List of Boston Celtics seasons explained

This is a list of seasons completed by the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. It documents the team’s season-by-season records, including postseason records, and also includes year-end awards won by the team's players and/or coaches.

With 18 NBA championships, the Celtics have the most amongst all NBA franchises, while the 1959-to-1966 domination of the NBA Championship, with eight straight titles, is the longest consecutive championship winning streak of any major North American professional sport team to date. Following this, the Celtics had two major periods of success separated by quite poor seasons during rebuilding. Between 1971–72 and 1975–76 the Celtics, led by Dave Cowens and John Havlicek, won 294 of 410 regular season games and reached the conference finals in each of those five seasons, winning two more NBA championships, whilst between 1979–80 and 1987–88 led by the frontcourt of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish the Celtics won 550 of 742 regular season games and reached every Conference Final except for 1982–83 when they were swept in the conference semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics have had 13 separate seasons where they won 60 or more regular season contests, the highest number for any franchise.

Between 1993–94 and 2006–07 the Celtics had their single sustained period of failure, with an overall win percent of and only twice getting beyond the first playoff round. With the acquisition of Kevin Garnett for 2007–08, the Celtics achieved a record single-season rise in win percentage to claim their first title in twenty-two seasons, in the process achieving the best average point differential between the 1995–96 Bulls and the 2015–16 Warriors.[1] The team remained a power until after the 2011 lockout, but lost to the Warriors in 2022. However the team returned to championship glory in 2024, where they became a powerhouse with 64 wins.

The Celtics are 27–9 all-time in seventh games of playoff series,[2] and 7–1 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the .

