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Boston Celtics
BostonCelticsLogo
Information
Conference Eastern Conference NBA Eastern Conference
Division Atlantic Division
Founded 1946
History Boston Celtics
1946–present
Arena TD Garden
City Boston, Massachusetts
Team Colors Green, Gold, Black, Brown, White
                        
Media Comcast SportsNet New England
WEEI
Owner(s) Boston Basketball Partners
(Wyc Grousbeck, CEO/Governor)
General Manager Brad Stevens
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Uniform Sponsor Vistaprint
D-League affiliate Maine Red Claws
Championships
NBA NBA Championship logo 17 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008)
Conference Conference Championship logo 10 (1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2008, 2010, 2022)
Division 33 (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Other
Retired numbers 23 (00, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, LOSCY)
Official Website celtics.com
Uniforms
CelticsAssociation CelticsIcon CelticsStatement
Home court
Boston Celtics court 2023-present

The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, playing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Founded in 1946 as one of the league's original eight teams, the Celtics play their home games at TD Garden, which they share with the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Boston Bruins.

The Celtics are regarded as one of the most successful basketball teams in NBA history; the franchise, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, has won the most championships in the NBA with 17 (accounting for 23.9% of all NBA championships since the league's founding) and currently holds the record for the most recorded wins of any NBA team. The Celtics are one of the two charter BAA franchises (the other being the New York Knicks) still playing in their original city today.

The Celtics' rise to dominance began in the late 1950s, after coach Red Auerbach acquired Center Bill Russell, who would become the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty, in a draft day trade in 1956. Led by Russell and superstar Point Guard Bob Cousy, the Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1957. Russell, along with a talented supporting cast of future Hall of Famers including John HavlicekTom HeinsohnK.C. JonesSam JonesSatch Sanders, and Bill Sharman, would usher the Celtics into the greatest period in franchise history, winning eight consecutive NBA championships throughout the 1960s.

After the retirement of Russell in 1969, the Celtics entered a period of rebuilding. Under the leadership of Center Dave Cowens and Point Guard Jo Jo White, the Celtics returned to championship contention in the mid-1970s, winning two NBA titles in 1974 and 1976.

In the 1980s, the Celtics returned to dominance, as well as renewed competition with the "Showtime" Lakers, who were led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Led by the "Big Three" of Larry BirdKevin McHale, and Robert Parish, the Celtics won the 19811984, and 1986 championships. The team defeated the Lakers in the 1984 Finals, but lost to Los Angeles in 1985 and 1987.

After winning 16 championships in the 20th century, following the departure of Parish as a free agent and the retirements of both Bird and McHale, the Celtics struggled through the 1990s and much of the early 2000s. It would not be until the 2007 offseason, which saw the Celtics assemble a new "Big Three" of Kevin GarnettPaul Pierce, and Ray Allen, that the team found success once again. Under the leadership of head coach Doc Rivers, the team defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to win their 17th NBA championship in 2008, but lost to the Lakers in a seven-game series rematch in 2010, the latest Finals matchup between the two ancient rivals.

By the start of the 2013–14 season, none of the "Big Three" were still with the team. Garnett and Pierce were traded away to the Brooklyn Nets, while Allen left as a free agent, signing with the Miami Heat, which ushered in a new era for the team.

With the help of newly hired head coach Brad Stevens, the team began rebuilding back into a force again. In his second season, Stevens led the Celtics back to the playoffs in 2015. During the 2016–17 season the Celtics clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but were eliminated in the Conference Finals by the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. This prompted an aggressive rebuild in 2017, where the team acquired All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. However, the pair struggled with injuries throughout the 2017–18 season, and the team was once again defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite pushing the series to seven games. Irving would sign with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent during the 2019 offseason, and Hayward was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade deal during the 2020 offseason.

Led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the team made three Conference Finals appearances in 2018, 2020, and 2022. After a 12-year drought, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals in 2022, where they faced the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the 1964 NBA Finals, losing in six games.

The Celtics have a notable rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, which was heavily highlighted throughout the 1960s and 1980s. The franchise has played the Lakers a record 12 times in the NBA Finals (including their most recent appearances in 2008 and 2010), of which the Celtics have won nine. Four Celtics players (Bob CousyBill RussellDave Cowens, and Larry Bird) have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for an NBA record total of 10 MVP Awards.

Both the nickname "Celtics" and their mascot "Lucky the Leprechaun" are a nod to Boston's historically large Irish population.

Home arenas[]

  • Boston Arena (1946–1955)
  • Boston Garden (1955–1995)
  • TD Garden (formerly TD Banknorth Garden and FleetCenter) (1995–present)

Franchise history[]

For details, see: History of the Boston Celtics

1946–1956: The building of a dynasty[]

Boston Celtics logo 1946–1950

Boston Celtics logo 1946–1950.

The Celtics were formed in 1946 as a team in the Basketball Association of America, and became part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League to form the NBA in the fall of 1949.[1] In 1950, the Celtics became the first franchise to draft an African American player, when they selected Chuck Cooper with the 14th pick in the second round of the 1950 NBA Draft.[2]

The Celtics had struggled during their early years, until the hiring of Coach Red Auerbach. One of the first major players to join the Celtics was Bob Cousy, whom Auerbach initially refused to draft.[3] Cousy eventually became the property of the Chicago Stags.[4] When that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy was acquired by the Celtics in a dispersal draft.

Boston Celtics logo 1950–1960

Boston Celtics logo 1950–1960.

After the 1955–56 season, Auerbach made a stunning trade. He sent perennial All-Star Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks along with the draft rights to Cliff Hagan in exchange for the Hawks' first round draft pick, the second overall.[5] After negotiating with the Rochester Royals, Auerbach used the pick to select University of San Francisco center Bill Russell.[6] Auerbach also acquired Holy Cross standout, and 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year, Tommy Heinsohn.[7] Russell and Heinsohn worked extraordinarily well with Cousy, and they were the players around whom Auerbach would build the Celtics for more than a decade. Russell, who delayed joining until the middle of the 1957 season in order to play for the U.S. Olympic Team,[7] had an immediate impact.

1957–1969: The Bill Russell era and The Dynasty[]

Bill Russell

Bill Russell, a 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 12-time All-Star, was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

In 1957, Russell went on to play almost every game of the season, and the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games, giving the Celtics the first of their record 17 NBA Championships.[8]

In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games.[9] However, with the acquisition of K.C. Jones that year, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade.[10]

Boston Celtics logo 1960–1968

Boston Celtics logo 1960–1968.

In 1959, with Cousy at point guard, Russell at center and Heinsohn at forward, the Celtics won the NBA Championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers.[11] Still coached by Auerbach, the Celtics won seven more consecutive championships, extending their streak to eight in a row. During that time, the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals six times, defeating them in every Finals matchup in the 1960s, which started an intense and often bitter rivalry between the two teams that has spanned generations.

In 1964, Auerbach made the Celtics the first NBA team to have an all African American starting lineup. On December 26, 1964, Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tommy Heinsohn, joining Tom 'Satch' Sanders, K.C. JonesSam Jones, and Bill Russell in the starting lineup. The Celtics defeated St. Louis 97–84. Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn. The Celtics of the late 1950s–1960s are widely considered as one of the most dominant teams of all time.

Boston Celtics logo 1968–1974

Boston Celtics logo 1968–1974.

