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This is a list of seasons completed by the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. It documents the team’s season-by-season records, including postseason records, and also includes year-end awards won by the team's players and/or coaches.
With 18 NBA championships, the Celtics have the most amongst all NBA franchises, while the 1959-to-1966 domination of the NBA Championship, with eight straight titles, is the longest consecutive championship winning streak of any major North American professional sport team to date. Following this, the Celtics had two major periods of success separated by quite poor seasons during rebuilding. Between 1971–72 and 1975–76 the Celtics, led by Dave Cowens and John Havlicek, won 294 of 410 regular season games and reached the conference finals in each of those five seasons, winning two more NBA championships, whilst between 1979–80 and 1987–88 led by the frontcourt of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish the Celtics won 550 of 742 regular season games and reached every Conference Final except for 1982–83 when they were swept in the conference semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics have had 13 separate seasons where they won 60 or more regular season contests, the highest number for any franchise.
Between 1993–94 and 2006–07 the Celtics had their single sustained period of failure, with an overall win percent of .423 and only twice getting beyond the first playoff round. With the acquisition of Kevin Garnett for 2007–08, the Celtics achieved a record single-season rise in win percentage to claim their first title in twenty-two seasons, in the process achieving the best average point differential between the 1995–96 Bulls and the 2015–16 Warriors.[1] The team remained a power until after the 2011 lockout, but lost to the Warriors in 2022. However the team returned to championship glory in 2024, where they became a powerhouse with 64 wins.
The Celtics are 27–9 all-time in seventh games of playoff series,[2] and 7–1 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2023–24 season.
NBA champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth |
Season | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1946–47 | — | — | Eastern | 5th | 22 | 38 | .367 | 27 | — | — | John Russell | [3] |
1947–48 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd | 20 | 28 | .417 | 7 | Lost First round (Stags) 2–1 | — | [4] | |
1948–49 | — | — | Eastern | 5th | 25 | 35 | .417 | 13 | — | — | Alvin Julian | [5] |
1949–50 | — | — | Eastern | 6th | 22 | 46 | .324 | 31 | — | — | [6] | |
1950–51 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 39 | 30 | .565 | 2.5 | Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–0 | Ed Macauley (ASG MVP) | Red Auerbach | [7] |
1951–52 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 39 | 27 | .591 | 1 | Lost Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1 | — | [8] | |
1952–53 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd | 46 | 25 | .648 | 1.5 | Won Division semifinals (Nationals) 2–0 Lost Division finals (Knicks) 3–1 |
— | [9] | |
1953–54 | — | — | Eastern | T-2nd | 42 | 30 | .583 | 2 | Advanced Divisional Semifinals 2-2
Lost Division finals (Nationals) 2–0 |
Bob Cousy (ASG MVP) | [10] | |
1954–55 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd | 36 | 36 | .500 | 7 | Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 2–1 Lost Division finals (Nationals) 3–1 |
Bill Sharman (ASG MVP) | [11] | |
1955–56 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 39 | 33 | .542 | 6 | Lost Division semifinals (Nationals) 2–1 | — | [12] | |
1956–57 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 44 | 28 | .611 | — | Won Division finals (Nationals) 3–0 Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–3 |
Bob Cousy (MVP, ASG MVP) Tom Heinsohn (ROY) |
[13] | |
1957–58 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 49 | 23 | .681 | — | Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–1 Lost NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–2 |
Bill Russell (MVP) | [14] | |
1958–59 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 52 | 20 | .722 | — | Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–0 |
— | [15] | |
1959–60 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 59 | 16 | .787 | — | Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–3 |
— | [16] | |
1960–61 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 57 | 22 | .722 | — | Won Division finals (Nationals) 4–1 Won NBA Finals (Hawks) 4–1 |
Bill Russell (MVP) | [17] | |
1961–62 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 60 | 20 | .750 | — | Won Division finals (Warriors) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 |
Bill Russell (MVP) | [18] | |
1962–63 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 58 | 22 | .725 | — | Won Division finals (Royals) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 |
Bill Russell (MVP, ASG MVP) | [19] | |
1963–64 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 59 | 21 | .738 | — | Won Division finals (Royals) 4–1 Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1 |
— | [20] | |
1964–65 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 62 | 18 | .775 | — | Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–1 |
Bill Russell (MVP) Red Auerbach (COY) |
[21] | |
