History of Boston Celtics in Timeline
The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, founded in 1946 as one of the NBA's original teams. Playing at TD Garden, they are the most successful team in NBA history, holding records for most championships (18) and most wins. They compete in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division and maintain a winning record against every team in the NBA.
June 6, 1946: Formation of the Boston Celtics
On June 6, 1946, the Boston Celtics were formed by Walter A. Brown as a team in the Basketball Association of America.
1946: Celtics Founded
In 1946, the Boston Celtics were founded as one of the original eight teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1946: Red Auerbach founding member of NBA since inception in 1946
Red Auerbach was one of the few remaining people who had been a part of the NBA since its inception in 1946. Auerbach passed away in 2006.
August 3, 1949: Joining the NBA
On August 3, 1949, the Boston Celtics became part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) following the merger of the BAA and rival National Basketball League.
1949: Blackhawks join NBA
In 1949, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks joined the NBA as part of the merger between the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America.
1950: Signing Chuck Cooper
In 1950, the Celtics signed Chuck Cooper, becoming the first NBA franchise to draft a black player.
1953: Johnny Most becomes radio announcer
In 1953, Johnny Most became the team's radio announcer, a position he held until 1990.
1956: Acquisition of Bill Russell
In 1956, the Celtics, led by coach Red Auerbach, acquired Bill Russell, who later became the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty.
1957: NBA Title Victory
In 1957, 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.
1957: First NBA Championship
In 1957, the Celtics, led by Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and Tom Heinsohn, won their first NBA championship.
1958: Acquisition of K.C. Jones
Following the acquisition of K.C. Jones in 1958, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade.
1958: NBA Finals Loss
In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games.
1959: First NBA Finals meeting between Celtics and Lakers
In 1959, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers began their rivalry, meeting for the first time in the NBA Finals.
1959: Start of Eight Consecutive Championships
In 1959, the Celtics began a period of dominance, winning eight consecutive NBA championships.
1959: NBA Championship
In 1959, the Celtics won the NBA championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers, the first of their record eight consecutive championships.
December 26, 1964: First All African-American Starting Lineup
On December 26, 1964, The Celtics became the first NBA team to have an all African-American starting lineup. Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tom Heinsohn, joining Tom 'Satch' Sanders, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, and Bill Russell in the starting lineup to defeat St. Louis 97–84.
1965: Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain rivalry peaks
From 1965 to 1968, the rivalry between Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics and Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers reached its peak.
1966: Eighth Consecutive NBA Championship
In 1966, the Celtics concluded their run of eight consecutive NBA championships.
1967: 76ers win NBA Finals
In 1967, the Philadelphia 76ers won the NBA Finals, disrupting the Boston Celtics' dominance in the 1960s.
1968: Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain rivalry peaks
From 1965 to 1968, the rivalry between Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics and Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers reached its peak.
1968: NBA Championship
In 1968, after Bill Russell became the team's player-coach, the Celtics won another NBA Championship.
1969: Back-to-Back Title and Russell's Retirement
In 1969, the Celtics won back-to-back titles, marking the end of the Celtics dynasty as Bill Russell retired.
1969: NBA Championship and Russell's Retirement
In 1969, the Celtics won the NBA championship again, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time, after which Bill Russell retired.
1974: 12th NBA Championship
In 1974, the Celtics returned to the playoffs, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1974 NBA Finals for their 12th NBA championship, bringing the title back to Boston for the first time in five years.
1976: NBA Championship
In 1976, the Celtics won another NBA championship, led by head coach Tom Heinsohn with Dave Cowens, Havlicek, and Jo Jo White.
1977: Bill Walton leads Portland Trail Blazers to NBA championship
In 1977, Bill Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA championship. He was later acquired by the Celtics during the following off-season in 1985.
1977: Playoff Appearance and Drafting Cedric Maxwell
In 1977, after a playoff appearance, the Celtics drafted Cedric Maxwell from UNC Charlotte.