After the 1966 championship, Auerbach retired as coach and Russell took over as player-coach.[12] With his appointment, Russell also became the first African American coach in the NBA.[13] Auerbach would remain the General Manager, a position he would hold well into the 1980s. However, that year the Celtics' string of NBA titles was broken as they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The aging team managed two more championships in 1968 and 1969, defeating the Lakers in each of those NBA Finals.[14] Russell retired after the 1969 season, effectively ending a dominant Celtics dynasty that had garnered 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons.[15] The streak of 8 consecutive NBA championships is the longest streak of consecutive championships in U.S. professional sports history.[16]

1970–1978: Cowens/Havlicek/White era[]

Boston Celtics logo (1976-1995)

Boston Celtics logo 1974–1996.

The 1970 season was a rebuilding year, as the Celtics had their first losing record since the 1949–50 season, the year prior to Auerbach's arrival.[17] However, with the acquisition of Dave Cowens, Paul Silas, and Jo Jo White, the Celtics soon became dominant again.[18] After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1972, the Celtics regrouped and came out determined in 1973 and posted an excellent 68–14 regular season record. But the season ended in disappointment, as they were upset in 7 games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Conference Finals.[19] The Celtics returned to the playoffs the next year, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals in 1974 for their 12th NBA Championship.[20] The teams split the first four games, and after the Celtics won Game 5 in Milwaukee they headed back to Boston leading three games to two, with a chance to claim the title on their home court. However, the Bucks won Game 6 when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar nestled in a hook shot with three seconds left in the game's second overtime, and the series returned to Milwaukee. But Cowens was the hero in Game 7, scoring 28 points, as the Celtics brought the title back to Boston for the first time in five years.

In 1976, the team won yet another championship, defeating the Phoenix Suns in 6 games. The Celtics advanced to the 1976 NBA Finals, which 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.[21] Tommy Heinsohn coached the team for those two championships. After the 1976 championship and a playoff appearance in 1977, Boston went into another phase of rebuilding.

In the 1977 NBA Draft, the Celtics drafted a young forward from the UNC Charlotte named Cedric Maxwell.[22] Maxwell did not contribute much in his rookie season, but he showed promise. Auerbach's job became even tougher following the 1977–78 in which they went 32–50 as John Havlicek, the Celtics All-Time leading scorer, retired after 16 seasons.[23]

1979–1992: The Larry Bird era[]

Larry Bird 33

Larry Bird was selected sixth overall by the Celtics in the 1978 NBA Draft. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bird played his entire career for the Celtics for 13 seasons, leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three championships, as well as winning 3 NBA Most Valuable Player awards and being named NBA Finals MVP twice.

In 1977–78, the Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA Draft.[24] Since the Celtics had two draft choices, Auerbach took a risk and selected junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the 6th pick, knowing that Bird would elect to remain in college for his senior year. The Celtics would retain his rights for one year, a rule that was later changed, and Auerbach believed that Bird's potential would make him worth the wait. Auerbach also felt that when the college season ended the Celtics would have a great chance to sign Bird. Auerbach was right and Bird signed soon after leading Indiana State to the NCAA Championship game, where they fell to a Michigan State University team that was led by Magic Johnson.[25]

The other important story of the Celtics' 1978–79 season was the ongoing dispute between Auerbach and new owner John Y. Brown.[26] The dispute nearly led Auerbach to resign as General Manager for a position with the New York Knicks. With public support strongly behind Auerbach, Brown elected to sell the team rather than face the wrath of the city for being the man who drove Red to a hated rival. During his short ownership, Brown orchestrated a trade for Bob McAdoo that Auerbach despised, and the team unraveled.[27] The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29–53 without Bird.[28] Newcomers Chris Ford, Rick Robey, Cedric Maxwell, and Tiny Archibald have failed to reverse the team's momentum.[29]

Bird debuted for the Celtics during the 1979–80 season, a year after his selection.[30] With a new owner in place, Auerbach made a number of moves that would bring the team back to prominence. Auerbach traded the unhappy McAdoo, a former NBA scoring champion, to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guard M. L. Carr, a defensive specialist, and two first-round picks in the 1980 NBA Draft.[27] He also picked up Point Guard Gerald Henderson from the CBA. Carr, Archibald, Henderson, and Ford formed a highly competent backcourt, with their unique skills blending in perfectly with the talented frontcourt of Cowens, Maxwell, and Bird, who would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors. The Celtics improved by 32 games, which at the time was the best single-season turnaround in NBA history, going 61–21 and losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

After the season, Auerbach completed what may be the most lopsided trade in NBA history. Auerbach had always been a fan of stockpiling draft picks, so even after the success of 1979–80 the Celtics had both the 1st and 13th picks in the 1980 NBA Draft left over from the M. L. Carr trade. Auerbach saw an opportunity to improve the team immediately, sending the two picks to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for center Robert Parish and the Warriors first round pick, the 3rd overall. With the draft pick, Auerbach selected University of Minnesota power forward Kevin McHale. With these three future Hall of Famers on the team the Celtics had a core in place to become a dominant team in the NBA.

The Celtics went 62–20 under coach Bill Fitch in 1980–81, despite losing Center Dave Cowens to retirement late in training camp. Once again the Celtics matched up with the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics fell behind 3 games to 1 before coming back to win a classic 7th game, 91–90. The Celtics went on to capture the 1981 NBA Championship over the Houston Rockets, just two years after Bird had been drafted. Maxwell was named NBA Finals MVP.

Following the 1981-82 season, the Celtics once again met the Sixers in the playoffs. This time, they lost in seven games. In 1983, the Celtics were swept in the playoffs (a first for the franchise) by the Milwaukee Bucks; afterwards, Fitch resigned and the team was sold to new owners led by Don Gaston.

In 1983–84, the Celtics would go 62–20 and finally get back to the NBA Finals after a three year hiatus. In the Finals, the Celtics came back from a 2–1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, winning their 15th championship. Bird renewed his college rivalry with Lakers star Magic Johnson during this series. After the series the Celtics have traded Henderson, whose dramatic steal in game 2 altered the course of the series and gave the Celtics a chance, to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for their first round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft.

In 1985, the Lakers and Celtics met again, but this time, the Lakers got revenge and took the championship. This was the first time that the Lakers had defeated the Celtics in the Finals and the only time the team had won a championship at Boston Garden. During the following offseason the Celtics acquired Bill Walton from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Cedric Maxwell. Walton had been an All-Star and league MVP while leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship, but injuries had hobbled him since. Considered the best-passing center in NBA history, he stayed healthy and was a big part of the Celtics' success in 1986.

In 1985–86, the Celtics fielded one of the best teams in NBA history. The 1986 Celtics won 67 games, going 40–1 at their home, the Boston Garden. Bird won his third consecutive MVP award after having arguably his finest season, and Walton won the Sixth Man of the Year Award. They won their 16th championship and last of the 20th century, defeating the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals in six games in a rematch of the 1981 NBA Finals.

LenBias

Len Bias was selected with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. Tragically, two days after being drafted by the Celtics, on June 19, 1986, Bias died from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose.

The Celtics won the second pick in the 1986 Draft and drafted University of Maryland star Len Bias, one of the most heralded prospects of his era. Bias died 48 hours later of an accidental cocaine overdose. Despite the tragedy, the Celtics remained competitive in 1986–87, going 59–23 and again winning the Eastern Conference Championship. They were defeated in the Finals by the Lakers in six games.

