Boston Celtics NBA Finals history: Matchups, MVPs, other stats – ESPN

The Boston Celtics are basketball royalty. In the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, they won their 18th championship and broke their long-standing tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.
Here’s a look at the Celtics’ previous NBA Finals appearances.
2024: Celtics defeat Mavericks 4-1 ▪︎ Head coach: Joe Mazzulla ▪︎ Jaylen Brown (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
2022: Warriors defeat Celtics 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Ime Udoka ▪︎ Stephen Curry (GS) named Finals MVP after averaging 31.2 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
2010: Lakers defeat Celtics 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Doc Rivers ▪︎ Kobe Bryant (LAL) named Finals MVP after averaging 28.6 points, 8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals.
2008: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Doc Rivers ▪︎ Paul Pierce (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
1987: Lakers defeat Celtics 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: K.C. Jones ▪︎ Magic Johnson (LAL) named Finals MVP after averaging 26.2 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists and 2.3 steals.
1986: Celtics defeat Rockets 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: K.C. Jones ▪︎ Larry Bird (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.7 steals.
1985: Lakers defeat Celtics 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: K.C. Jones ▪︎ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (LAL) named Finals MVP after averaging 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks.
1984: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: K.C. Jones ▪︎ Larry Bird (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks.
1981: Celtics defeat Rockets 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Bill Fitch ▪︎ Cedric Maxwell (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
1976: Celtics defeat Suns 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Tommy Heinsohn ▪︎ Jo Jo White (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals.
1974: Celtics defeat Bucks 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Tommy Heinsohn ▪︎ John Havlicek (BOS) named Finals MVP after averaging 26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals.
1969: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Bill Russell ▪︎ Jerry West (LAL) named Finals MVP after averaging 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
1968: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Bill Russell ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ John Havlicek (BOS): 27.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists
1966: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Bill Russell (BOS): 23.6 points, 24.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists
1965: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-1 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Sam Jones (BOS): 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 17.8 points, 25 rebounds and 5.8 assists
1964: Celtics defeat Warriors 4-1 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Sam Jones (BOS): 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 11.2 points, 25.2 rebounds and 5 assists
1963: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Sam Jones (BOS): 24.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 20 points, 26 rebounds and 5.3 assists
1962: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Bill Russell (BOS): 22.9 points, 27 rebounds and 5.7 assists
1961: Celtics defeat Hawks 4-1 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Tommy Heinsohn (BOS): 22 points and 8.8 rebounds; Bob Cousy (BOS): 19.8 points, 5 rebounds and 10.6 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 17.6 points, 28.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists
1960: Celtics defeat Hawks 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Tommy Heinsohn (BOS): 22.4 points and 9.7 rebounds; Bill Russell (BOS): 16.7 points, 24.9 rebounds; Bob Cousy (BOS): 14.4 points and 10 assists
1959: Celtics defeat Lakers 4-0 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Tommy Heinsohn (BOS): 24.3 points and 8.8 rebounds; Bob Cousy (BOS): 16.8 points, 8 rebounds and 12.8 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 9.3 points, 29.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists
1958: Hawks defeat Celtics 4-2 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Bill Sharman (BOS): 21.3 points and 4.5 rebounds; Bob Cousy (BOS): 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 14.5 points and 19.3 rebounds
1957: Celtics defeat Hawks 4-3 ▪︎ Head coach: Red Auerbach ▪︎ No Finals MVP ▪︎ Tommy Heinsohn (BOS): 24 points and 12.6 rebounds; Bob Cousy (BOS): 20.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 9.1 assists; Bill Russell (BOS): 13.3 points and 22.9 rebounds
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