NBA championsConference championsDivision championsPlayoff berth
SeasonConferenceFinishDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPlayoffsAwardsHead coachRef.
1946–47Eastern5th2238.36727John Russell[3]
1947–48Eastern3rd2028.4177Lost First round (Stags) 2–1[4]
1948–49Eastern5th2535.41713Alvin Julian[5]
1949–50Eastern6th2246.32431[6]
1950–51Eastern2nd 3930.5652.5Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–0Ed Macauley (ASG MVP)Red Auerbach[7]
1951–52Eastern2nd 3927.5911Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1[8]
1952–53Eastern3rd4625.6481.5Won Division semifinals (Nationals) 2–0
Lost Division finals (Knicks) 3–1
[9]
1953–54EasternT-2nd4230.5832Advanced Divisional Semifinals 2-2Lost Division finals (Nationals) 2–0Bob Cousy (ASG MVP)[10]
1954–55Eastern3rd3636.5007Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1
Lost Division finals (Nationals) 3–1
Bill Sharman (ASG MVP)[11]
1955–56Eastern2nd3933.5426Lost Division semifinals (Nationals) 2–1[12]
1956–57 Eastern1st4428.611Won Division finals (Nationals) 3–0
Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–3
Bob Cousy (MVP, ASG MVP)
Tom Heinsohn (ROY)
[13]
1957–58Eastern 1st4923.681Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–2
Bill Russell (MVP)[14]
1958–59 Eastern 1st5220.722Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–0
[15]
1959–60 Eastern 1st5916.787Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–3
[16]
1960–61 Eastern 1st5722 .722Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–1
Bill Russell (MVP)[17]
1961–62 Eastern 1st6020.750Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
Bill Russell (MVP)[18]
1962–63 Eastern 1st5822.725Won Division finals (Royals) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
Bill Russell (MVP, ASG MVP)[19]
1963–64 Eastern 1st5921.738Won Division finals (Royals) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1
[20]
1964–65 Eastern 1st6218.775Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–1
Bill Russell (MVP)
Red Auerbach (COY)
[21]
1965–66 Eastern2nd 5426.6751Won Division semifinals (Royals) 3–2
Won Division finals (76ers) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[22]
1966–67Eastern2nd 6021.7418Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 3–1
Lost Division finals (76ers) 4–1
Bill Russell[23]
1967–68 Eastern2nd 5428.6598Won Division semifinals (Pistons) 4–2
Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
[24]
1968–69 Eastern4th 4834.5859Won Division semifinals (76ers) 4–1
Won Division finals (Knicks) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[25]
1969–70Eastern6th3448.41526Tom Heinsohn[26]
1970–71Eastern5thAtlantic3rd4438.5378Dave Cowens (ROY)[27]
1971–72Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 5626.683Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–1
[28]
1972–73Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 6814.829Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–3
Dave Cowens (MVP, ASG MVP)
Tom Heinsohn (COY)
[29]
1973–74 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 5626.683Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2
Won conference finals (Knicks) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Bucks) 4–3
John Havlicek (FMVP)[30]
1974–75Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 6022.732Won conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Bullets) 4–2
[31]
1975–76 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 5428.659Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2
Won conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Suns) 4–2
Jo Jo White (FMVP)[32]
1976–77Eastern4th Atlantic2nd4438.5376Won First round (Spurs) 2–0
Lost conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3
[33]
1977–78Eastern8thAtlantic3rd3250.39023Tom Heinsohn
Tom Sanders
[34]
1978–79Eastern10thAtlantic5th2953.35425Tom Sanders Dave Cowens[35]
1979–80Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 6121.744Won conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–0
Lost conference finals (76ers) 4–1
Larry Bird (ROY)
Bill Fitch (COY)
Red Auerbach (EOY)
Bill Fitch[36]
1980–81 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 6220.756Won conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–0
Won conference finals (76ers) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Rockets) 4–2
Cedric Maxwell (FMVP)
Nate Archibald (ASG MVP)
[37]
1981–82Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 6319.768Won conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–1
Lost conference finals (76ers) 4–3
Larry Bird (ASG MVP)[38]
1982–83Eastern3rd Atlantic2nd5626.6839Won First round (Hawks) 2–1
Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–0
[39]
1983–84 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 6220.756Won First round (Bullets) 3–1
Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–3
Won conference finals (Bucks) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
Larry Bird (MVP, FMVP)
Kevin McHale (SIX)
K. C. Jones[40]
1984–85Eastern 1st Atlantic1st 6319.768Won First round (Cavaliers) 3–1
Won conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2
Won conference finals (76ers) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
Larry Bird (MVP)
Kevin McHale (SIX)
[41]
1985–86 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 6715.817Won First round (Bulls) 3–0
Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–1
Won conference finals (Bucks) 4–0
Won NBA Finals (Rockets) 4–2
Larry Bird (MVP, FMVP)
Bill Walton (SIX)
[42]
1986–87Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 5923.720Won First round (Bulls) 3–0
Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–3
Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
[43]
1987–88Eastern1st Atlantic 1st 5725.695Won First round (Knicks) 3–1
Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Pistons) 4–2
[44]
1988–89Eastern8th Atlantic3rd4240.51210Lost First round (Pistons) 3–0Jimmy Rodgers[45]
1989–90Eastern4th Atlantic2nd5230.6341Lost First round (Knicks) 3–2[46]
1990–91Eastern2nd Atlantic 1st 5626.683Won First round (Pacers) 3–2
Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2
Chris Ford[47]
1991–92Eastern2nd Atlantic 1st 5131.622Won First round (Pacers) 3–0
Lost conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3
[48]
1992–93Eastern4th Atlantic2nd4834.58512Lost First round (Hornets) 3–1[49]
1993–94Eastern10thAtlantic5th3250.39025[50]
1994–95Eastern8th Atlantic3rd3547.42722Lost First round (Magic) 3–1[51]
1995–96Eastern11thAtlantic5th3349.40227M. L. Carr[52]
1996–97Eastern15thAtlantic7th1567.18346[53]
1997–98Eastern12thAtlantic6th3646.43919Rick Pitino[54]
1998–99Eastern12thAtlantic5th1931.38014[55]
1999–00Eastern10thAtlantic5th3547.42717[56]
2000–01Eastern9thAtlantic5th3646.43920Rick Pitino
Jim O'Brien
[57]
2001–02Eastern3rd Atlantic2nd4933.5983Won First round (76ers) 3–2
Won conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Nets) 4–2
Jim O'Brien[58]
2002–03Eastern6th Atlantic3rd4438.5375Won First round (Pacers) 4–2
Lost conference semifinals (Nets) 4–0
[59]
2003–04Eastern8th Atlantic4th3646.43911Lost First round (Pacers) 4–0Jim O'Brien
John Carroll
[60]
2004–05Eastern3rd Atlantic 1st 4537.549Lost First round (Pacers) 4–3Doc Rivers[61]
2005–06Eastern11thAtlantic3rd3349.40216[62]
2006–07Eastern15thAtlantic5th2458.29323[63]
2007–08 Eastern 1st Atlantic 1st 6616.805Won First round (Hawks) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3
Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
Paul Pierce (FMVP)
Kevin Garnett (DPOY)
Danny Ainge (EOY)
[64]
2008–09Eastern2nd Atlantic 1st 6220.756Won First round (Bulls) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Magic) 4–3
[65]
2009–10Eastern 4th Atlantic 1st 5032.610Won First round (Heat) 4–1
Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–2
Won conference finals (Magic) 4–2
Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[66]
2010–11Eastern3rd Atlantic 1st 5626.683Won First round (Knicks) 4–0
Lost conference semifinals (Heat) 4–1
[67]
2011–12Eastern4th Atlantic 1st 3927.591Won First round (Hawks) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3
[68]
2012–13Eastern7thAtlantic3rd414012.5Lost First round (Knicks) 4–2[69]
2013–14Eastern12th Atlantic4th255723Brad Stevens[70]
2014–15Eastern7th Atlantic2nd40429Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0[71]
2015–16Eastern5th Atlantic2nd48348Lost First round (Hawks) 4–2[72]
2016–17Eastern1stAtlantic1st5329Won First round (Bulls) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (Wizards) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–1
[73]
2017–18Eastern2ndAtlantic2nd55274Won First round (Bucks) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–3
[74]
2018–19Eastern4th Atlantic3rd4933.5989Won First round (Pacers) 4–0
Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–1
[75]
2019–20Eastern3rd Atlantic2nd4824.6677.5Won First round (76ers) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–2
[76]
2020–21Eastern7th Atlantic4th3636.50013Lost First round (Nets) 4–1[77]
2021–22Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5131Won First round (Nets) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–3
Won conference finals (Heat) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–2
Marcus Smart (DPOY)Ime Udoka[78]
2022–23Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5725Won First round (Hawks) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3
Malcolm Brogdon (SIX)
Jayson Tatum (ASG MVP)
Joe Mazzulla[79]
2023–24Eastern1stAtlantic1st6418Won First round (Heat) 4–1
Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–1
Won conference finals (Pacers) 4–0
Won NBA Finals (Mavericks) 4–1
Jaylen Brown (FMVP)
Brad Stevens (EOY)
[80]
All-time regular & postseason record 4,057 2,795 1946–present
All-time regular season record 3,634 2,480
All-time postseason record 423 315 Playoff Series Record: 93–44

