The 1983-84 Boston Celtics season was a standout year for the franchise, marked by both regular-season dominance and postseason success. Under the leadership of head coach K.C. Jones, the Celtics finished the regular season with an impressive 62-20 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The team was powered by the legendary trio of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, who were instrumental in their offensive and defensive prowess.
Larry Bird, in particular, had a stellar season, earning the NBA Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performances. The Celtics excelled across various facets of the game, showcasing a well-rounded team effort bolstered by contributions from key players like Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. This balanced approach made them a formidable opponent throughout the season.
In the playoffs, the Celtics faced tough competition but emerged victorious, defeating the Washington Bullets, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks to win the Eastern Conference. The NBA Finals saw them clash with the Los Angeles Lakers, reigniting one of the greatest rivalries in sports. The series was fiercely contested, but the Celtics triumphed in seven games, clinching the championship. This victory marked the 15th NBA title in the franchise’s storied history, further cementing the Celtics’ legacy as one of the league’s most successful teams.
- Regular Season Record: 62-20
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 4-3
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1983-84 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Larry Bird | 79 | 24.2 | 10.1 | 6.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 24.7 | 23 | 27.5 | 11.0 | 5.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 41.2 |
| Robert Parish | 80 | 19.0 | 10.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 23 | 14.9 | 10.8 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.0 |
| Kevin McHale | 82 | 18.4 | 7.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 33.3 | 23 | 14.8 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Johnson | 80 | 13.2 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 12.5 | 22 | 16.6 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 42.9 |
| Cedric Maxwell | 80 | 11.9 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 16.7 | 23 | 11.9 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Gerald Henderson | 78 | 11.6 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 35.1 | 23 | 12.5 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 27.3 |
| Danny Ainge | 71 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 27.3 | 19 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 22.2 |
| Scott Wedman | 68 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 15.4 | 17 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 57.1 |
| Quinn Buckner | 79 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 23 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| M.L. Carr | 60 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 20.0 | 16 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Greg Kite | 35 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 11 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Carlos Clark | 31 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 1984 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Washington Bullets
In the first round of the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Washington Bullets, securing a decisive 3-1 series victory. Spearheaded by Larry Bird's exceptional performances, the Celtics showcased their dominance with a blend of strategic defense and potent scoring. This series set the tone for Boston's journey to eventually claim the NBA Championship that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 91-83 | |
| Apr 19, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 88-85 | |
| Apr 21, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | L 111-108 | |
| Apr 24, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | W 99-96 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. New York Knicks
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics emerged victorious in a hard-fought seven-game series, showcasing their resilience and depth. With Larry Bird leading the charge, Boston's combination of star power and tenacious defense ultimately overwhelmed the Knicks, propelling them further in their championship quest.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-92 | |
| May 02, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | W 116-102 | |
| May 04, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 100-92 | |
| May 06, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 118-113 | |
| May 09, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | W 121-99 | |
| May 11, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 106-104 | |
| May 13, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | W 121-104 |
1984 Conference Championship vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, triumphing in a hard-fought series that went the full seven games. Led by Larry Bird's stellar performances, the Celtics showcased their resilience and depth, ultimately securing their spot in the NBA Finals with a decisive Game 7 victory at the Boston Garden. This series highlighted the Celtics' championship pedigree and set the stage for their classic showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 119-96 | |
| May 17, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 125-110 | |
| May 19, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-100 | |
| May 21, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 122-113 | |
| May 23, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 115-108 |
1984 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1984 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics triumphed over their storied rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in a thrilling seven-game series. Led by the legendary Larry Bird, who was named the Finals MVP, the Celtics showcased their resilience and clutch performance, particularly in Game 7 at the Boston Garden. This victory marked Boston's 15th NBA Championship, further cementing their legacy in basketball history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-109 | |
| May 31, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 124-121 | |
| Jun 03, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 137-104 | |
