Keaney Gymnasium is a multi-purpose arena in Kingston, Rhode Island , United States on the campus of the University of Rhode Island . Built in 1953, it was the home of the university's men's and women's basketball teams until they moved to the adjacent Ryan Center in 2002. It is currently the home of the university's volleyball team.
98-410: The arena opened in 1953 and seats 3,385 (plus room for 500 standing-room only spectators). The arena was named in honor of Rhode Island football coach, chemistry professor, basketball coach and athletic director Frank Keaney . Seating is in a two-tiered arrangement, with the top tier being U-shaped. At the west end of the arena there are bleachers in the former stage area of the building. The arena hosted
196-531: A Gar Heard turn-around jumper at the top of the key sent the game to a third overtime, at which point the Celtics prevailed. After the 1976 championship and a playoff appearance in 1977 , Boston went into another rebuilding phase. In the 1977 NBA draft , the Celtics drafted a young forward from UNC Charlotte named Cedric Maxwell . "Cornbread" Maxwell did not contribute much in his rookie season, but he showed promise. Auerbach's job became even tougher following
294-611: A United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1880s is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( / ˈ s ɛ l t ɪ k s / SEL -tiks ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston . The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of
392-454: A comeback. Before he could make it he died of a heart attack while shooting baskets at Brandeis University during the off-season. The Celtics honored his memory by retiring his number 35. With McHale having retired after the Celtics' playoff loss to the Hornets, Boston's original Big 3 era came to an end in 1994 upon Robert Parish's signing with Charlotte. The team collapsed, finishing out of
490-810: A dynasty that would last for more than a decade. In 1959, the Celtics won the NBA championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers , the first of their record eight consecutive championships. During that time, the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals five times, starting an intense and often bitter rivalry that has spanned generations. In 1964, the Celtics became the first NBA team to have an all African-American starting lineup. On December 26, 1964, Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tom Heinsohn, joining Tom 'Satch' Sanders , K.C. Jones, Sam Jones , and Bill Russell in
588-574: A first-round draft pick to the Timberwolves in exchange for superstar power forward Kevin Garnett . These moves created a new "Big Three" of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. In the 2007–08 season, Celtics completed the largest single-season turnaround in NBA history. The team went 66–16 in the regular season, a 42-game improvement over its 2006–07 record. However, the team struggled in the early rounds of
686-755: A hard-fought 5-game series with the 76ers in the first round, 3–2. Pierce scored 46 points in the series-clinching game at the Fleet Center . In the Conference Semifinals, the Celtics defeated the favored Detroit Pistons 4–1. In their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 1988 , the Celtics jumped out to a 2–1 series lead over the Nets, after rallying from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to win Game 3, but would lose
784-471: A needless dunk attempt after the whistle. The Celtics compiled a record of 24–58, second-worst in the NBA, including a franchise-record 18-game losing streak . At the end of the season, the Celtics, with the second-worst record in the NBA, were at least hopeful that they could secure a high draft pick and select either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant to help rebuild the franchise, but the Celtics fell to fifth in
882-494: A no-trade clause), Jason Terry , and D. J. White , were traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Keith Bogans , MarShon Brooks , Kris Humphries , Kris Joseph , Gerald Wallace , and three future first-round draft picks (2014, 2016, 2018), together with the right to swap 2017 first-round picks with Brooklyn. The deal marked the start of a youth movement for the team. On July 3, 2013, the Celtics announced that Brad Stevens ,
980-588: A notable rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers , who are second in NBA history with 17 championships. The teams' rivalry was especially pronounced in the 1960s and 1980s. The Celtics have played the Lakers a record 12 times in the NBA Finals and have defeated them nine times. 41 members of Basketball Hall of Fame have played for the Celtics at least once in their careers. Four Celtics players (Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Dave Cowens and Larry Bird) have won
1078-538: A procedure to remove bone spurs in his feet early in the season, and the Celtics won just 42 games before a first-round playoff defeat to the Pistons. Bird returned in 1989–90 and led the Celtics to a 52–30 record. In the playoffs , the Celtics collapsed after winning the first two games in a best-of-five series against the New York Knicks, losing three straight games and the series. After the playoffs, Rodgers
SECTION 10