1978: Drafting Larry Bird
In 1978, 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 the wait.
1979: Moves to Rebuild the Team
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, including trading Bob McAdoo and picking up Gerald Henderson.
1980: Larry Bird's Debut and Playoff Run
In 1980, Larry Bird debuted for the Celtics, winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors as the team went 61-21 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
1981: Mike Gorman becomes television announcer
In 1981, Mike Gorman became the television announcer for the Celtics, a role he served in until 2024.
1981: PRISM New England airs Celtics games
In 1981, PRISM New England, which later became NBC Sports Boston, started airing Boston Celtics games.
1981: NBA Championship Victory
In 1981, after going 62–20 in the regular season, the Celtics won the NBA championship over the Houston Rockets, with Cedric Maxwell being named NBA Finals MVP.
1983: Celtics hire new coach K.C. Jones
In 1983, K.C. Jones became the new coach for the Celtics.
1983: PRISM New England rebrands as SportsChannel New England
In 1983, PRISM New England rebranded as SportsChannel New England.
1983: Playoff Sweep and Sale of the Team
In 1983, the Celtics were swept in the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks, after which coach Bill Fitch resigned and the team was sold to new owners led by Don Gaston.
1984: Celtics and Wizards engage in a fight
In 1984, the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards engaged in a fight.
1984: NBA Championship
In 1984, the Celtics won the NBA championship, experiencing a renewed rivalry with the "Showtime" Lakers and led by head coach K. C. Jones.
1985: Return to Black Sneakers
In 1985, the Celtics returned to wearing their customary black sneakers due to the difficulty of producing the right shade of Celtic green for green sneakers.
1985: Celtics win against Pistons in playoffs
In 1985, the Celtics won against Pistons in playoffs.
1985: Lakers defeat Celtics in the Finals
In 1985, the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals, marking the first time the Lakers won a championship at Boston Garden and the first time they defeated the Celtics in the Finals.
1986: Bill Walton joins the Celtics
In 1986, Bill Walton, previously with the Los Angeles Clippers, joined the Celtics after being traded for Cedric Maxwell.
1986: Len Bias drafted and tragically dies
In 1986, the Celtics drafted Len Bias, but he tragically died 36 hours later due to a cocaine overdose. Despite this, the Celtics remained competitive and won the Eastern Conference Championship, later losing to the Lakers in the Finals.
1986: NBA Championship
In 1986, the Celtics won the NBA championship again under head coach K. C. Jones.
1987: Celtics and Lakers meet in the Finals
In 1987, the Celtics and Lakers met in the Finals.
1987: Celtics win against Pistons in playoffs
In 1987, the Celtics won against Pistons in playoffs.
1988: Celtics lose to Pistons in Eastern Conference Finals, K.C. Jones retires
In 1988, the Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Following the season, head coach K.C. Jones retired.
1988: Celtics first trip to Eastern Conference Finals since 1988
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 the next three games to fall 4–2.
1989: Bird undergoes surgery, Celtics struggle
In 1989, Larry Bird underwent a procedure to remove bone spurs in his feet, leading to the Celtics winning only 42 games and suffering a first-round playoff defeat to the Pistons.
1990: Celtics improve but lose to Pistons in playoffs
In 1990, under Chris Ford's leadership, the Celtics improved to 56–26 and won the Atlantic Division title, although Bird missed games due to injuries. The Celtics lost to the Pistons in the playoffs.
1990: Johnny Most departs
Johnny Most departs from being the team's radio announcer after serving since 1953.
1991: Celtics and Pistons meet in the NBA playoffs
In 1991, the Celtics and Pistons meet in the NBA playoffs.
1992: Celtics repeat as Atlantic Division champions, Bird retires
In 1992, the Celtics repeated as Atlantic Division champions, but Bird's back injuries limited his playing time. After the season, Larry Bird retired from the NBA.
