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==History== {{main|History of the Boston Celtics}} ===1946β1950: Early years=== 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]] 4β1. In 1949, the team missed the playoffs, fifth in 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 (United States)|National Basketball League]].<ref>{{cite news |title=NBL, BAA merge, end pro net war |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republic-nbl-baa-merge-end-pro-net/149768648/ |access-date=21 June 2024 |work=The Republic |agency=UP |date=4 August 1949 |page=11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics History Highlights|url=https://www.bostoncelticshistory.com/history-highlights/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=BostonCelticsHistory.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226192523/https://www.bostoncelticshistory.com/history-highlights/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1950, the Celtics signed [[Chuck Cooper (basketball)|Chuck Cooper]], becoming the first NBA franchise to [[Draft (sports)|draft]] a black player.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 14, 2021|url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-top-moments-earl-lloyd-chuck-cooper-nat-clifton-new-path-nba|title=Top Moments: Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton blaze new path in NBA|work=NBA|access-date=December 27, 2022|archive-date=December 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227052447/https://www.nba.com/news/history-top-moments-earl-lloyd-chuck-cooper-nat-clifton-new-path-nba|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chuck Connors]] of ''[[The Rifleman]]'' fame was an original member of the Celtics in 1946.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/connoch01.html|title=Chuck Connors Stats|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519000250/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/connoch01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ===1950β1958: Arrival of Bob Cousy and Red Auerbach=== [[File:Bob Cousy NYWTS.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Bob Cousy]] played 13 years for the team, 6 of them ending in NBA titles]] The Celtics struggled during their early years, until the hiring of coach [[Red Auerbach]].<ref>Hilton, Lisette [https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/auerbach_red.html Auerbach's Celtics played as a team], espn.go.com/classic. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> In the franchise's early days, Auerbach had no assistants, ran all the practices, did all the scoutingβboth of opposing teams and college draft prospectsβand 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 [[College of the Holy Cross|Holy Cross]] because he was "too flashy".<ref>{{cite news|last=Schwartz|first=Larry|title=Celtics triedltimate passer|url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014144.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=January 8, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426074519/https://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014144.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cousy's contract eventually became the property of the [[Chicago Stags]],<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/players/cousy_bio.html Bob Cousy Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183941/http://www.nba.com/history/players/cousy_bio.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com/history, accessed February 1, 2008|</ref> but when that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy went to the Celtics in a dispersal draft. After the [[1955β56 NBA season|1955β56 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.<ref name="Hall of Fame">[http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-ed-macauley.html Ed Macauley], hoophall.com, accessed May 26, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071003101707/http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-ed-macauley.html |date=October 3, 2007 }}</ref> After negotiating with the [[Rochester Royals]]βa negotiation that included 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. 2βAuerbach used the pick to select [[University of San Francisco]] [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Bill Russell]].<ref>[http://davidkamp.com/2006/09/only_the_ball_was_brown_2.php Only the Ball Was Brown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320130826/http://davidkamp.com/2006/09/only_the_ball_was_brown_2.php |date=March 20, 2012 }}, daviskamp.com. Retrieved August 15, 2008.</ref> Auerbach also acquired Holy Cross standout, and 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year, [[Tom Heinsohn]].<ref name="recap1950s">[http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1950s.html Season Recap β 1950s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209150816/http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1950s.html |date=February 9, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved February 17, 2008.</ref> Both Russell and Heinsohn worked extraordinarily well with Cousy, and they were the players around whom Auerbach would build the champion Celtics for more than a decade.<ref name="recap1950s" /> 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.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/players/pettit_bio.html Bob Pettit Bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184005/http://www.nba.com/history/players/pettit_bio.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com/history. Retrieved February 28, 2007.</ref> In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the [[1958 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games.<ref>[http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/stlhawks/stlhawks.html St. Louis Hawks (1955β1968)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228121102/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/stlhawks/stlhawks.html |date=December 28, 2011 }}, sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved February 28, 2007.</ref> ===1958β1969: Decade-long dynasty=== {{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |total_width=350 |image1 = Bill russell dribbling (cropped).jpg |caption1 = [[Bill Russell]] starred on 11 NBA title teams in 13 years as a Celtic |image2 = Sam_Jones,_Boston_Celtics,_1969.jpg |caption2 = [[Sam Jones (basketball, born 1933)|Sam Jones]] played with the Celtics (1957β1969) winning 10 titles }} Following the acquisition of [[K.C. Jones]] in 1958, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade.<ref>[http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/celtics.html Boston Celtics (1946 β present)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513211811/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/celtics.html |date=May 13, 2012 }}, sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved October 9, 2008.</ref> In 1959, the Celtics won the NBA championship after sweeping the [[Minneapolis Lakers]], the first of their record eight consecutive championships.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html Los Angeles Lakers History], nba.com/lakers. Retrieved January 13, 2005. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184021/http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> 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 [[Satch Sanders|Tom 'Satch' Sanders]], K.C. Jones, [[Sam Jones (basketball, born 1933)|Sam Jones]], and Bill Russell in the starting lineup. The Celtics defeated St. Louis 97β84. Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn.<ref>[http://www.sportshistorytoday.com/celtics-start-black-team-december-26-1964/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102223034/http://www.sportshistorytoday.com/celtics-start-black-team-december-26-1964/|date=November 2, 2014}}., Retrieved November 2, 2014.</ref> The Celtics of the late 1950sβ1960s are widely considered one of the most dominant teams of all time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berube|first=Reagan|title=High Five|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/BHM2004_HighFive.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Celtics.com|access-date=October 21, 2018|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184034/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/BHM2004_HighFive.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Auerbach retired as coach after the 1965β66 season and Russell took over as player-coach, which was Auerbach's ploy to keep Russell interested.<ref>[http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=127 Celtics Coach Red Auerbach Retires] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021195310/http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=127 |date=October 21, 2011 }}, massmoments.org. Retrieved October 28, 2010.</ref> With his appointment Russell became 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.<ref>[http://www.blinkbits.com/blinks/boston_celtics Discover the Wisdom of Mankind on Boston Celtics] blinkbits.com. Retrieved July 16, 2005. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903042217/http://www.blinkbits.com/blinks/boston_celtics |date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref> Russell retired after the 1969 season, effectively ending a Celtics dynasty that had garnered an unrivaled 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/heritageweek2007/powerrankings6970.html Heritage Week: Power Rankings, 1969β70] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184050/http://www.nba.com/heritageweek2007/powerrankings6970.html |date=June 28, 2011 }} nba.com. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref> The team's run of 8 consecutive is the longest championship streak in U.S. professional sports history,<ref>[http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html "Unbreakable" Sports Records (The World Almanac)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802071249/http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html |date=August 2, 2009 }} worldalmanac.com. Retrieved April 13, 2007.</ref> with Russell's 11 titles being the [[List of NBA players with most championships|most won by an NBA player]]. ===1969β1978: Rebuilding and further success=== {{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |total_width=350 |image1 = John Havlicek 1960s.jpeg |caption1 = [[John Havlicek]], 16 years with the Celtics |image2 = Dave Cowens.jpeg |caption2 = [[Dave Cowens]], two titles and MVP in 1973 }} The 1969β70 season was a rebuilding year, as the Celtics had their first losing record since the [[1949β50 NBA season|1949β50 season]]. However, with the acquisition of [[Paul Silas]] and future Hall of Famers [[Dave Cowens]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/dave-cowens/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Dave Cowens|website=www.hoophall.com|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716102027/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/dave-cowens/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Jo Jo White]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/jo-jo-white/ |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Jo Jo White |access-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006160802/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/jo-jo-white/ |archive-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 68β14 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 was forced to play game seven shooting left-handed.