#17327869567841176-508: A promise that the Celtics owner would send the highly sought-after Ice Capades to Rochester if the Royals would let Russell slide to No. 2—Auerbach used the pick to select University of San Francisco center Bill Russell . Auerbach also acquired Holy Cross standout, and 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year, Tom Heinsohn . Both Russell and Heinsohn worked extraordinarily well with Cousy, and they were
1274-499: A second-half knee injury. They won Game Two 108–102 despite nearly blowing a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter. As the series shifted to Los Angeles, the Lakers stifled Pierce and Garnett in Game Three and won 87–81. However, the Celtics would overcome a 24-point deficit in Game 4 to win 97–91, making the largest in-game comeback in NBA Finals history. After again blowing a large lead, the Lakers hung on to win Game 5 103–98, sending
1372-463: A sports venue in Rhode Island is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Frank Keaney Frank William "Menty" Keaney (June 5, 1886 – October 10, 1967) was an American football , basketball , and baseball coach and college athletics administrator. As a college men's basketball coach, he was known as the architect of modern "run-and-shoot" basketball and the inventor of
1470-403: A style of basketball using a fast-breaking offense and a full-court defense. In his 28 years at Rhode Island, Keaney's basketball Rams won eight conference championships and had only one losing season. In 1939, Keaney's Rams became the first college team to score more than 50 points per game, and in 1943 the team had an average of more than two points per minute (80.7 points per game), which led to
1568-482: A young team under new coach Doc Rivers during the 2004–05 season, having drafted youngsters Al Jefferson , Delonte West and Tony Allen in the 2004 Draft. Yet they seemed to have a core of good young players, led by Pierce and rookie Al Jefferson , to go along with a group of able veterans. The Celtics went 45–37 and won their first Atlantic Division title since 1991–92 , receiving a boost from returning star Antoine Walker in mid-season. The Pacers defeated them in
1666-412: The 1977–78 season in which they went 32–50 as Havlicek, the Celtics' all-time leading scorer, retired after 16 seasons. The Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA draft . Auerbach took a risk by selecting junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the sixth overall pick, knowing that Bird would stay in college for his senior year but believing that his potential would make him worth
1764-630: The 2016 NBA draft , the Celtics selected Jaylen Brown with the third pick. On July 8, 2016, the team signed four-time All-Star Al Horford . The Celtics finished the 2016–17 season with a 53–29 record and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference. After a hip injury ended Thomas' playoff run in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics eventually lost to the Cavaliers in five games. Isaiah Thomas
1862-406: The 2016–17 team , with Marcus Smart being the longest-tenured Celtic from the 2014 NBA draft . On the team's opening night game in the first quarter against the Cavaliers, Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg, causing him to be ruled out for the rest of the regular season. Despite the loss, the Celtics went on a 16-game winning streak , which also went down as
1960-543: The CBA . Carr, Archibald, Henderson and Ford formed a highly competent backcourt, blending in well with the talented frontcourt of Cowens, Maxwell and Bird. With Bird winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors the team went 61–21, a 32-game improvement from the previous season. Playing strong in the playoffs, the Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. After the season, Auerbach completed one of
2058-533: The Eastern Conference . Founded in 1946 as one of the league's original eight teams, the Celtics play their home games at TD Garden , a shared arena with the NHL 's Boston Bruins . The Celtics are commonly regarded as the most successful team in NBA history and hold the records for most NBA championships won , with 18, and most recorded wins of any NBA franchise. The Celtics' rise to dominance began in
SECTION 20
#17327869567842156-895: The Frank W. Keaney Gymnasium-Armory in his honor in 1953. Keaney was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960. National champion Postseason invitational champion Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion Division regular season champion Division regular season and conference tournament champion Conference tournament champion This biographical article relating to
2254-527: The NBA Finals . Rajon Rondo emerged as a star during postseason play. For the 12th time, the Celtics faced the Lakers in the Finals. After taking a 3–2 lead heading into Los Angeles for Game Six, the Celtics appeared poised to win their 18th title. However, starting center Kendrick Perkins suffered a severe knee injury early in Game Six, and the Celtics went on to lose the series in seven games. During
2352-626: The NBA Most Valuable Player award ; overall, Celtics players have won an NBA-record 10 MVP awards. The Boston Celtics were formed on June 6, 1946, by Boston Garden-Arena Corporation president Walter A. Brown as a team in the Basketball Association of America . In 1948, the team earned its first playoff appearance, only to lose to the Chicago Stags 4–1. In 1949, the team missed the playoffs, fifth in