1993: Reggie Lewis collapses and later dies
In 1993, during the playoffs, Reggie Lewis fainted during a game. Although cleared by doctors for a comeback, he died of a heart attack during the off-season.
1994: Carr hired as VP, Montross drafted, Celtics sign Wilkins
In 1994, M.L. Carr became the vice president of basketball operations, and the Celtics drafted Eric Montross. Dominique Wilkins was signed as a free agent and led the team in scoring.
1994: Parish signs with Charlotte, Celtics collapse
In 1994, Robert Parish signed with Charlotte, marking the end of the Celtics' original Big 3 era. The team collapsed and finished out of the playoffs.
1995: Celtics move to Fleet Center, Carr becomes coach
In 1995, the Celtics moved from Boston Garden to the Fleet Center. M.L. Carr fired Chris Ford and became the coach himself.
1996: Celtics set franchise record for losses, Carr resigns, Pitino hired
In 1996, the Celtics had a franchise-record 67 losses. Carr resigned after the season, and Rick Pitino was hired as president, director of basketball operations, and head coach.
May 7, 1997: Jan Volk Resigns
On May 7, 1997, Jan Volk resigned from the Boston Celtics organization.
1997: Celtics draft Billups and Mercer
In the 1997 NBA draft, the Celtics selected Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, and dismantled the young team that lost 67 games the year before.
1998: SportsChannel New England rebrands as Fox Sports New England
In 1998, SportsChannel New England rebranded as Fox Sports New England when Cablevision partnered with Liberty Media and News Corporation.
1998: Celtics draft Paul Pierce
In 1998, the Celtics drafted Paul Pierce, who had an immediate impact and was named Rookie of The Month in February during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season.
1999: Williams returns to the Celtics
In 1999, Eric Williams returned to the Celtics after being traded in 1997.
March 1, 2000: Pitino's "walking through that door" speech
On March 1, 2000, after a loss to the Toronto Raptors, Rick Pitino delivered the "walking through that door" speech, reflecting on the team's bygone glory.
2000: Modest improvement under Jim O'Brien
In 2000, following Rick Pitino's resignation, the Celtics saw modest improvement under coach Jim O'Brien, who finished the season with a 24-24 record.
January 2001: Pitino resigns
In January 2001, Rick Pitino resigned from his position as head coach of the Celtics.
2001: O'Brien becomes permanent head coach, Celtics draft Johnson, Forte, and Brown
Following the 2000–01 season, Jim O'Brien was given the job of head coach on a permanent basis. In the 2001 NBA draft, the Celtics selected Joe Johnson, Joe Forte, and Kedrick Brown.
2001: Fan barbs traded
In 2001, Celtics fans berated Kidd and his family with chants of "Wife Beater!" in response to Kidd's 2001 domestic abuse charge.
2001: Comcast Purchases Stake in FSN New England
In 2001, Comcast purchased Cablevision's original network stake in what was then FSN New England.
2001: Celtics enter season with low expectations
The Celtics entered the 2001-02 season with low expectations.
2002: Celtics and Nets rivalry heats up in 2002 Eastern Conference Finals
In 2002, the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets heated up during the Eastern Conference Finals, marked by trash-talking and fan altercations. Bill Walton remarked about the Nets-Celtics being the "beginning of the next great NBA rivalry".
2003: Suggestion to wear white sneakers
In 2003, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and captain Paul Pierce suggested wearing white sneakers, partly because many teams were wearing black sneakers.
2003: Celtics sold to Boston Basketball Partners, Ainge hired as GM
In 2003, the Celtics were sold to Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C. The team hired Danny Ainge as general manager.
2003: Nets sweep Celtics in 2003 playoffs
In 2003, the New Jersey Nets swept the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
2004: Celtics draft Jefferson, West, and Allen
During the 2004–05 season, the Celtics drafted Al Jefferson, Delonte West, and Tony Allen.
2004: Return of black sneakers for playoffs
In 2004, the Celtics brought back the black sneakers for all home games during the NBA playoffs.
