The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful teams in the NBA. Players like Bill Russell and Larry Bird have filled the team’s display cases with all the trophies a team can win. With the franchise competing in a new NBA Finals series, it is worth reviewing its historical achievements.
The history of the Celtics dates back to 1946, as one of the eight founding teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 78 years of history, the team has experienced glorious times, alternating with long years of drought.
One of the first dynasties that the franchise built was led by the legendary Bill Russell on the court, under the direction of Red Auerbach. Both led the Celtics to a total of 11 titles, including nine in a row between 1957 and 1965, and two more in 1968 and 1969.
In total, the Celtics have played in 22 NBA Finals, of which they have won 17.
After the Rusell’s era, the Celtics had five difficult years before Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, and Paul Silas dominated the league with two titles in 1974 and 1976. In the 1980s, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Bill Walton achieved three more titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
How many times have the Celtics lost in the Finals?
Not everything has been smooth sailing for the Celtics. Mixed in with the glory days, Boston suffered long droughts, the longest lasting 22 years, between Bird and company’s last title in 1986, until Paul Pierce and head coach Doc Rivers gave them a new title in 2008.
Outside of the tough years, the Celtics also suffered some bitter losses in the Finals. In 1958, Russell and Auerbach’s team lost to the St. Louis Hawks. In 1985 and 1987, Bird and company lost in the Finals to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’sLos Angeles Lakers.
Already in the 21st century, the Celtics of Pierce and Kevin Garnett fell to the Lakers of head coach Phil Jackson, with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on the court. Finally, in 2022, the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry beat the Celtics of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Two years later, the Celtics are on the threshold of adding a new trophy to their cabinets. Although the Dallas Mavericks arrived as favorites with Luka Doncic as their star player, Boston has done an excellent job and has the title in their hands.