2450-468: The NCAA basketball tournament first-round games for three years, from 1967 to 1969. Designed by Oresto DiSaia , it was built to replace Rodman Hall, a castle-like building built in 1928, located across the street from the present library. Rodman Hall currently houses the school's library sciences, landscape architecture, and journalism departments. In addition to its role as a basketball and volleyball arena,
2548-518: The Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship, but injuries had hobbled him since. Considered the best passing center in NBA history, he stayed healthy and was a big part of the Celtics' success in 1986. The Celtics won the second pick in the 1986 NBA draft and drafted University of Maryland star Len Bias , one of the most heralded prospects of his era. Bias died 36 hours later of an accidental cocaine overdose. Despite
2646-581: The fast break . Keaney was a native of Boston, Massachusetts , and attended Cambridge Latin School , graduating in 1906. He graduated from Bates College , where he played several sports, in 1911. He was the head football coach at Everett High School in Massachusetts from 1917 to 1919. He coached at Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island ) from 1920 to 1948 and taught
2744-414: The 1969 season, effectively ending a Celtics dynasty that had garnered an unrivaled 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons. The team's run of 8 consecutive is the longest championship streak in U.S. professional sports history, with Russell's 11 titles being the most won by an NBA player . The 1969–70 season was a rebuilding year, as the Celtics had their first losing record since the 1949–50 season . However, with
2842-556: The 1981 NBA championship over the Houston Rockets , with Maxwell being named NBA Finals MVP . Following the 1981–82 season , the Celtics once again met the 76ers in the playoffs. This time, they lost in seven games. In 1983 the Celtics were swept in the playoffs (a first for the franchise) by the Milwaukee Bucks; afterwards, Fitch resigned and the team was sold to new owners led by Don Gaston . In 1983–84 ,
2940-408: The 2010 off-season, with Perkins expected to be out until February 2011, the Celtics signed two former All-Star centers, Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal . Shaquille O'Neal's presence wound up leading to Perkins' departure: the Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury and had a 19–3 record in games when O'Neal played over 20 minutes. Consequently, Perkins
3038-456: The 2015–16 NBA season with a 48–34 record, earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. They played the fourth seed Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. After leading by 3 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1, guard Avery Bradley went down with a hamstring injury, making him sit out for the rest of the series. The Celtics lost the series 4–2 to the Hawks, ending their season. In
Keaney Gymnasium - Misplaced Pages Continue
3136-581: The All-Star Break, Kevin Garnett was injured in a loss against the Utah Jazz and missed the last 25 games of the season. Garnett was eventually shelved for the playoffs. The 2009 Celtics still finished with 62 victories, but their playoff run would end against the Magic in the second round. In 2009, with the return of Garnett from injury and the additions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels ,
3234-645: The Braves for "Tiny" Archibald, Billy Knight, and Marvin Barnes . The move turned Boston fans against Brown, both because Kunnert and Washington were seen as key pieces of the team's future and because Auerbach publicly stated that he was not consulted about the trade. The relationship between Brown and Auerbach worsened with Brown's decision to acquire Bob McAdoo in February 1979, in exchange for three first-round draft picks that Auerbach had planned to use to rebuild
3332-468: The Celtics having only six players under contract. While Kevin Garnett was signed to a new contract, Ray Allen signed with the Miami Heat for less money than the Celtics offered; this move brought the five-year "Big Three" era to a somewhat acrimonious end. The Celtics finished the season with 41 wins. The Celtics trailed the New York Knicks 3–0 in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs before losing
3430-486: The Celtics into the greatest period in franchise history, winning eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966 . After Russell became the team's player-coach , as well as the first African American head coach in any United States sport, they won back-to-back titles in 1968 and 1969 . The Celtics entered a period of rebuilding after Russell retired in 1969. In the mid-1970s, the Celtics became contenders once again, winning championships in 1974 and 1976 under
3528-600: The Celtics moved from the Boston Garden to the Fleet Center (later TD BankNorth, then TD Garden ). Carr fired Chris Ford and took the coaching reins himself. After drafting Providence College star Eric Williams, the Celtics struggled to a 33–49 record. Things got worse in 1996–97 as the Celtics lost a franchise-record 67 games, setting an unwanted NBA record winning only once against other Atlantic Division teams and just fifteen victories overall. In spite of
3626-410: The Celtics started the season 23–5 and at one point had the best record in the NBA. However, Doc Rivers decided to lessen his aging stars' minutes to keep them fresh for the playoffs. As a result, the Celtics sputtered to an even 27–27 record the rest of the way and finished the 2009–10 regular season with a 50–32 record. Despite being the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics managed to make
