Last Updated on June 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, with a championship tradition that spans generations. From the Bill Russell-led dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s to modern title-winning teams, the Celtics have consistently been among basketball’s elite organizations. This article explores the Boston Celtics’ championship history, including their NBA titles, Finals appearances, and the legendary players and coaches who helped build their legacy.
The Boston Celtics have won a total of 18 NBA Championships, the most in NBA history. Here’s a breakdown of their championship years:
Boston Celtics NBA Championships:
🏆 1957 – Led by Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, the Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks (4-3) to win their first NBA title.
🏆 1959 – The Celtics swept the Minneapolis Lakers (4-0), beginning an unprecedented run of dominance.
🏆 1960 – Boston defeated the St. Louis Hawks (4-3) to capture back-to-back championships.
🏆 1961 – The Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks (4-1), continuing their dynasty.
🏆 1962 – Behind Bill Russell’s dominance, Boston defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3).
🏆 1963 – The Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) for another championship.
🏆 1964 – Boston defeated the San Francisco Warriors (4-1) to win its seventh title.
🏆 1965 – The Celtics edged the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) and continued their historic run.
🏆 1966 – Bill Russell became the first Black head coach in major North American sports and led Boston to another championship over the Lakers (4-3).
🏆 1968 – The Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) after a brief interruption to their title streak.
🏆 1969 – In Russell’s final season, Boston defeated the Lakers (4-3) to complete one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
🏆 1974 – Led by John Havlicek, the Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks (4-3).
🏆 1976 – Boston defeated the Phoenix Suns (4-2) in a Finals series remembered for the legendary triple-overtime Game 5.
🏆 1981 – Larry Bird helped lead the Celtics past the Houston Rockets (4-2) for his first championship.
🏆 1984 – Boston defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) in one of the most iconic Finals matchups ever.
🏆 1986 – Led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, the Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets (4-2).
🏆 2008 – The “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2). Pierce won Finals MVP.
🏆 2024 – Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks (4-1) to secure the franchise’s record-setting 18th championship. Brown won Finals MVP.
The Celtics have also made the NBA Finals on numerous other occasions, including appearances in 1958, 1985, 1987, 2010, and 2022. Their combination of historic success and modern championship contention has made Boston one of the NBA’s premier franchises.
The Celtics dominated the NBA in the 1950s and 1960s, led by Bill Russell, winning 11 titles in 13 seasons. They had another strong run in the 1980s with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Their most recent championship came in 2008, when Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen led them to victory.