The 1967-68 Boston Celtics season was a significant chapter in the franchise’s storied history. Under the leadership of player-coach Bill Russell, the Celtics continued their tradition of excellence in the NBA. This season marked the team’s 22nd season in the league, and they were aiming to defend their title from the previous year.
During the regular season, the Celtics finished with a 54-28 record, securing second place in the Eastern Division. The team was known for its strong defensive play and balanced offensive contributions. Key players included John Havlicek, who was instrumental in both scoring and playmaking, Sam Jones, who provided reliable scoring, and Bill Russell, who anchored the team’s defense and rebounding efforts.
In the playoffs, Boston faced a tough road to the championship. They defeated the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Division Semifinals and then faced the Philadelphia 76ers, the previous season’s top team, in the Eastern Division Finals. In a hard-fought series, the Celtics emerged victorious in seven games, demonstrating their resilience and championship pedigree.
The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals, where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston defeated the Lakers in six games to secure their tenth NBA Championship. The victory underscored the Celtics’ dominance during this era and solidified Bill Russell’s legacy as both a player and a coach, as he became the first African American coach to win an NBA title.
- Regular Season Record: 54-28
- Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 4-2, Division Finals: 4-3, NBA Finals: 4-2
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1967-68 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Sam Jones | 73 | 21.3 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 20.5 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| John Havlicek | 82 | 20.8 | 6.0 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 25.8 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bailey Howell | 82 | 19.8 | 8.7 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 18.2 | 7.7 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Russell | 78 | 12.5 | 18.6 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 14.4 | 22.8 | 5.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Larry Siegfried | 62 | 12.2 | 2.8 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Sanders | 78 | 10.2 | 5.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 8.3 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Don Nelson | 82 | 10.0 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 12.5 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wayne Embry | 78 | 6.3 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mal Graham | 49 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Thacker | 65 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Jones | 51 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rick Weitzman | 24 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 1968 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1968 NBA Playoffs' second round, the Boston Celtics faced the Philadelphia 76ers in a thrilling series that highlighted their legendary resilience and tenacity. Down 3-1 in the series, the Celtics mounted a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to clinch the series 4-3, powered by the leadership of Bill Russell and the scoring prowess of John Havlicek. This comeback is still celebrated as a testament to the Celtics' championship DNA, setting the stage for their eventual victory in the NBA Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 123-116 | |
| Mar 25, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 126-116 | |
| Mar 27, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 109-98 | |
| Mar 28, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 135-110 | |
| Mar 31, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 110-96 | |
| Apr 01, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 111-103 |
1968 Conference Championship vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 1968 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by the legendary Bill Russell, who also served as player-coach, the Celtics overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven games, showcasing their resilience and championship pedigree. This comeback set the stage for their eventual triumph in the NBA Finals, securing their 10th title in 12 years.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 05, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 127-118 | |
| Apr 10, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 115-106 | |
| Apr 11, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 122-114 | |
| Apr 14, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-105 | |
| Apr 15, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 122-104 | |
| Apr 17, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-106 | |
| Apr 19, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-96 |
1968 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 107-101 | |
| Apr 24, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 123-113 | |
| Apr 26, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 127-119 | |
| Apr 28, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-105 | |
| Apr 30, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 120-117 | |
| May 02, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 124-109 |
Boston Celtics 1967-68 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1967-68 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 1967 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 105-90 | |
| Oct 21, 1967 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 125-109 | |