3724-405: The Celtics under new coach K. C. Jones would go 62–20 and return to the NBA Finals after a three-year hiatus. Boston came back from a 2–1 deficit to defeat the Lakers for their 15th championship. Bird renewed his college rivalry with Lakers star Magic Johnson during this series. After the season, Auerbach officially retired as general manager, but maintained the position of team president. He
3822-495: The Celtics until 1992, won three NBA championships together, and were later described as the best NBA frontcourt of all time. Despite losing center Dave Cowens to retirement late in training camp, the Celtics went 62–20 under coach Bill Fitch in 1980–81 . Once again, the Celtics faced the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals, falling behind 3–1 before coming back to win Game Seven, 91–90. The Celtics went on to win
3920-553: The Celtics used the third pick to select freshman forward Jayson Tatum . During the off-season, the team signed Gordon Hayward . On August 22, 2017, the Celtics agreed to a deal that sent Isaiah Thomas , Jae Crowder , Ante Žižić, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving . By the end of the off-season, only four Celtics' players remained from
4018-485: The Celtics' 10th overall pick. Pierce had an immediate impact during the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season , averaging 19.5 points and being named Rookie of The Month in February as he led the league in steals. However, the Celtics continued to struggle as Pitino failed to achieve meaningful success. After Boston lost to the Toronto Raptors on March 1, 2000, on a buzzer-beater by Vince Carter , Pitino delivered
Keaney Gymnasium - Misplaced Pages Continue
4116-586: The Celtics' first missed playoffs since the "Big Three". The next off-season, the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart with the 6th overall pick and James Young with the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft , and signed Evan Turner . The 2014–15 season had several roster moves, the most prominent being Rondo and rookie Dwight Powell traded to the Dallas Mavericks for center Brandan Wright , forward Jae Crowder , veteran point guard Jameer Nelson , and future picks. A total of 22 players spent time with
4214-537: The Celtics, leading scorer and rebounder Sullinger suffered a season-ending left metatarsal stress fracture, and the team was only tenth in the East with 28 games remaining. However, midseason acquisition Isaiah Thomas helped the team win 22 of their last 34 games, finishing the season with a 40–42 record, enough for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs . The Celtics were swept by
4312-487: The Conference Finals. The Celtics finished the 2018–19 season with a 49–33 record. Analysts started questioning the team's performance and chances for the championship when the Celtics had a 10–10 record after the first 20 games on November 24, 2018. The Celtics then won the next eight games improving their record to 18–10. During the eight-game win streak, the Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 128–95,
4410-539: The Draft Lottery. In the summer of 2007, general manager Danny Ainge made a series of moves that returned the Celtics to prominence. On draft night, he traded No. 5 pick Jeff Green , Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to Seattle for perennial All-Star Ray Allen and Seattle's second-round pick, which the team used to select LSU's Glen "Big Baby" Davis . The Celtics then traded Ryan Gomes , Gerald Green , Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff , Sebastian Telfair , and
4508-548: The Eastern Division. Then, on August 3, 1949, the team became part of the National Basketball Association following the merger of the BAA and rival National Basketball League . In 1950, the Celtics signed Chuck Cooper , becoming the first NBA franchise to draft a black player. Chuck Connors of The Rifleman fame was an original member of the Celtics in 1946. The Celtics struggled during their early years, until
4606-662: The Indiana Pacers in the first round, the Celtics lost a seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series to the Cleveland Cavaliers . Back injuries limited Bird to only 45 regular season games, and just four of ten in the playoffs. After thirteen NBA seasons and a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics with the Dream Team , continued back trouble led Bird to retire in 1992. The loss of Bird and
4704-486: The NBA, becoming a perennial All-Star after leaving the Celtics. The Celtics entered the 2001–02 season with low expectations. The team's success in the latter stages of 2000–01 was largely forgotten, and critics were surprised when the team, along with the New Jersey Nets , surged to the top of the Atlantic Division ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers, who were fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals . The Celtics won
4802-470: The New York Knicks 128–100, and also defeated the Chicago Bulls by 56 points (133–77), setting a record for the largest margin in a victory in franchise history, while also tying the record for largest victory margin by an away team. The Celtics finished the regular season in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. During an April 7 game, Marcus Smart injured his hip and was ruled out for the rest of
