Last Updated on January 27, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

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Here’s the 1969–70 Boston Celtics roster and their regular season player statistics. This season marked a transition period for the Celtics as it was their first season after the retirement of Bill Russell.


Boston Celtics 1969–70 Roster

No. Player Pos Height Weight Birthdate College
10 Jo Jo White G 6-3 190 lbs Nov 16, 1946 Kansas
15 Tom Heinsohn (Coach) Aug 26, 1934 Holy Cross
16 Tom Sanders F 6-6 210 lbs Nov 8, 1938 NYU
17 John Havlicek G/F 6-5 203 lbs Apr 8, 1940 Ohio State
18 Don Nelson F 6-6 210 lbs May 15, 1940 Iowa
20 Larry Siegfried G 6-3 190 lbs May 22, 1939 Ohio State
21 Emmette Bryant G 6-1 175 lbs Nov 4, 1938 Minnesota
22 Jim Barnett G 6-4 170 lbs Jul 7, 1944 Oregon
23 Willie Williams F 6-7 220 lbs Sep 27, 1943 Indiana State
24 Hank Finkel C 7-0 240 lbs Apr 20, 1942 Dayton
26 Rich Johnson F 6-7 215 lbs Sep 22, 1946 Grambling State
27 Bailey Howell F 6-7 210 lbs Jan 20, 1937 Mississippi State


Regular Season Per Game

PLR POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
John Havlicek SG 29 81   41.6 24.2 7.8 6.8       19.6 9.1 .464       7.1 6.0 .844
Don Nelson PF 29 82   27.1 15.4 7.3 1.8       11.2 5.6 .501       5.3 4.1 .775
Larry Siegfried PG 30 78   26.7 12.6 2.7 3.8       11.6 4.9 .424       3.3 2.8 .856
Bailey Howell PF 33 82   25.3 12.6 6.7 1.5       11.4 4.9 .429       3.8 2.9 .763
Jo Jo White PG 23 60   22.1 12.2 2.8 2.4       11.4 5.2 .452       2.3 1.9 .822
Tom Sanders SF 31 57   28.4 11.5 5.5 1.6       9.7 4.3 .443       3.2 2.8 .880
Hank Finkel C 27 80   23.3 9.7 7.7 1.3       8.5 3.9 .454       2.9 2.0 .670
Em Bryant PG 31 71   22.8 7.8 3.8 3.3       7.3 3.0 .404       2.5 1.9 .746
Steve Kuberski PF 22 51   15.6 6.4 5.0 0.6       6.6 2.5 .388       1.8 1.3 .696
Jim Barnes C 28 77   13.6 5.9 4.5 0.7       5.6 2.3 .410       1.7 1.2 .742
Rich Johnson C 23 65   13.8 5.8 3.2 0.5       5.6 2.6 .463       1.1 0.7 .657
Don Chaney SG 23 63   13.3 5.0 2.4 1.1       5.1 1.8 .359       1.7 1.3 .752
Rich Niemann C 23 6   3.0 1.0 1.0 0.3       0.8 0.3 .400       0.3 0.3 1.000
Totals     82   241.2 114.9 52.9 22.9       100.4 44.5 .443       33.1 26.0 .786

Regular Season Per 36 Minutes

PLR POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
John Havlicek SG 29 81   41.6 20.9 6.8 5.9       16.9 7.9 .464       6.2 5.2 .844
Don Nelson PF 29 82   27.1 20.4 9.7 2.4       14.9 7.5 .501       7.0 5.5 .775
Jo Jo White PG 23 60   22.1 19.8 4.6 3.9       18.5 8.4 .452       3.7 3.0 .822
Bailey Howell PF 33 82   25.3 17.9 9.5 2.1       16.1 6.9 .429       5.3 4.1 .763
Larry Siegfried PG 30 78   26.7 17.0 3.7 5.2       15.6 6.6 .424       4.4 3.8 .856
Tom Sanders SF 31 57   28.4 14.5 7.0 2.0       12.4 5.5 .443       4.1 3.6 .880
Steve Kuberski PF 22 51   15.6 14.6 11.6 1.3       15.1 5.9 .388       4.2 2.9 .696
Hank Finkel C 27 80   23.3 15.0 11.8 2.0       13.2 6.0 .454       4.5 3.0 .670
Jim Barnes C 28 77   13.6 15.5 12.0 1.8       14.9 6.1 .410       4.4 3.3 .742
Rich Johnson C 23 65   13.8 15.2 8.3 1.3       14.5 6.7 .463       2.8 1.8 .657
Don Chaney SG 23 63   13.3 13.4 6.5 3.1       13.7 4.9 .359       4.7 3.5 .752
Em Bryant PG 31 71   22.8 12.4 6.0 5.1       11.6 4.7 .404       4.0 3.0 .746
Rich Niemann C 23 6   3.0 12.0 12.0 4.0       10.0 4.0 .400       4.0 4.0 1.000
Totals     82   241.2 20.9 52.9 22.9       100.4 44.5 .443       33.1 26.0 .786

