The 1968-69 Boston Celtics season marked the end of an era, as it was the final season for player-coach Bill Russell, who had been a cornerstone of the franchise’s success. Despite an aging roster and finishing fourth in the Eastern Division with a 48-34 record, the Celtics managed to defy the odds during the playoffs.
In the Eastern Division semifinals, Boston faced the Philadelphia 76ers, defeating them in a convincing 4-1 series win. The Celtics then squared off against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Division Finals. The series was fiercely contested, but the Celtics emerged victorious in six games, securing a 4-2 series win to advance to the NBA Finals.
In the Finals, Boston faced the Los Angeles Lakers, a team led by the formidable duo of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The series was a classic showdown, stretching to seven games. The Celtics demonstrated resilience and championship pedigree, winning Game 7 on the road at the Los Angeles Forum with a 108-106 victory. The triumph marked Boston’s 11th NBA Championship in 13 years and was a fitting farewell for Bill Russell.
This championship run highlighted the Celtics’ ability to perform under pressure, particularly in clutch situations, and solidified their legacy as one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. The 1968-69 season remains a testament to the team’s determination and competitive spirit.
- Regular Season Record: 48-34
- Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 4-1, Division Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 4-3
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1968-69 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| John Havlicek | 82 | 21.6 | 6.4 | 4.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 25.4 | 9.8 | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bailey Howell | 78 | 19.7 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 15.0 | 6.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Sam Jones | 70 | 16.3 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 16.8 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Larry Siegfried | 79 | 14.2 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 11.1 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Don Nelson | 82 | 11.6 | 5.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 12.4 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Sanders | 82 | 11.2 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Russell | 77 | 9.9 | 19.2 | 4.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 10.8 | 20.5 | 5.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Em Bryant | 80 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 11.0 | 4.9 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Barnes | 49 | 5.1 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Don Chaney | 20 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rich Johnson | 31 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bud Olsen | 7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mal Graham | 21 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 1969 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 1969 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in the Eastern Division Finals, marking a pivotal series in their storied rivalry. The Celtics, led by the legendary Bill Russell, showcased their championship pedigree by overcoming the Knicks in a hard-fought six-game series. This victory propelled Boston to yet another NBA Finals, where they continued their quest for an 11th title under Russell's leadership.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-100 | |
| Mar 28, 1969 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 134-103 | |
| Mar 30, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-118 | |
| Apr 01, 1969 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-116 | |
| Apr 04, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 93-90 |
1969 Conference Championship vs. New York Knicks
In the 1969 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in the Eastern Division Finals, showcasing their resilience and championship pedigree. Led by the legendary Bill Russell, who served as player-coach, the Celtics overcame the Knicks in a tough six-game series. This victory propelled them into the NBA Finals, where they eventually triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers to secure their 11th championship in 13 seasons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 06, 1969 | @ New York Knicks | W 108-100 | |
| Apr 09, 1969 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-97 | |
| Apr 10, 1969 | @ New York Knicks | L 101-91 | |
| Apr 13, 1969 | vs. New York Knicks | W 97-96 | |
| Apr 14, 1969 | @ New York Knicks | L 112-104 | |
| Apr 18, 1969 | vs. New York Knicks | W 106-105 |
1969 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 120-118 | |
| Apr 25, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-112 | |
| Apr 27, 1969 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-105 | |
| Apr 29, 1969 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 89-88 | |
| May 01, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-104 | |
| May 03, 1969 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 99-90 | |
| May 05, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 108-106 |
Boston Celtics 1968-69 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1968-69 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 106-88 | |
| Oct 19, 1968 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-96 | |
| Oct 23, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 108-101 | |
| Oct 26, 1968 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-89 | |