4900-628: The Rams being dubbed "The Firehouse Gang". During his tenure the URI team had four National Invitation Tournament appearances. Keaney's career record with the men's basketball team was 401–124 (.764). After retiring from coaching collegiate basketball, Keaney was offered the position of head coach of the Boston Celtics . Keaney's doctor, however, refused to let him take the job. He remained at URI as athletic director until 1959. The university named
4998-542: The acquisition of Paul Silas and future Hall of Famers Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White , the Celtics soon became dominant again. After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1972, the Celtics regrouped and came out determined in 1973 and posted an excellent 68–14 regular season record. But the season ended in disappointment, as they were upset in seven games by the New York Knicks in the Conference Finals. John Havlicek injured his right shoulder in game six and
SECTION 50
#17327869567845096-479: The aging of the team's other veteran stars forced coach Chris Ford into rebuilding mode. Hopes centered on 26-year-old Reggie Lewis , a small forward out of Boston's Northeastern University . In the first round of the 1993 playoffs Lewis fainted during Boston's four-game series loss by the Charlotte Hornets . An examination revealed heart problems, but Lewis was able to get doctors to clear him for
5194-422: The change from local media. Unfortunately for the franchise, Pitino was not the savior everyone hoped he would be. Auerbach bore the insult of being elbowed out with dignity, even as the team failed to improve. The Celtics received the third and sixth draft picks in the 1997 NBA draft , and used the picks to select a brand new backcourt through Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer . The young team that lost 67 games
5292-453: The emergence of 1st-round draft pick Antoine Walker , Carr resigned after the season ended, while Rick Pitino was hired to join the franchise as the team's president, director of basketball operations, and head coach , reportedly on a $ 70 million ten-year contract. Volk resigned on May 7, 1997. Pitino's appointment as team president was controversial as Auerbach, the incumbent who had filled that role for more than 25 years, first heard about
5390-535: The first African-American coach in any U.S. pro sport. Auerbach would remain the general manager, a position he would hold well into the 1980s. However, the Celtics' string of NBA titles ended when they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1967 Eastern Conference Finals. The aging team managed two more championships in 1968 and 1969, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers each time. Russell retired after
5488-461: The first round yet again, with the series culminating in an embarrassing 27-point loss in Game 7 at the Fleet Center . After the season Walker was traded again, this time to the Miami Heat . Despite Pierce's career season, in which he averaged career-highs in points (26.8), the Celtics missed the playoffs with a 33–49 record, owing largely to a young roster and constant roster shuffling, which saw
5586-481: The fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Celtics faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, beating them in six games led by strong play from Pierce and Garnett. In the conference semifinals, the Celtics defeated the 76ers in seven games. The Celtics faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing in seven games to the eventual NBA champions. The 2012 off-season started with
5684-411: The fourth-longest winning streak in the teams' history. The Celtics finished the year with a 55–27 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in seven games, and continued the feat in the Conference Semifinals by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in
5782-468: The franchise. Again, Brown made the trade without consulting Auerbach. Auerbach almost left Boston to take a job with the New York Knicks as a result. With public support strongly behind Auerbach, Brown sold the team to Harry Mangurian in 1979 rather than run the risk of losing his famed general manager. The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29–53. Newcomers Chris Ford , Rick Robey , Cedric Maxwell and Nate Archibald failed to reverse
5880-921: The gymnasium also once hosted concerts for the university's students. Past performers include The Band (1970), Santana (1970), Joe Cocker (1970), Chicago (1970), The Beach Boys (1971 and 1973), Fairport Convention and Traffic (1971), Cat Stevens and Mimi Fariña (1971), Blue Öyster Cult (1971), The Byrds (1971), New Riders of the Purple Sage (1972), Jim Croce (1973), Bruce Springsteen (1973), The Flying Burrito Brothers (1975), A Flock of Seagulls (1982), Squeeze (1982 and 1987), Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe (1989), Bob Dylan (1989 and 2002), Red Hot Chili Peppers (1990), The Alarm and The Fixx (1992), Violent Femmes (1992 and 1996), and Evanescence (2007). 41°29′10″N 71°32′10″W / 41.485993°N 71.536182°W / 41.485993; -71.536182 This article about
5978-631: The head coach of Butler University , would replace Doc Rivers as head coach. Halfway through the season, in January, Rajon Rondo made his return and was named the 15th Team Captain in team history, and the team furthered the youth movement by acquiring two draft picks in a three-team trade that sent Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to the Golden State Warriors while the Celtics received the Heat center Joel Anthony . The 2013–14 season marked