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html Season Recaps β 1970s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209150820/http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html |date=February 9, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved August 2, 2003.</ref> The Celtics returned to the playoffs the next year, defeating the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in the [[1974 NBA Finals]] for their 12th NBA championship.<ref>[http://www2.jsonline.com/sports/buck/other/may01/bucks-finals2.asp Bucks NBA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216071455/http://www2.jsonline.com/sports/buck/other/may01/bucks-finals2.asp |date=December 16, 2008 }}, jsonline.com. Retrieved April 16, 2005.</ref> Boston took a 3β2 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 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, 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.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/suns/history/greatestgame_index.html Greatest Game Ever] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210025753/http://www.nba.com/suns/history/greatestgame_index.html |date=February 10, 2012 }}, nba.com/suns. Retrieved March 2, 2002.</ref> After the 1976 championship and a [[1977 NBA playoffs|playoff appearance in 1977]], Boston went into another rebuilding phase. In the [[1977 NBA draft]], the Celtics drafted a young forward from [[University of North Carolina at Charlotte|UNC Charlotte]] named [[Cedric Maxwell]].<ref>[http://www.sportsfilter.com/cat.cfm/sports/Basketball.html Boston Drafts Cedric Mexwell], sportsfilter.com. Retrieved December 2, 2001. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020408231011/http://www.sportsfilter.com/cat.cfm/sports/Basketball.html |date=April 8, 2002 }}</ref> "Cornbread" Maxwell did not contribute much in his rookie season, but he showed promise. Auerbach's job became even tougher following the [[1977β78 NBA season|1977β78 season]] in which they went 32β50 as Havlicek, the Celtics' all-time leading scorer, retired after 16 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retirement of Havlicek to Remove Another Link to. Celtic Glory Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/29/archives/retirement-of-havlicek-to-remove-another-link-to-celtic-glory-years.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 21, 2021 |date=January 29, 1978 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120065159/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/29/archives/retirement-of-havlicek-to-remove-another-link-to-celtic-glory-years.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the [[1978 NBA draft]].<ref>[http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/okla-thousand-point.html Oklahoma Sooners Official Athletic Site β Men's Basketball] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215113145/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/okla-thousand-point.html |date=February 15, 2008 }}, soonersports.com. Retrieved February 17, 2008.</ref> 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. 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.]]<ref>Distel, Dave (July 20, 1978). "Celtics for Braves: It's Not Chopped Liver for Levin". The Modesto Bee.</ref> 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 the Braves for "Tiny" Archibald, Billy Knight, and [[Marvin Barnes]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1978/07/17/822808/will-red-and-brown-harmonize-the-celtics-smoothly-changed-hands-but-the-new-owner-and-old-gm-have-yet-to-shake-on-it|title=WILL RED AND BROWN HARMONIZE?|first=Ron|last=Reid|website=Vault}}</ref> 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.<ref name="auto" /> ===1979β1992: Larry Bird era=== The relationship between Brown and Auerbach worsened with Brown's decision to acquire [[Bob McAdoo]] in February 1979,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/12/archives/knicks-send-mcadoo-to-celtics-for-3-picks-came-here-in-1976-mcadoo.html|title=Knicks Send McAdoo To Celtics for 3 Picks|first=Sam|last=Goldaper|date=February 12, 1979|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301121521/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/12/archives/knicks-send-mcadoo-to-celtics-for-3-picks-came-here-in-1976-mcadoo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in exchange for three first-round draft picks that Auerbach had planned to use to rebuild the franchise.<ref name="auto1">Golden, Daniel (May 10, 1987). "Brown Yearns for Old Kentucky Home; He'd Love to Return to the Governor's Mansion β And So Far, He's the Frontrunner". The Boston Globe.</ref> Again, Brown made the trade without consulting Auerbach.<ref>May, Peter (May 24, 2000). "Vindicated McAdoo Happily Heading for the Hall". The Boston Globe.</ref> Auerbach almost left Boston to take a job with the New York Knicks as a result.<ref name="auto1"/> 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.<ref>Pluto, Terry (1990). Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association. Simon and Schuster. {{ISBN|0-671-67390-4}} at 347.</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.nba.com/history/players/mcadoo_bio.html Bob McAdoo Bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301202703/http://www.nba.com/history/players/mcadoo_bio.html |date=March 1, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved August 9, 2001.</ref> The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29β53.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/timeline/ CNN/SI β 33: Timeline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605004844/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/timeline/ |date=June 5, 2012 }}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved April 2, 2002.</ref> Newcomers [[Chris Ford]], [[Rick Robey]], [[Cedric Maxwell]] and [[Nate Archibald]] failed to reverse the team's momentum.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/challenge_celtics1981.html All-Time Finals Challenge: 1981 Celtics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184156/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/challenge_celtics1981.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com. Retrieved June 4, 2000.</ref> [[File:Larry Bird Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|12 time All-Star [[Larry Bird]] played in the Celtics from 1979 to 1992. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.]] Larry Bird debuted for the Celtics during the [[1979β80 NBA season|1979β80 season]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html Boston Celtics History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022832/http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html |date=October 26, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved February 10, 2008.</ref> 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,<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/players/mcadoo_summary.html Bob McAdoo Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321145107/http://www.nba.com/history/players/mcadoo_summary.html |date=March 21, 2010 }}, nba.com/history. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref><!-- Under "Transactions" section --> a former NBA scoring champion, to the [[Detroit Pistons]] for [[guard (basketball)|guard]] [[M. L. Carr]], a defensive specialist, and two first-round picks in the [[1980 NBA draft]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /> He also picked up [[point guard]] [[Gerald Henderson]] from the [[Continental Basketball Association|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<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html Rookie of the Year Award Winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307060322/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html |date=March 7, 2011 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> the team went 61β21, 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.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1980.html 1980 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711100852/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1980.html |date=July 11, 2022 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> After the season, Auerbach completed one of 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 (basketball)|center]] [[Robert Parish]]<ref name="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 (basketball)|power forward]] [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1980s.html#1980 Complete First R<!-- article title -->ound Results β 1980β89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321192607/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1980s.html#1980 |date=March 21, 2010 }}, nba.com/history/draft. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> The "Big Three" of Bird, McHale and Parish played together for the Celtics until 1992, won three NBA championships together,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/top_trios_in_sports/bird_mchale_parish.html|title=RealClearSports β 1. Bird/McHale/Parish|first=Posted on 10 26 10 2:05 AM|last=UTC|website=www.realclearsports.com|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206145633/http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/top_trios_in_sports/bird_mchale_parish.html|archive-date=December 6, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and were later described as the best NBA frontcourt of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2004/07/12/376468/wheres-the-chief-robert-parish-left-the-game-vowing-never-to-return-but-like-his-old-teammates-from-boston-hes-no-longer-content-to-be-on-the-sideline|title=Where's the Chief? Robert Parish left the game vowing never to return. But like his old teammates from Boston, he's no longer content to be on the sideline|first=Leigh|last=Montville|website=Vault|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602143155/https://www.si.com/vault/2004/07/12/376468/wheres-the-chief-robert-parish-left-the-game-vowing-never-to-return-but-like-his-old-teammates-from-boston-hes-no-longer-content-to-be-on-the-sideline|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SPRj9R73tA0C&q=bird+mchale+parish+best+frontcourt&pg=PA83|title=Rivals: Legendary Matchups That Made Sports History|first1=David K.