The Boston Celtics are the most successful franchise in the NBA, along with some Lakers that in 2020, they matched it 17 rings of the proud greens However, they have not celebrated a title since 2008.
After touching glory in 2022 by reaching the Finals, the Celtics will look to get the last pinnacle they need for their long-awaited 18th ring.
Next, we take a trip back in time to learn about Celtics Playoff history.
Boston Celtics playoff run by the numbers
- Previous Entries: 59
- Last time: 2022
- Championships won: 17 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1988)
- Playoff Record: 400-304.
- Playoff streak record: 88-42.
Boston Celtics individual playoff records
Most points in a game: John Havlicek, 54
- Date: 4/1/1973, vs. Atlanta
Most rebounds in a game: Bill Russell, 40
- Date: 23/3/1958 vs. Warriors, 3/29/1960 vs. St. Louis and 4/18/1962 vs. Lakers
Most assists in one game: Rajon Rondo, 20
- Date: 22/4/2011, vs. hits
Most steals in a game: Dennis Johnson, 7
- Date: 29/4/1986 vs. Atlanta
Most blocks in a game: Robert Williams III, 9
- Date: 22/05/2021 vs. brooklyn nets
Most goals in one match: John Havlicek, 24
- Date: 4/1/1973, vs. Atlanta (NBA record with Jordan and Chamberlain)
Most 3-pointers in a game: Ray Allen, 9
- Date: 30/4/2009 vs. Chicago
Most free throws in a game: Bob Cousy, 30
- Date: 21/3/1953 vs. Syracuse (NBA record)
Boston Celtics individual upsets
Most games played: John Havlicek, 172
- Next: Kevin McHale (169), Robert Parish (168).
Most Points: Larry Bird, 3,897
- Next: John Havlicek (3,773), Kevin McHale (3,182).
Most rebounds: Bill Russell, 4,104 (NBA record)
- Next: Larry Bird (1,683), Robert Paris (1,647).
Most assists: Larry Bird, 1,061
- Next: Bob Cousy (912), Rajon Rondo (845).
Most steals: Larry Bird, 283
- Next: Razon Rondo (181), Paul Pierce (180).
Most blocks: Robert Parish, 278
- Next: Kevin McHale (268), Larry Bird (140).
Most 3-pointers made: Paul Pierce, 219
- Next: Ray Allen (206), Jayson Tatum (171).
Boston Celtics Playoff Team Records
Most points in a match: 157
- Date: 28/4/1990 vs. Knicks (NBA record)
Most 3-pointers in a game: 22
- Date: 15/05/2022 vs. dollars
Most rebounds in one game: 97
- Date: 19/3/1960 vs. Philadelphia Warriors (NBA record)
Most assists in one game: 46
- Date: 28/4/1990 vs. hits
Most steals in a game: 18
- Date: 17/6/2008 vs. Lakers
Most blocks in one game: 16
- Date: 05/1/1982 vs. Bullets
Widest win: 40 margin
- Date: 5/9/1982 vs. Philadelphia (121-81)
The story in three moments
Auerbach and Bill Russell’s Red Dynasty
The Celtics went through their first ten NBA seasons without winning a title. A streak that changed in December 1956. Moment when Bill Russell joined, gold medal around his neck from the 1956 Melbourne Games. The pivot that forever marked the history of Boston sports. The pivot chosen by Red Auerbach in the 56 Draft. The two formed one of the most legendary pairings in world sports.
Between 1957 and 1969 the Celtics won eleven rings (eight in a row) in 13 seasons. There has never been another dynasty quite like it in the NBA. Auerbach won the first nine titles as a coach and the last two (1968 and 1969) on the bench. Rightfully so, Russell stepped into his role and continued to lead the team off the bench while continuing to make a difference in the paint. A five-time season MVP, Russell never won a Finals MVP. That’s because the award began in 1969, the year of his last active season. Of course, in his honor, the award has been named the Bill Russell since 2009. A way to do justice to such a field.
Larry Bird and a rivalry that revitalized the NBA
After two years of not making the postseason (a complete anomaly at the time), The arrival of Larry Bird in 1979 marked a turning point in the future of the franchise. Along with Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, French forward Lick has given away three rings in five trips to the finals, to the Celtics. A resounding success that lifted a depressed NBA thanks to the revival of the biggest rivalry in the League.
The same campaign that Bird landed in the League, Magic Johnson did the same with the Lakers. Thus, a bloody battle between two ways of understanding basketball and society itself was recovered. The NBA wouldn’t be the same without Larry Bird… nor would it be without his nemesis (also friend) Magic Johnson.
Paul Pierce, Garnett and Allen: the reunion with glory
22 years later, Boston once again reigned supreme in the NBA. After years of failed projects and wandering in the desert, Danny Ainge (player of the legendary Celtics of the 80s) orchestrated from the offices the necessary maneuver to return to the highest. In the summer of 2007, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen landed in Boston. There waiting was Paul Pierce, the last great icon of the Shamrock franchise.
The chemistry between them was absolute. Doc Rivers coached from the bench until a team that thrived in the face of adversity beating the Lakers 4-2 in the 2008 Finals. A few months after the bank robbery, Boston reaped. The big three kept trying, but didn’t get more than one ring. The 17th and, so far, last for the proud greens.
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its organizations.
