List of Boston Celtics seasons

Last updated

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 results, and year-end awards won by the team's players and 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 15 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 .423 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 2024–25 season.

NBA champions Conference championsDivision championsPlayoff berth
Season Conference Finish Division FinishWinsLosses Win% GB Playoffs Awards Head coach Ref.
1946–47 Eastern 5th2238.36727 John Russell [3]
1947–48 Eastern3rd2028.4177Lost First round (Stags) 2–1 [4]
1948–49 Eastern5th2535.41713 Alvin Julian [5]
1949–50 Eastern6th2246.32431 [6]
1950–51 Eastern2nd3930.5652.5Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–0 Ed Macauley (ASG MVP) Red Auerbach [7]
1951–52 Eastern2nd3927.5911Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1 [8]
1952–53 Eastern3rd4625.6481.5Won Division semifinals (Nationals) 2–0
Lost Division finals (Knicks) 3–1
[9]
1953–54 EasternT-2nd4230.5832Advanced round-robin Divisional Semifinals 2-2

Lost Division finals (Nationals) 2–0

Bob Cousy (ASG MVP) [10]
1954–55 Eastern3rd3636.5007Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1
Lost Division finals (Nationals) 3–1
Bill Sharman (ASG MVP) [11]
1955–56 Eastern2nd3933.5426Lost 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]
1957–58 Eastern1st4923.681Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–2
Bill Russell (MVP) [14]
1958–59 Eastern1st5220.722Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–0
[15]
1959–60 Eastern1st5916.787Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–3
[16]
1960–61 Eastern1st5722.722Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–1
Bill Russell (MVP) [17]
1961–62 Eastern1st6020.750Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
Bill Russell (MVP) [18]
1962–63 Eastern1st5822.725Won Division finals (Royals) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
Bill Russell (MVP, ASG MVP) [19]
1963–64 Eastern1st5921.738Won Division finals (Royals) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1
[20]
1964–65 Eastern1st6218.775Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–1
Bill Russell (MVP)
Red Auerbach (COY)
[21]
1965–66 Eastern2nd5426.6751Won Division semifinals (Royals) 3–2
Won Division finals (76ers) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[22]
1966–67 Eastern2nd6021.7418Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 3–1
Lost Division finals (76ers) 4–1
Bill Russell [23]
1967–68 Eastern2nd5428.6598Won Division semifinals (Pistons) 4–2
Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
[24]
1968–69 Eastern4th4834.5859Won Division semifinals (76ers) 4–1
Won Division finals (Knicks) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[25]
1969–70 Eastern6th3448.41526 Tom Heinsohn [26]
1970–71 Eastern 5th Atlantic 3rd4438.5378 Dave Cowens (ROY) [27]
1971–72 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5626.683Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–1
[28]
1972–73 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6814.829Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–3
Dave Cowens (MVP, ASG MVP)
Tom Heinsohn (COY)
[29]
1973–74 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5626.683Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2
Won conference finals (Knicks) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Bucks) 4–3
John Havlicek (FMVP) [30]
1974–75 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6022.732Won conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Bullets) 4–2
[31]
1975–76 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5428.659Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2
Won conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Suns) 4–2
Jo Jo White (FMVP) [32]
1976–77 Eastern4thAtlantic2nd4438.5376Won First round (Spurs) 2–0
Lost conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3
[33]
1977–78 Eastern8thAtlantic3rd3250.39023Tom Heinsohn
Tom Sanders
[34]
1978–79 Eastern10thAtlantic5th2953.35425Tom Sanders Dave Cowens [35]
1979–80 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6121.744Won 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 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6220.756Won 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]
1981–82 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6319.768Won conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–1
Lost conference finals (76ers) 4–3
Larry Bird (ASG MVP) [38]
1982–83 Eastern3rdAtlantic2nd5626.6839Won First round (Hawks) 2–1
Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–0
[39]
1983–84 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6220.756Won 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]