|last1=Wiggins|first2=R. Pierre|last2=Rodgers|date=October 4, 2012|publisher=University of Arkansas Press|isbn=9781610753494|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=birdbio>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html|title=Larry Bird Bio|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|work=NBA.com|access-date=August 17, 2007|archive-date=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113101905/http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1998-01-19-9801190125-story.html|title=FANS JUST SEE THAT NUMBER|first=JEFF JACOBS; Courant Sports|last=Columnist|website=courant.com|date=January 19, 1998|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301121506/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1998-01-19-9801190125-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Robert Parish Celtics.jpg|thumb|Robert Parish]] Despite losing [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Dave Cowens]] to retirement late in training camp, the Celtics went 62β20 under coach [[Bill Fitch]] in [[1980β81 NBA season|1980β81]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Season-by-Season Record|url=https://www.bostoncelticshistory.com/season-by-season-record/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=BostonCelticsHistory.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226191015/https://www.bostoncelticshistory.com/season-by-season-record/|url-status=live}}</ref> Once again, the Celtics faced the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals, falling behind 3β1 before coming back to win Game Seven, 91β90. The Celtics went on to win the 1981 NBA championship over the [[Houston Rockets]],<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981.html 1981 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712095419/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981.html |date=July 12, 2022 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> with Maxwell being named [[NBA Finals MVP]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/finalsmvps.html Finals MVP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812222132/http://www.nba.com/history/finalsmvps.html |date=August 12, 2017 }}, nba.com/history. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> Following the [[1981β82 NBA season|1981β82 season]], the Celtics once again met the 76ers in the playoffs. This time, they lost in seven games.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982.html 1982 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711135344/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982.html |date=July 11, 2022 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> In [[1982β83 NBA season|1983]] the Celtics were swept in the playoffs (a first for the franchise) by the Milwaukee Bucks;<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983.html 1983 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604201835/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983.html |date=June 4, 2020 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 7, 2010.</ref> afterwards, Fitch resigned and the team was sold to new owners led by [[Don Gaston]].<ref name="gaston" /> In [[1983β84 NBA season|1983β84]], the Celtics under new coach [[K. C. Jones]] would go 62β20 and return to the [[1984 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] after a three-year hiatus.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1984.html Boston Celtics Roster and Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711215434/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1984.html |date=July 11, 2022 }}, basketball-reference. Retrieved December 11, 2010.</ref> Boston came back from a 2β1 deficit to defeat the Lakers for their 15th championship.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/The1984NBAFinals_121203.html The 1984 NBA Finals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184428/http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/The1984NBAFinals_121203.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com. Retrieved December 11, 2010.</ref> 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.<ref name="red"/> He was succeeded by [[Jan Volk]].<ref name="red"/> In 1985, the Lakers and Celtics met again in the Finals, with the Lakers winning.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985.html 1985 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404191546/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985.html |date=April 4, 2020 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 11, 2010.</ref> 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]].<ref>[http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2007/11/postscript-on-walton-maxwell-trade.html Postscript on the Walton-Maxwell Trade] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710191524/http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2007/11/postscript-on-walton-maxwell-trade.html |date=July 10, 2012 }}, lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com September 7, 1985. Retrieved December 11, 2010.</ref> Walton had been an All-Star and league MVP while leading 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, College Park|University of Maryland]] star [[Len Bias]], one of the most heralded prospects of his era.<ref>Jackson, Scoop [https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/060619_bias The legend of Len Bias], sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.</ref> Bias died 36 hours later of an accidental cocaine overdose.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/bias/launch/biasfrnt.htm The Len Bias Tragedy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201915/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/bias/launch/biasfrnt.htm |date=June 28, 2011 }}, washingtonpost.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.</ref> Despite the tragedy, the Celtics remained competitive in [[1986β87 NBA season|1986β87]], going 59β23 and again winning the Eastern Conference Championship.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987.html 1987 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018123628/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987.html |date=October 18, 2011 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1988.html 1988 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711140305/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1988.html |date=July 11, 2022 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2010.</ref> Following the season, head coach K.C. Jones retired and was replaced by assistant [[Jimmy Rodgers (basketball)|Jimmy Rodgers]]. Boston's hopes for [[1988β89 NBA season|1988β89]] faded when Bird underwent 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 [[1989β90 NBA season|1989β90]] and led the Celtics to a 52β30 record. In the [[1990 NBA playoffs|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 was fired and replaced by assistant coach and former Celtics player [[Chris Ford]]. Under Ford's leadership, the Celtics improved to 56β26 in [[1990β91 NBA season|1990β91]], 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 51β31 Celtics team to catch the New York Knicks and repeat as Atlantic Division champions. After sweeping 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 [[1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona Olympics]] with the [[United States men's national basketball team|Dream Team]], continued back trouble led Bird to retire in 1992. ===1993β1998: Tragedy and decline=== The loss of Bird and the aging of the team's other veteran stars forced coach Chris Ford into rebuilding mode.<ref>{{cite news|title=Villanova to Retire Former Celtic Player, Coach Chris Ford's Jersey|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press-ford013006.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Celtics.com|date=January 30, 2006|access-date=October 21, 2018|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184439/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press-ford013006.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hopes centered on 26-year-old [[Reggie Lewis]], a [[small forward]] out of Boston's [[Northeastern University (Boston)|Northeastern University]]. In the [[1993 NBA playoffs|first round of the 1993 playoffs]] Lewis fainted during Boston's four-game series loss by the [[Charlotte Hornets]].<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1993.html 1993 NBA Playoff Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018131742/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1993.html |date=October 18, 2011 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2010.</ref> An examination revealed heart problems,<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/13/sports/pro-basketball-reggie-lewis-s-family-had-history-heart-problems-report-asserts.html Pro Basketball; Reggie Lewis's Family Had a History of Heart Problems, Report Asserts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220054153/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/13/sports/pro-basketball-reggie-lewis-s-family-had-history-heart-problems-report-asserts.html |date=December 20, 2011 }}. ''The New York Times''. September 13, 1993. Retrieved November 22, 2010.</ref> but Lewis was able to get doctors to clear him for a comeback. Before he could make it he died of a heart attack while shooting baskets at Brandeis University during the off-season.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100118093133/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101930809-162165,00.html Did Reggie Lewis Have to Die?], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. June 21, 2001. Retrieved November 22, 2010.</ref> The Celtics honored his memory by retiring his number 35.<ref name="lewis">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/070203_RememberingReggie.html|title=Remembering Reggie... β The Official Site of the Boston Celtics|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=October 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030133432/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/070203_RememberingReggie.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="parish">Editors of Publication International, Ltd. [http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/robert-parish-at.htm Robert Parish] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607223152/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/robert-parish-at.htm |date=June 7, 2013 }}, entertainment.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved November 22, 2010.