston 0
|-
|2004-05 || 45 || 37 || .549 || Lost First Round || Indiana Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball [i] team that plays in the National Basketball Association [i] ... 

 4, Boston 3
|-
|2005-06 || 33 || 49 || .402
|-
!Totals || 2770 || 1905 || .593
|-
!Playoffs || 288 || 210 || .578 || 16 Championships

Players of note


Basketball Hall of Famers:


  • Nate Archibald Nate Archibald

    Nathaniel "Tiny" Archibald is a former professional basketball [i] player. ... 

  • Red Auerbach
  • Larry Bird Larry Bird

    Larry Joe Bird is an American [i] former NBA [i] basketball [i] ... 

  • Walter A. Brown
  • Bob Cousy Bob Cousy

    Robert Joseph Cousy is an American former professional basketball [i] player, who played point guard [i] ... 

  • Dave Cowens Dave Cowens

    David William Cowens is a former professional basketball [i] player. At 6'9", he played the center [i] ... 

  • Wayne Embry
  • John Havlicek
  • Tom Heinsohn Tom Heinsohn

    Thomas William Heinsohn is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame [i] as a player on the Boston Celtics [i] ... 

  • Bailey Howell
  • K. C. Jones
  • Sam Jones
  • Clyde Lovellette
  • Ed Macauley
  • Pete Maravich
  • Kevin McHale Kevin McHale

    Kevin Edward McHale is an American former professional basketball [i] player who starred for thirteen se ... 

  • Robert Parish Robert Parish

    Robert Lee Parish, is an American [i] former basketball [i] center [i]. ... 

  • Andy Phillip
  • Frank Ramsey
  • Arnie Risen
  • Bill Russell
  • Bill Sharman
  • John Thompson
  • Bill Walton
  • Dominique Wilkins