Last Updated on May 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Boston Celtics have one of the richest playoff histories in professional sports. Across multiple championship dynasties, the franchise has featured legendary postseason scorers capable of dominating the biggest games in NBA history.

From the all-around brilliance of Larry Bird to the modern playoff scoring of Jayson Tatum, Boston’s postseason legacy is filled with elite offensive talent.

This ranking examines the greatest playoff scorers in Celtics history based on total postseason points, scoring averages, playoff runs, and overall postseason impact.

1. Larry Bird

Larry Bird remains the greatest playoff scorer in Boston Celtics history. He scored 3,897 playoff points for Boston, the most in franchise history, while leading the Celtics through one of their greatest eras during the 1980s. (Land of Basketball)

Bird combined elite shooting, post scoring, rebounding, passing, and basketball IQ to become one of the most complete postseason players ever. His 632 playoff points during the 1984 postseason remain the highest single-playoff scoring total in Celtics history. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 3 NBA championships
  • 2 NBA Finals MVP awards
  • Franchise leader in playoff points
  • Multiple 500+ point playoff runs
  • One of the greatest clutch postseason performers ever

Bird’s playoff rivalry battles against the Los Angeles Lakers helped define an entire NBA era.

2. John Havlicek

John Havlicek was one of the most durable and explosive playoff scorers in NBA history.

He scored 3,776 playoff points with Boston and spent his entire career helping sustain the Celtics dynasty across the 1960s and 1970s. Havlicek’s relentless conditioning and versatile offensive game made him nearly impossible to contain in postseason play. (Land of Basketball)

He also owns the highest-scoring playoff game in Celtics history with 54 points against the Atlanta Hawks in 1973. (NBA)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 8 NBA championships
  • Second in Celtics playoff scoring history
  • Celtics record for most points in a playoff game
  • Elite two-way postseason player

Havlicek consistently elevated his scoring during playoff competition and remained a centerpiece of Boston basketball for more than a decade.

3. Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has already established himself as one of the greatest playoff scorers in Celtics history despite still being in the middle of his career.

Tatum ranks among the franchise leaders in playoff points and owns several of the best postseason scoring runs in Celtics history. His 615 playoff points during the 2022 postseason rank third all-time in franchise history for a single playoff run. (Land of Basketball)

He has repeatedly carried Boston offensively during deep playoff runs with elite shot creation, three-point shooting, and high-volume scoring performances.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • Multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances
  • NBA Finals appearance
  • Multiple 50-point playoff games
  • One of the best playoff scorers of the modern NBA era

Tatum also became one of the youngest players ever to post multiple 30-point playoff games for the Celtics.

4. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce was one of the most dependable clutch playoff scorers in Celtics history.

Nicknamed “The Truth,” Pierce thrived in pressure situations with his isolation scoring, footwork, and ability to draw fouls. He scored 2,843 playoff points with Boston and was instrumental during the franchise’s 2008 championship run. (Land of Basketball)

Pierce scored 511 points during the 2008 playoffs, one of the top postseason scoring totals in franchise history. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 2008 NBA champion
  • NBA Finals MVP
  • One of Boston’s greatest clutch scorers
  • Multiple elite postseason scoring runs

His famous duels with stars like LeBron James became defining playoff moments of the late 2000s.

5. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale was one of the most efficient playoff scorers ever for the Celtics.

His elite post footwork, touch around the basket, and low-post scoring dominance made him a nightmare matchup during Boston’s championship years. McHale ranks third in Celtics playoff scoring history with more than 3,100 playoff points. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 3 NBA championships
  • One of the best low-post scorers in NBA history
  • Over 3,000 playoff points with Boston
  • Key member of the Celtics dynasty

McHale’s offensive efficiency was especially valuable during physical postseason battles in the 1980s.

6. Sam Jones

Sam Jones was one of the original elite playoff scorers of the Celtics dynasty era.

Known for his smooth jump shot and clutch performances, Jones helped Boston dominate the NBA throughout the 1960s. He scored 2,909 playoff points for the Celtics and consistently elevated his production during championship runs. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 10 NBA championships
  • One of the best clutch scorers of the 1960s
  • Elite postseason jump shooter
  • Multiple high-scoring playoff campaigns

Jones was especially dangerous late in close playoff games.

7. Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown has become one of Boston’s most important playoff scorers during the modern era.

His aggressive drives, transition scoring, and improved perimeter shooting have made him a major postseason weapon alongside Jayson Tatum. Brown already ranks among the franchise leaders in playoff points and produced 554 points during the 2022 playoffs, one of the best postseason scoring runs in Celtics history. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • NBA champion
  • Multiple deep playoff runs
  • Elite transition and wing scorer
  • One of the highest playoff scoring totals in modern Celtics history

Brown’s physical scoring style gives Boston another reliable offensive option in postseason basketball.

Honorable Mentions

  • Bill Russell
  • Kevin Garnett
  • Bob Cousy
  • Reggie Lewis
  • Tom Heinsohn

Final Thoughts

The Boston Celtics have produced legendary playoff scorers across every era of NBA history. Larry Bird still stands at the top of the franchise’s postseason scoring mountain, but stars like John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, and Jayson Tatum have all authored unforgettable playoff moments.

With Boston continuing to compete for championships, the franchise’s rich postseason scoring tradition remains one of the strongest in the NBA.

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