</ref> The team collapsed, finishing out of the playoffs with a 32β50 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 at Chapel Hill|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 was eventually traded. [[1994β95 NBA season|1994β95]] 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 RaΔa]], a power forward from [[Croatia]], added an interior presence the team had been lacking in [[1993β94 NBA season|1993β94]]. The Celtics made the playoffs, losing to the heavily favored [[Orlando Magic]] in four games. In 1995, 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 33β49 record. Things got worse in [[1996β97 NBA season|1996β97]] as the Celtics lost a franchise-record 67 games, setting an unwanted [[imperfect season|NBA record]] winning only once against other Atlantic Division teams and just fifteen victories overall. In spite of 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dohrmann |first1=George |title=Pitino Is Lured by Celtic Green |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-07-sp-56236-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 21, 2021 |date=May 7, 1997 |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216062110/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-07-sp-56236-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Sam |title=Pity the Celtics with Pitino in charge |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-10-31-9710310050-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=November 21, 2021 |date=October 31, 1997 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120065604/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-10-31-9710310050-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 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]],<ref>[http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1990s.html#1997 Complete First round Results β 1990β99] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124032549/http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1990s.html#1997 |date=January 24, 2012 }} nba.com/history. Retrieved November 5, 2010.</ref> and used the picks to select a brand new backcourt through [[Chauncey Billups]] and [[Ron Mercer]]. The young team that lost 67 games the year before was dismantled, with [[David Wesley]], [[Dino RaΔa]] 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/02/sports/on-basketball-pitino-s-young-guns-overrun-the-bulls.html|title=On Basketball; Pitino's Young Guns Overrun The Bulls|first=Ira|last=Berkow|date=November 2, 1997|access-date=October 18, 2017|work=The New York Times|archive-date=December 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226114322/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/02/sports/on-basketball-pitino-s-young-guns-overrun-the-bulls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and hard play from the youngsters that led to leaderships in turnovers and steals, the team improved its victories from 15 to 36 despite many losing streaks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html#33|title=Boston Celtics History β Celtics.com β The official website of the Boston Celtics|first=Boston|last=Celtics|website=www.nba.com|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022832/http://www.nba.com/celtics/celtics_history.html#33|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-wins-without-pitino/|title=Boston Wins Without Pitino|website=[[CBS News]]|date=April 18, 1998|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806220339/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-wins-without-pitino/|url-status=live}}</ref> Billups was subsequently traded to the Raptors during his rookie year,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/19/sports/basketball-kenny-anderson-is-traded-to-celtics-in-7-player-deal.html|title=Basketball; Kenny Anderson Is Traded To Celtics in 7-Player Deal|first=Mike|last=Wise|date=February 19, 1998|access-date=October 18, 2017|work=The New York Times|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807070843/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/19/sports/basketball-kenny-anderson-is-traded-to-celtics-in-7-player-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Mercer was traded to the Nuggets during his third season.<ref>[http://www.celticslife.com/2012/05/what-hell-happened-toron-mercer.html What the Hell Happened to ... Ron Mercer?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528045940/http://www.celticslife.com/2012/05/what-hell-happened-toron-mercer.html |date=May 28, 2012 }}, celticslife.com May 25, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012.</ref> ===1998β2013: Paul Pierce era=== [[File:Paul Pierce 2008-01-13.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Drafted by the Celtics in 1998, [[Paul Pierce]] went on to star for the Celtics and later won the NBA Finals MVP Award when the team won the NBA championship in 2008]] The following year in the [[1998 NBA draft]], the Celtics drafted [[Paul Pierce]],<ref>[http://www.mynbadraft.com/1998 1998 NBA Draft History β Round 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208071107/http://www.mynbadraft.com/1998 |date=February 8, 2012 }}, mynbadraft.com. Retrieved June 4, 2004.</ref> a college star who had been expected to be drafted much earlier than the Celtics' 10th overall pick. Pierce had an immediate impact during the lockout-shortened [[1998β99 NBA season|1998β99 season]], averaging 19.5 points and being named [[NBA Rookie of the Month Award|Rookie of The Month]] in February as he led the league in steals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2479&dat=20000828&id=c1M1AAAAIBAJ&pg=1222,27991407|title=Philippine Daily Inquirer β Google News Archive Search|website=[[Google News]]|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010905/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2479&dat=20000828&id=c1M1AAAAIBAJ&pg=1222,27991407|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 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.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=There's something about Pitino and the Celtics|magazine=[[Sporting News|The Sporting News]]|date=March 13, 2000|author=D'Alessandro, Dave|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_11_224/ai_60498918/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708184710/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_11_224/ai_60498918/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2012|access-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> He resigned in January 2001.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/01/08/pitino_ap/ Pitino's resignation doesn't mean an end to his career] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112120435/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/01/08/pitino_ap/ |date=November 12, 2011 }}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com January 8, 2001. Retrieved January 9, 2001.</ref> Following the resignation of Rick Pitino, the Celtics saw modest improvement under coach [[Jim O'Brien (basketball, born 1952)|Jim O'Brien]]. [[Paul Pierce]] matured into an NBA star and was ably complemented by Antoine Walker and the other players acquired over the years. While the team was 12β21 when Pitino left, O'Brien's record to finish the season was 24β24.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ Franchise Index] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208143747/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ |date=December 8, 2006 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 3, 2005.</ref> Following the [[2000β01 NBA season|2000β01 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 (basketball)|Joe Johnson]], [[Joseph Forte|Joe Forte]], and [[Kedrick Brown]]. Only Johnson managed to succeed in the NBA, becoming a perennial All-Star after leaving the Celtics. The Celtics entered the [[2001β02 NBA season|2001β02 season]] with low expectations. The team's success in the latter stages of 2000β01 was largely forgotten, and critics were surprised when the team, along with the [[New Jersey Nets]], surged to the top of the [[Atlantic Division (NBA)|Atlantic Division]] ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers, who were fresh off a trip to the [[2001 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]]. The Celtics won a hard-fought 5-game series with the 76ers in the first round, 3β2. Pierce scored 46 points in the series-clinching game at the [[FleetCenter (Boston)|Fleet Center]]. In the Conference Semifinals, the Celtics defeated the favored Detroit Pistons 4β1. In their first trip to the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] Finals since [[1988 NBA playoffs|1988]], the Celtics jumped out to a 2β1 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 4β2.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2002.html 2002 NBA Playoffs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922012146/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2002.html |date=September 22, 2013 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2003.</ref> ====2003β2007: New ownership and arrival of Doc Rivers==== In 2003, the Celtics were sold by owner Paul Gaston to Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C.,<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/Partners_123102.html |title=Boston Basketball Partners Assume Ownership of Celtics Franchise |work=NBA.com |date=December 31, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184526/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/Partners_123102.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> led by [[H. Irving Grousbeck]], [[Wycliffe Grousbeck]] and [[Steve Pagliuca]]. The team made it back to the [[2003 NBA playoffs|playoffs]] but were swept by the Nets in the second round, despite bringing Game 4 to double overtime.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playoffs2003/ 2003 NBA Playoffs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107233033/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2003/ |date=November 7, 2018 }}, nba.com, accessed May 2, 2003.</ref> Before their elimination, the team hired former Celtics' guard [[Danny Ainge]] as general manager, moving Chris Wallace to another position in the organization. Ainge believed the team had reached its peak and promptly sent Antoine Walker to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] (along with [[Tony Delk]]).<ref>[http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/mavs_aquire_antoine_walker_boston.html Mavs Acquire [sic] Antoine Walker and Tony Delk from Boston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184548/http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/mavs_aquire_antoine_walker_boston.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com/mavericks. Retrieved April 6, 2006.</ref> In return, the Celtics received the often-injured [[Raef LaFrentz]], [[Chris Mills (basketball)|Chris Mills]], [[JiΕΓ Welsch]],<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/102003_CelticsAcquireLafrentz.html Celtics Acquire LaFrentz, Mills & Welsch From Mavericks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184616/http://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/102003_CelticsAcquireLafrentz.html |date=June 28, 2011 }}, nba.com. Retrieved April 6, 2005.</ref> and a first-round pick in [[2004 NBA draft|2004]]. The Celtics made the [[2004 NBA playoffs|playoffs]], only to be swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, losing all four games.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs2004/series?series=indbos 2004 NBA Playoffs], sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved June 14, 2004.