2004: Celtics swept by Pacers in first round of playoffs
In 2004, the Celtics made the playoffs but were swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.
2005: Black sneakers during NBA playoffs
In 2005, the Celtics wore black sneakers in one home game during the NBA playoffs.
December 2006: Celtics struggle after Pierce injury
Starting in late December 2006, the Celtics went 2-22 after losing Pierce to injury.
2006: Celtics' Record
The Boston Celtics had a poor season in 2006, which set the stage for a major turnaround the following year.
February 2007: Celtics continue to struggle into February 2007
The Celtics losing streak started December 2006 continued into early February 2007, after losing Pierce to injury.
2007: Comcast acquires FSN New England and rebrands as Comcast SportsNet New England
In 2007, Comcast acquired the remaining stake in FSN New England and rebranded the network as Comcast SportsNet New England.
2007: Celtics form "Big Three" with Allen and Garnett
In 2007, the Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, forming a new "Big Three" with Paul Pierce.
2007: Acquisition of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett
In 2007, the Celtics assembled a new "Big Three" around Paul Pierce by acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the offseason.
2007: Largest single-season turnaround in NBA history
In 2007, the Celtics had the largest single-season turnaround in NBA history, improving their record by 42 games compared to the 2006 season, finishing with a 66-16 record.
2008: Celtics defeat Lakers in 2008 NBA Finals
In 2008, the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to win the NBA Finals.
2008: Celtics defeat Pistons in 2008 Eastern Conference Finals
In 2008, the Boston Celtics, led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, defeated the Detroit Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals, advancing to the NBA Finals.
2008: Celtics and Lakers meet in the Finals
In 2008, the Celtics and Lakers renewed their rivalry by meeting in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987.
2008: Best starting record in NBA history
In 2008, the Celtics started the season with a 27-2 record, which was the best starting record in NBA history at the time, and also set a franchise record with a 19-game winning streak.
2008: St. Patrick's Day jersey with sneakers
In 2008, the Celtics wore white sneakers with green and gold accents while wearing their St. Patrick's Day jerseys on the road.
2008: 17th NBA Championship
In 2008, under the leadership of head coach Doc Rivers, the Celtics defeated the Lakers to win their 17th NBA championship.
2009: Garnett's injury and playoff exit
In 2009, Kevin Garnett was injured after the All-Star Break and missed the last 25 games of the season and the playoffs, leading to an early playoff exit for the Celtics in the second round against the Magic, despite finishing with 62 victories.
2009: Celtics' Season and Finals Appearance
In 2009, the Celtics started strong with Garnett's return and new additions, but Doc Rivers reduced star players' minutes, leading to a 50-32 regular season record. They reached the NBA Finals but lost in seven games after a key injury to Kendrick Perkins.
2009: Relaxation of rules on sneaker colors
Since 2009, the NBA relaxed its rules on specified sneaker colors, allowing Celtics players to wear custom-made and personalized sneakers at home and on the road.
2010: Celtics Sign Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal
During the 2010 off-season, with Perkins expected to be out until February 2011, the Celtics signed former All-Star centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal.
2010: Celtics and Lakers meet in the Finals
In 2010, the Celtics and Lakers meet once again in the NBA Finals.
2010: NBA Finals Loss
In 2010, the Celtics lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
2010: Lakers defeat Celtics in 2010 NBA Finals
In 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games to win the NBA Finals.
2010: Celtics beat Heat in 2010 NBA Playoffs
In the 2010 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in 5 games.
February 2011: Perkins Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
In February 2011, Kendrick Perkins was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the Celtics were 41-14 and led the Eastern Conference, fueled by Shaquille O'Neal's presence.
2011: Discontinuation of Player Names on Warmup Jackets
In 2011, the Celtics discontinued the practice of wearing warmup jackets with player names on the back, switching to a templated jacket design common to all 30 teams.