After the 1987–88 season, head coach K.C. Jones had retired. Jones was replaced as head coach by assistant Jimmy Rodgers. Rodgers faced immediate trouble in 1988–89 when, only 6 games into the season, Larry Bird decided to have surgery to remove bone spurs in both feet. The injury was to sideline Bird until well after the All-Star Break, although supposedly he would be able to return. However, despite his best attempts to return he was unable to make it back as the Celtics have stumbled to a 42–40 record and a first round playoff defeat to the eventual NBA champion Detroit Pistons.

Bird returned in 1989–90 to play in 75 games and lead the Celtics to a 52–30 record. In the playoffs, after winning the first two games of a Best of 5 series against the New York Knicks, the Celtics collapsed, losing 3 straight, including the decisive 5th game at the Boston Garden. In the wake of the embarrassing defeat, Rodgers was fired and replaced by assistant coach (and former Celtic player) Chris Ford.

Under Ford's leadership the Celtics improved to 56–26 in 1990–91, recapturing the Atlantic Division title even though Bird missed 22 games with a variety of injuries. In 1992, a late season rally allowed the Celtics to catch the New York Knicks and repeat as Atlantic Division champions. The team finished 51–31 and again matched up with the Indiana Pacers in the First Round, this time sweeping the series 3 games to 0. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals the Celtics lost a grueling 7 game series to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 4 games to 3. Due to back problems, Larry Bird played in only 45 of the 82 regular season games, and only 4 of the 10 playoff games.

After thirteen seasons with the club and winning a gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics with the Dream Team, Bird retired in 1992 primarily due to his back injuries.

1993–1998: Rebuilding years[]

Reggie Lewis

Reggie Lewis was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were looking to add some youth to the team, especially for the aging "Big 3" of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. This need became more urgent after Len Bias, the 2nd overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, died of a cocaine overdose. However, the Celtics would suffer yet another tragedy when Lewis died of a heart attack on July 27, 1993.

At the time of Bird's retirement former Celtics Guard Chris Ford was the coach of the Celtics. 26-year old Reggie Lewis (out of Boston's Northeastern University) was seen as Bird's successor as the franchise player for the Celtics. Lewis, a small forward, fainted during a 1993 first round playoff matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. 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 after participating in a pickup basketball game during the offseason. The Celtics honored his memory during the following season by retiring his number 35.

In 1994, the Celtics hired former player M. L. Carr to be the team's new G.M. In his first draft in charge of the Celtics, he drafted University of North Carolina star Eric Montross with his first round draft pick. The Acie Earl era was already nearing an end, as Montross became the new heir apparent in the paint.

1994–95 was the Celtics' final season in the Boston Garden. The Celtics signed the aging Dominique Wilkins as a free agent, and he led the team in scoring with 17.8 PPG. Second-year player Dino Radja, a power forward from Croatia, added an interior presence to the team that had been lacking in 1993–94. The Celtics made the playoffs, losing to the heavily favored and eventual Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic in 4 games.

In 1995, the Celtics have moved from the Boston Garden into the Fleet Center (renamed the TD Banknorth Garden in 2005 and currently the TD Garden in 2009). Carr fired Chris Ford and took the coaching reins himself. After drafting Providence College star Eric Williams, the Celtics struggled to a 33–49 record. Things got worse in 1996–97 as the Celtics lost a franchise record 67 games, winning only 15 times despite the emergence of 1st-round draft pick Antoine Walker.

Carr stepped aside to another job in the organization when the Celtics convinced Rick Pitino to join the franchise as the team's president, front office manager, and head coach. Unfortunately for the franchise, Pitino was not the savior everyone expected him to be, although he acquired several talented young players during his tenure.

The Celtics received the third and sixth draft picks in the 1997 NBA Draft, and used the picks to select a brand new backcourt. They drafted Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer and dismantled much of the young team that lost 67 games the year before. David Wesley and Rick Fox were let go, and Williams was traded to the Denver Nuggets for a pair of second round draft picks.

1998–2013: The Paul Pierce era[]

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1998 NBA Draft, and went on to star for the Celtics, later winning the NBA Finals MVP Award when the team won the NBA championship in 2008.

The Celtics drafted Paul Pierce in the 1998 NBA Draft, a college star who had been expected to be drafted much higher than the Celtics' tenth overall pick. Other notable players Pitino acquired were Walter McCarty and veteran Kenny Anderson, both for future Finals MVP Billups. Pitino failed to coach any successful teams and resigned in 2001.

Following the resignation of Rick Pitino, the Celtics improved greatly under coach Jim O'Brien. Pierce matured into an NBA star and was ably complemented by Antoine Walker, along with the other role players acquired over the years. The team finished the season going 24–24 under O'Brien (after going 12–22 before Pitino's resignation) and following the 2000–01 season O'Brien was given the job of head coach on a permanent basis. As a result of numerous trades, the Celtics had three picks in the 2001 NBA Draft, a luxury that seemed to set the franchise up well for the long term. General Manager Chris Wallace used the picks on Joe Johnson, Joe Forte (a favorite of Red Auerbach), and Kedrick Brown.

The Celtics entered the 2001–02 season with low expectations. The team's success in the latter stages of 2000–01 was largely forgotten, and critics were surprised when the team, along with the New Jersey Nets, surged to the top of the Atlantic Division ahead of teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, who were fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals. The Celtics won a hard-fought five-game series with the 76ers in the first round, 3 games to 2. Pierce scored 46 points in the series-clinching blowout at the Fleet Center. In the Conference Semifinals, the Celtics defeated the favored Detroit Pistons 4 games to 1 in a series best remembered for the Celtics low-scoring Game 3 victory, which they won 66–64. In their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 1988, the Celtics would jump out to a 2–1 series lead over the New Jersey Nets, after rallying from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to win Game 3, but would lose the next three games to fall 4 games to 2.

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 swept by the defending runner-ups Nets in the second round, despite bringing Game 4 to double overtime.

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 stunned the team by sending Antoine Walker to the Dallas Mavericks (along with Tony Delk). In return, the Celtics received the oft-injured Raef LaFrentz and a first-round draft pick in 2004.

The Celtics made the playoffs, only to be utterly swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, losing all the 4 games by blowout margins.

2004–2007: The Arrival of Doc Rivers[]

Doc Rivers

Head coach Doc Rivers led the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008.

The Celtics were a young team under new coach Doc Rivers during the 2004 season, yet they seemed to have a core of good young players, led by rookie Al Jefferson, to go along with a selection of able veterans. The Celtics went 45–37 and won their first Atlantic Division title since 1991–92. The Pacers defeated them in the first round yet again, with the series culminating in an embarrassing 27-point loss in Game 7 at the Fleet Center.

The Boston Celtics continued to rebuild on the night of the 2006 NBA Draft. Danny Ainge traded the rights to seventh overall pick Randy Foye, Dan Dickau, and Raef LaFrentz to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and a future second-round pick. A subsequent trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for Allen Iverson was reported as a potential move beneficial to each team, although such a trade never happened and Iverson was shipped to the Denver Nuggets in December. Orien Greene was waived, and the Celtics replaced him by trading a first-round pick in the 2007 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns for rookie Rajon Rondo. In the second round the Celtics added Leon Powe to the team, and later signed Villanova star Allan Ray as an undrafted free agent.