</ref> [[File:Doc Rivers.JPG|thumb|150px|Head coach [[Doc Rivers]] led the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008.]] The Celtics were a young team under new coach [[Doc Rivers]] during the 2004β05 season,<ref>[https://archive.today/20120708065626/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_20_105/ai_n6160431/ Doc Rivers goes back to the bench, hired to coach Boston Celtics], findarticles.com May 17, 2004, accessed May 20, 2004.</ref> having drafted youngsters [[Al Jefferson]], [[Delonte West]] and [[Tony Allen (basketball)|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 45β37 and won their first [[NBA Atlantic Division|Atlantic Division]] title since [[1991β92 NBA season|1991β92]], receiving a boost from returning star Antoine Walker in mid-season. The Pacers defeated them in the first round yet again, with the series culminating in an embarrassing 27-point loss in Game 7 at the [[FleetCenter (Boston)|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 33β49 record, owing largely to a young roster and constant roster shuffling, which saw 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]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/draft-central/press062806-draft-rights-powe.html Celtics Acquire Draft Rights to Leon Powe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503174907/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/draft-central/press062806-draft-rights-powe.html |date=May 3, 2009 }}, nba.com, accessed April 7, 2008.</ref> The [[2006β07 NBA season|2006β07 season]] 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.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2642131 Legendary Celtics coach Auerbach dead at age 89], sports.espn.go.com October 29, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2006.</ref> The Celtics went 2β22 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 (basketball)|Tony Allen]] but he tore his [[anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] and [[medial collateral ligament|MCL]] on a needless dunk attempt after the whistle.<ref>Gil, Gideon [https://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2008/09/recovery_from_a.html Recovery from ACL tear took 6β9 months] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126223146/http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2008/09/recovery_from_a.html |date=January 26, 2012 }}, boston.com September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2008.</ref> The Celtics compiled a record of 24β58, second-worst in the NBA, including a franchise-record [[List of National Basketball Association longest losing streaks|18-game losing streak]].<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2866831 Celtics finished with second-worst record last season], sports.espn.go.com May 10, 2007, accessed May 14, 2008.</ref> 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 the Draft Lottery. ===={{anchor|The new big three}} 2007β2012: Pierce, Allen, and Garnett "Big Three" era==== 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 (basketball)|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 Davis (basketball)|Glen "Big Baby" Davis]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/draft/press062807-ray-allen-trade.html Celtics Acquire Seven-Time All-Star Ray Allen from Sonics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606003414/http://www.nba.com/celtics/draft/press062807-ray-allen-trade.html |date=June 6, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved July 12, 2007.</ref> The Celtics then traded [[Ryan Gomes]], [[Gerald Green]], Al Jefferson, [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Sebastian Telfair]], and a first-round draft pick to the Timberwolves in exchange for superstar power forward [[Kevin Garnett]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press073107-garnett.html Celtics Acquire 10-Time All-Star Kevin Garnett] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510050157/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press073107-garnett.html |date=May 10, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved July 31, 2007.</ref> These moves created a new "Big Three" of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. {{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |total_width=350 |image1 = Kevin Garnett in Green.jpg |caption1 = |image2 = RayAllen20.jpg |caption2 = |footer = [[Kevin Garnett]] and [[Ray Allen]] were key players in the Celtics' 2008 NBA title victory }} In the 2007β08 season, Celtics completed the largest single-season turnaround in [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] history. The team went 66β16 in the regular season, a 42-game improvement over its 2006β07 record. However, the team struggled in the early rounds of 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280530008|title=Pierce shoots Celtics to first Finals appearance since '87|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=May 30, 2008|access-date=May 30, 2008|archive-date=May 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516044149/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280530008|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 98β88, fueled by strong play by Garnett and Pierce's dramatic comeback from a second-half knee injury. They won Game Two 108β102 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 87β81. However, the Celtics would overcome a 24-point deficit in Game 4 to win 97β91, making the largest in-game comeback in NBA Finals history. After again blowing a large lead, the Lakers hung on to win Game 5 103β98, sending the series back to Boston. In Game 6, the Celtics overpowered the Lakers, winning 131β92 and clinching their 17th NBA title. [[Paul Pierce]] was named Finals MVP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280617002|title=Celtics smash Lakers, bring home 17th NBA championship|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=June 17, 2008|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=June 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621155803/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280617002|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the win the Celtics set a record for most games a team had ever played in a postseason with 26.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/sports/basketball/17nba.html?pagewanted=print|title=Celtics Remain Mindful Of a Missed Opportunity|date=June 17, 2008|first=Howard|last=Beck|newspaper=The New York Times|page=D2|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623062841/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/sports/basketball/17nba.html?pagewanted=print|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2008β09 Celtics started off the season at 27β2, the then-best starting record in NBA history.<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gKyAf4srenZECaWOsfizcspJ2x3Q NBA Celtics win 19th straight to set franchise record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521033201/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gKyAf4srenZECaWOsfizcspJ2x3Q |date=May 21, 2013 }}, news.google.com December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2008.</ref> They also had a franchise-record 19-game streak.<ref>[http://sports.outsidethebeltway.com/2008/12/lakers-snap-celtics-19-game-winning-streak/ Lakers snap Celtics 19 game winning streak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715023015/http://sports.outsidethebeltway.com/2008/12/lakers-snap-celtics-19-game-winning-streak/ |date=July 15, 2011 }}, outsidethebeltway.com December 25, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2008.</ref> After 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/f/print/sports/more_sports/ewing_prophetic_as_magic_beat_celtics_sBpcbCKFHHZ5hLwVFnnQ2H|title=EWING PROPHETIC AS MAGIC BEAT CELTICS IN GAME 7|first=Marc|last=Berman|date=May 18, 2009|work=New York Post|access-date=September 17, 2009|archive-date=June 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606120312/http://www.nypost.com/f/print/sports/more_sports/ewing_prophetic_as_magic_beat_celtics_sBpcbCKFHHZ5hLwVFnnQ2H|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, with the return of Garnett from injury and the additions of [[Rasheed Wallace]] and [[Marquis Daniels]], the Celtics started the season 23β5 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 27β27 record the rest of the way and finished the 2009β10 regular season with a 50β32 record.<ref>Lowe, Zach [http://celticshub.com/2010/03/03/home-court-records-and-champions/ Home Court Records and Champions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426011344/http://celticshub.com/2010/03/03/home-court-records-and-champions/ |date=April 26, 2012 }}, celticshub.com March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.</ref> Despite being the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics managed to make the [[NBA Finals]]. Rajon Rondo emerged as a star during postseason play.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-05-28-celtics-magic-game-5_N.htm|title=Celtics finally finish off Magic in Game 6 to head back to Finals|date=May 28, 2010|work=USA Today|access-date=May 29, 2010|first=Jeff|last=Zillgitt|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183833/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-05-28-celtics-magic-game-5_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 12th time, the Celtics faced the Lakers in the Finals. After taking a 3β2 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,<ref>{{cite news|last=Beacham|first=Greg|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010061713&print=1|title=Lakers edge Celtics in Game 7, win 16th title|agency=Associated Press|date=June 18, 2010|access-date=June 18, 2010|work=Yahoo! Sports|archive-date=June 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623064002/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010061713&print=1|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Celtics went on to lose the series in seven games. During 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 33β10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury<ref name="may">{{cite news|last=May |first=Peter |title=Celtics Creak Toward Postseason, Hoping They Have Legs for a Run |date=April 11, 2011 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=D7 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606094416/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and had a 19β3 record in games when O'Neal played over 20 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Payne |first=Greg |title=Doc Rivers: Timing of trade was off |date=May 16, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518152756/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |archive-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Consequently, Perkins was traded to the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in February, when the Celtics were 41β14 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 56β26 record, sliding to the third seed.