17 Championship Titles

Lore & Background

The Celtics won the East Group C in the inaugural 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament by going in the group stage and winning a three-way tiebreaker via point differential. However, they were eliminated from the tournament with a loss to the Indiana Pacers in the quarterfinals. The Celtics had the best record in the NBA and proceeded through the playoffs in dominant fashion. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the NBA Finals, winning the franchise's first championship since 2008, and 18th championship in team history, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers to hold the NBA record for most championships.

The result was the most dominant Celtics championship run since 1965, with only three losses in the playoffs and a season total of 80 wins, the second-best mark in franchise history. Following their championship victory, multiple commentators considered the 2023–24 Celtics to be among the greatest teams in NBA history. With a playoff record of 16–3, the Celtics were second only to the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors for the best postseason record since all four NBA playoff rounds became best-of-seven contests in 2003.

This record, however, would only be matched two years later by the New York Knicks. The Celtics drew an average home attendance of 19,156 in 41 home games in the 2023–24 NBA season.

Reader's Guide

This was the Celtics' first season without veteran Celtic and point guard Marcus Smart since 2014. In June 2023, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade to acquire forward Kristaps Porziņģis of the Washington Wizards. On October 1, 2023, the Celtics sent guard Malcolm Brogdon, center/forward Robert Williams III, a protected 2024 first-round pick (acquired from the Golden State Warriors), and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday.

On March 14, 2024, the Celtics became the first team to clinch a playoff berth with their 117–107 victory over the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers' 114–105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Six days later, the Celtics won the Atlantic Division championship for the third consecutive season, following a 122–119 victory over the Bucks during a 7-game winning streak. On March 23, the Celtics clinched the #1-seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2017 after they beat the Chicago Bulls.

On April 3, 2024, the Celtics defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 135–100 victory, clinching the best record in the NBA and securing a home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs for the first time since 2008. It was also the first time the Celtics won 60 or more regular season games since 2009. The Celtics finished the season with a 64–18 record, 14 games higher than the second-place team in the Atlantic Division and the entire Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks.

In the playoffs, the Celtics dispatched the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games each, and swept the Indiana Pacers to reach their second NBA Finals in three years, where the Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks. Upon reaching the Finals, Porziņģis returned to action after missing nearly the entire playoffs up until that point. However, he suffered what was described as a 'rare' ankle injury in Game 2 and missed the next two games. The Celtics raced out to a second consecutive 3–0 series lead.

After a 122–84 blowout loss in Game 4, they returned to Boston and won Game 5 to win their first title since 2008. The Celtics are the first team to have the best regular-season record and win the title since the Golden State Warriors in 2017.

Historical Dominance and Record-Breaking Success

This victory broke a longstanding tie with the Los Angeles Lakers to establish a new franchise record for the most titles in league history. The team's performance was nothing short of historic; they secured the best regular-season record in the entire NBA at 64–18, finishing fourteen games ahead of their closest conference rival. Their playoff run was equally commanding, featuring only three losses across sixteen victories to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the Finals.

This dominance resulted in a staggering season total of 80 wins, the second-highest mark ever recorded by the organization. By becoming the first team since the 2017 Golden State Warriors to combine the league's best regular-season record with a championship title, the Celtics cemented their status as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Their postseason efficiency was matched only by that 2017 Warriors squad until two years later, highlighting an era of unprecedented consistency and excellence for the franchise.

Strategic Roster Overhauls and Key Acquisitions

The foundation for this championship run was built upon significant roster changes initiated before the season began. For the first time since 2014, the team operated without veteran point guard Marcus Smart, who was traded to Memphis in a complex deal that brought forward Kristaps Porziņģis from Washington. The front office further strengthened their backcourt by acquiring two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday from Portland in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III, along with future draft assets.

These strategic moves proved vital as the squad navigated the season without missing a beat. Although Porziņģis missed nearly the entire playoff run due to injury, his return for the Finals provided crucial depth before he suffered an ankle setback in Game 2. Despite these challenges and the absence of key contributors at various points, the core group maintained their momentum, clinching the Atlantic Division title for a third consecutive year and securing the number one seed in the Eastern Conference by March.

In-Season Tournament Performance and Regular Season Milestones

The Celtics performed well initially, winning East Group C with a 3–1 record and advancing via a three-way tiebreaker based on point differential. However, their tournament journey ended in the quarterfinals following a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Beyond this new format, the team achieved numerous regular season milestones, including becoming the first franchise to clinch a playoff berth early in March. They extended their dominance by winning the Atlantic Division championship and securing home-court advantage throughout the entire postseason for the first time since 2008. This consistency allowed them to finish with 64 wins, marking their first season with sixty or more victories since 2009.

Playoff Trajectory and Legacy of Greatness

The Celtics' path to the championship was characterized by swift efficiency against formidable opponents. They dispatched the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games each during the early rounds before sweeping the Indiana Pacers to reach their second NBA Finals in three years. Facing the Dallas Mavericks, Boston raced out to a 3–0 series lead, overcoming a significant blowout loss in Game 4 to close out the title in Game 5 back in Boston. This run was described as the most dominant championship performance by the franchise since 1965. Following their victory, multiple commentators ranked this squad among the greatest teams ever assembled in the league.