It’s impossible to tell the history of the NBA without the Celtics being a central character in the story.
Not only did this franchise dominate the sports world throughout the Bill Russell and Larry Bird eras, but it also rivaled some of the best franchises in the entire sports world.
Boston’s championship success hasn’t been sustained much since Bird retired, save for a title in 2008. That said, the bar is high for the Celtics, and a 50-win season is almost always considered a failure unless it ends with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in hand.
The Celtics have been very successful by the standards of other franchises over the past decade, but they just haven’t been able to hoist another championship at TD Garden. With Boston on the brink of another NBA Finals appearance, let’s take a look back at their championship history.
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Celtics NBA Finals History
When was the last time the Celtics were in the NBA Finals?
Even the youngest Celtics fans will remember the last time the team made it to the NBA Finals, when Boston faced the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals.
The Warriors won the series in six games and Stephen Curry won his first Finals MVP award, winning Golden State’s fourth NBA championship and first since 2018, when Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green led the way.
Prior to their 2022 championship, the Celtics hadn’t been to the NBA Finals since 2010, when they lost to the Lakers. Boston won in 2008, beating Los Angeles.
But the Celtics struggled considerably in the 1990s and early 2000s, and their 2008 championship was the team’s first time reaching that stage since 1987.
If the Celtics reach the Finals in 2024, it will be their 23rd NBA Finals appearance, the most in franchise history.
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How many NBA championships have the Celtics won?
The Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, which is tied with the Lakers for the most in league history.
Most of Boston’s postseason success came with either Russell or Bird at the helm: Russell won 11 championships during his time with Boston, while Bird won three.
Russell won the Finals MVP award before it was introduced, and today the award is named after him.
Season Opponent Game RecordNBA Finals MVP1956-57 Hawks 7 wins, 4 wins, 3 losses1957-58 Hawks 6 losses, 4 wins, 2 losses1958-59 Lakers 4 wins, 4 wins, 0 losses1959-60 Hawks 7 wins, 4 wins, 3 losses1960-61 Hawks 5 wins, 4 wins, 1 loss1961-62 Lakers 7 wins, 4 wins, 3 losses1962-63 Lakers 6 wins, 4 wins, 2 losses1963-64 Warriors 5 wins, 4 wins, 1 loss1964-65 Lakers 5 wins, 4 wins, 1 loss1965-66 Lakers 7 wins, 4 wins, 3 losses1967-68 Lakers 6 wins, 4 wins, 2 losses1968-69 Lakers 7 wins, 4-3 Jerry West, Lakers 1973-74 Bucks 7 wins, 4-3 John Havlicek, Celtics 1975-76 Suns 6 wins, 4-2 Joe White, Celtics 1980-81 Rockets 6 wins, 4-2 Cedric Maxwell, Celtics 1983-84 Lakers 7 wins, 4-3 Larry Bird, Celtics 1984-85 Lakers 6 losses, 4-2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers 1985-86 Rockets 6 wins, 4-2 Larry Bird, Celtics 1986-87 Lakers 6 losses, 4-2 Magic Johnson, Lakers 2007-08 Lakers 6 wins, 4-2 Paul Pierce, Celtics 2009-10 Lakers 7 losses, 4-3 Kobe Bryant, Lakers 2021-22 Warriors 6 losses,4-2 Stephen Curry, Warriors
Most NBA championships by team
The Celtics and Lakers are currently leading the NBA with the most championships in league history, with both teams trailing third by double digits.
Team Finals QualifiersChampionshipsWonYear Boston Celtics22171957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers32171949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors1271947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022Chicago Bulls 66 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 San Antonio Spurs 65 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers 93 1955, 1967, 1983 Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons 73 1989, 1990, 2004 Miami Heat 73 2006, 2012, 2013 Houston Rockets 42 1994, 1995 New York Knicks 82 1970, 1973 Milwaukee Bucks 32 1971, 2021 Denver Nuggets 11 2023 Toronto Raptors 11 2019 Cleveland Cavaliers 51 2016 Dallas Mavericks 21 2011 Seattle SuperSonics/OKC Thunder 41 1979 Baltimore Bullets/Washington Bullets/Washington Wizards 41 1978 Portland Trail Blazers 31 1977 Rochester Royals/Cincinnati Royals/Kansa City Kings/Sacramento Kings 11 1951
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