<ref name=may/><ref>{{cite news |title=Amare Stoudemire back as Celts' reserves top Knicks' second string |date=April 13, 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |access-date=April 14, 2011 |quote=Shaquille O'Neal, who has played 5 minutes, 29 seconds since February 1, also sat out. |archive-date=April 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417152245/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 2010β11 season still provided three landmarks: The Celtics became the second team to reach 3,000 victories, Paul Pierce became 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 4β0 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 the second round, retired at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chris |title=Report card: Shaquille O'Neal |date=May 18, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520011654/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Celtics started the [[2011 NBA lockout|lockout-shortened]] season 0β3, as Pierce was out with a heel injury. At the All-Star break, the Celtics were below .500 with a 15β17 record. However, they were one of the hottest teams in the league after the break, going 24β10 the rest of the year and winning their fifth division title in a row. The Celtics made the playoffs as 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 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nba.si.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-bombing-terror-attack-celtics-pacers-game-cancelled-nba |title=NBA cancels game between Celtics and Pacers after Boston Marathon blasts |author=Ben Golliver |work=SI.com |access-date=June 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222005012/http://nba.si.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-bombing-terror-attack-celtics-pacers-game-cancelled-nba/ |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref> The Celtics trailed the New York Knicks 3β0 in the first round of the [[2013 NBA playoffs]] before losing the series in six games. In Game Six, the Celtics nearly completed a comeback when they went on a 20β0 run to cut the lead to four.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400459963|title=Knicks vs. Celtics β Game Recap β May 3, 2013 β ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102003828/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400459963|url-status=live}}</ref> ===2013β2016: Rebuilding years=== 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 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 28, 2013|title=Nets, Celtics work out blockbuster|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9429958/sources-boston-celts-brooklyn-nets-agree-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-deal|access-date=June 28, 2013|archive-date=July 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701073717/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9429958/sources-boston-celts-brooklyn-nets-agree-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal marked the start of a youth movement for the team.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2013|title=Celtics Complete Trade With Brooklyn Nets|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-complete-trade-brooklyn-nets|work=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=July 12, 2013|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616031658/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-complete-trade-brooklyn-nets|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Brad Stevens 2017.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Brad Stevens]], former head coach of the Celtics.]] On July 3, 2013, the Celtics announced that [[Brad Stevens]], the head coach of [[Butler Bulldogs men's basketball|Butler University]], would replace Doc Rivers as head coach.<ref name="Stevens2013">{{cite news|last=D'Amico|first=Mark|title=Celtics Hire Brad Stevens as Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/070313-celtics-hire-brad-stevens-head-coach|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Celtics.com|date=July 3, 2013|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=July 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706145322/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/070313-celtics-hire-brad-stevens-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 2013β14 season marked the Celtics' first missed playoffs since the "Big Three".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/04/12/new-york-knicks-los-angeles-lakers-boston-celtics-miss-nba-playoffs-for-first-time/7660189/|title=NBA's big three miss playoffs in same year for first time|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018193440/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/04/12/new-york-knicks-los-angeles-lakers-boston-celtics-miss-nba-playoffs-for-first-time/7660189/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next off-season, the Celtics drafted [[Marcus Smart]] with the 6th overall pick and [[James Young (basketball)|James Young]] with the 17th overall pick in the [[2014 NBA draft]],<ref>{{cite web|title=What can the Celtics do with the sixth pick?|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24584575/draft-options-what-can-the-celtics-do-with-the-sixth-pick|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=June 10, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111729/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24584575/draft-options-what-can-the-celtics-do-with-the-sixth-pick|url-status=live}}</ref> and signed [[Evan Turner]]. The 2014β15 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Celtics Complete Trade With Dallas Mavericks|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-complete-trade-dallas-mavericks|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Celtics.com|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2023|archive-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109070550/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-complete-trade-dallas-mavericks|url-status=live}}</ref> A total of 22 players spent time with the Celtics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4718052/roster-overhaul-hasnt-changed-cs-goals|title=Roster overhaul hasn't changed C's goals|date=February 28, 2015|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407222135/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4718052/roster-overhaul-hasnt-changed-cs-goals|url-status=live}}</ref> leading scorer and rebounder Sullinger suffered a season-ending left metatarsal stress fracture,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/12363599/jared-sullinger-boston-celtics-miss-rest-season-due-foot-injury|title=Jared Sullinger of Boston Celtics will miss rest of season due to foot injury|work=ESPN.com|date=February 22, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630041101/http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/12363599/jared-sullinger-boston-celtics-miss-rest-season-due-foot-injury|url-status=live}}</ref> and the team was only tenth in the East with 28 games remaining.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/blogs/sports/columnists/kaufman/2015/02/the_celtics_will_probably_miss_the_playoffs_and_th.html|title=The Celtics Will Probably Miss the Playoffs, and That's Okay|newspaper=Boston.com|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080654/http://www.boston.com/blogs/sports/columnists/kaufman/2015/02/the_celtics_will_probably_miss_the_playoffs_and_th.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, midseason acquisition [[Isaiah Thomas (basketball)|Isaiah Thomas]] helped the team win 22 of their last 34 games, finishing the season with a 40β42 record, enough for the seventh seed in the [[2015 NBA playoffs|Eastern Conference Playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/on_verge_of_playoffs_isaiah_th.html|title=Now in playoffs, Isaiah Thomas has discovered the Boston Celtics are not one of the NBA's worst teams|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018133758/http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/on_verge_of_playoffs_isaiah_th.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics were swept by 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 (basketball, born 1993)|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 the 2015β16 NBA season with a 48β34 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 4β2 to the Hawks, ending their season. ===2016βpresent: BrownβTatum era ("the Jays")=== {{main|Jays (Boston Celtics)}} {{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |total_width=350 |image1 = Jaylen Brown 2022.jpg |caption1 = [[Jaylen Brown]] |image2 = Jayson Tatum (51839569977) (cropped).jpg |caption2 = [[Jayson Tatum]] }} In 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]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics Sign Al Horford|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford|website=NBA.com|access-date=August 3, 2017|date=July 8, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709091928/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics finished the [[2016β17 NBA season|2016β17 season]] with a 53β29 record and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/04/12/celtics-clinch-1-seed-will-face-bulls-in-first-round/|title=Celtics Clinch #1 Seed; Will Face Bulls In First Round|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175506/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/04/12/celtics-clinch-1-seed-will-face-bulls-in-first-round/|url-status=live}}</ref> After a hip injury ended Thomas' playoff run in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710816-isaiah-thomas-out-for-rest-of-2017-nba-postseason-with-hip-injury|title=Isaiah Thomas out for Rest of 2017 NBA Postseason with Hip Injury|first=Scott|last=Polacek|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902232511/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710816-isaiah-thomas-out-for-rest-of-2017-nba-postseason-with-hip-injury|url-status=live}}</ref> the Celtics eventually lost to the Cavaliers in five games. Isaiah Thomas 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.{{efn|This pick originally belonged to the [[Brooklyn Nets]], but was sent to the Celtics in the 2013 trade involving Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. The Nets had the worst record in the previous season, which gave the Celtics the highest chance of winning the lottery.}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|date=June 19, 2017|title=Boston Celtics trade No. 1 overall draft pick to Philadelphia 76ers|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/19/boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers-trade-draft-picks-0#/|access-date=October 8, 2017|website=NBA.com|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307231824/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/19/boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers-trade-draft-picks-0#/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 76ers would go on to draft Fultz, while the Celtics used the third pick to select freshman forward [[Jayson Tatum]]. During the off-season, the team signed [[Gordon Hayward]].