Last Updated on June 20, 2025 by Mat Diekhake
Tom Heinsohn played in 9 NBA Finals during his career with the Boston Celtics (1956–1965) and won 8 championships, losing only once. Here’s a detailed look at the teams he faced in each Finals appearance:
Tom Heinsohn’s NBA Finals Opponents
| Year | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | St. Louis Hawks | Won (4–3) | Heinsohn’s rookie year — scored 37 pts in Game 7 |
| 1958 | St. Louis Hawks | Lost (2–4) | Only Finals loss of Heinsohn’s career |
| 1959 | Minneapolis Lakers | Won (4–0) | Celtics’ first Finals sweep |
| 1960 | St. Louis Hawks | Won (4–3) | |
| 1961 | St. Louis Hawks | Won (4–1) | |
| 1962 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–3) | Game 7 went to OT |
| 1963 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–2) | |
| 1964 | San Francisco Warriors | Won (4–1) | Faced Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1965 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–1) | Heinsohn’s final season |
Summary of Teams Faced by Tom Heinsohn in the Finals:
| Opponent | Finals Matchups | Record vs Team |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Hawks | 4 (1957, 1958, 1960, 1961) | 3–1 |
| Minneapolis Lakers | 1 (1959) | 1–0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 3 (1962, 1963, 1965) | 3–0 |
| San Francisco Warriors | 1 (1964) | 1–0 |
Fun Fact: Heinsohn scored 37 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the Game 7 win of the 1957 Finals — one of the best rookie Finals performances ever.