The 1975-76 Boston Celtics season was a remarkable chapter in the franchise’s storied history, culminating in their 13th NBA Championship. Coached by the legendary Tom Heinsohn, the Celtics finished the regular season with a 54-28 record, leading the Atlantic Division. This performance was largely driven by their tenacious defense and team-oriented playstyle, hallmarks of the Celtics’ basketball philosophy.
John Havlicek, in his penultimate season, was a crucial veteran presence, while Dave Cowens anchored the team in the paint. Cowens, known for his relentless energy and versatility, was pivotal throughout the season, earning an All-NBA First Team selection. Jo Jo White, the team’s dynamic guard, provided offensive firepower and was instrumental in their playoff success.
In the playoffs, the Celtics’ resilience was tested. After dispatching the Buffalo Braves and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the earlier rounds, they faced the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. The series is best remembered for the triple-overtime thriller in Game 5, considered one of the greatest games in NBA history. The Celtics ultimately triumphed in six games, with Jo Jo White earning the NBA Finals MVP award for his consistent and clutch performances.
The 1975-76 season reinforced the Boston Celtics’ reputation as a dominant force in the NBA, blending experienced leadership with spirited competitiveness. Their championship run added another prestigious title to the franchise’s legacy, cementing their place in basketball history.
- Regular Season Record: 54-28
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 4-2
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1975-76 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Dave Cowens | 78 | 19.0 | 16.0 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 18 | 21.0 | 16.4 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Jo Jo White | 82 | 18.9 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 22.7 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Charlie Scott | 82 | 17.6 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 18 | 15.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| John Havlicek | 76 | 17.0 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 13.2 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Paul Silas | 81 | 10.7 | 12.7 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 18 | 10.8 | 13.7 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Don Nelson | 75 | 6.4 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 9.1 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Glenn McDonald | 75 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Kuberski | 60 | 5.4 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 18 | 5.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Stacom | 77 | 5.3 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Ard | 81 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 16 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Jerome Anderson | 22 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Boswell | 35 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ed Searcy | 4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Boston Celtics in the 1976 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Buffalo Braves
In the 1976 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics showcased their resilience and championship pedigree during the Eastern Conference Semifinals by overcoming the Buffalo Braves in a tightly contested six-game series. Led by dynamic performances from stars like John Havlicek and Dave Cowens, the Celtics' blend of veteran leadership and strategic prowess proved crucial in advancing to the Conference Finals. This victory was a pivotal step towards their eventual triumph in the NBA Finals, solidifying their legacy as one of the league's most storied franchises.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 107-98 | |
| Apr 23, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 101-96 | |
| Apr 25, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 98-93 | |
| Apr 28, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 124-122 | |
| Apr 30, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 99-88 | |
| May 02, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 104-100 |
1976 Conference Championship vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 1976 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics showcased their resilience and championship mettle in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They won the series 4-2, propelled by the leadership of players like Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens. This victory paved the way for their successful run to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately captured the championship, further solidifying their legacy as a dominant force in the league.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 1976 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-99 | |
| May 09, 1976 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-89 | |
| May 11, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 83-78 | |
| May 14, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 106-87 | |
| May 16, 1976 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 99-94 | |
| May 18, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-87 |
1976 NBA Finals vs. Phoenix Suns
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 98-87 | |
| May 27, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 105-90 | |
| May 30, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 105-98 | |
| Jun 02, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-107 | |
| Jun 04, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 128-126 | |
| Jun 06, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 87-80 |
Boston Celtics 1975-76 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1975-76 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 1975 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 109-94 | |
| Oct 29, 1975 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-106 | |
| Oct 31, 1975 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 112-94 | |
| Nov 01, 1975 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 84-82 | |
| Nov 05, 1975 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 105-95 | |
| Nov 07, 1975 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-101 | |
| Nov 08, 1975 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 118-104 | |
| Nov 11, 1975 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 100-91 | |
| Nov 13, 1975 | @ Washington Bullets | L 110-107 | |
| Nov 14, 1975 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-109 | |
| Nov 15, 1975 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 112-110 | |
| Nov 21, 1975 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-101 | |
| Nov 23, 1975 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-90 | |
| Nov 26, 1975 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-109 | |
| Nov 28, 1975 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 114-107 | |
| Dec 02, 1975 | @ New York Knicks | W 103-100 | |
| Dec 03, 1975 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 109-106 | |
| Dec 05, 1975 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 104-93 | |
| Dec 06, 1975 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 111-104 | |
| Dec 10, 1975 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-98 | |
| Dec 12, 1975 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 130-108 | |
| Dec 13, 1975 | @ Houston Rockets | W 137-120 | |
| Dec 14, 1975 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 102-93 | |
| Dec 17, 1975 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 118-104 | |
| Dec 19, 1975 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-112 | |
| Dec 20, 1975 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-97 | |
| Dec 23, 1975 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 101-92 | |
| Dec 26, 1975 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 112-106 | |
| Dec 28, 1975 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 123-113 | |
| Dec 30, 1975 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 133-101 | |
| Jan 02, 1976 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-98 | |
| Jan 03, 1976 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 125-97 | |
| Jan 07, 1976 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 109-103 | |
| Jan 09, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 118-113 | |
| Jan 11, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 118-107 | |
| Jan 13, 1976 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-94 | |
| Jan 14, 1976 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 106-101 | |
| Jan 16, 1976 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 118-110 | |
| Jan 17, 1976 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 94-92 | |
| Jan 18, 1976 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-94 | |
| Jan 20, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 98-85 | |
| Jan 21, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 114-100 | |
| Jan 23, 1976 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 108-91 | |
| Jan 25, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 135-107 | |
| Jan 28, 1976 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 110-99 | |
| Jan 31, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 109-100 | |
| Feb 01, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 114-109 | |
| Feb 07, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | W 106-98 | |
| Feb 08, 1976 | vs. New York Knicks | L 97-89 | |
| Feb 11, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | L 115-103 | |
| Feb 13, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 109-108 | |
| Feb 15, 1976 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-105 | |
| Feb 18, 1976 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-99 | |
| Feb 20, 1976 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 125-113 | |
| Feb 21, 1976 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 100-94 | |
| Feb 25, 1976 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 103-102 | |
| Feb 27, 1976 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-118 | |
| Feb 29, 1976 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 119-101 | |
| Mar 03, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 123-110 | |
| Mar 04, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 103-98 | |
| Mar 05, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 98-93 | |
| Mar 07, 1976 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 88-87 | |
| Mar 09, 1976 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 117-99 | |
| Mar 10, 1976 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 92-89 | |
| Mar 14, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 102-89 | |
| Mar 19, 1976 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 120-117 | |
| Mar 20, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 103-96 | |
| Mar 21, 1976 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-100 | |
| Mar 23, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 101-97 | |
| Mar 24, 1976 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 94-87 | |
| Mar 26, 1976 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-93 | |
| Mar 27, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | L 105-103 | |
| Mar 28, 1976 | vs. New York Knicks | W 100-94 | |
| Mar 30, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 93-83 | |
| Mar 31, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 122-102 | |
| Apr 01, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-88 | |
| Apr 02, 1976 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 119-115 | |
| Apr 04, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 117-114 | |
| Apr 06, 1976 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 101-92 | |
| Apr 08, 1976 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 131-104 | |
| Apr 09, 1976 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-100 | |
| Apr 11, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | W 103-99 |