The Boston Celtics are one of the NBA’s most historic franchises. Founded in 1946 and based at TD Garden, Boston has won a league-record 18 NBA championships, most recently in 2024.
Boston Celtics Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| City | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Arena | TD Garden |
| NBA Championships | 18 |
| Most Recent Championship | 2024 |
| Head Coach | Joe Mazzulla |
| President of Basketball Operations | Brad Stevens |
| Governor | William “Bill” Chisholm |
| G League Affiliate | Maine Celtics |
The Celtics are the NBA’s all-time leader in championships, moving ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers after their 2024 title.
Why the Boston Celtics Matter in NBA History
Few teams have influenced professional basketball as deeply as Boston. The franchise became a powerhouse in the late 1950s and 1960s, when coach and executive Red Auerbach built a team around stars including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Sam Jones.
Boston won its first NBA championship in 1957. Two years later, the Celtics began an extraordinary run of eight consecutive championships from 1959 through 1966. They eventually captured 11 championships during Russell’s playing career, a stretch that remains one of the defining dynasties in American sports.
The organization later produced another iconic era in the 1980s, led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. That group won three championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986.
Boston added its 17th championship in 2008 behind Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, then returned to the top in 2024 with a new generation.
How Many Championships Have the Celtics Won?
The Boston Celtics have won 18 NBA championships, the most in league history. Their championship seasons are:
1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 and 2024.
The 2024 championship was especially significant because it ended a 16-year title drought and moved Boston past the Lakers, who have 17 championships.
That 2024 team also had one of the strongest regular seasons in franchise history. Boston finished 64-18 and went 16-3 in the playoffs before defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five Finals games.
The 2024 Celtics Championship Team
The centerpiece of Boston’s 2024 title run was the partnership between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Brown was named Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in the Finals. Tatum also produced a strong all-around series, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
The championship was the first for both players, although their journey to that point had included several deep playoff runs and a loss to Golden State in the 2022 Finals.
Boston’s 2024 squad was built around more than its two stars. Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Payton Pritchard all played meaningful roles during the championship season.
Who Owns the Boston Celtics?
The Celtics underwent a major ownership change in 2025.
An investor group led by William “Bill” Chisholm completed its acquisition of majority control of the franchise in August 2025 after receiving unanimous approval from the NBA Board of Governors. Chisholm became the team’s governor, while Wyc Grousbeck remained CEO and an owner.
The deal valued the Celtics at more than $6.1 billion, making it the most expensive American professional sports franchise sale at the time. The ownership structure was designed to move toward full control for Chisholm’s group by 2028.
The change did not bring an immediate overhaul of the basketball operation. Brad Stevens remained in charge of basketball operations and Joe Mazzulla remained head coach.
Who Is on the Celtics in 2026?
Boston entered the 2026-27 season after a much different offseason than the one following its championship.
The most significant change was the trade of Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2026. Boston received Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal.
George now joins a Boston core that includes Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta. The Celtics also added former New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson on a three-year deal and signed veteran guard Mike Conley.
Queta became particularly important during the 2025-26 season. He started 75 games and averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks before agreeing to a four-year contract to remain in Boston.
Boston also selected Chris Cenac Jr. in the first round and Dillon Mitchell in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
What Happened to Jayson Tatum?
Tatum missed most of the 2025-26 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during Boston’s 2025 playoff run.
He returned to action on March 6, 2026, after roughly 10 months of rehabilitation. In his first game back against Dallas, he recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
His return was an important development for Boston because the Celtics had managed to remain competitive without their franchise cornerstone. Tatum’s availability and physical recovery remain central to the team’s hopes for the 2026-27 season. NBA.com included him among the notable players expected to make an impact after returning from major injuries.
How Did the Celtics Finish the 2025-26 Season?
Boston finished the 2025-26 regular season 56-26, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in points allowed at 107.2 per game and had a +8.1 net rating.
Their playoff run ended in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston lost the seven-game series 4-3, despite winning three of the first five games. Philadelphia won Games 6 and 7 to eliminate the No. 2 seed.
The result underlined how much Boston had changed from the championship team of 2024. The Celtics still defended at a high level, but the roster was no longer built around the same star combination.
Celtics Legends and Retired Numbers
Boston’s history is closely tied to some of basketball’s greatest players.
Bill Russell became the defining figure of the early Celtics dynasty. Larry Bird led the franchise during its 1980s revival, while players such as Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett became central figures in different championship eras.
The Celtics have retired 24 jersey numbers, one of the clearest measures of the franchise’s historical depth. Paul Pierce’s No. 34 became the latest retired number in the team’s collection.
The NBA’s official Celtics records also list John Havlicek as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, Bob Cousy in assists, Bill Russell in rebounds, Robert Parish in blocks and Paul Pierce in steals.
What Makes the Celtics Different?
The Celtics are not defined only by their championship total. Their identity comes from several eras of success and a long tradition of building around elite two-way players, team-oriented offense and strong defense.
The franchise has also maintained a rare connection between its past and present. The banners for Russell, Bird, Pierce and other legends remain visible at TD Garden while each new generation is measured against the standards created by those teams.
The challenge now is different. Boston enters the 2026-27 season with 18 championships but without Brown, one of the most important players in the franchise’s modern era. Paul George provides experience and scoring, while Robinson and Queta add frontcourt depth. The biggest variable may be how close Tatum can get to his pre-injury form.
For a franchise accustomed to championship expectations, the next phase is less about preserving the past than proving that another contender can be built from it.
FAQs
How many championships have the Boston Celtics won?
The Boston Celtics have won 18 NBA championships, the most in league history. Their most recent championship came in 2024.
Who is the current Boston Celtics head coach?
Joe Mazzulla is the Celtics’ head coach. He led Boston to its 2024 NBA championship and remained in the position entering the 2026-27 season.
Who is the Celtics’ current best-known star?
Jayson Tatum remains the franchise’s central star. He returned in March 2026 after recovering from an Achilles injury that kept him out for most of the 2025-26 season.
Did the Celtics trade Jaylen Brown?
Yes. Boston traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2026 for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Where do the Boston Celtics play?
The Celtics play their home games at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, which they share with the NHL’s Boston Bruins.
Source list
- NBA.com: Boston Celtics Team Info and News, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Which NBA teams have the most championships?, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: 2024 NBA Finals, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Chisholm Group Takes Control of the Boston Celtics, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Sixers pick up All-Star Jaylen Brown from Celtics, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Mitchell Robinson joining Celtics on 3-year deal, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Jayson Tatum returns, shifting balance of power in the East, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: Retired numbers for the Boston Celtics, Access Date: September 5, 2026
- NBA.com: 2026 NBA Play-in, Playoffs & Finals Schedule, Access Date: September 5, 2026
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