The 1987-88 Boston Celtics season was a noteworthy campaign in the franchise’s storied history. Under the leadership of head coach K.C. Jones, the Celtics finished the regular season with an impressive 57-25 record, securing the Atlantic Division title. This season was particularly significant as it marked the team’s last division title of the 1980s, a decade dominated by their intense rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Celtics were led by their celebrated Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Bird continued to perform at an elite level, averaging 29.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, earning him a spot on the All-NBA First Team. McHale was also formidable, averaging 22.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while Parish contributed with 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
In the playoffs, the Celtics advanced past the New York Knicks in the first round, winning the series 3-1. They then faced a challenging semifinal matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, which they narrowly won in seven games, highlighted by Bird’s iconic duel with Dominique Wilkins in Game 7. However, their playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated 4-2 by the emerging Detroit Pistons, who were beginning to establish themselves as a dominant force in the league.
The season was also marked by the conclusion of K.C. Jones’s tenure as head coach, as he retired after the playoffs. The 1987-88 season remains a memorable chapter in Celtics history, showcasing the resilience and skill of a team that consistently competed at the highest level during the decade.
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Eastern Conference Finals: 2-4
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1987-88 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Larry Bird | 76 | 29.9 | 9.3 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 41.4 | 17 | 24.5 | 8.8 | 6.7 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 37.5 |
| Kevin McHale | 64 | 22.6 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 17 | 25.4 | 8.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 100.0 |
| Danny Ainge | 81 | 15.7 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 41.5 | 17 | 11.6 | 3.1 | 6.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 32.8 |
| Robert Parish | 74 | 14.3 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 17 | 14.7 | 9.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Johnson | 77 | 12.6 | 3.1 | 7.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 26.1 | 17 | 15.9 | 4.5 | 8.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 37.5 |
| Jim Paxson | 28 | 8.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 15.4 | 15 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Fred Roberts | 74 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Darren Daye | 47 | 6.0 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Reggie Lewis | 49 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 12 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Brad Lohaus | 70 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 23.1 | 9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Jerry Sichting | 24 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 25.0 | |||||||
| Mark Acres | 79 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 17 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Artis Gilmore | 47 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 14 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Conner Henry | 10 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 37.5 | |||||||
| Dirk Minniefield | 61 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 27.3 | 11 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Greg Kite | 13 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
Boston Celtics in the 1988 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New York Knicks
In the first round of the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in a tightly contested series. The Celtics, led by the legendary Larry Bird, managed to secure a victory in the best-of-five series, winning 3-1. Despite the efforts of Knicks' star Patrick Ewing, Boston's experience and depth proved decisive, allowing them to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-92 | |
| May 01, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 128-102 | |
| May 04, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-100 | |
| May 06, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | W 102-94 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the Atlanta Hawks in a thrilling Eastern Conference Semifinals series. The Celtics, led by Larry Bird, battled fiercely, but ultimately fell to the Hawks in seven games. Despite Bird's legendary performances, including a 34-point effort in Game 7, the Celtics were unable to overcome Atlanta's resilience, marking a challenging chapter in their storied playoff history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 110-101 | |
| May 13, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 108-97 | |
| May 15, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 110-92 | |
| May 16, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 118-109 | |
| May 18, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 112-104 | |
| May 20, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 102-100 | |
| May 22, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 118-116 |
1988 Conference Championship vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced off against the Detroit Pistons. Despite the Celtics' strong lineup, led by Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, they were ultimately outmatched by the Pistons' tenacious defense and physical play, losing the series 4-2. This marked a significant turning point in Eastern Conference dominance, as the Pistons would go on to establish themselves as a powerhouse in the late 1980s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 104-96 | |
| May 26, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 119-115 | |
| May 28, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 98-94 | |
| May 30, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 79-78 | |
| Jun 01, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 102-96 | |
| Jun 03, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 95-90 |
Boston Celtics 1987-88 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1987-88 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 1987 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 125-108 | |
| Nov 07, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 140-139 | |
| Nov 09, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 96-87 | |
| Nov 11, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 120-106 | |
| Nov 13, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 128-114 | |
| Nov 15, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 103-98 | |
| Nov 17, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 109-88 | |
| Nov 18, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-109 | |
| Nov 20, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-85 | |
| Nov 21, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-97 | |
| Nov 23, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 107-102 | |
| Nov 25, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 117-102 | |
| Nov 27, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-112 | |
| Nov 28, 1987 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 112-97 | |
| Dec 01, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 120-106 | |
| Dec 02, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 130-99 | |
| Dec 04, 1987 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 128-105 | |
| Dec 09, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 124-119 | |
| Dec 11, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-114 | |
| Dec 15, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 122-102 | |
| Dec 16, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 121-111 | |
| Dec 20, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 124-87 | |
| Dec 22, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 118-115 | |
| Dec 26, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 106-97 | |
| Dec 27, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 114-102 | |
| Dec 30, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-105 | |
| Jan 02, 1988 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 115-110 | |
| Jan 04, 1988 | @ Utah Jazz | W 107-99 | |
| Jan 06, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 117-108 | |
| Jan 08, 1988 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 125-109 | |
| Jan 09, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | L 106-98 | |
| Jan 12, 1988 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 104-97 | |
| Jan 13, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 143-105 | |
| Jan 15, 1988 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 122-86 | |
| Jan 16, 1988 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 103-96 | |
| Jan 18, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-101 | |
| Jan 20, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 131-115 | |
| Jan 22, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 124-106 | |
| Jan 23, 1988 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 119-100 | |
| Jan 26, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 102-97 | |
| Jan 27, 1988 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 106-100 | |
| Jan 29, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 125-108 | |
| Jan 31, 1988 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-85 | |
| Feb 03, 1988 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 118-103 | |
| Feb 04, 1988 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-101 | |
| Feb 09, 1988 | @ Houston Rockets | L 129-120 | |
| Feb 10, 1988 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 136-120 | |
| Feb 12, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 105-104 | |
| Feb 14, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-106 | |
| Feb 15, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 107-106 | |
| Feb 17, 1988 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 138-125 | |
| Feb 19, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-104 | |
| Feb 22, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 95-93 | |
| Feb 24, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-112 | |
| Feb 26, 1988 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 132-96 | |
| Feb 28, 1988 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-101 | |
| Mar 01, 1988 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 117-116 | |
| Mar 02, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 117-107 | |
| Mar 04, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-90 | |
| Mar 06, 1988 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 127-98 | |
| Mar 09, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 119-118 | |
| Mar 11, 1988 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 122-112 | |
| Mar 13, 1988 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 117-100 | |
| Mar 15, 1988 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 119-113 | |
| Mar 18, 1988 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 113-103 | |
| Mar 20, 1988 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 137-107 | |
| Mar 23, 1988 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 104-89 | |
| Mar 25, 1988 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 97-93 | |
| Mar 26, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | W 118-106 | |
| Mar 28, 1988 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 106-105 | |
| Mar 30, 1988 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 117-110 | |
| Apr 01, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 121-110 | |
| Apr 03, 1988 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-101 | |
| Apr 08, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 127-90 | |
| Apr 10, 1988 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-108 | |
| Apr 13, 1988 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 123-104 | |
| Apr 15, 1988 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 120-109 | |
| Apr 17, 1988 | @ Washington Bullets | L 98-92 | |
| Apr 19, 1988 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 121-110 | |
| Apr 21, 1988 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 126-119 | |
| Apr 22, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 133-106 | |
| Apr 24, 1988 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 115-108 |