2012: Garnett signed to a new contract, Ray Allen signed with the Miami Heat
In 2012, Kevin Garnett was signed to a new contract and Ray Allen signed with the Miami Heat, bringing the "Big Three" era to an end.
2012: Altercation occurs between Celtics and Nets players
In 2012, an on-court altercation between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets resulted in the ejection of Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace, and Kris Humphries, signaling a potential rekindling of the rivalry.
2012: Heat beat Celtics in 2012 Eastern Conference Finals
In the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in 7 games.
June 2013: Blockbuster trade deals Celtics stars to Nets
In June 2013, a blockbuster trade sent Boston Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, and others, effectively cooling off the rivalry.
July 3, 2013: Brad Stevens Hired as Head Coach
On July 3, 2013, the Celtics announced that Brad Stevens would replace Doc Rivers as head coach.
2013: Trade of Allen, Garnett, and Pierce
By the start of the 2013-14 season, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce were no longer with the Celtics, with Garnett and Pierce being traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
2013: Celtics trail Knicks 3-0 in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs
In 2013, The Celtics trailed the New York Knicks 3-0 in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs before losing the series in six games.
2013: Celtics games on WBZ-FM
Since the 2013-14 season, all Celtics games have been broadcast on radio through Beasley Broadcast Group's WBZ-FM (98.5, "The Sports Hub"), with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell as play-by-play announcers.
2014: Pierce and Garnett traded to the Brooklyn Nets
In 2014, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets for multiple players and future first-round draft picks.
2014: Celtics Draft Marcus Smart and James Young
In the 2014 NBA draft, the Celtics selected Marcus Smart with the 6th overall pick and James Young with the 17th overall pick.
2014: Marcus Smart's draft year
Marcus Smart, drafted in 2014, was the longest-tenured Celtic from the 2014 NBA draft.
2015: Celtics receive a first-round pick
In 2015, the Celtics received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation after Doc Rivers departed to coach the Los Angeles Clippers.
2015: Celtics and Wizards rivalry intensifies
In 2015, the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards intensified during a regular season game after Jae Crowder received a technical foul and exchanged words with Wizards coach Randy Wittman.
July 8, 2016: Celtics Sign Al Horford
On July 8, 2016, the Celtics signed four-time All-Star Al Horford.
2016: Changes to Celtics Players
By the end of the 2016 off-season, only four Celtics' players remained from the 2016–17 team.
2016: Crowder emphasizes Celtics' wins to Horford
In 2016, Jae Crowder emphasized the Boston Celtics' victories over the Washington Wizards to Al Horford, encouraging him to sign with the Celtics.
2016: Draft picks acquired by Celtics
In 2016, the Celtics acquired future first-round draft picks as part of the trade that sent Pierce and Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets.
2016: Drafting Jaylen Brown
In 2016, the Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown using one of the first-round picks acquired in the trade of Garnett and Pierce.
August 22, 2017: Celtics Trade for Kyrie Irving
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.
2017: CSN New England renamed NBC Sports New England
In 2017, Comcast SportsNet New England was renamed NBC Sports Regional Networks, referencing Comcast's ownership of NBCUniversal.
2017: Drafting Jayson Tatum
In 2017, the Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum using one of the first-round picks acquired in the trade of Garnett and Pierce.
2017: Right to swap first-round picks
In 2017, the Celtics had the right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn as part of the trade that sent Pierce and Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets.
2017: Celtics-Wizards rivalry continues in 2017 Playoffs
In the 2017 Playoffs, the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards rivalry continued with multiple altercations and heated moments, including flagrant fouls and ejections. The Celtics won the series.
November 24, 2018: Analysts Question Team's Performance
On November 24, 2018, analysts started questioning the team's performance when the Celtics had a 10–10 record after the first 20 games.
2018: Draft picks acquired by Celtics
In 2018, the Celtics acquired future first-round draft picks as part of the trade that sent Pierce and Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets.