SECTION 60
#17327869567846076-421: The hiring of coach Red Auerbach . In the franchise's early days, Auerbach had no assistants, ran all the practices, did all the scouting—both of opposing teams and college draft prospects—and scheduled all road trips. One of the first great players to join the Celtics was Bob Cousy , whom Auerbach initially refused to draft out of nearby Holy Cross because he was "too flashy". Cousy's contract eventually became
6174-455: The late 1950s, after the team, led by coach Red Auerbach , acquired Bill Russell in 1956, later becoming the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty. Led by Russell, Bob Cousy , and Tom Heinsohn , the Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1957 . Russell, along with a talented supporting cast of future Hall of Famers including Heinsohn, Don Nelson , K. C. Jones , John Havlicek , Sam Jones , Satch Sanders , and Bill Sharman , would usher
6272-501: The leadership of head coach Doc Rivers , the team defeated the Lakers to win their 17th championship in 2008 , while also losing to the Lakers in the 2010 Finals . Allen, Garnett, and Pierce were no longer with the team by the start of the 2013–14 season, with Garnett and Pierce being traded to the Brooklyn Nets for four total future first round picks. With two of these first round picks, the team drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Led by "The Jays" ,
6370-464: The leadership of head coach Tom Heinsohn with Dave Cowens , Havlicek, and Jo Jo White . In the 1980s, the Celtics returned to dominance. Anchored by the "Big Three" of Larry Bird , Kevin McHale , and Robert Parish , the team experienced a renewed rivalry with the "Showtime" Lakers and won championships in 1981 , 1984 , and 1986 , the latter two with head coach K. C. Jones against the Lakers. After
6468-422: The likes of Marcus Banks , Ricky Davis and Mark Blount traded for underachieving former first-overall pick Michael Olowokandi and former all-star Wally Szczerbiak . The Celtics continued to rebuild in the 2006 NBA draft . The Celtics selected Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo , who was to become a key piece in the team's revival. In the second round the Celtics added center Leon Powe . The 2006–07 season
6566-420: The memorable "walking through that door" speech, invoking Bird, McHale and Parish, which has been frequently cited over the years as a reality check for organizations wrestling with bygone glory. He resigned in January 2001. Following the resignation of Rick Pitino, the Celtics saw modest improvement under coach Jim O'Brien . Paul Pierce matured into an NBA star and was ably complemented by Antoine Walker and
6664-638: The most lopsided trades in NBA history, garnering a pair of future Hall of Famers for a pair of first-round draft picks. Seeking to improve the team immediately, Auerbach sent the team's two first-round draft picks to the Golden State Warriors for both center Robert Parish and the Warriors' first-round pick. He then used the pick the Celtics obtained from Golden State to select University of Minnesota power forward Kevin McHale . The "Big Three" of Bird, McHale and Parish played together for
6762-474: The next three games to fall 4–2. In 2003, the Celtics were sold by owner Paul Gaston to Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C., led by H. Irving Grousbeck , Wycliffe Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca . The team made it back to the playoffs but were swept by the Nets in the second round, despite bringing Game 4 to double overtime. Before their elimination, the team hired former Celtics' guard Danny Ainge as general manager, moving Chris Wallace to another position in
6860-481: The organization. Ainge believed the team had reached its peak and promptly sent Antoine Walker to the Dallas Mavericks (along with Tony Delk ). In return, the Celtics received the often-injured Raef LaFrentz , Chris Mills , Jiří Welsch , and a first-round pick in 2004 . The Celtics made the playoffs , only to be swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, losing all four games. The Celtics were
6958-411: The other players acquired over the years. While the team was 12–21 when Pitino left, O'Brien's record to finish the season was 24–24. Following the 2000–01 season O'Brien was given the job of head coach on a permanent basis. As a result of numerous trades, the Celtics had three picks in the 2001 NBA draft . They selected Joe Johnson , Joe Forte , and Kedrick Brown . Only Johnson managed to succeed in
7056-457: The players around whom Auerbach would build the champion Celtics for more than a decade. With Bill Russell , the Celtics advanced to the 1957 NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games, earning their first NBA title. In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals , this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games. Following the acquisition of K.C. Jones in 1958, the Celtics began
7154-431: The playoffs with a 32–50 mark. In 1994, the Celtics hired former player and legendary towel-waving cheerleader M. L. Carr as the team's new vice president of basketball operations. Working alongside general manager Jan Volk , Carr selected University of North Carolina star Eric Montross with Boston's first-round pick in the 1994 NBA draft . Montross became the new heir apparent in the paint, but failed to develop and
