Last Updated on June 20, 2025 by Mat Diekhake
John Havlicek played in 8 NBA Finals during his career with the Boston Celtics (1962–1978), winning 8 championships and never losing in the Finals — a perfect 8–0 record.
Here’s a breakdown of the teams he faced in each NBA Finals appearance:
John Havlicek’s NBA Finals Opponents
| Year | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–2) | Havlicek’s first Finals as a rookie |
| 1964 | San Francisco Warriors | Won (4–1) | Faced Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1965 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–1) | |
| 1966 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–3) | Game 7 thriller |
| 1968 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–2) | |
| 1969 | Los Angeles Lakers | Won (4–3) | Havlicek led team in scoring |
| 1974 | Milwaukee Bucks | Won (4–3) | Faced Kareem & Oscar Robertson |
| 1976 | Phoenix Suns | Won (4–2) | Game 5 triple OT classic |
Summary of Teams Havlicek Faced in the Finals:
| Opponent | Finals Matchups | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 5 (1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) | 5–0 |
| San Francisco Warriors | 1 (1964) | 1–0 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 1 (1974) | 1–0 |
| Phoenix Suns | 1 (1976) | 1–0 |
Fun Fact: Havlicek is the only player in NBA history to win titles in both the Bill Russell era and the post-Russell era — bridging two Celtics dynasties.