The 2006–07 season was a gloomy one for the franchise. The season began with the death of Red Auerbach at the age of 89. Auerbach was one of the few remaining people who had been a part of the NBA since its inception in 1946. The Celtics went 2–22 from late December 2006 through early February 2007 after losing Paul Pierce due to injury, the result of a stress reaction in his left foot (he would later miss the latter part of March and all of April because of swelling in his left elbow). At first, the Celtics received a much needed boost from guard Tony Allen, but he tore his ACL on a dunk attempt in a game vs. the Indiana Pacers on January 10, 2007. The Celtics recorded a record of 24–58, second-worst in the NBA, including a franchise record 18-game losing streak that lasted from January 5 to February 14. As the streak grew, some suggested that Pierce sit out the rest of the season to the let the young players such as Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Rajon Rondo, and Delonte West get more experience.

At the end of the season, the Celtics, with the second-worst record in the NBA, were at least hopeful that they could secure a high draft pick and select either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant to help rebuild the franchise, but the Celtics fell to fifth in the Draft Lottery.

2007–2012: The new "Big Three": Pierce, Allen, and Garnett and Return to glory[]

2007–08 season: 17th NBA championship[]

With the acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Seattle SuperSonics respectively, Paul Pierce finally had a pair of superstar teammates by his side. The Celtics started the season hot, winning their first eight games, and going into 2008 with a 26–3 record. They finished the season with a 66–16 record, the most wins in a single season for the franchise since the last time they won the NBA Finals in the 1985–86 season. Their record guaranteed them home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Their first matchup in the 2008 NBA Playoffs was against the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. At home, the Celtics were dominant: their lowest home margin of victory against the Hawks in the playoffs was 19 in Game 2. However, the surprising Hawks were able to beat the Celtics in all the three games in Atlanta. The series went seven games, with the home team winning each game. The second round pitted Boston against LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. Once again, the series went to seven games. Game 7 saw Paul Pierce and LeBron James in a shootout with each scoring over 40 points, but the Celtics emerged victorious 97-92. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Celtics faced the Detroit Pistons. In Game 2, the Celtics finally lost at home for the first time in the playoffs. However, the Celtics bounced back to win Game 3 on the road in Detroit. The series continued and the Celtics took down the Pistons in six games, winning the deciding game on the road.

The 2008 NBA Finals were contested with the Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol-led Los Angeles Lakers in the middle of a dominant playoff run. They had swept the Denver Nuggets in the first round, defeated the Utah Jazz in the second round in six games, and extinguished the repeat hopes of the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in five games in the Western Conference Finals. Factoring in the Lakers strong playoff run to the Finals and the Celtics problems of even reaching the Finals with two 7-game series, the Lakers were expected to beat a seemingly tired Boston team. It was the first time since 1987 that the two rivals had met in the NBA Finals. The first games of the series started with the Celtics once again dominating at home. Game 1 saw Paul Pierce suffer a knee injury early in the game only to come back and make 70-percent of his attempted field goals, resulting in a 98–88 Celtics win. In Game 2, Boston nearly lost a 24-point lead only to win 108–102. The Lakers returned to Staples Center and won Game 3, 87–81. When Los Angeles took a 24-point lead in the second quarter of Game 4 the Celtics appeared to be losing control of the series. Led by a bench that outscored the Lakers bench by 20-points, the Celtics took over Game 4 with a 97–91 victory, the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. Although the Lakers won Game 5, 103–98, the series went back to Boston for Game 6, and the Celtics finished off Los Angeles with a 131–92 victory, defeating the Lakers in a 39-point blowout, and it marked their ninth NBA Finals victory over the Lakers. Game 6 was the most lopsided win in a NBA Finals game since the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz by 42 points in Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Paul Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP. The Celtics had won their record 17th NBA championship, the first new banner for the TD Banknorth Garden, and the franchise's first championship in 22 years.

2008–2013: Post-championship seasons[]

The next year, in the 2008–09 season, the defending NBA champion Celtics picked up where they left off, starting the season 27–2, the best start for any team in NBA history. However, the Celtics lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Finals rematch on Christmas Day and went on a slump the next few games. The Celtics did find a way to get back on track, winning 12 straight only to have the winning streak ended once again by the Lakers. The game went into overtime where the Lakers have won by 1 point. The game was controversial because it had multiple questionable calls, resulting in star Kevin Garnett fouling out with just under 5 minutes left in the game. The Celtics continued to succeed until Kevin Garnett was injured in a game against the Utah Jazz. Garnett came back several weeks later, but was limited in the time and the games that he had played. While the Celtics defense struggled without Garnett, the offense thrived in his absence. The Celtics finished the year 17–7 without Garnett. The Celtics finished the year with a 62–20 record, earning the number 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but their playoff run would end against the Orlando Magic in the semifinals, losing in seven games after leading the series 3–2, the first such occurrence in team history. In the prior round, they were pushed to a Game 7 against the Chicago Bulls, with four of those games went to overtime, yet the Celtics' experience was too much for the young Bulls.

The following year, in the 2009–10 season, with the return of Kevin Garnett from injury and the additions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, the Celtics started the season 23–5 and at one point had the best record in the NBA. However, Doc Rivers, ultimately decided to lessen his aging stars' minutes to keep them fresh for the playoffs. As a result, the Celtics sputtered to an even 27–27 record the rest of the way and finished the 2009–10 regular season with a 50–32 record, with a better road (26–15) than home (24–17) record. Despite previous predictions that the Celtics would never go deeper into the playoffs, the Celtics still managed to make the NBA Finals despite their lowly fourth seeding. They defeated the Miami Heat in five games, upset the top-seeded Cavaliers in six games, and toppled the defending Eastern Conference Champion Orlando Magic, avenging their loss from the previous season. Rajon Rondo finally emerged as a bonafide superstar during post-season play, continuing his rise to fame beginning with his first All-Star appearance.

The Celtics and the Lakers met for the 12th time in the NBA Finals in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals. After taking a 3–2 lead heading into Los Angeles for Game 6, the Celtics appeared poised to win their 18th title and mark their tenth NBA Finals victory over the Lakers in their long-standing rivalry. However, Kendrick Perkins, the team's starting center, suffered a severe knee injury early in Game 6, and the Celtics would lose Game 6 89–67, and would go on to blow a 13-point lead in Game 7, losing 83–79.

After speculation that coach Doc Rivers would resign to spend more time with his family, he affirmed on June 30, 2010 that he would return to the team for the 2010–11 season. With Perkins expected to be out until February 2011, the Celtics signed two former All-Star centers, Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal, for insurance; they also signed Turkish center Semih Erden, their 2008 second round pick. The Celtics also welcomed back Delonte West to back-up Rondo.

Paul Pierce became the third Celtic to score 20,000 points, joining Larry Bird and John Havlicek. Ray Allen broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a career, while the Celtics won 3,000 games, the second team to do so. On February 17, however, Kendrick Perkins was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder partially due to the expectation that Shaquille O'Neal would return from his injuries to fill Perkins' role. The Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury, and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal played over 20 minutes. The Celtics were 41–14 at the time of the trade and held the Eastern Conference leaderboard despite another rash of injuries. Following the trade, however, they proceeded to win only 15 of their final 27 games to finish with a 56–26 record, sliding to the third seed, due to the difficult adjustment of new Celtics such as Jeff Green, Nenad Krstić, and Carlos Arroyo as well as player injuries. Shaquille O'Neal played only five minutes after February 1.

The Celtics swept the New York Knicks 4–0 in the opening round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs, but in the semifinals, they were ousted by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games. O'Neal missed the first round of the playoffs, and he was limited to 12 minutes in two games in the second round against the Heat. O'Neal retired at the end of the season.