Notes and References

  1. Basketball Reference; Team Season Finder
  2. http://www.nba.com/features/Celtics_Game_7_History.html Celtics Game 7 History
  3. Web site: 1946–47 BAA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  4. Web site: 1947–48 BAA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  5. Web site: 1948–49 BAA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  6. Web site: 1949–50 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  7. Web site: 1950–51 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  8. Web site: 1951–52 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  9. Web site: 1952–53 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  10. Web site: 1953–54 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  11. Web site: 1954–55 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  12. Web site: 1955–56 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  13. Web site: 1956–57 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  14. Web site: 1957–58 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  15. Web site: 1958–59 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  16. Web site: 1959–60 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  17. Web site: 1960–61 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  18. Web site: 1961–62 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  19. Web site: 1962–63 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  20. Web site: 1963–64 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  21. Web site: 1964–65 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  22. Web site: 1965–66 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  23. Web site: 1966–67 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  24. Web site: 1967–68 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  25. Web site: 1968–69 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  26. Web site: 1969–70 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  27. Web site: 1970–71 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  28. Web site: 1971–72 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  29. Web site: 1972–73 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  30. Web site: 1973–74 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  31. Web site: 1974–75 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  32. Web site: 1975–76 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  33. Web site: 1976–77 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  34. Web site: 1977–78 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  35. Web site: 1978–79 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  36. Web site: 1979–80 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  37. Web site: 1980–81 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  38. Web site: 1981–82 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  39. Web site: 1982–83 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  40. Web site: 1983–84 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  41. Web site: 1984–85 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  42. Web site: 1985–86 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  43. Web site: 1986–87 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  44. Web site: 1987–88 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  45. Web site: 1988–89 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  46. Web site: 1989–90 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  47. Web site: 1990–91 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  48. Web site: 1991–92 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  49. Web site: 1992–93 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  50. Web site: 1993–94 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  51. Web site: 1994–95 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  52. Web site: 1995–96 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  53. Web site: 1996–97 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  54. Web site: 1997–98 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  55. Web site: 1998–99 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  56. Web site: 1999–00 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  57. Web site: 2000–01 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  58. Web site: 2001–02 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  59. Web site: 2002–03 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  60. Web site: 2003–04 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  61. Web site: 2004–05 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  62. Web site: 2005–06 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  63. Web site: 2006–07 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  64. Web site: 2007–08 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  65. Web site: 2008–09 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  66. Web site: 2009–10 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  67. Web site: 2010–11 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  68. Web site: 2011–12 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 25, 2013.
  69. Web site: 2012–13 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  70. Web site: 2013–14 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  71. Web site: 2014–15 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  72. Web site: 2015–16 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  73. Web site: 2016–17 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  74. Web site: 2017–18 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  75. Web site: 2018–19 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 14, 2019.
  76. Web site: 2019–20 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  77. Web site: 2020–21 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  78. Web site: 2021–22 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.dcom. Sports Reference LLC. May 30, 2022.
  79. Web site: 2022–23 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 29, 2023.
  80. Web site: 2023–24 NBA Season Summary. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 14, 2024.