7252-643: The playoffs, needing seven games to defeat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round and another seven to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals. The Celtics then beat the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning two road games. For the 11th time in league history, and for the first time since 1987, the Celtics and the Lakers faced off in the NBA Finals. The Celtics won Game One at home 98–88, fueled by strong play by Garnett and Pierce's dramatic comeback from
7350-527: The property of the Chicago Stags , but when that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy went to the Celtics in a dispersal draft. After the 1955–56 season , Auerbach made a stunning trade, sending perennial All-Star Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks along with the draft rights to Cliff Hagan for the second overall pick in the draft. After negotiating with the Rochester Royals —a negotiation that included
7448-432: The regular season and the first round of the playoffs. In the 2019 playoffs , the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the first round, and then lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. The Celtics held four picks in the 2019 NBA draft . Following a series of transactions, the team landed Romeo Langford with the 14th pick and also added Grant Williams , Carsen Edwards , and Tremont Waters (2020 G-league Rookie of
7546-460: The retirements of Bird and McHale, the departure of Parish, and the untimely deaths of 1986 draft pick Len Bias and star player Reggie Lewis , the Celtics struggled through the 1990s and much of the early 2000s. After another period of rebuilding, the Celtics assembled a new "Big Three" around team captain Paul Pierce by acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the 2007 offseason. Under
7644-466: The second round, retired at the end of the season. The Celtics started the lockout-shortened season 0–3, as Pierce was out with a heel injury. At the All-Star break, the Celtics were below .500 with a 15–17 record. However, they were one of the hottest teams in the league after the break, going 24–10 the rest of the year and winning their fifth division title in a row. The Celtics made the playoffs as
7742-405: The second seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. In the 2015 NBA draft Boston selected Terry Rozier , R.J. Hunter , Jordan Mickey , and Marcus Thornton with the 16th, 28th, 33rd, and 45th selections respectively. During the off-season, the Celtics signed forward Amir Johnson and traded Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb in exchange for Warriors forward David Lee. The Celtics finished
7840-420: The series back to Boston. In Game 6, the Celtics overpowered the Lakers, winning 131–92 and clinching their 17th NBA title. Paul Pierce was named Finals MVP. With the win the Celtics set a record for most games a team had ever played in a postseason with 26. The 2008–09 Celtics started off the season at 27–2, the then-best starting record in NBA history. They also had a franchise-record 19-game streak. After
7938-475: The series in six games. In Game Six, the Celtics nearly completed a comeback when they went on a 20–0 run to cut the lead to four. During the off-season, head coach Doc Rivers was allowed to terminate his contract. He departed the Celtics to coach the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Celtics received a 2015 unprotected first-round pick as compensation. A few days later, Pierce, Garnett (who waived
8036-571: The series returned to Milwaukee. Cowens was the hero in Game 7, scoring 28 points, as the Celtics brought the title back to Boston for the first time in five years. In 1976, the team won yet another championship, defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games. The Finals featured one of the greatest games in NBA history. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Suns trailed early in the Boston Garden, but came back to force overtime. In double overtime,
8134-417: The starting lineup. The Celtics defeated St. Louis 97–84. Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn. The Celtics of the late 1950s–1960s are widely considered one of the most dominant teams of all time. Auerbach retired as coach after the 1965–66 season and Russell took over as player-coach, which was Auerbach's ploy to keep Russell interested. With his appointment Russell became
8232-549: The team returned to the NBA Finals in 2022 , losing to the Golden State Warriors , and defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 to secure their 18th championship. The "Celtics" nickname and the team's mascot "Lucky the Leprechaun" are nods to Boston's historically large Irish population , and also to the Original Celtics , a barnstorming basketball team that played in the early 20th century. The Celtics have
8330-509: The team's momentum. Larry Bird debuted for the Celtics during the 1979–80 season . With a new owner in place, Auerbach made a number of moves that would bring the team back to prominence. He almost immediately traded McAdoo, a former NBA scoring champion, to the Detroit Pistons for guard M. L. Carr , a defensive specialist, and two first-round picks in the 1980 NBA draft . He also picked up point guard Gerald Henderson from
8428-423: The third Celtic to score 20,000 points (the others are Larry Bird and John Havlicek), and Ray Allen broke the NBA record for most career three-pointers. The 2011 NBA playoffs started with the Celtics sweeping the New York Knicks 4–0 in the opening round. In the second round, they were ousted by eventual Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat in five games. Shaquille O'Neal, limited to 12 minutes in two games of