At the 2011 NBA Draft, the Celtics selected Providence Friar swingman MarShon Brooks with the 25th overall pick then immediately traded his rights to the New Jersey Nets for the rights to the 27th overall pick, power forward JaJuan Johnson. Then the Celtics selected E'Twaun Moore with the 55th overall pick in the 2nd round (reason being for his choice of #55), which reunited the Purdue teammates. During the short preseason following the 2011 NBA lockout, the Celtics signed free agents Marquis Daniels, Chris Wilcox, Keyon Dooling, and Greg Stiemsma, while acquiring Brandon Bass from the Orlando Magic for Glen Davis and Von Wafer. They also re-signed Jeff Green, only to have it voided after a physical revealed that Green was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, forcing him to miss the season.

The Celtics started the season 0–3 with Paul Pierce out with a heel injury. To fill the void, the Celtics signed French swingman Mickaël Piétrus, but did not make his season debut until January 6, 2012 against the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics, however, continued to struggle, at one point posting a five-game losing streak that was the longest in the 'Big Four' era.

At the All Star break, the Celtics were below .500 with a 15–17 record. However, they were one of the hottest teams after the break, going 24–10 the rest of the year and winning their 5th division title in a row. The Celtics would end up making the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

In the playoffs, the Celtics would face the Atlanta Hawks, beating them in six games with a strong play by Pierce and Garnett. In the Conference Semifinals, they faced the eighth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, led by Doug Collins and a young group of promising players, who had just upset the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the First Round in six games after Derrick Rose tore his ACL. The 76ers would push the Celtics into a full-seven game series. Following a Game 7 85–75 win, the Celtics would face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, who had defeated them in the playoffs the previous year. After losing Game 1 93–79, the Celtics fought back, pushing Miami into a Game 2 overtime, but ultimately fell short losing 115–111. Facing a 0–2 deficit heading back to Boston, the Celtics would comeback with a strong 101–91 Game 3 win and then a hard fought 93–91 Game 4 overtime win, with Dwyane Wade missing a potential game-winning three point shot at the buzzer. The Celtics then won Game 5 in Miami 94–90, taking a 3–2 series lead, giving them a chance to take the series back at the Garden and make the Finals for the third time in five years. The Celtics couldn't close out the series, however. Game 6 ended up in a blowout home loss of 98–79, taking the series back to Miami for Game 7, where the Celtics built an early lead, but eventually lost 101–88. Miami would go on to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the Finals.

2012 became a pivotal offseason for Danny Ainge's Celtics, as both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett became free agents and only six players remained under contract (Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Avery Bradley, JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, & Sean Williams). In the 2012 NBA Draft, the Celtics drafted three players, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, and Kris Joseph with their 21st, 22nd, and 51st picks respectively. The Celtics re-signed their free agents Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, and Keyon Dooling along with Chris Wilcox and Jeff Green, who both were returning to play after sustaining season-ending heart ailments. The Celtics have also signed former Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Jason Terry. On July 20, the Celtics acquired free agent Courtney Lee in a three-team sign and trade, sending JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Sean Williams, and future second round pick to the Houston Rockets and Sasha Pavlovic to Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Lee. Jason Collins was later signed to a one-year deal. However, Allen chose to sign with the Miami Heat, for less money, bringing the five-year "Big Three" era to a somewhat acrimonious end.

On September 20, Keyon Dooling was waived by the Celtics following his retirement from basketball, however, Dooling came back from retirement and signed with the Memphis Grizzlies later that year. In addition, the Celtics have signed center Darko Miličić and guard Leandro Barbosa.

Later in the season, it was announced that Miličić would return to Europe for a family matter. On December 24, the Celtics have signed forward Jarvis Varnado of the NBA D-League team Sioux Falls to a deal. He was then waived on January 6 along with rookie forward Kris Joseph. On January 27, 2013, it was revealed that Rajon Rondo had tore the ACL on his right knee and would miss the rest of the season along with part of next season. On February 2, it was announced that Jared Sullinger would also miss the rest of the season due to having back surgery to cure his back that was rumored during the draft before he was drafted.

Despite losing Rondo and Sullinger due to injury, the Celtics have compiled a seven-game winning streak, namely against the Heat in double overtime and the Nuggets in triple overtime. The winning streak was snapped on February 12 when Leandro Barbosa suffered a torn ACL; he would miss the rest of the season as well. Then on February 18, the Celtics signed forward Terrence Williams to a deal. On February 21, the Celtics have traded Leandro Barbosa and Jason Collins for Washington Wizards guard Jordan Crawford. On February 28 and March 21, respectively, the Celtics have signed forwards D. J. White and Shavlik Randolph.

The Celtics finished the season with 41 wins, but played only 81 games after a home game against the Indiana Pacers on April 16 was cancelled following the Boston Marathon bombings; the game was not made up with both teams already assured of their playoff positions. The 41 wins were the lowest totals the Celtics achieved as a playoff-bound team since 2004. The Celtics trailed 3–0 to the New York Knicks in the opening round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, before losing the series in six games. In Game 6, the Celtics nearly completed a come back when they went on a 20–0 run to cut the lead to 4, but that was the closest they got as the Knicks would take over to win the game and series.

2013–2017: End of the "Big Three" Era and Rebuilding[]

During the off-season, head coach Doc Rivers was allowed to terminate his contract. He departed the Celtics to coach the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Celtics received a 2015 unprotected first-round pick as compensation. A few days later, Pierce, Garnett (who waived a no-trade clause), Jason Terry, and D. J. White, were traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Keith BogansMarShon BrooksKris HumphriesKris JosephGerald Wallace, and three future first-round draft picks (2014, 2016, 2018), together with the right to swap 2017 first-round picks with Brooklyn. The deal was later approved by the league on July 12, 2013, effectively ending the 'Big 3' era and marking the start of a youth movement for the team.

On July 3, 2013, the Celtics have announced that Brad Stevens, the head coach of Butler University, would replace Doc Rivers as head coach. Halfway through the season, in January, Rajon Rondo made his return and was named the 15th Team Captain in team history, and the team furthered the youth movement by acquiring two draft picks in a three team trade that sent Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to the Golden State Warriors while the Celtics received the Heat center Joel Anthony. The 2013–14 season have marked the Celtics' first missed playoffs since the "Big Three".

The next off-season, the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart with the 6th overall pick and James Young with the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, and signed Evan Turner. The 2014–15 season had several roster moves, the most prominent being Rondo and rookie Dwight Powell traded to the Dallas Mavericks for center Brandan Wright, forward Jae Crowder, veteran point guard Jameer Nelson, and future picks. A total of 22 players spent time with the Celtics, leading scorer and rebounder Sullinger suffered a season-ending left metatarsal stress fracture, and the team was only tenth in the East with 28 games remaining. However, midseason acquisition Isaiah Thomas helped the team win 22 of their last 34 games, finishing the season with a 40–42 record, enough for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Celtics were swept by the eventual Eastern Conference champion and second seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

In the 2015 NBA Draft, Boston selected Terry RozierR.J. HunterJordan Mickey, and Marcus Thornton with the 16th, 28th, 33rd, and 45th selections respectively. During the off-season, the Celtics signed forward Amir Johnson and traded Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb in exchange for Warriors forward David Lee.

The Celtics had finished the 2015-16 season with a 48–34 record, earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. They played the fourth seed Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. After leading by 3 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1, guard Avery Bradley went down with a hamstring injury, making him sit out for the rest of the series. The Celtics lost the series 4–2 to the Hawks, ending their season.