| Jun 06, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 129-125 | |
| Jun 08, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 121-103 | |
| Jun 10, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-108 | |
| Jun 12, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-102 |
Boston Celtics 1983-84 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1983-84 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 127-121 | |
| Oct 29, 1983 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 108-89 | |
| Nov 02, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 119-105 | |
| Nov 04, 1983 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 121-105 | |
| Nov 05, 1983 | @ Washington Bullets | W 120-117 | |
| Nov 08, 1983 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 99-97 | |
| Nov 09, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 129-122 | |
| Nov 11, 1983 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 126-118 | |
| Nov 12, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 116-101 | |
| Nov 15, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 140-124 | |
| Nov 16, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | L 122-109 | |
| Nov 18, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | L 110-103 | |
| Nov 19, 1983 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 92-91 | |
| Nov 22, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | L 117-113 | |
| Nov 25, 1983 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 109-102 | |
| Nov 27, 1983 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 114-99 | |
| Nov 30, 1983 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 130-106 | |
| Dec 02, 1983 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 115-106 | |
| Dec 04, 1983 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 121-114 | |
| Dec 06, 1983 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 118-105 | |
| Dec 07, 1983 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 100-95 | |
| Dec 09, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 119-90 | |
| Dec 10, 1983 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 104-87 | |
| Dec 13, 1983 | @ New York Knicks | W 102-100 | |
| Dec 14, 1983 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-108 | |
| Dec 16, 1983 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 100-93 | |
| Dec 17, 1983 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 129-115 | |
| Dec 21, 1983 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 107-96 | |
| Dec 23, 1983 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 125-113 | |
| Dec 27, 1983 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 115-100 | |
| Dec 29, 1983 | @ Houston Rockets | L 107-94 | |
| Dec 30, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 114-109 | |
| Jan 03, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-103 | |
| Jan 04, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 113-104 | |
| Jan 06, 1984 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 115-97 | |
| Jan 11, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 135-112 | |
| Jan 13, 1984 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 105-104 | |
| Jan 15, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-87 | |
| Jan 17, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 122-113 | |
| Jan 20, 1984 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 132-125 | |
| Jan 22, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-98 | |
| Jan 24, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 118-97 | |
| Jan 25, 1984 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 102-98 | |
| Jan 31, 1984 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-83 | |
| Feb 01, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 119-110 | |
| Feb 03, 1984 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 125-106 | |
| Feb 05, 1984 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 137-134 | |
| Feb 06, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 115-112 | |
| Feb 08, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-109 | |
| Feb 10, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 114-101 | |
| Feb 12, 1984 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 109-91 | |
| Feb 16, 1984 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 125-115 | |
| Feb 17, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-100 | |
| Feb 19, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-101 | |
| Feb 22, 1984 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 114-107 | |
| Feb 24, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-108 | |
| Feb 26, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-109 | |
| Feb 29, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | L 102-98 | |
| Mar 02, 1984 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-100 | |
| Mar 04, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-93 | |
| Mar 06, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | W 108-85 | |
| Mar 07, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 117-106 | |
| Mar 09, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 129-128 | |
| Mar 11, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 117-109 | |
| Mar 14, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 103-99 | |
| Mar 16, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-99 | |
| Mar 17, 1984 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 103-88 | |
| Mar 20, 1984 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 123-121 | |
| Mar 22, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | W 108-100 | |
| Mar 23, 1984 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 101-97 | |
| Mar 25, 1984 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-114 | |
| Mar 27, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-93 | |
| Mar 28, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 114-107 | |
| Mar 30, 1984 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 105-96 | |
| Mar 31, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-98 | |
| Apr 03, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 98-86 | |
| Apr 06, 1984 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 113-94 | |
| Apr 08, 1984 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 117-110 | |
| Apr 10, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-95 | |
| Apr 11, 1984 | vs. New York Knicks | W 102-96 | |
| Apr 13, 1984 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 128-120 | |
| Apr 15, 1984 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 118-111 |