Regular Season Totals

PLR POS AGE GP GS MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
John Havlicek SG 29 81   41.6 24.2 7.8 6.8       16.9 7.9 .464       6.2 5.2 .844
Don Nelson PF 29 82   27.1 20.4 9.7 2.4       11.2 5.6 .501       5.3 4.1 .775
Bailey Howell PF 33 82   25.3 17.9 9.5 2.1       11.4 4.9 .429       3.8 2.9 .763
Hank Finkel C 27 80   23.3 15.0 11.8 2.0       8.5 6.2 .454       2.9 2.0 .670
Jo Jo White PG 23 60   22.1 12.2 4.6 3.9       11.4 5.2 .452       3.7 3.0 .822
Tom Sanders SF 31 57   28.4 11.5 5.5 1.6       9.7 4.3 .443       3.2 2.8 .880
Em Bryant PG 31 71   22.8 7.8 6.0 5.1       7.3 3.0 .404       2.5 1.9 .746
Rich Johnson C 23 65   13.8 5.8 3.2 0.5       5.6 2.6 .463       1.1 0.7 .657
Jim Barnes C 28 77   13.6 5.9 12.0 1.8       5.6 2.3 .410       1.7 1.2 .742
Don Chaney SG 23 63   13.3 5.0 6.5 3.1       5.1 1.8 .359       4.7 3.5 .752
Steve Kuberski PF 22 51   15.6 14.6 11.6 1.3       6.6 2.5 .388       4.2 2.9 .696
Larry Siegfried PG 30 78   26.7 17.0 3.7 5.2       11.6 4.9 .424       3.3 2.8 .856
Rich Niemann C 23 6   3.0 1.0 1.0 0.3       0.8 0.3 .400       0.3 0.3 1.000
Totals     82   241.2 114.9 52.9 22.9       100.4 44.5 .443       33.1 26.0 .786

Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK Impact Index* Notes (with Sources) Awards
John Havlicek Primary Offensive Catalyst / Two‑Way Leader 41.6 High 24.2 7.8 6.8 19.45 Led the 1969–70 Celtics in scoring and assists while logging the most minutes on a roster transitioning from the Russell era; combined relentless two‑way scoring, playmaking, and defensive presence. MVP‑10, All‑Star, All‑NBA, All‑Defensive
Don Nelson Secondary Scoring Forward / Veteran Facilitator 27.1 Medium 15.4 7.3 1.8 12.25 Provided efficient offense, good size on boards for a forward, and veteran savvy; one of the Celtics’ more consistent secondary scorers with good efficiency (FG% above team average).
Tom Sanders Defensive Role Wing / Rotation Contributor 28.4 Medium 11.5 5.5 1.6 9.80 Served as an experienced defensive contributor and stabilizing veteran in the frontcourt; known historically as a premier role defender (multiple championship teams) even if offensive role was modest.
Larry Siegfried Facilitation Wing / Spot Scorer 26.7 Medium 12.6 2.7 3.8 9.55 Balanced wing with solid scoring and secondary playmaking duties; provided perimeter ball movement and floor spacing in rotation.
Bailey Howell Frontcourt Scorer / Complementary Big 25.3 Medium 12.6 6.7 1.5 10.70 Reliable frontcourt scorer and rebounder; his scoring punch and experience bolstered Boston’s depth alongside stars.
Hank Finkel Interior Rotation Big / Paint Touch 23.3 Low‑Medium 9.7 7.7 1.3 9.35 Played a rotational center role, providing size and efficient interior scoring/rebounding in bench and situational minutes.
Jo Jo White Young Facilitator / Emerging Scorer 22.1 Medium 12.2 2.8 2.4 8.70 Early in his Celtics career; mixed his developing scoring with playmaking responsibilities as a young guard on a veteran‑led team.
Steve Kuberski Frontcourt Depth / Role Rebounder 15.6 Low 6.4 5.0 0.6 6.25 Provided energy, rebounding, and spot scoring in limited minutes; depth forward in rotation.
Jim Barnes Backup Center / Interior Role 13.6 Low 5.9 4.5 0.7 5.55 Saw primary run as a backup big, offering interior scoring and rebound support in short bursts.
Em Bryant Rotation Guard / Secondary Facilitator 22.8 Low 7.8 3.8 3.3 7.45 Veteran guard providing secondary ball movement and scoring; complemented primary leaders with bench distribution.
Don Chaney Defensive Wing / Spot Scorer 13.3 Low 5.0 2.4 1.1 4.25 Young wing on the roster adding defense and occasional scoring off the bench.
Rich Johnson Reserve Big 13.8 Low 5.8 3.2 0.5 4.75 Limited minutes but contributed efficient scoring and rebounding in spot duty.
Rex Morgan Deep Rotation Wing 7.8 Low 3.4 1.8 0.6 2.90 Appeared in few games; served as depth option.
Garfield Smith Deep Rotation Big 7.6 Low 2.9 2.6 0.2 2.85 Fringe bench big; minimal impact.
Rich Niemann Brief Appearance / Minimal Role 3.0 Low 1.0 1.0 0.3 1.15 Very limited season cameo with negligible impact.