The 1977-78 Boston Celtics season marked a period of transition and struggle for the storied franchise. Finishing with a disappointing 32-50 record, the Celtics failed to qualify for the playoffs, reflecting a significant downturn for a team accustomed to success. This season was particularly notable as it was the first time the Celtics had missed the playoffs since the 1969-70 season, highlighting the challenges they faced during this period.
The team was led by head coach Tommy Heinsohn, who was in the latter stages of his coaching career with the Celtics. Key players during the season included Dave Cowens, who was a vital figure on the court, and Jo Jo White, who continued to provide leadership and scoring. However, despite their efforts, the team struggled to find cohesion and consistency, which was evident in their sub-.500 record.
One of the significant issues for the Celtics that season was their defensive struggles, as they allowed opponents to score an average of 111.3 points per game. This defensive lapse, coupled with inconsistent offensive performances, undermined their ability to compete effectively throughout the season. The 1977-78 season was a clear indication of the need for restructuring and rebuilding, which the Celtics would eventually address in the subsequent years, laying the groundwork for future success.
- Regular Season Record: 32-50
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1977-78 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Dave Cowens | 77 | 18.6 | 14.0 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Charlie Scott | 31 | 16.3 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Havlicek | 82 | 16.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jo Jo White | 46 | 14.8 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dave Bing | 80 | 13.6 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Sidney Wicks | 81 | 13.4 | 8.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kermit Washington | 32 | 11.8 | 10.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kevin Stacom | 55 | 8.5 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Cedric Maxwell | 72 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tom Boswell | 65 | 7.1 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Curtis Rowe | 51 | 6.1 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Don Chaney | 42 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Zaid Abdul-Aziz | 2 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ernie DiGregorio | 27 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Fred Saunders | 26 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bob Bigelow | 4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jim Ard | 1 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Steve Kuberski | 3 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Boston Celtics 1977-78 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1977-78 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 114-109 | |
| Oct 22, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 110-98 | |
| Oct 24, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-85 | |
| Oct 25, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 110-103 | |
| Oct 28, 1977 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 116-109 | |
| Oct 29, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 103-98 | |
| Nov 02, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 104-101 | |
| Nov 04, 1977 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 109-107 | |
| Nov 09, 1977 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 129-114 | |
| Nov 11, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 109-103 | |
| Nov 13, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 127-119 | |
| Nov 16, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 131-105 | |
| Nov 18, 1977 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 121-112 | |
| Nov 19, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 102-98 | |
| Nov 23, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 109-100 | |
| Nov 25, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | W 121-119 | |
| Nov 26, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 110-108 | |
| Nov 29, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 108-101 | |
| Nov 30, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 98-92 | |
| Dec 02, 1977 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-89 | |
| Dec 03, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 103-93 | |
| Dec 06, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | L 122-119 | |
| Dec 07, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 113-109 | |
| Dec 09, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 118-87 | |
| Dec 13, 1977 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 122-108 | |
| Dec 16, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 118-113 | |
| Dec 18, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-97 | |
| Dec 20, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 104-99 | |
| Dec 21, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 111-106 | |
| Dec 22, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 132-99 | |
| Dec 23, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 129-110 | |
| Dec 26, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 122-100 | |
| Dec 29, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 124-115 | |
| Dec 30, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-97 | |
| Jan 05, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 121-111 | |
| Jan 08, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 94-91 | |
| Jan 11, 1978 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 91-88 | |
| Jan 13, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 114-111 | |
| Jan 15, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-103 | |
| Jan 18, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 130-116 | |
| Jan 22, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-92 | |
| Jan 24, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 96-91 | |
| Jan 25, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 113-103 | |
| Jan 29, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 99-88 | |
| Jan 31, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 104-94 | |
| Feb 01, 1978 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 103-100 | |
| Feb 03, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 116-94 | |
| Feb 07, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 92-89 | |
| Feb 08, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 104-100 | |
| Feb 14, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 98-75 | |
| Feb 16, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 98-95 | |
| Feb 17, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-106 | |
| Feb 19, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 118-115 | |
| Feb 21, 1978 | @ Houston Rockets | L 111-96 | |
| Feb 24, 1978 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 106-99 | |
| Feb 26, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 94-92 | |
| Feb 28, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 117-85 | |
| Mar 01, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 101-100 | |
| Mar 03, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 116-113 | |
| Mar 04, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | L 99-91 | |
| Mar 05, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-94 | |
| Mar 10, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 120-109 | |
| Mar 12, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 105-103 | |
| Mar 14, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 105-98 | |
| Mar 16, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 112-102 | |
| Mar 17, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 115-108 | |
| Mar 18, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 117-110 | |
| Mar 19, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 122-95 | |
| Mar 21, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 119-107 | |
| Mar 22, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-99 | |
| Mar 24, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 97-96 | |
| Mar 26, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-101 | |
| Mar 28, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 104-92 | |
| Mar 29, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 109-106 | |
| Mar 31, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 120-117 | |
| Apr 01, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 119-108 | |
| Apr 02, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 123-120 | |
| Apr 04, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 116-104 | |
| Apr 06, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 112-103 | |
| Apr 07, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 111-109 | |
| Apr 08, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-111 | |
| Apr 09, 1978 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 131-114 |