• The Celtics have won 18 NBA Championships — most in league history
• The Celtics have retired the most jerseys in the NBA (24)
• Boston won eight consecutive championships between 1959 and 1966

The Boston Celtics are the NBA's most successful franchise, winners of a record 18 championships and home to some of basketball's greatest dynasties. From Bill Russell and Larry Bird to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have set the standard for excellence across almost 80 years, while Australian centre Aron Baynes also played a role in the franchise's modern success.

2026–27 Team Snapshot

The Celtics head into the 2026-27 season looking significantly different from the group that won the franchise's record 18th NBA championship in 2024. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has again reshaped the roster, making difficult decisions in pursuit of another title as Boston balances championship ambitions with long-term flexibility.

The biggest change came with the departure of Jaylen Brown, whose trade to the Philadelphia 76ers marked the end of one of the NBA's most successful modern partnerships after helping deliver Banner 18 alongside Jayson Tatum. Boston responded by adding veteran star Paul George from Philadelphia, bringing proven leadership, two-way versatility and championship experience to a retooled roster.

The Celtics also strengthened their frontcourt by acquiring Nikola Vučević at the trade deadline and signing defensive centre Mitchell Robinson, while retaining Neemias Queta and Ron Harper Jr.. Boston has continued to invest in its future with rookie Christopher Cenac Jr. and developing players such as Amari Williams and John Tonje, while veteran point guard Mike Conley adds experience and stability.

As always, expectations in Boston remain unchanged. Every roster move is made with championship contention in mind, and the Celtics enter the 2026-27 season determined to build a new era capable of adding Banner 19 to the rafters at TD Garden.

Why This Franchise Matters

There are successful NBA teams, and then there are the Boston Celtics.

The franchise has become synonymous with winning, capturing more NBA championships than any other organisation while consistently reinventing itself across generations. The Celtics established the blueprint for championship basketball under Red Auerbach, using defence, teamwork and player development as the foundations of sustained success.

Boston also changed American sport. The Celtics became the first NBA franchise to draft an African American player, the first to field an all-African American starting lineup and the first major professional sports team in the United States to appoint an African American head coach when Bill Russell became player-coach.

Whether it was Bill Russell redefining defence, Larry Bird elevating the NBA's popularity, Paul Pierce's Big Three restoring championship basketball or Jayson Tatum leading the club to its record 18th title, every generation has left its mark on the league.

Few organisations carry the expectation that every season should end with a championship. In Boston, that expectation has existed for almost 80 years.

Australians Connected to the Celtics

Aron Baynes (2017-2019)

Aron Baynes became one of the NBA's most respected role players during his two seasons in Boston.

The Australian centre appeared in 132 regular-season games, earning a reputation for physical defence, elite screening and relentless effort. Baynes played a vital role in Boston's playoff runs and became a fan favourite for his toughness and professionalism.

His time with the Celtics remains one of the most successful stints by an Australian in one of the NBA's biggest markets.

Great Eras

The Greatest Dynasty in Basketball

No franchise has dominated professional basketball like the Celtics of the late 1950s and 1960s.

Led by Bill Russell and visionary coach Red Auerbach, Boston won 11 championships in 13 seasons, including an unmatched streak of eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959 to 1966. Russell's defensive brilliance transformed the centre position and created a winning culture that remains the foundation of the franchise today.

Larry Bird Revives the Celtics

When Larry Bird arrived in 1979, he restored Boston to the top of the basketball world.

Together with Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, Bird formed one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA history, winning championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986 while producing one of sport's greatest rivalries against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics-Lakers battles of the 1980s helped turn the NBA into a global competition.

The Big Three Returns Boston to Glory

The acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen alongside Paul Pierce before the 2007-08 season immediately transformed Boston into a contender.

The Celtics won 66 regular-season games before defeating the Lakers in the NBA Finals to secure championship No. 17. Their success helped usher in the era of superstar trios across the league.

The Tatum and Brown Era

Drafting Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in consecutive years laid the foundation for Boston's modern success.

After multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances, the pair led the Celtics to their historic 18th NBA championship in 2024, moving Boston ahead of the Lakers as the NBA's most successful franchise. Even through roster changes and injuries, the organisation remains committed to competing for championships every season.

Greatest Players in Boston Celtics History

Bill Russell

The greatest winner in basketball history, Russell transformed defence into an art form and led Boston to an unprecedented 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. His leadership, rebounding and shot blocking established the Celtics dynasty while changing American sport as the NBA's first Black head coach.

Larry Bird

One of the greatest players ever to step on a basketball court, Bird won three NBA championships, three consecutive MVP awards and became the face of the NBA throughout the 1980s. His rivalry with Magic Johnson helped propel basketball into the global spotlight.

John Havlicek

"Hondo" remains one of the franchise's greatest all-round players, winning eight NBA championships across two eras while becoming Boston's all-time leading scorer.

Bob Cousy

The NBA's first great playmaker revolutionised point guard play with dazzling passing and creativity. Cousy won six championships and was one of the league's original superstars.

Paul Pierce

"The Truth" carried the Celtics through the early 2000s before leading Boston's 2008 championship team. Pierce was named Finals MVP after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Garnett

Although only in Boston for six seasons, Garnett changed the culture overnight. His defensive intensity helped deliver Banner 17 and restored championship expectations.

Jayson Tatum

Already among the greatest Celtics of the modern era, Tatum led Boston to its record-breaking 18th NBA championship in 2024. His combination of scoring, versatility and durability has established him as the franchise cornerstone.

Jaylen Brown

Brown has developed into one of the NBA's elite two-way players and was named 2024 NBA Finals MVP after helping Boston secure championship No.18.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Celtics have won a record 18 NBA championships, the most in league history.

2. Boston captured eight consecutive NBA titles between 1959 and 1966.

3. Bill Russell won 11 championships as a Celtic — the most by any player.

4. Larry Bird won three consecutive NBA MVP awards from 1984 to 1986.

5. The Celtics became the first NBA franchise to draft an African American player and appoint an African American head coach.

Boston Celtics Timeline

• ‍1946: Franchise founded as one of the original Basketball Association of America teams.‍
• 1957: Win first NBA championship behind Bill Russell and Red Auerbach.‍
• 1959-1966: Record eight consecutive NBA championships.‍
• 1966: Bill Russell becomes the first Black head coach in major American professional sport.‍
• 1969: Russell retires after winning his 11th championship.‍
• 1974: Celtics return to the top with their 12th NBA title.‍
• 1976: Win another championship behind Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White.‍
• 1979: Larry Bird joins the franchise.‍
• 1981: Bird leads Boston to its first championship of the decade.‍
• 1984: Celtics defeat the Lakers in one of the greatest NBA Finals ever played.‍
• 1986: Boston wins its 16th NBA championship with one of the greatest teams in league history.‍
• 2008: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen deliver Banner 17.‍
• 2022: Return to the NBA Finals led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.‍
• 2024: Defeat the Dallas Mavericks to win a record 18th NBA championship.

Why Celtics fans believe Banner 19 is always possible

Championship expectations are woven into every generation of Celtics basketball. From Red Auerbach's cigar celebrations to Bill Russell's dynasty, Larry Bird's brilliance and the modern success of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston has consistently found a way back to contention. Every era has produced Hall of Famers, championship moments and innovations that have influenced the NBA, making the Celtics the league's benchmark franchise and one of the most recognisable sporting organisations in the world.