2017–present: The Tatum and Brown era[]

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum was selected with the third pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

On July 8, 2016, the Celtics signed 4-time All-Star Al Horford. In the 2016-17 season, Boston took the league by storm. They had a hot start, led by Isaiah Thomas. He truly emerged as a star, and with the help of Boston's excellent depth, Boston finished as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, with a 53–29 record. Just before the Celtics' first round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls, Thomas' sister Chyna died in a car crash. That led to Thomas being even more dominant, and Boston took the series in six after losing the first two games. That series win was the first since 2012. In the second round, Boston faced the Washington Wizards. Thomas dropped 33 and 53 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively. Boston eventually took the series in 7. After a hip injury ended Thomas' impressive playoff run in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics eventually lost to the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.

For the 2017 NBA Draft, the Celtics won the draft lottery, earning them the first pick. They were projected to select freshman guard Markelle Fultz, but the pick was subsequently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the third pick in the 2017 draft and future picks. The 76ers would go on to draft Fultz, while the Celtics used the third pick to select freshman forward Jayson TatumSemi OjeleyeKadeem Allen, and Jabari Bird were selected with the 37th, 53rd, and 56th selections, respectively, in the second round. At the start of the off-season, the team signed Tatum and Ante Žižić, among others, with the biggest acquisition being the signing of Gordon Hayward. On August 22, 2017, the Celtics agreed to a deal that sent Isaiah ThomasJae Crowder, Žižić, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving. An additional draft pick (Celtics' 2020 second round) was later added to the package from the Celtics to the Cavaliers after doctors revealed that Thomas's injury was more significant than initially anticipated.

By the end of the off-season, only 4 Celtics' players remained from the 2016–17 team, with Marcus Smart being the longest tenured Celtic from the 2014 NBA Draft. On the team's opening night game in the first quarter against the Cavaliers, Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg, causing him to be ruled out for the rest of the regular season. Despite the loss, the Celtics went on a 16-game winning streak, which also went down as the fourth-longest winning streak in the teams' history. The streak started with a 102–92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20 and ended on November 22 to the hands of the Miami Heat with a 98–104 loss. The Celtics finished the year with a 55–27 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the First Round in seven games, and continued the feat in the Conference Semifinals by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, this time in seven games.

The Celtics finished the 2018–19 season with a 49–33 record. Analysts started questioning team's performance and chances for the championship when the Celtics had a 10–10 record after the first 20 games on November 24, 2018. The Celtics then won the next eight games improving their record to 18–10. During the eight-game win streak, the Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 128–95, the New York Knicks 128–100, and also defeated the Chicago Bulls by 56 points (133–77), setting a record for the largest margin in a victory in franchise history, while also tying the record for largest victory margin by an away team. On February 9, 2019, the Celtics lost 129–128 to the Los Angeles Lakers after former Celtic Rajon Rondo hit the first game-winning shot in his NBA career. The Celtics finished the regular season place fourth in the Eastern Conference. During an April 7 game, Marcus Smart injured his hip and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. In the 2019 Playoffs, the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the first round, and then lost to the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in five games.

The Celtics held four picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. Following a series of transactions, the team landed Romeo Langford with the 14th pick and also added Grant WilliamsCarsen Edwards, and Tremont Waters. During the 2019 offseason, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford signed with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively. On June 30, 2019, the Celtics and point guard Kemba Walker agreed to a four-year maximum contract worth $141 million. On July 6, 2019, the Celtics officially acquired Walker in a sign and trade with the Charlotte Hornets; the Celtics sent guard Terry Rozier and a protected 2020 second-round draft pick to Charlotte in exchange for Walker and a 2020 second-round draft pick. On July 1, 2019, the Celtics agreed to a two-year contract with center Enes Kanter. On July 25, 2019, the Celtics agreed to a rookie contract with 7'5" center Tacko Fall.

Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season, the Celtics were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season. The Celtics finished the season with a 48–24 record, finishing as the third seed. In the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Philadelphia 76ers in four games in the first round, advancing to the semifinals, where they defeated the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors in seven games. The Celtics advanced to Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons, where they faced the Miami Heat in a rematch of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics went on to lose to the Heat in six games.

In the 2020–21 season, the Celtics finished the regular season with a 36–36 record, clinching the 7th seed.

In the playoffs, the Celtics lost to the Brooklyn Nets in five games in the first round.

In June 2021, following the playoff exit, Danny Ainge announced his retirement from his role as president of basketball operations of the Celtics and head coach Brad Stevens was named as Ainge's replacement.

2021–22: Return to the NBA Finals[]

With the Portland Trail Blazers missing the postseason for the first time since 2013, the Celtics now hold the longest active playoff streak, making the playoffs every year since the 2014–15 season. They also clinched the Atlantic Division title for the first time since 2017 with a 139–110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Celtics made the NBA playoffs as the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, facing the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the postseason. The two teams met in last season's playoffs also in the first round, in which the Nets won in five games. This time however, the Celtics swept the Nets in four games, winning their first playoff series since 2020, and advancing to the semifinals, where they'll face the 3rd-seeded defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. The two teams previously met in the 2019 NBA Playoffs also in the semifinals, with the Bucks winning in five games. The Celtics dethroned the defending champion Bucks in seven games, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2020. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the top-seeded Miami Heat in a rematch of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals, in which the Heat won in six games to advance to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. This was the third meeting between the two teams in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Heat having won the past two meetings (2012, 2020). The Celtics defeated the Heat in seven games to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, where they faced the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the 1964 NBA Finals. Despite winning Game 1 and taking a 2–1 series lead, the Celtics would go on to lose to the Warriors in six games.

Historical rivalries[]

Los Angeles Lakers[]

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The Boston Celtics have a long-standing rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, which is widely regarded as the league's greatest rivalry, as these two teams have faced each other 12 times in the NBA Finals, with the most recent being the 2010 Finals. The teams have won a combined 31 NBA championships in the 72 NBA seasons. In the 1960s, the Celtics faced and defeated the Lakers six times in the NBA Finals, despite the efforts of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The rivalry was renewed in the 1980s, when the Lakers and Celtics won 8 of the 9 NBA Championships awarded from 1980–1988 (the Lakers won 5 while the Celtics won 3), and played each other in the NBA Finals on 3 occasions. The rivalry cooled off as the Celtics slipped into mediocrity in the mid- and late-'90s and the Lakers would become a dynasty in the early 00's until they met in the 2008 Finals, with the Celtics defeating the Lakers in six games to win their 17th championship and marking their ninth victory over the Lakers in the Finals. The two teams would meet again in the 2010 Finals, but this time, the Lakers got revenge, defeating the Celtics in seven games to win their 16th championship, just one championship behind the Celtics for the most in the NBA. As of the end of the 2017–18 season, Boston is the only team with a winning overall record against the Lakers.

Philadelphia 76ers[]

In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics long-standing rivals have been the Philadelphia 76ers,[31] led by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s, and by Julius Erving and Moses Malone in the 1970s and 1980s. The Celtics-Sixers rivalry in the 1980s was marked by intense personal confrontations between Larry Bird and Julius Erving. Their most recent playoff rivalry came in the '02 First Round, as then-Sixer Allen Iverson and Paul Pierce, both prolific scorers of their time, went head-to-head.

