One of the most storied franchises in NBA history, the Boston Celtics are gunning to regain their place as one of the best teams in the league. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis leading the line, it is do-or-die time for the Celtics as they try to add one more banner to their already illustrious franchise.
Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have all brought championship glory to the Celtics. Therefore, it would almost be an indictment on the legacies of Tatum and Brown if players of their calibre fail to take the Celtics back to their winning ways.
How many times have the Celtics made the playoffs?
Since being founded in 1946, the Celtics have made the playoffs an astonishing 60 times. This is a testament not only to their front office, but also to the plethora of great players who have taken the court for the team. In recent memory, the Celtics have been one of the most consistent teams in NBA history. They have made the playoffs in the last 10 seasons and 16 of the last 17 seasons.
Boston Celtics Playoff Record
The Boston Celtics have a record of 407-312 in the NBA playoffs and have the most playoff wins in NBA history. In recent memory, some of the fiercest rivals that the Celtics have faced in the Eastern Conference are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat.
While the Celtics have held the advantage when it comes to matching up with the Philadelphia 76ers, beating them three straight times in the playoffs, the Heat have continued to have their number, beating them in two of the last three times they have faced each other in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Heat and Celtics rivalry is something to keep an eye on as we inch towards the NBA playoffs as the two teams are poised to meet again at some point in the playoffs.
Number of conference championships won
In modern NBA history, the Celtics have made the conference finals 24 times, winning 10 of those. Their most recent conference finals victory came in 2022 when they defeated the Miami Heat in seven games to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2010.
In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics dug a 3-0 hole against the same Miami Heat team and then somehow improbably forced a Game 7, which they then lost. After key acquisitions in the offseason, the Celtics are primed to make another run at the Eastern Conference title in 2024.
Number of NBA championships won
The Boston Celtics have won a total of 17 championships in their franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in NBA history. Bill Russell is responsible for 11 of them as he led the Celtics to an unreal 11 titles in his 13 seasons representing the Celtics.
| Year | Head Coach | Opponent | Finals score |
| 1957 | Red Auerbach | Hawks | 4-3 |
| 1959 | Red Auerbach | Lakers | 4-0 |
| 1960 | Red Auerbach | Hawks | 4-3 |
| 1961 | Red Auerbach | Hawks | 4-1 |
| 1962 | Red Auerbach | Lakers | 4-3 |
| 1963 | Red Auerbach | Lakers | 4-2 |
| 1964 | Red Auerbach | Warriors | 4-1 |
| 1965 | Red Auerbach | Lakers | 4-1 |
| 1966 | Bill Russell | Lakers | 4-3 |
| 1968 | Bill Russell | Lakers | 4-2 |
| 1969 | Bill Russell | Lakers | 4-3 |
| 1974 | Sam Jones | Bucks | 4-3 |
| 1976 | Sam Jones | Suns | 4-3 |
| 1981 | Sam Jones | Rockets | 4-2 |
| 1984 | Sam Jones | Lakers | 4-3 |
| 1986 | Sam Jones | Rockets | 4-2 |
| 2008 | Doc Rivers | Lakers | 4-2 |
Boston Celtics Last Playoff Appearance
The last time the Celtics made the playoffs was in the 2022-23 season. In that season, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the first round in six games, took down the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round in seven games, and then lost to the Miami Heat in seven games, which turned out to be one of the most memorable playoff series in recent memory.
What is the biggest playoff series comeback in Boston Celtics history?
While the Celtics are not known to be a team to make big playoff comebacks, in the 2003 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics made a 26-point comeback against the New Jersey Nets in Game 3. More recently, the Celtics tried to become the first team to erase a 3-0 deficit in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat and came dangerously close before losing Game 7.
FAQs on Boston Celtics Playoff History
A. The last time the Boston Celtics were in the NBA Finals was in 2022 when they faced the Golden State Warriors.
A. Historically, the Celtics biggest rival has been the Los Angeles Lakers.
A. The Celtics have won 17 championships in franchise history.
A. The Celtics have won 407 playoff games in franchise history as of March 2024.