2018: Brooklyn Nets first-round draft pick
In 2018, the Celtics traded the Brooklyn Nets' first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
June 30, 2019: Kemba Walker Agrees to Contract with Celtics
On June 30, 2019, the Celtics and point guard Kemba Walker agreed to a four-year maximum contract worth $141 million.
July 1, 2019: Celtics Agree to Contract with Enes Kanter
On July 1, 2019, the Celtics agreed to a two-year contract with center Enes Kanter.
July 6, 2019: Celtics Officially Acquire Kemba Walker
On July 6, 2019, the Celtics officially acquired Kemba Walker in a sign and trade with the Charlotte Hornets, sending Terry Rozier and a protected 2020 second-round draft pick to Charlotte in exchange.
2019: Suspension of NBA season
Following the suspension of the 2019-20 NBA season, the Celtics were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.
2019: Celtics' season and playoffs
In 2019, the Celtics finished the regular season in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, swept the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, and then lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
2020: Tremont Waters Named G-League Rookie of the Year
In 2020, Tremont Waters, drafted by the Celtics in 2019, was named G-League Rookie of the Year.
2020: Heat beat Celtics in 2020 Eastern Conference Finals
In the 2020 NBA Bubble, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2020: Celtics' Playoff Run
In the 2020 playoffs, the Celtics swept the Philadelphia 76ers, beat the Toronto Raptors in seven games, and lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.
June 2, 2021: Brad Stevens named President of Basketball Operations
On June 2, 2021, Brad Stevens was named the Boston Celtics' president of basketball operations, succeeding Danny Ainge after Ainge's retirement.
June 23, 2021: Ime Udoka hired as Celtics Head Coach
On June 23, 2021, it was reported that Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, replacing Brad Stevens, who had transitioned to president of basketball operations.
April 2022: Celtics qualify for 2022 NBA playoffs
In April 2022, the Celtics secured their spot in the 2022 NBA playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51–31 record. They advanced to the NBA Finals after defeating the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, but lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-2.
2022: NBA Finals Loss to Warriors
In 2022, led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals, losing to the Golden State Warriors.
2022: Celtics wear Bill Russell memorial patch
In 2022, the Boston Celtics, along with the rest of the NBA, began wearing a black no. 6 patch on their jerseys in memory of Bill Russell.
2022: Udoka suspended for the 2022-23 season
In September of 2022, Celtics suspended Udoka for the whole 2022–23 season for engaging in an improper intimate relationship with a female staffer.
2022: Celtics beat Heat in 2022 Eastern Conference Finals
In the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in 7 games.
October 1, 2023: Celtics acquire Jrue Holiday
On October 1, 2023, the Boston Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday in a trade, exchanging Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two draft picks.
2023: Celtics acquire Kristaps Porziņģis during the 2023 off-season
During the 2023 off-season, the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porziņģis from the Wizards, trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the deal.
2023: Heat beat Celtics in 2023 Eastern Conference Finals
In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in 7 games after leading 3-0.
February 7, 2024: Celtics acquire Xavier Tillman
On February 7, 2024, the Boston Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies before the trade deadline.
May 27, 2024: Celtics win Eastern Conference Finals; Jaylen Brown named MVP
On May 27, 2024, the Boston Celtics won the Eastern Conference Finals, and Jaylen Brown was named the NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP, receiving the Larry Bird trophy.
2024: Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine as announcers
As of the 2024-25 season, Drew Carter serves as the television play-by-play announcer with Brian Scalabrine as an analyst.
2024: 18th NBA Championship
In 2024, the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks to secure their 18th NBA championship.
2024: Celtics beat Heat in 2024 first round
In the 2024 first round, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in 5 games.
2024: Mike Gorman departs
Mike Gorman departs from being the team's television announcer after serving since 1981.
May 2025: Team Sold to William Chisholm
In May 2025, the Boston Celtics were sold to private equity investor William Chisholm for $6.1 billion, making it the highest ever valued transaction for a sports franchise in North America.
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