Boston Celtics Full NBA Finals History and Results
By Cem Yolbulan
The Boston Celtics are about to be in their second NBA Finals in three seasons as they prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even though the Celtics are an iconic NBA franchise, making it to the NBA Finals has mostly been a rare occurrence in the last four decades. In fact, this will only be their fourth appearance since 1987.
Let's dive in and take a look at the Celtics' history in the NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics NBA Finals History
The Boston Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, tied for the most in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. But, the Lakers won 17 in 32 Finals appearances while the Celtics impressively won 17 out of their 22 trips to the Finals.
However, the Celtics haven't won one since 2008 and lost the last two finals they were in.
Season | Opponent | Celtics Result | Series Record |
|---|---|---|---|
2021-22 | Warriors | Loss | 4-2 |
2009-10 | Lakers | Loss | 4-3 |
2007-08 | Lakers | Win | 4-2 |
1986-87 | Lakers | Loss | 4-2 |
1985-86 | Rockers | Win | 4-2 |
1984-85 | Lakers | Loss | 4-2 |
1983-84 | Lakers | Win | 4-3 |
1980-81 | Rockets | Win | 4-2 |
1975-76 | Suns | Win | 4-2 |
1973-74 | Bucks | Win | 4-3 |
1968-69 | Lakers | Win | 4-3 |
1967-68 | Lakers | Win | 4-2 |
1965-66 | Lakers | Win | 4-3 |
1964-65 | Lakers | Win | 4-1 |
1963-64 | Warriors | Win | 4-1 |
1962-63 | Lakers | Win | 4-2 |
1961-62 | Lakers | Win | 4-3 |
1960-61 | Hawks | Win | 4-1 |
1959-60 | Hawks | Win | 4-3 |
1958-59 | Lakers | Win | 4-0 |
1957-58 | Hawks | Loss | 4-2 |
1956-57 | Hawks | Win | 4-3 |
Boston Celtics Finals MVPs
The NBA started giving out Finals MVP awards in 1969. That meant that the most decorated Celtic of all-time, Bill Russell, was never able to win one. Instead, he gave his name to the award.
Five different Celtics have won the award since 1969: John Havlicek in 1974, Jo Jo White in 1976, Cedric Maxwell in 1981, Larry Bird in 1984 and 1986, and Paul Pierce in 2008.
How many times have the Celtics made the NBA Finals?
Boston has previously made 22 NBA Finals, winning 17 of them. That is the best record of any team that has made over 10 NBA Finals.
When was the last time the Celtics made the NBA Finals?
Boston last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2022, losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite initially taking a 2-1 series. The Warriors' Steph Curry won Finals MVP, averaging 31.2 points per game.
When was the last time the Celtics won the NBA Finals?
Boston last won the title in 2008 under head coach Doc Rivers and behind the Big Three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Pierce ended up winning the Finals MVP as the Celtics beat Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Which NBA team has the most championships?
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most NBA Championships, with 17 each. The Lakers have appeared in 32 total NBA Finals, giving them a 17-15 record, compared to 17-5 for the Celtics. The next three teams in the rankings are the Golden State Warriors, with 7, the Chicago Bulls (6) and the San Antonio Spurs (5).
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