The 2002-03 Boston Celtics season marked a period of transition and modest success for the franchise. Under the guidance of head coach Jim O’Brien, the Celtics aimed to build on their Eastern Conference Finals appearance from the previous season. The team finished the regular season with a record of 44-38, securing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Key players for the Celtics included Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, who both played pivotal roles in the team’s performance. Pierce averaged 25.9 points per game, while Walker contributed 20.1 points per game, making them one of the most formidable duos in the league. Despite their efforts, the Celtics struggled with inconsistency throughout the season, particularly on the defensive end.
In the playoffs, the Celtics faced the Indiana Pacers in the first round. They managed to win the series in a hard-fought six games, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. However, their playoff run was cut short by the New Jersey Nets, who defeated them 4-0. The series highlighted the Celtics’ need for additional depth and defensive prowess, as they were unable to contain the Nets’ offensive firepower.
Overall, the 2002-03 season was a step forward for the Celtics, showcasing their potential while also highlighting areas in need of improvement. This season laid the groundwork for future adjustments and strategic changes within the organization.
- Regular Season Record: 44-38
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 4-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 0-4
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 2002-03 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Paul Pierce | 79 | 25.9 | 7.3 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 30.2 | 10 | 27.1 | 9.0 | 6.7 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 35.6 |
| Antoine Walker | 78 | 20.1 | 7.2 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 32.3 | 10 | 17.3 | 8.7 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 35.6 |
| Tony Delk | 67 | 9.8 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 39.5 | 10 | 15.8 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 44.9 |
| Eric Williams | 82 | 9.1 | 4.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 33.6 | 10 | 9.6 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| J.R. Bremer | 64 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 35.3 | 10 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Shammond Williams | 51 | 7.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 35.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tony Battie | 67 | 7.3 | 6.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 20.0 | 10 | 6.6 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Walter McCarty | 82 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 36.7 | 10 | 9.9 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 40.4 |
| Vin Baker | 52 | 5.2 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mark Blount | 27 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 10 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Bimbo Coles | 14 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kedrick Brown | 51 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 7.7 | 3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Grant Long | 41 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bruno Å undov | 26 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rubén Wolkowyski | 7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mikki Moore | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mark Bryant | 2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 2003 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Indiana Pacers
In the 2003 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The Celtics emerged victorious, winning the series 4-2, thanks in large part to standout performances from Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker. Their success in this round showcased their resilience and ability to close out games, setting the stage for a competitive postseason run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 103-100 | |
| Apr 21, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 89-77 | |
| Apr 24, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 101-83 | |
| Apr 27, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-92 | |
| Apr 29, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 93-88 | |
| May 01, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 110-90 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the 2003 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they struggled against a dominant Nets team led by Jason Kidd. The Celtics were swept in the series 4-0, with the Nets' fast-paced offense and stifling defense proving too much for Boston to handle. Despite standout performances from Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, the Celtics couldn't overcome the cohesive and experienced New Jersey squad.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-93 | |
| May 07, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-95 | |
| May 09, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 94-76 | |
| May 12, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 110-101 |
Boston Celtics 2002-03 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2002-03 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2002 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 99-96 | |
| Oct 31, 2002 | @ Washington Wizards | L 114-69 | |
| Nov 02, 2002 | @ New York Knicks | W 117-107 | |
| Nov 06, 2002 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 91-69 | |
| Nov 07, 2002 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 98-95 | |
| Nov 09, 2002 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 105-99 | |
| Nov 11, 2002 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 112-95 | |
| Nov 13, 2002 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-81 | |
| Nov 15, 2002 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 97-86 | |
| Nov 16, 2002 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-85 | |
| Nov 20, 2002 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 96-79 | |
| Nov 22, 2002 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 105-98 | |
| Nov 23, 2002 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 109-99 | |
| Nov 27, 2002 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 92-82 | |
| Nov 29, 2002 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 98-95 | |
| Dec 01, 2002 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 95-86 | |
| Dec 02, 2002 | @ Orlando Magic | W 102-97 | |
| Dec 04, 2002 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 99-93 | |
| Dec 06, 2002 | vs. New York Knicks | W 91-80 | |
| Dec 09, 2002 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 114-109 | |
| Dec 11, 2002 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 103-94 | |
| Dec 13, 2002 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 115-100 | |
| Dec 14, 2002 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-90 | |
| Dec 16, 2002 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 94-83 | |
| Dec 18, 2002 | vs. Miami Heat | L 91-81 | |
| Dec 20, 2002 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 108-99 | |
| Dec 21, 2002 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 89-82 | |
| Dec 25, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-81 | |
| Dec 27, 2002 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-70 | |
| Dec 28, 2002 | @ Orlando Magic | L 101-95 | |
| Dec 31, 2002 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 96-89 | |
| Jan 03, 2003 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 108-103 | |
| Jan 06, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 100-95 | |
| Jan 08, 2003 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 93-83 | |
| Jan 10, 2003 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 103-78 | |
| Jan 12, 2003 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 81-80 | |
| Jan 13, 2003 | @ Houston Rockets | L 101-92 | |
| Jan 15, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 86-66 | |
| Jan 17, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 98-93 | |
| Jan 18, 2003 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-95 | |
| Jan 20, 2003 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-99 | |
| Jan 22, 2003 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-97 | |
| Jan 24, 2003 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 77-58 | |
| Jan 26, 2003 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 91-83 | |
| Jan 28, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 86-83 | |
| Jan 31, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 118-66 | |
| Feb 01, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 109-100 | |
| Feb 03, 2003 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 103-96 | |
| Feb 05, 2003 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-74 | |
| Feb 11, 2003 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 82-76 | |
| Feb 13, 2003 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 100-92 | |
| Feb 15, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 92-84 | |
| Feb 16, 2003 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 102-92 | |
| Feb 18, 2003 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 125-117 | |
| Feb 20, 2003 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 105-83 | |
| Feb 24, 2003 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 101-95 | |
| Feb 26, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 71-69 | |
| Feb 28, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 90-85 | |
| Mar 02, 2003 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 104-92 | |
| Mar 03, 2003 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 111-110 | |
| Mar 05, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | W 97-95 | |
| Mar 07, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 83-72 | |
| Mar 09, 2003 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 94-78 | |
| Mar 12, 2003 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 93-65 | |
| Mar 13, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 90-75 | |
| Mar 15, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 81-71 | |
| Mar 18, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 87-74 | |
| Mar 19, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 102-72 | |
| Mar 21, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-96 | |
| Mar 22, 2003 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 90-80 | |
| Mar 24, 2003 | @ Utah Jazz | L 96-91 | |
| Mar 26, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 107-95 | |
| Mar 28, 2003 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 104-95 | |
| Mar 29, 2003 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-106 | |
| Apr 02, 2003 | vs. Miami Heat | W 90-62 | |
| Apr 04, 2003 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 93-92 | |
| Apr 06, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 99-98 | |
| Apr 09, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | W 87-83 | |
| Apr 10, 2003 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 99-78 | |
| Apr 12, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | L 89-86 | |
| Apr 13, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | W 94-86 | |
| Apr 16, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 99-92 |