Detroit Pistons[]

Another fierce rivalry formed in the 1980s between the Celtics and the Detroit Pistons. The two franchises met in the playoffs 5 times between 1985 and 1991, and more than once there was a physical confrontation between a Celtic and Detroit's Bill Laimbeer. The rivalry, like their rivalry with the Lakers, cooled in the 1990s as the Celtics slid into a long decline, although there was a renewal of interest when the teams met in the 2002 East Semifinals, and later in the 2008 East Finals.

Other rivalries[]

Boston's other fierce rivals included the Atlanta Hawks (dating back to the late 1950s, which resurfaced during the rivalry of Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins in the 1980s, and then later in 2008), Milwaukee Bucks (during the mid-1980s), Indiana Pacers (1991–92 and 2003–05; both involved Larry Bird as a player and as an executive), New York Knicks (both were original NBA franchises, and have never moved to another city nor changed its nickname), and New Jersey Nets (2002 and 2003). In addition, the San Antonio Spurs have provided a tough challenge for Boston, especially since adding Tim Duncan with the number one pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Since then, the Spurs racked up 18 straight wins against Boston before the streak was broken on St. Patrick's Day 2007, concomitantly ending a 17-year, 15-game drought in San Antonio.[32]

Individually, Paul Pierce developed rivalries on the court with LeBron James and Ron Artest. During the games between the Celtics and the Cavaliers, Pierce and James often combine explosive scoring with defensive intensity.[33]

Players[]

Current roster[]

Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G/F 7 Brown, Jaylen 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 223 lb (101 kg) 1996-10-24 California
F 8 Fitts, Malik 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1997-07-04 Saint Mary's
F 30 Hauser, Sam 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1997-12-08 Virginia
F/C 42 Horford, Al 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1986-06-03 Florida
F/C 40 Kornet, Luke 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1995-07-15 Vanderbilt
F 4 Morgan, Juwan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1997-04-17 Indiana
G/F 26 Nesmith, Aaron 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-10-16 Vanderbilt
G 11 Pritchard, Payton 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-28 Oregon
F 37 Ryan, Matt (TW) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1997-04-17 Chattanooga
G 36 Smart, Marcus 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1994-03-06 Oklahoma State
G 13 Stauskas, Nik 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1993-10-07 Michigan
G/F 0 Tatum, Jayson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-03-03 Duke
F/C 27 Theis, Daniel 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1992-04-04 Germany
G 97 Thomas, Brodric (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-01-28 Truman State
G 9 White, Derrick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1994-07-02 Colorado
F 12 Williams, Grant 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 236 lb (107 kg) 1998-11-30 Tennessee
F/C 44 Williams, Robert, III 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 237 lb (108 kg) 1997-10-17 Texas A&M
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Will Hardy
  • Anthony Dobbins
  • Joe Mazzulla
  • Aaron Miles
  • Damon Stoudamire
  • Ben Sullivan

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 9, 2022


Retired numbers[]

The Celtics have retired 22 numbers, the most of any professional sports franchise in North America. All of the retired numbers are currently hanging in the rafters of TD Garden.

Boston Celtics retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure
00 Robert Parish C 1980–1994
1 Walter A. Brown founder, owner 1946–1964
2 Red Auerbach head coach, executive 1950–2006
3 Dennis Johnson G 1983–1990
5 Kevin Garnett F 2007–2013
6 Bill Russell C 1965–1967
10 Jo Jo White PG 1969–1979
14 Bob Cousy PG 1950–1963
15 Tom Heinsohn F 1956–1965
16 Satch Sanders PF 1960–1973
17 John Havlicek SF 1962–1978
18 Dave Cowens C 1970–1980
LOSCY Jim Loscutoff PF 1955–1964
19 Don Nelson F 1965–1976
21 Bill Sharman G 1951–1961
22 Ed Macauley C 1950–1956
23 Frank Ramsey SF 1954–1964
24 Sam Jones SG 1957–1969
25 K.C. Jones PG 1958–1967
31 Cedric Maxwell SF 1977–1985
32 Kevin McHale PF 1980–1993
33 Larry Bird F 1979–1992
34 Paul Pierce F 1998–2013
35 Reggie Lewis SF 1987–1993
MIC Johnny Most Broadcaster 1953–1990

Notes[]

  • Bill Russell served as head coach (1966–69).
  • Tom Heinsohn also served as head coach (1969–78); as broadcaster (1966–1969, 1980–2020).
  • Satch Sanders also served as head coach (1978).
  • Dave Cowens also served as head coach (1978–79).
  • Loscutoff, who wore #18, asked that his legacy be honored by allowing other Celtics to wear his number in the future. On one of the banners of retired numbers at the TD Garden, Loscutoff is represented by a square with the letters "LOSCY". #18 was later retired for Dave Cowens.
  • K.C. Jones also served as head coach (1983–88).
  • Cedric Maxwell also served as broadcaster (2001–present); briefly wore No. 30 in 1977–78.
  • Reggie Lewis died of a heart attack while still playing for the team; number retired posthumously.

Season-by-season records[]

