The 1990-91 Boston Celtics season was marked by a combination of high expectations and solid performance. The team finished the regular season with a 56-26 record, securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division under head coach Chris Ford. This season was significant as it marked Ford’s first year as head coach after taking over from Jimmy Rodgers. The Celtics were led by their core trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, who continued to demonstrate their on-court synergy and experience.
During the regular season, Larry Bird was the standout performer, averaging 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, showcasing his versatility and leadership. The Celtics also benefited from the contributions of Reggie Lewis, who emerged as a key player by averaging 18.7 points per game. The team’s depth was further bolstered by the presence of seasoned veterans like Dennis Johnson and emerging talent like Brian Shaw.
In the playoffs, the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the first round. However, their postseason run was cut short when they faced the Detroit Pistons, the reigning NBA champions, in the semifinals. The Celtics were defeated 4-2, marking their exit from the playoffs. Despite the disappointment, this season reaffirmed the Celtics’ status as a competitive force in the league, setting the stage for future efforts to reclaim their championship glory.
- Regular Season Record: 56-26
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 2-4
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1990-91 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Larry Bird | 60 | 19.4 | 8.5 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 38.9 | 10 | 17.1 | 7.2 | 6.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 14.3 |
| Reggie Lewis | 79 | 18.7 | 5.2 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 11 | 22.4 | 6.0 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Kevin McHale | 68 | 18.4 | 7.1 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 40.5 | 11 | 20.7 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 54.5 |
| Kevin Gamble | 82 | 15.6 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 11 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Robert Parish | 81 | 14.9 | 10.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 10 | 15.8 | 9.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Brian Shaw | 79 | 13.8 | 4.7 | 7.6 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 11.1 | 11 | 11.0 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 33.3 |
| Dee Brown | 82 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 20.6 | 11 | 12.2 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Ed Pinckney | 70 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 11 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Michael Smith | 47 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Joe Kleine | 72 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Derek Smith | 2 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 10 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| A.J. Wynder | 6 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Stojko Vranković | 31 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave Popson | 19 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Charles Smith | 5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Boston Celtics in the 1991 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Indiana Pacers
In the first round of the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Indiana Pacers in a best-of-five series. The Celtics, led by the legendary Larry Bird, secured a hard-fought 3-2 series victory, showcasing their veteran experience and determination. Bird's leadership and the team's cohesive play were crucial in overcoming the Pacers' spirited challenge, allowing Boston to advance to the next round.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 127-120 | |
| Apr 28, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 130-118 | |
| May 01, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 112-105 | |
| May 03, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 116-113 | |
| May 05, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 124-121 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite a strong regular season, the Celtics struggled against the defending champions, ultimately losing the series 4-2. Boston's Larry Bird, battling injuries, couldn't counter the Pistons' relentless defense, marking the end of a challenging postseason for the Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 86-75 | |
| May 09, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 109-103 | |
| May 11, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 115-83 | |
| May 13, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 104-97 | |
| May 15, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 116-111 | |
| May 17, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 117-113 |
Boston Celtics 1990-91 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1990-91 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 125-101 | |
| Nov 03, 1990 | @ New York Knicks | W 106-103 | |
| Nov 06, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 110-108 | |
| Nov 09, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 120-100 | |
| Nov 10, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-91 | |
| Nov 13, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-91 | |
| Nov 14, 1990 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 135-126 | |
| Nov 16, 1990 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 114-89 | |
| Nov 17, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | W 102-90 | |
| Nov 21, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 108-95 | |
| Nov 23, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-105 | |
| Nov 24, 1990 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 113-102 | |
| Nov 26, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 118-101 | |
| Nov 30, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 123-95 | |
| Dec 01, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-110 | |
| Dec 03, 1990 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 135-102 | |
| Dec 05, 1990 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 148-140 | |
| Dec 07, 1990 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 112-104 | |
| Dec 08, 1990 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 102-96 | |
| Dec 10, 1990 | @ Houston Rockets | W 107-95 | |
| Dec 12, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 129-111 | |
| Dec 14, 1990 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 108-100 | |
| Dec 15, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 114-100 | |
| Dec 19, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-105 | |
| Dec 20, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 115-96 | |
| Dec 23, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 132-104 | |
| Dec 26, 1990 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 152-132 | |
| Dec 28, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 131-114 | |
| Jan 02, 1991 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-86 | |
| Jan 04, 1991 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 132-103 | |
| Jan 06, 1991 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 127-110 | |
| Jan 08, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | W 101-87 | |
| Jan 09, 1991 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 110-102 | |
| Jan 11, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 109-107 | |
| Jan 12, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | L 116-99 | |
| Jan 16, 1991 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 110-105 | |
| Jan 18, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 111-106 | |
| Jan 21, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 101-90 | |
| Jan 23, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 111-94 | |
| Jan 25, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-94 | |
| Jan 27, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-87 | |
| Jan 28, 1991 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 108-87 | |
| Jan 30, 1991 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 144-102 | |
| Feb 01, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 92-91 | |
| Feb 03, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 119-101 | |
| Feb 06, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 133-117 | |
| Feb 07, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | W 117-101 | |
| Feb 12, 1991 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-111 | |
| Feb 14, 1991 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 128-112 | |
| Feb 15, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 98-85 | |
| Feb 17, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 126-108 | |
| Feb 19, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-105 | |
| Feb 22, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-99 | |
| Feb 24, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 115-109 | |
| Feb 26, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 129-99 | |
| Feb 27, 1991 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 116-111 | |
| Mar 01, 1991 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-98 | |
| Mar 03, 1991 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-107 | |
| Mar 04, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 126-101 | |
| Mar 06, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 126-117 | |
| Mar 08, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 104-98 | |
| Mar 10, 1991 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 12, 1991 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 110-95 | |
| Mar 13, 1991 | @ Utah Jazz | L 112-109 | |
| Mar 15, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | W 94-86 | |
| Mar 17, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-105 | |
| Mar 19, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 104-92 | |
| Mar 20, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 102-81 | |
| Mar 22, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 121-109 | |
| Mar 28, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-88 | |
| Mar 29, 1991 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-108 | |
| Mar 31, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 135-132 | |
| Apr 02, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 94-77 | |
| Apr 04, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 123-104 | |
| Apr 06, 1991 | @ Orlando Magic | L 102-98 | |
| Apr 11, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-92 | |
| Apr 12, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 119-109 | |
| Apr 14, 1991 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-102 | |
| Apr 16, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-90 | |
| Apr 18, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 122-97 | |
| Apr 19, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 124-117 | |
| Apr 21, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 117-105 |