1984–85 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6319.768Won 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 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6715.817Won 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]
1986–87 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5923.720Won First round (Bulls) 3–0
Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–3
Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2
[43]
1987–88 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5725.695Won First round (Knicks) 3–1
Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Pistons) 4–2
[44]
1988–89 Eastern8thAtlantic3rd4240.51210Lost First round (Pistons) 3–0 Jimmy Rodgers [45]
1989–90 Eastern4thAtlantic2nd5230.6341Lost First round (Knicks) 3–2 [46]
1990–91 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5626.683Won First round (Pacers) 3–2
Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2
Chris Ford [47]
1991–92 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5131.622Won First round (Pacers) 3–0
Lost conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3
[48]
1992–93 Eastern4thAtlantic2nd4834.58512Lost First round (Hornets) 3–1 [49]
1993–94 Eastern10thAtlantic5th3250.39025 [50]
1994–95 Eastern8thAtlantic3rd3547.42722Lost First round (Magic) 3–1 [51]
1995–96 Eastern11thAtlantic5th3349.40227 M. L. Carr [52]
1996–97 Eastern15thAtlantic7th1567.18346 [53]
1997–98 Eastern12thAtlantic6th3646.43919 Rick Pitino [54]
1998–99 Eastern12thAtlantic5th1931.38014 [55]
1999–00 Eastern10thAtlantic5th3547.42717 [56]
2000–01 Eastern9thAtlantic5th3646.43920Rick Pitino
Jim O'Brien
[57]
2001–02 Eastern3rdAtlantic2nd4933.5983Won First round (76ers) 3–2
Won conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Nets) 4–2
Jim O'Brien [58]
2002–03 Eastern6thAtlantic3rd4438.5375Won First round (Pacers) 4–2
Lost conference semifinals (Nets) 4–0
[59]
2003–04 Eastern8thAtlantic4th3646.43911Lost First round (Pacers) 4–0Jim O'Brien
John Carroll
[60]
2004–05 Eastern3rdAtlantic1st4537.549Lost First round (Pacers) 4–3 Doc Rivers [61]
2005–06 Eastern11thAtlantic3rd3349.40216 [62]
2006–07 Eastern15thAtlantic5th2458.29323 [63]
2007–08 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6616.805Won 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]
2008–09 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st6220.756Won First round (Bulls) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Magic) 4–3
[65]
2009–10 Eastern4thAtlantic1st5032.610Won First round (Heat) 4–1
Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–2
Won conference finals (Magic) 4–2
Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3
[66]
2010–11 Eastern3rdAtlantic1st5626.683Won First round (Knicks) 4–0
Lost conference semifinals (Heat) 4–1
[67]
2011–12 Eastern4thAtlantic1st3927.591Won First round (Hawks) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3
[68]
2012–13 Eastern7thAtlantic3rd4140.50612.5Lost First round (Knicks) 4–2 [69]
2013–14 Eastern12thAtlantic4th2557.30523 Brad Stevens [70]
2014–15 Eastern7thAtlantic2nd4042.4889Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0 [71]
2015–16 Eastern5thAtlantic2nd4834.5858Lost First round (Hawks) 4–2 [72]
2016–17 Eastern1stAtlantic1st5329.646Won First round (Bulls) 4–2
Won conference semifinals (Wizards) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–1
[73]
2017–18 Eastern2ndAtlantic2nd5527.6714Won First round (Bucks) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–1
Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–3
[74]
2018–19 Eastern4thAtlantic3rd4933.5989Won First round (Pacers) 4–0
Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–1
[75]
2019–20 Eastern3rdAtlantic2nd4824.6677.5Won First round (76ers) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–2
[76]
2020–21 Eastern7thAtlantic4th3636.50013Lost First round (Nets) 4–1 [77]
2021–22 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5131.622Won 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]
2022–23 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st5725.695Won 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]
2023–24 Eastern1stAtlantic1st6418.780Won 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]
2024–25 Eastern2ndAtlantic1st6121.744Won First round (Magic) 4–1
Lost conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–2
Payton Pritchard (SIX)
Jrue Holiday (SPOR)
[81]
All-time regular & postseason record 4,1242,821.5941946–present
All-time regular season record 3,6952,501.596
All-time postseason record 429320.571Playoff Series Record: 94–45

References

  1. Basketball Reference; Team Season Finder
  2. Celtics Game 7 History, NBA.com, May 18, 2008.
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