8526-530: The tragedy, the Celtics remained competitive in 1986–87 , going 59–23 and again winning the Eastern Conference Championship. They were defeated in the Finals by the Lakers in six games. In 1988, the Celtics lost in six games to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Following the season, head coach K.C. Jones retired and was replaced by assistant Jimmy Rodgers . Boston's hopes for 1988–89 faded when Bird underwent
8624-542: The wait. The team retained Bird's rights for one year and signed him soon after he led Indiana State to the NCAA championship game. In 1978, Celtics owner Irv Levin traded franchises with Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown Jr. Two weeks before the swap of franchises was made official, details of a six-player trade between the two teams were reported. Boston sent Freeman Williams , Kevin Kunnert , and Kermit Washington to
8722-549: The year before was dismantled, with David Wesley , Dino Rađa and Rick Fox being let go, and Williams traded to the Denver Nuggets for a pair of second round draft picks (Williams would return to the Celtics in 1999 and played for four years). Walter McCarty was also acquired in a trade with the Knicks. With a promising start, upsetting the defending champions Chicago Bulls at home on opening night, and hard play from
8820-522: The year). During the 2019 off-season, Irving and Horford signed with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively. Irving left, despite promising to stay in Boston. On June 30, 2019, the Celtics and point guard Kemba Walker agreed to a four-year maximum contract worth $ 141 million. On July 6, 2019, the Celtics officially acquired Walker in a sign and trade with the Charlotte Hornets;
8918-536: The youngsters that led to leaderships in turnovers and steals, the team improved its victories from 15 to 36 despite many losing streaks. Billups was subsequently traded to the Raptors during his rookie year, and Mercer was traded to the Nuggets during his third season. The following year in the 1998 NBA draft , the Celtics drafted Paul Pierce , a college star who had been expected to be drafted much earlier than
9016-453: Was a gloomy one for the franchise, starting with the death of Red Auerbach at 89. Auerbach was one of the few remaining people who had been a part of the NBA since its inception in 1946. The Celtics went 2–22 from late December 2006 through early February 2007 after losing Pierce to injury, the result of a stress reaction in his left foot. At first, the Celtics received a much-needed boost from guard Tony Allen but he tore his ACL and MCL on
9114-485: Was eventually traded. 1994–95 was the Celtics' final season in the Boston Garden . The Celtics signed aging Dominique Wilkins as a free agent, who led the team in scoring with 17.8 PPG. Second-year player Dino Rađa , a power forward from Croatia , added an interior presence the team had been lacking in 1993–94 . The Celtics made the playoffs, losing to the heavily favored Orlando Magic in four games. In 1995,
9212-516: Was fired and replaced by assistant coach and former Celtics player Chris Ford . Under Ford's leadership, the Celtics improved to 56–26 in 1990–91 , recapturing the Atlantic Division title even though Bird missed 22 games with several injuries. The Celtics again lost to the Pistons in the playoffs. In 1992, a late-season rally allowed a 51–31 Celtics team to catch the New York Knicks and repeat as Atlantic Division champions. After sweeping
9310-489: Was forced to play game seven shooting left-handed. The Celtics returned to the playoffs the next year, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1974 NBA Finals for their 12th NBA championship. Boston took a 3–2 series lead and had a chance to claim the title on their home court. The Bucks won Game Six in Boston when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar nestled in a hook shot with 3 seconds left in the game's second overtime, and
9408-523: Was selected for his second straight All-Star game and first All-NBA selection, finishing third in the league in scoring and fifth in MVP voting. For the 2017 NBA draft , the Celtics won the draft lottery, earning them the first pick. They were projected to select freshman guard Markelle Fultz , but the pick was subsequently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the third pick in the 2017 draft and future picks. The 76ers would go on to draft Fultz, while
9506-519: Was succeeded by Jan Volk . In 1985, the Lakers and Celtics met again in the Finals, with the Lakers winning. This was the first time the Lakers had defeated the Celtics in the Finals and the only time the team had won a championship at Boston Garden. During the following off-season, the Celtics acquired Bill Walton from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Cedric Maxwell . Walton had been an All-Star and league MVP while leading
9604-499: Was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in February, when the Celtics were 41–14 and led the Eastern Conference despite another rash of injuries. Following the trade, however, they proceeded to win only 15 of their final 27 games. They finished with a 56–26 record, sliding to the third seed. The 2010–11 season still provided three landmarks: The Celtics became the second team to reach 3,000 victories, Paul Pierce became
#783216