1965–66 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 54 | 26 | .675 | 1 | Won Division semifinals (Royals) 3–2 Won Division finals (76ers) 4–1 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 |
— | [22] | |
1966–67 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 60 | 21 | .741 | 8 | Won Division semifinals (Knicks) 3–1 Lost Division finals (76ers) 4–1 |
— | Bill Russell | [23] |
1967–68 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 54 | 28 | .659 | 8 | Won Division semifinals (Pistons) 4–2 Won Division finals (76ers) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 |
— | [24] | |
1968–69 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 48 | 34 | .585 | 9 | Won Division semifinals (76ers) 4–1 Won Division finals (Knicks) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 |
— | [25] | |
1969–70 | — | — | Eastern | 6th | 34 | 48 | .415 | 26 | — | — | Tom Heinsohn | [26] |
1970–71 | Eastern | 5th | Atlantic | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 | — | Dave Cowens (ROY) | [27] | |
1971–72 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–1 |
— | [28] | |
1972–73 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 68 | 14 | .829 | — | Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Knicks) 4–3 |
Dave Cowens (MVP, ASG MVP) Tom Heinsohn (COY) |
[29] | |
1973–74 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2 Won conference finals (Knicks) 4–1 Won NBA Finals (Bucks) 4–3 |
John Havlicek (FMVP) | [30] | |
1974–75 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 60 | 22 | .732 | — | Won conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Bullets) 4–2 |
— | [31] | |
1975–76 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 54 | 28 | .659 | — | Won conference semifinals (Braves) 4–2 Won conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Suns) 4–2 |
Jo Jo White (FMVP) | [32] | |
1976–77 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 2nd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 6 | Won First round (Spurs) 2–0 Lost conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3 |
— | [33] | |
1977–78 | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 3rd | 32 | 50 | .390 | 23 | — | — | Tom Heinsohn Tom Sanders |
[34] |
1978–79 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 5th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 25 | — | — | Tom Sanders Dave Cowens | [35] |
1979–80 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Won conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–0 Lost conference finals (76ers) 4–1 |
Larry Bird (ROY) Bill Fitch (COY) Red Auerbach (EOY) |
Bill Fitch | [36] |
1980–81 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | Won conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–0 Won conference finals (76ers) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Rockets) 4–2 |
Cedric Maxwell (FMVP) Nate Archibald (ASG MVP) |
[37] | |
1981–82 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 63 | 19 | .768 | — | Won conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–1 Lost conference finals (76ers) 4–3 |
Larry Bird (ASG MVP) | [38] | |
1982–83 | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 56 | 26 | .683 | 9 | Won First round (Hawks) 2–1 Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–0 |
— | [39] | |
1983–84 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | Won First round (Bullets) 3–1 Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–3 Won conference finals (Bucks) 4–1 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 |
Larry Bird (MVP, FMVP) Kevin McHale (SIX) |
K. C. Jones | [40] |
1984–85 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 63 | 19 | .768 | — | Won First round (Cavaliers) 3–1 Won conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2 Won conference finals (76ers) 4–1 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 |
Larry Bird (MVP) Kevin McHale (SIX) |
[41] | |
1985–86 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 67 | 15 | .817 | — | Won First round (Bulls) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–1 Won conference finals (Bucks) 4–0 Won NBA Finals (Rockets) 4–2 |
Larry Bird (MVP, FMVP) Bill Walton (SIX) |
[42] | |
1986–87 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 59 | 23 | .720 | — | Won First round (Bulls) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–3 Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–3 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 |
— | [43] | |
1987–88 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | Won First round (Knicks) 3–1 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Pistons) 4–2 |
— | [44] | |
1988–89 | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 | Lost First round (Pistons) 3–0 | — | Jimmy Rodgers | [45] |
1989–90 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 2nd | 52 | 30 | .634 | 1 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–2 | — | [46] | |
1990–91 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won First round (Pacers) 3–2 Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–2 |
— | Chris Ford | [47] |
1991–92 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | Won First round (Pacers) 3–0 Lost conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3 |
— | [48] | |
1992–93 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 12 | Lost First round (Hornets) 3–1 | — | [49] | |
1993–94 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 5th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | — | — | [50] | |
