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

The Boston Celtics are basketball royalty.

Boston is enjoying its 23rd trip to the NBA Finals. The franchise has won 17 championships.

If the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, their 18th championship will break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.

Here’s a look at the Celtics’ previous 22 NBA Finals appearances.

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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