<ref>{{cite web|date=July 14, 2017|title=Boston Celtics Sign Gordon Hayward|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-gordon-hayward|access-date=August 3, 2017|website=NBA.com|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803230658/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-gordon-hayward|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 22, 2017, the Celtics agreed to a deal that sent [[Isaiah Thomas (basketball)|Isaiah Thomas]], [[Jae Crowder]], Ante Ε½iΕΎiΔ, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for [[Kyrie Irving]].<ref>{{cite web|date=August 22, 2017|title=Celtics Acquire Four-Time All-Star Kyrie Irving|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving|access-date=August 22, 2017|work=NBA.com|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831181509/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving/|url-status=live}}</ref> ====2017β2019: Kyrie Irving saga==== By the end of the off-season, only four Celtics' players remained from the [[2016β17 Boston Celtics season|2016β17 team]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suddenly, only four Celtics remain from the 2016β2017 team β The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/08/22/celtics-turn-over-roster-time/RsW2CQloAYAye2DSSq3JFK/story.html|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=October 25, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514155101/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/08/22/celtics-turn-over-roster-time/RsW2CQloAYAye2DSSq3JFK/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Rapaport|first=Daniel|date=October 17, 2017|title=Gordon Hayward Suffers Dislocated Ankle, Fractured Tibia in First Quarter of Season Opener|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/17/gordon-haywayd-injury-news-update-serious-leg-injury|access-date=November 15, 2017|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018174656/https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/17/gordon-haywayd-injury-news-update-serious-leg-injury|url-status=live}}</ref> causing him to be ruled out for the rest of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 28, 2017|title=Celtics granted $8.4M player exception for Gordon Hayward|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21196166/boston-celtics-granted-84m-disabled-player-exception-gordon-hayward|access-date=November 15, 2017|website=ESPN.com|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143723/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21196166/boston-celtics-granted-84m-disabled-player-exception-gordon-hayward|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the loss, the Celtics went on a [[List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks|16-game winning streak]], which also went down as the fourth-longest winning streak in the teams' history.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Staff reports|title=Boston Celtics' winning streak ends at 16|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/11/18/boston-celtics-longest-winning-streaks|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 23, 2017|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020181207/https://www.nba.com/article/2017/11/18/boston-celtics-longest-winning-streaks|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics finished the year with a 55β27 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 the Conference Finals. [[File:Kyrie Irving free throw (cropped).jpg|thumb|Kyrie Irving played for Boston for two seasons making two all star appearances.]] The Celtics finished the [[2018β19 NBA season|2018β19 season]] with a 49β33 record. Analysts started questioning the team's performance and chances for the championship when the Celtics had a 10β10 record after the first 20 games on November 24, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goss|first=Nick|date=November 20, 2018|title=Paul Pierce gives honest take on Celtics' disappointing start to season|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/paul-pierce-gives-honest-take-celtics-disappointing-start-season|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nbcsports.com|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727022619/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/paul-pierce-gives-honest-take-celtics-disappointing-start-season|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics then won the next eight games improving their record to 18β10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Green|first=Dave|date=December 14, 2018|title=Celtics putting up unprecedented numbers over 8-game win streak|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-putting-unprecedented-numbers-over-8-game-win-streak|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nbcsports.com|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727015932/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-putting-unprecedented-numbers-over-8-game-win-streak|url-status=live}}</ref> During the eight-game win streak, the Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 128β95, the New York Knicks 128β100, and also defeated the Chicago Bulls by 56 points (133β77), 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.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|date=December 9, 2018|title=Celtics throttle Bulls by 56 points as both teams set records|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071064|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=[[ESPN]]|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210100830/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071064|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 the regular season and the first round of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 10, 2019|title=Celtics' Marcus Smart sidelined 4β6 weeks with oblique injury|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/10/report-marcus-smart-torn-oblique-out-two-rounds|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nba.com|archive-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417105948/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/10/report-marcus-smart-torn-oblique-out-two-rounds|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2019 NBA playoffs|2019 playoffs]], the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the first round, and then lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Mark|date=May 8, 2019|title=Celtics eliminated in ugly Game 5 loss to Bucks|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/08/celtics-season-comes-to-ugly-end/|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=bostonherald.com|archive-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511081457/https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/08/celtics-season-comes-to-ugly-end/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Celtics? Revisiting guard's promise to Boston, decision to sign with Nets {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/kyrie-irving-leave-celtics-promise-nets/85f6bc4afeac27caa1012f4d |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}</ref> 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 (basketball)|Grant Williams]], [[Carsen Edwards]], and [[Tremont Waters]] (2020 G-league Rookie of the year).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/06/21/everything-the-celtics-did-at-the-2019-nba-draft/|title=Everything The Celtics Did At The 2019 NBA Draft|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710223929/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/06/21/everything-the-celtics-did-at-the-2019-nba-draft/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Celtics? Revisiting guard's promise to Boston, decision to sign with Nets {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/kyrie-irving-leave-celtics-promise-nets/85f6bc4afeac27caa1012f4d |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}</ref> 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; the Celtics sent guard Terry Rozier and a protected 2020 second-round draft pick to Charlotte in exchange for Walker and a 2020 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-acquire-terry-rozier-boston-celtics-sign-and-trade-deal-kemba-walker|title=Charlotte Hornets Acquire Terry Rozier From Boston Celtics In Sign-And-Trade Deal For Kemba Walker|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161126/https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-acquire-terry-rozier-boston-celtics-sign-and-trade-deal-kemba-walker|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 1, 2019, the Celtics agreed to a two-year contract with center [[Enes Kanter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27098241|title=Celtics pick up Kanter on 2-year, $10M contract|date=July 10, 2019|website=ESPN.com|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710223926/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27098241|url-status=live}}</ref> ====2019β2021: Rise of "the Jays" ==== Following the [[suspension of the 2019β20 NBA season]], the Celtics were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019β20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 10, 2020 |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022021825/https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2020 NBA playoffs|2020 playoffs]], the Celtics swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, beat the Toronto Raptors in a seven-game series, and fell to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 28, 2020|title=Celtics eliminated in Game 6 loss to Miami|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/27/celtics-eliminated-in-game-6-loss-to-miami/|access-date=November 23, 2020|website=Boston Herald|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025161330/https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/27/celtics-eliminated-in-game-6-loss-to-miami/|url-status=live}}</ref> Boston struggled with injuries in the 2020β21 season, with Walker, Tatum and Brown all missing games at different points in the season due to injury and COVID-19. Boston could not automatically qualify for the playoffs and were sent to the play-in tournament, where they defeated the [[Washington Wizards]] 119β100. In the playoffs, they lost to the Brooklyn Nets in five games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Playoffs: East First Round {{!