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Percentage

Season W L % Playoffs Results
Boston Celtics
1949-50 22 46 .324
1950-51 39 30 .565 Lost Division Semifinals New York 2, Boston 0
1951-52 39 27 .591 Lost Division Semifinals New York 2, Boston 1
1952-53 46 25 .648 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals
Boston 3, New York 1
Syracuse 2, Boston 0
1953-54 42 30 .583 Lost Division Semifinals Syracuse 2, Boston 0
1954-55 36 25 .500 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals
Boston 2, New York 1
Syracuse 3, Boston 1
1955-56 39 33 .542 Lost Division Semifinals Syracuse 2, Boston 1
1956-57 44 28 .611 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 3, Syracuse 0
Boston 4, St. Louis 3
1957-58 49 23 .681 Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 1
St. Louis 4, Boston 2
1958-59 52 20 .722 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Syracuse 3
Boston 4, Minneapolis 0
1959-60 59 16 .787 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 2
Boston 4, St. Louis 3
1960-61 57 22 .722 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Syracuse 1
Boston 4, St. Louis 1
1961-62 60 20 .750 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 1
1962-63 58 22 .725 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Cincinnati 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 2
1963-64 59 21 .738 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Cincinnati 1
Boston 4, San Francisco 1
1964-65 62 18 .775 Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 1
1965-66 54 26 .675 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 3, Cincinnati 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia 1
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3
1966-67 60 21 .741 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals
Boston 3, New York 1
Philadelphia 4, Boston 1
1967-68 60 21 .741 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Detroit 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 2
1968-69 48 34 .585 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 1
Boston 4, New York 2
Boston 4, Los Angeles 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 2
New York 4, Boston 1
1972-73 68 14 .829 Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Atlanta 2
New York 4, Boston 3
1973-74 56 26 .683 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Buffalo 2
Boston 4, New York 1
Boston 4, Milwaukee 3
1974-75 60 22 .732 Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Houston 1
Washington 4, Boston 2
1975-76 54 28 .659 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Buffalo 2
Boston 4, Cleveland 2
Boston 4, Phoenix 2
1976-77 44 38 .537 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 2, San Antonio 0
Philadelphia 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 0
Philadelphia 4, Boston 1
1980-81 62 20 .756 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Chicago 0
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Boston 4, Houston 2
1981-82 63 19 .768 Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Washington 1
Philadelphia 4, Boston 3
1982-83 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 2, Atlanta 1
Milwaukee 4, Boston 0
1983-84 62 20 .756 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 3, Washington 1
Boston 4, New York 3
Boston 4, Milwaukee 1
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3
1984-85 63 19 .768 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Boston 3, Cleveland 1
Boston 4, Detroit 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia 1
LA Lakers 4, Boston 2
1985-86 67 15 .817 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 3, Chicago 0
Boston 4, Atlanta 1
Boston 4, Milwaukee 0
Boston 4, Houston 2
1986-87 59 23 .720 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Boston 3, Chicago 0
Boston 4, Milwaukee 3
Boston 4, Detroit 3
LA Lakers 4, Boston 2
1987-88 57 25 .695 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 3, New York 1
Boston 4, Atlanta 3
Detroit 4, Boston 2
1988-89 42 40 .512 Lost First Round Detroit 3, Boston 0
1989-90 52 30 .634 Lost First Round New York 3, Boston 2
1990-91 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 3, Indiana 2
Detroit 4, Boston 2
1991-92 51 31 .622 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 3, Indiana 0
Cleveland 4, Boston 3
1992-93 48 34 .585 Lost First Round Charlotte 3, Boston 1
1993-94 32 50 .390
1994-95 35 47 .427 Lost First Round Orlando 3, Boston 1
1995-96 33 49 .402
1996-97 15 67 .183
1997-98 36 46 .439
1998-99 19 31 .380
1999-00 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 2
Boston 4, Detroit 1
New Jersey 4, Boston 2
2002-03 44 38 .537 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 4, Indiana 2
New Jersey 4, Boston 0
2003-04 36 46 .439 Lost First Round Indiana 4, Boston 0
2004-05 45 37 .549 Lost First Round Indiana 4, Boston 3
2005-06 33 49 .402
2006-07 24 58 .293
2007-08 66 16 .805 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals
Boston 4, Atlanta 3
Boston 4, Cleveland 3
Boston 4, Detroit 2
Boston 4, LA Lakers 2
2008-09 62 20 .756 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 4, Chicago 3
Orlando 4, Boston 3
2009-10 50 32 .610 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Boston 4, Miami 1
Boston 4, Cleveland 2
Boston 4, Orlando 2
LA Lakers 4, Boston 3
2010-11 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 4, New York 0
Miami 4, Boston 1
2011-12 39 27 .591 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Atlanta 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Miami 4, Boston 3
2012-13 41 40 .506 Lost First Round New York 4, Boston 2
2013-14 25 57 .305
2014-15 40 42 .488 Lost First Round Cleveland 4, Boston 0
2015-16 48 34 .585 Lost First Round Atlanta 4, Boston 2
2016-17 53 29 .646 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Chicago 2
Boston 4, Washington 3
Cleveland 4, Boston 1
2017-18 55 27 .671 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Milwaukee 3
Boston 4, Philadelphia 1
Cleveland 4, Boston 3
2018-19 49 33 .598 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals
Boston 4, Indiana 0
Milwaukee 4, Boston 1
2019-20 48 23 .676 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Philadelphia 0
Boston 4, Toronto 3
Miami 4, Boston 2
2020-21 36 36 .500 Won Play-in game for No. 7 seed
Lost First Round
Boston 1, Washington 0
Brooklyn 4, Boston 1
2021-22 51 31 .622 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Boston 4, Brooklyn 0
Boston 4, Milwaukee 3
Boston 4, Miami 3
Golden State 4, Boston 2
2022-23 57 25 .695 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Boston 4, Atlanta 2
Boston 4, Philadelphia 3
Miami 4, Boston 3
Totals 3378 2346 .590
Playoffs 358 267 .573 17 Championships

Franchise Leaders[]

Statistic(s) Total Player(s)
Games Played 1,270 John Havlicek
Minutes Played 46,471 John Havlicek
Field Goals 10,513 John Havlicek
Field Goal Attempts 23,930 John Havlicek
Field Goal Percentage .563 Kendrick Perkins
Three-point Field Goals 1,578 Paul Pierce
Three-point Field Goal Attempts 4,273 Paul Pierce
Three-point Field Goal Percentage .412 Eddie House
Free Throws 5,808 Paul Pierce
Free Throw Attempts 7,212 Paul Pierce
Free Throw Percentage .912 Ray Allen
Offensive Rebounds 3,450 Robert Parish
Defensive Rebounds 7,601 Robert Parish
Rebounds 21,620 Bill Russell
Assists 6,945 Bob Cousy
Steals 1,556 Larry Bird
Blocked Shots 1,703 Robert Parish
Turnovers 2,826 Paul Pierce
Personal Fouls 3,281 John Havlicek
Points 26,395 John Havlicek

References[]

  1. "Celtics Related Books". nba.com. http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/publications.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  2. "Earl Lloyd - First Black Coach". Net Industries. http://sports.jrank.org/pages/2874/Lloyd-Earl-First-Black-Coach.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  3. "Celtics tried to pass on ultimate passer". http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014144.html. Retrieved 2008-02-17. 
  4. "Bob Cousy Biography". http://www.nba.com/history/players/cousy_bio.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01. 
  5. Official Website of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers
  6. David Kamp.com - Only the Ball Was Brown
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Recap - 1950s". http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1950s.html. Retrieved 2008-02-17. 
  8. NBA.com: Bob Pettit Bio
  9. St. Louis Hawks (1955–1968)
  10. Boston Celtics (1946-Present)
  11. LAKERS: Los Angeles Lakers History
  12. Boston Celtics
  13. Bill Russell
  14. Discover the Wisdom of Mankind on Boston Celtics
  15. NBA.com Heritage Week: Power Rankings, 1969-70
  16. "Unbreakable" Sports Records (The World Almanac)
  17. "Auerbach, Red". http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=basketball&ID=137. Retrieved 2008-02-02. 
  18. Bio at BlinkBits. Boston Celtics
  19. Recap - 1970s Celtics.com
  20. Bucks NBA
  21. SUNS: Greatest Game Ever
  22. http://www.sportsfilter.com/cat.cfm/sports/Basketball.html
  23. http://www.espnshop.com/catalog/productdetail/model--65226~9-42215/
  24. "Oklahoma Sooners Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball". http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/okla-thousand-point.html. Retrieved 2008-02-17. 
  25. "100 Great Moments in Big Ten Men's Basketball History". http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/120404aaa.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 
  26. Bill Simmons (2006-10-30). "Memories of Red". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/061030. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 
  27. 27.0 27.1 NBA.com: Bob McAdoo Bio
  28. CNN/SI - 33: Timeline
  29. NBA.com: All-Time Finals Challenge: 1981 Celtics
  30. "Boston Celtics History". http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 
  31. Celtics continue strong play, handle 76ers for ninth straight win, Associated Press, March 10, 2008.
  32. Celtics come out on top at Spurs for first time in 17 years, Associated Press, March 17, 2007.
  33. Brian Windhorst, James, Pierce Resume Rivalry: Cavaliers Standout Set to Go Head-to-Head, The Akron Beacon Journal, March 24, 2006

External links[]

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Philadelphia Warriors
1956
NBA Champions
Boston Celtics

1957
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St. Louis Hawks
1958
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St. Louis Hawks
1958
NBA Champions
Boston Celtics

1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, & 1966
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Philadelphia 76ers
1967
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1967
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1968 & 1969
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1970
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1973
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1974
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1975
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1975
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1976
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1977
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1980
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Boston Celtics

1981
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1982
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Philadelphia 76ers
1983
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Boston Celtics

1984
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Los Angeles Lakers
1985
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Los Angeles Lakers
1985
NBA Champions
Boston Celtics

1986
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1987 & 1988
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2007
NBA Champions
Boston Celtics

2008
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Los Angeles Lakers
2009 & 2010

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