| Oct 29, 1968 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 103-97 | |
| Oct 30, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 119-117 | |
| Nov 01, 1968 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 118-99 | |
| Nov 03, 1968 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 123-103 | |
| Nov 08, 1968 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-112 | |
| Nov 09, 1968 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 98-97 | |
| Nov 11, 1968 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 134-113 | |
| Nov 15, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 116-105 | |
| Nov 16, 1968 | @ San Diego Rockets | W 120-112 | |
| Nov 17, 1968 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 130-98 | |
| Nov 19, 1968 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-106 | |
| Nov 20, 1968 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 139-92 | |
| Nov 22, 1968 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 133-106 | |
| Nov 23, 1968 | @ New York Knicks | L 111-100 | |
| Nov 27, 1968 | vs. New York Knicks | W 131-117 | |
| Nov 29, 1968 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 93-92 | |
| Nov 30, 1968 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-113 | |
| Dec 03, 1968 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 137-115 | |
| Dec 04, 1968 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-99 | |
| Dec 06, 1968 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 132-118 | |
| Dec 07, 1968 | @ Cincinnati Royals | W 117-114 | |
| Dec 10, 1968 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 115-101 | |
| Dec 11, 1968 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 108-106 | |
| Dec 13, 1968 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | L 108-98 | |
| Dec 14, 1968 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 110-101 | |
| Dec 18, 1968 | vs. New York Knicks | L 104-98 | |
| Dec 21, 1968 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 102-94 | |
| Dec 26, 1968 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 139-106 | |
| Dec 28, 1968 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 110-97 | |
| Dec 31, 1968 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | L 114-112 | |
| Jan 01, 1969 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 93-87 | |
| Jan 02, 1969 | @ San Diego Rockets | W 107-95 | |
| Jan 03, 1969 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 104-102 | |
| Jan 05, 1969 | @ San Francisco Warriors | W 134-86 | |
| Jan 06, 1969 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 121-97 | |
| Jan 08, 1969 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 113-104 | |
| Jan 10, 1969 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 88-82 | |
| Jan 11, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-101 | |
| Jan 12, 1969 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 114-110 | |
| Jan 17, 1969 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | W 102-99 | |
| Jan 18, 1969 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-97 | |
| Jan 20, 1969 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 122-109 | |
| Jan 22, 1969 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 95-94 | |
| Jan 24, 1969 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 120-111 | |
| Jan 26, 1969 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 124-86 | |
| Jan 28, 1969 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 108-96 | |
| Jan 29, 1969 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-122 | |
| Jan 31, 1969 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 116-101 | |
| Feb 01, 1969 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-82 | |
| Feb 02, 1969 | vs. New York Knicks | L 95-94 | |
| Feb 04, 1969 | vs. San Diego Rockets | L 135-126 | |
| Feb 05, 1969 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 124-112 | |
| Feb 07, 1969 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 109-107 | |
| Feb 09, 1969 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 122-117 | |
| Feb 12, 1969 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 113-106 | |
| Feb 14, 1969 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 104-101 | |
| Feb 16, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 127-102 | |
| Feb 18, 1969 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 116-110 | |
| Feb 21, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 124-102 | |
| Feb 22, 1969 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 124-100 | |
| Feb 23, 1969 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-116 | |
| Feb 25, 1969 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 112-99 | |
| Feb 26, 1969 | vs. New York Knicks | L 92-88 | |
| Feb 28, 1969 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 122-120 | |
| Mar 01, 1969 | @ New York Knicks | L 115-96 | |
| Mar 02, 1969 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 99-92 | |
| Mar 04, 1969 | @ San Francisco Warriors | L 99-95 | |
| Mar 06, 1969 | @ San Diego Rockets | L 110-97 | |
| Mar 07, 1969 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 105-99 | |
| Mar 09, 1969 | vs. San Francisco Warriors | W 138-89 | |
| Mar 12, 1969 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 126-117 | |
| Mar 13, 1969 | @ Cincinnati Royals | L 120-110 | |
| Mar 15, 1969 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 99-98 | |
| Mar 16, 1969 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-73 | |
| Mar 19, 1969 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-92 | |
| Mar 21, 1969 | vs. Cincinnati Royals | W 145-119 | |
| Mar 23, 1969 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 126-98 | |
| Mar 24, 1969 | vs. San Diego Rockets | W 111-107 |