}} Nets (2) vs. Celtics (7) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2021/east-first-round-2 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> ====2021β22: First Finals appearance for the Jays==== On June 2, 2021, the Celtics named head coach Brad Stevens as president of basketball operations replacing [[Danny Ainge]] after he announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danny Ainge Announces Retirement; Brad Stevens Promoted to President of Basketball Operations |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 2, 2021 |date=June 2, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602154528/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 18, Stevens made his first transaction in his new position trading away [[Kemba Walker]], the 16th pick in the [[2021 NBA draft]], and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for former Celtic Horford, [[Moses Brown (basketball)|Moses Brown]], and a 2023 second-round pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celtics Acquire Five-Time All-Star Al Horford in Deal with Thunder |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/061821-celtics-acquire-five-time-all-star-al-hoford-in-deal-with-thunder |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=June 18, 2021 |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619204539/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/061821-celtics-acquire-five-time-all-star-al-hoford-in-deal-with-thunder |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 23, 2021, it was reported that Stevens had made the decision to hire [[Ime Udoka]] as his own replacement as head coach of the Celtics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics finalizing choaching deal with Brooklyn Nets' Ime Udoka, sources say|date=June 23, 2021|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31694434/boston-celtics-finalizing-coaching-deal-brooklyn-nets-ime-udoka-sources-say|access-date=September 21, 2021|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522193530/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31694434/boston-celtics-finalizing-coaching-deal-brooklyn-nets-ime-udoka-sources-say|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Boston Celtics to hire Ime Udoka: Brooklyn Nets Assistant to be named new coach, per report| newspaper=Cbssports.com| url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-to-hire-ime-udoka-brooklyn-nets-assistant-to-be-named-new-coach-per-report/| access-date=September 21, 2021| archive-date=May 13, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513034335/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-to-hire-ime-udoka-brooklyn-nets-assistant-to-be-named-new-coach-per-report/| url-status=live}}</ref> Tatum made his third All-Star appearance off the bench at the [[2022 NBA All-Star Game]] in Cleveland. In April 2022, the Celtics qualified for the [[2022 NBA playoffs]] as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, having a 51β31 record; they swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2022 |title=2022 NBA playoffs first round: No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Nets |url=https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/12/23021112/celtics-vs-nets-nba-playoffs-2022-first-round-picks-predictions-odds-preview |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=DraftKings Nation |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413031144/https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/12/23021112/celtics-vs-nets-nba-playoffs-2022-first-round-picks-predictions-odds-preview |url-status=live }}</ref> They next faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating both teams in seven-game series, earning the Celtics their first Finals appearance since 2010. The Celtics took a 2β1 series lead, but lost the next three games to lose to the Golden State Warriors 4β2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/warriors-beat-celtics-win-fourth-title-eight-seasons|title=Warriors Beat Celtics in Game 6 to Clinch Seventh NBA Championship|last=McDaniel|first=Mike|date=June 12, 2022|website=Si.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=November 29, 2022|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129110744/https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/warriors-beat-celtics-win-fourth-title-eight-seasons|url-status=live}}</ref> ====2022β23: Conference finals loss==== In September, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the whole [[2022β23 Boston Celtics season|2022β23 season]] for engaging in an improper intimate relationship with a female staffer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Celtics address Ime Udoka's one-year suspension for violating team policies: Takeaways from Boston's presser |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-address-ime-udokas-one-year-suspension-for-violating-team-policies-takeaways-from-bostons-presser/live/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> Assistant coach [[Joe Mazzulla]] replaced Udoka as the interim head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Adam |last=Himmelsbach |title=Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for a year for violations of team policies, his future with team unclear |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |department=Sports |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/22/sports/celtics-suspend-coach-ime-udoka-year-will-make-joe-mazzulla-interim-coach/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 16, 2023, Mazzulla was named the team's permanent head coach after leading the Celtics to a league-best 42β17 record at the [[NBA All-Star break]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grasso |first=Justin |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Sixers Rival Watch: Ime Udoka's Time With Celtics Finished |url=https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/sixers-rival-watch-ime-udokas-time-with-celtics-finished |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Philadelphia 76ers News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> After overcoming a 3β2 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers to advance to the [[2023 NBA playoffs|Eastern Conference Finals]], the Celtics fell behind 3β0 in a rematch against the Heat. They battled their way back to Game 7 thanks to a [[Derrick White]] buzzer-beater in Game 6, but the Heat ultimately prevented the first [[List of teams to overcome 3β0 series deficits|3β0 comeback]] in NBA history with a decisive win in Boston. ====2023β24: 18th championship for Boston==== [[File:Al Horford (51688343399) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Al Horford made an All-Star Appearance for Boston in 2018 and won his first championship in 2024.]] During the 2023 off-season, the Celtics acquired [[Kristaps PorziΕΔ£is]] from the Wizards. In the trade, they sent [[Marcus Smart]] to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] in a three-team deal,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kristaps Porzingis to Celtics, Marcus Smart to Grizzlies in 3-team deal |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-trade-celtics-3-team-deal |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=June 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206111700/https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-trade-celtics-3-team-deal |url-status=live }}</ref> and also traded [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]] to the Dallas Mavericks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mavericks land Grant Williams in 3-team sign-and-trade deal |url=https://www.nba.com/news/grant-williams-three-team-trade |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206111626/https://www.nba.com/news/grant-williams-three-team-trade |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 1, 2023, the Celtics acquired [[Jrue Holiday]] in exchange for [[Malcolm Brogdon]], [[Robert Williams III]] and two draft picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celtics acquire Jrue Holiday from Blazers |url=https://www.nba.com/news/jrue-holiday-traded-to-celtics-2023 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130214450/https://www.nba.com/news/jrue-holiday-traded-to-celtics-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 7, 2024, before the trade deadline, the Celtics acquired [[Xavier Tillman]] from the Grizzlies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Esnaashari |first=Farbod |date=March 2, 2024 |title=Newest Member of Celtics Gives Honest Opinion on Team's Culture |url=https://www.si.com/nba/grizzlies/news/newest-member-of-celtics-gives-honest-opinion-on-teams-culture |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Memphis Grizzles News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> The Celtics finished the 2023β24 regular season with the best record in the NBA, securing a 64β18 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Ricardo Klein Contributing Sports |date=April 20, 2024 |title=NBA News: Heavy Favorites to Win Title This Season Revealed |url=https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/nba-news-boston-celtics-enter-playoffs-heavy-favorites-win-title-1892509 |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> After the regular season's close, the Celtics entered the 2024 NBA playoffs, defeating the [[Miami Heat]] in the first round, moving on to defeat the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in the East Semifinals, and moving on again to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern [[NBA conference finals|Conference Finals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East First Round {{!}} Celtics (1) vs Heat (8) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-first-round-1 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Semifinal {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Cavaliers (4) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-semifinal-1 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Final {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Pacers (6) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-final |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> The Celtics' victory in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2024, was accompanied by the announcement that [[Jaylen Brown]] had been selected as the NBA Eastern Conference Finals [[Most valuable player|MVP]], and Brown was presented with the [[Larry Bird trophy]], the first of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Final {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Pacers (6) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-final |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Conference Finals MVP Award Winners |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-conference-finals-mvp-award-winners |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> The Celtics would go on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win the NBA Finals, their record-setting 18th championship and breaking the tie with the Lakers (who have 17).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title='It means the world': Celtics earn record 18th title |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40375053/celtics-stomp-mavericks-game-5-clinch-record-18th-nba-title |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
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