| Oct 25, 1967 | vs. St. Louis Hawks | W 118-104 | |
| Oct 27, 1967 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 128-109 | |
| Oct 28, 1967 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 104-95 | |
| Nov 03, 1967 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 105-104 | |
| Nov 04, 1967 | @ St. Louis Hawks | L 111-104 | |
| Nov 07, 1967 | @ Cincinnati Royals | W 113-103 | |
| Nov 09, 1967 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 107-93 | |
| Nov 10, 1967 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 115-114 | |
| Nov 11, 1967 | @ New York Knicks | L 110-105 | |
| Nov 14, 1967 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-111 | |
| Nov 15, 1967 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | W 113-110 | |
| Nov 17, 1967 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | L 120-119 | |
| Nov 18, 1967 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 116-111 | |
| Nov 21, 1967 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 121-114 | |
| Nov 22, 1967 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 124-110 | |
| Nov 23, 1967 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 133-106 | |
| Nov 25, 1967 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 126-118 | |
| Nov 28, 1967 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 118-111 | |
| Dec 01, 1967 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 123-119 | |
| Dec 02, 1967 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 112-107 | |
| Dec 06, 1967 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-113 | |
| Dec 08, 1967 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 123-108 | |
| Dec 09, 1967 | @ Cincinnati Royals | L 108-104 | |
| Dec 14, 1967 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 102-101 | |
| Dec 15, 1967 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 114-101 | |
| Dec 17, 1967 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 123-117 | |
| Dec 19, 1967 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 118-114 | |
| Dec 20, 1967 | @ San Diego Rockets | W 126-116 | |
| Dec 22, 1967 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 120-117 | |
| Dec 25, 1967 | @ New York Knicks | W 134-124 | |
| Dec 26, 1967 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | L 117-104 | |
| Dec 27, 1967 | @ St. Louis Hawks | L 116-113 | |
| Dec 29, 1967 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 133-123 | |
| Jan 02, 1968 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 95-84 | |
| Jan 03, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-103 | |
| Jan 05, 1968 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-121 | |
| Jan 06, 1968 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 107-101 | |
| Jan 10, 1968 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 123-110 | |
| Jan 11, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | L 120-116 | |
| Jan 12, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 148-126 | |
| Jan 15, 1968 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | W 111-102 | |
| Jan 17, 1968 | vs. St. Louis Hawks | W 114-102 | |
| Jan 19, 1968 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-114 | |
| Jan 20, 1968 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 118-115 | |
| Jan 21, 1968 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 139-112 | |
| Jan 25, 1968 | vs. St. Louis Hawks | L 105-93 | |
| Jan 26, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-112 | |
| Jan 28, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-103 | |
| Jan 30, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 125-118 | |
| Jan 31, 1968 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 118-109 | |
| Feb 02, 1968 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 120-99 | |
| Feb 03, 1968 | @ New York Knicks | W 112-108 | |
| Feb 04, 1968 | vs. New York Knicks | L 110-108 | |
| Feb 07, 1968 | vs. St. Louis Hawks | W 102-101 | |
| Feb 09, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 107-100 | |
| Feb 11, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 141-104 | |
| Feb 13, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 127-115 | |
| Feb 14, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 118-96 | |
| Feb 16, 1968 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 124-108 | |
| Feb 17, 1968 | @ St. Louis Hawks | W 113-99 | |
| Feb 18, 1968 | @ Cincinnati Royals | L 107-100 | |
| Feb 20, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 126-110 | |
| Feb 21, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 122-117 | |
| Feb 23, 1968 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 127-122 | |
| Feb 24, 1968 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 141-137 | |
| Feb 26, 1968 | @ San Diego Rockets | W 118-110 | |
| Feb 28, 1968 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | W 135-110 | |
| Mar 01, 1968 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 94-87 | |
| Mar 03, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 133-127 | |
| Mar 05, 1968 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-91 | |
| Mar 06, 1968 | vs. New York Knicks | W 103-91 | |
| Mar 07, 1968 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 118-112 | |
| Mar 08, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 101-96 | |
| Mar 10, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | L 137-111 | |
| Mar 11, 1968 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-112 | |
| Mar 12, 1968 | @ San Francisco Warriors | W 124-121 | |
| Mar 13, 1968 | @ San Diego Rockets | W 144-118 | |
| Mar 16, 1968 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 136-111 | |
| Mar 17, 1968 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 147-139 | |
| Mar 20, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 125-116 |