Editing Boston Celtics (section)

===1998–2013: 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&nbsp;– 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 [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 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 – 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 12–21 when Pitino left, O'Brien's record to finish the season was 24–24.<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 [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–01 season]] O'Brien was given the job of head coach on a permanent basis. As a result of numerous trades, the Celtics had three picks in the [[2001 NBA draft]]. They selected [[Joe Johnson (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 [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]] with low expectations. The team's success in the latter stages of 2000–01 was largely forgotten, and critics were surprised when the team, along with the [[New Jersey Nets]], surged to the top of the [[Atlantic Division (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, 3–2. 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 4–1. In their first trip to the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] Finals since [[1988 NBA playoffs|1988]], the Celtics jumped out to a 2–1 series lead over the Nets, after rallying from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to win Game 3, but would lose the next three games to fall 4–2.<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>

====2003–2007: 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 &#91;sic&#93; 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]], [[Jiří 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 2004–05 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 45–37 and won their first [[NBA Atlantic Division|Atlantic Division]] title since [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92]], 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 33–49 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 [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07 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 2–22 from late December 2006 through early February 2007 after losing Pierce to injury, the result of a stress reaction in his left foot. At first, the Celtics received a much-needed boost from guard [[Tony Allen (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 6–9 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 24–58, 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}} 2007–2012: 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.

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|footer = [[Kevin Garnett]] and [[Ray Allen]] were key players in the Celtics' 2008 NBA title victory
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In the 2007–08 season, Celtics completed the largest single-season turnaround in [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] history. The team went 66–16 in the regular season, a 42-game improvement over its 2006–07 record. However, the team struggled in the early rounds of 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 98–88, fueled by strong play by Garnett and Pierce's dramatic comeback from a second-half knee injury. They won Game Two 108–102 despite nearly blowing a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter. As the series shifted to Los Angeles, the Lakers stifled Pierce and Garnett in Game Three and won 87–81. However, the Celtics would overcome a 24-point deficit in Game 4 to win 97–91, making the largest in-game comeback in NBA Finals history. After again blowing a large lead, the Lakers hung on to win Game 5 103–98, sending the series back to Boston. In Game 6, the Celtics overpowered the Lakers, winning 131–92 and clinching their 17th NBA title. [[Paul Pierce]] was named Finals MVP.<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 2008–09 Celtics started off the season at 27–2, 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 23–5 and at one point had the best record in the NBA. However, Doc Rivers decided to lessen his aging stars' minutes to keep them fresh for the playoffs. As a result, the Celtics sputtered to an even 27–27 record the rest of the way and finished the 2009–10 regular season with a 50–32 record.<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 3–2 lead heading into Los Angeles for Game Six, the Celtics appeared poised to win their 18th title. However, starting center [[Kendrick Perkins]] suffered a severe knee injury early in Game Six,<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 33–10 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 19–3 record in games when O'Neal played over 20&nbsp;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 41–14 and led the Eastern Conference despite another rash of injuries. Following the trade, however, they proceeded to win only 15 of their final 27 games. They finished with a 56–26 record, sliding to the third seed.<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&nbsp;minutes, 29&nbsp;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 2010–11 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 4–0 in the opening round. In the second round, they were ousted by eventual Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat in five games. Shaquille O'Neal, limited to 12&nbsp;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 0–3, as Pierce was out with a heel injury. At the All-Star break, the Celtics were below .500 with a 15–17 record. However, they were one of the hottest teams in the league after the break, going 24–10 the rest of the year and winning their fifth division title in a row. The Celtics made the playoffs as 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 3–0 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 20–0 run to cut the lead to four.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400459963|title=Knicks vs. Celtics – Game Recap – May 3, 2013 – 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>