1994–95 | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 3rd | 35 | 47 | .427 | 22 | Lost First round (Magic) 3–1 | — | [51] | |
1995–96 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 5th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 27 | — | — | M. L. Carr | [52] |
1996–97 | Eastern | 15th | Atlantic | 7th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 46 | — | — | [53] | |
1997–98 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 6th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 19 | — | — | Rick Pitino | [54] |
1998–99 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 5th | 19 | 31 | .380 | 14 | — | — | [55] | |
1999–00 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 17 | — | — | [56] | |
2000–01 | Eastern | 9th | Atlantic | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 20 | — | — | Rick Pitino Jim O'Brien |
[57] |
2001–02 | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 3 | Won First round (76ers) 3–2 Won conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Nets) 4–2 |
— | Jim O'Brien | [58] |
2002–03 | Eastern | 6th | Atlantic | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 5 | Won First round (Pacers) 4–2 Lost conference semifinals (Nets) 4–0 |
— | [59] | |
2003–04 | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 4th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 11 | Lost First round (Pacers) 4–0 | — | Jim O'Brien John Carroll |
[60] |
2004–05 | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 1st | 45 | 37 | .549 | — | Lost First round (Pacers) 4–3 | — | Doc Rivers | [61] |
2005–06 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 3rd | 33 | 49 | .402 | 16 | — | — | [62] | |
2006–07 | Eastern | 15th | Atlantic | 5th | 24 | 58 | .293 | 23 | — | — | [63] | |
2007–08 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 66 | 16 | .805 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3 Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–2 |
Paul Pierce (FMVP) Kevin Garnett (DPOY) Danny Ainge (EOY) |
[64] | |
2008–09 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 1st | 62 | 20 | .756 | — | Won First round (Bulls) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Magic) 4–3 |
— | [65] | |
2009–10 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 1st | 50 | 32 | .610 | — | Won First round (Heat) 4–1 Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–2 Won conference finals (Magic) 4–2 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 |
— | [66] | |
2010–11 | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | — | Won First round (Knicks) 4–0 Lost conference semifinals (Heat) 4–1 |
— | [67] | |
2011–12 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 1st | 39 | 27 | .591 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 4–2 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3 |
— | [68] | |
2012–13 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 3rd | 41 | 40 | .506 | 12.5 | Lost First round (Knicks) 4–2 | — | [69] | |
2013–14 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 4th | 25 | 57 | .305 | 23 | — | — | Brad Stevens | [70] |
2014–15 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 2nd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 9 | Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0 | — | [71] | |
2015–16 | Eastern | 5th | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 8 | Lost First round (Hawks) 4–2 | — | [72] | |
2016–17 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 53 | 29 | .646 | — | Won First round (Bulls) 4–2 Won conference semifinals (Wizards) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–1 |
— | [73] | |
2017–18 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 2nd | 55 | 27 | .671 | 4 | Won First round (Bucks) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–3 |
— | [74] | |
2018–19 | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 3rd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 9 | Won First round (Pacers) 4–0 Lost conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–1 |
— | [75] | |
2019–20 | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 24 | .667 | 7.5 | Won First round (76ers) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–2 |
— | [76] | |
2020–21 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 36 | 36 | .500 | 13 | Lost First round (Nets) 4–1 | — | [77] | |
2021–22 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | Won First round (Nets) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–3 Won conference finals (Heat) 4–3 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–2 |
Marcus Smart (DPOY) | Ime Udoka | [78] |
2022–23 | Eastern | 2nd | Atlantic | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | Won First round (Hawks) 4–2 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–3 |
Malcolm Brogdon (SIX) Jayson Tatum (ASG MVP) |
Joe Mazzulla | [79] |
2023–24 | Eastern | 1st | Atlantic | 1st | 64 | 18 | .780 | — | Won First round (Heat) 4–1 Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–1 Won conference finals (Pacers) 4–0 Won NBA Finals (Mavericks) 4–1 |
Jaylen Brown (FMVP) Brad Stevens (EOY) |
[80] | |
All-time regular & postseason record | 4,057 | 2,795 | .592 | 1946–present | ||||||||
All-time regular season record | 3,634 | 2,480 | .594 | |||||||||
All-time postseason record | 423 | 315 | .573 | Playoff Series Record: 93–44 |
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