1964 NBA Championship vs San Francisco Warriors

Lore & Background

The 1964 NBA Finals marked the Celtics' sixth straight championship, extending their dynasty under coach Red Auerbach. The team featured Bill Russell, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, and K.C. Jones. The Celtics became the first NBA team to field an all African-American starting lineup during the 1964–65 season, but this did not occur in the 1964 Finals.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden was thick with the scent of popcorn and floor wax, a familiar perfume to the faithful. As the final buzzer sounded on Game 5, the roar of the crowd didn't just celebrate a win; it acknowledged an era's continuity. Bill Russell stood at center court, hands on his hips, watching Wilt Chamberlain walk away with a look of frustration etched into his face. Red Auerbach lit a cigar, not in arrogance, but in quiet satisfaction. The dynasty had survived another test, the torch passed seamlessly from Cousy to Havlicek, and the green banner rose once more above the rafters.

Reader's Guide

The 1964 NBA Finals were contested between the Boston Celtics and the San Francisco Warriors. The Celtics won the series, securing their sixth consecutive NBA title. The series is remembered as part of the Celtics' unmatched run of eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics won eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966, the longest championship streak in U.S. professional sports history.
• Bill Russell won his sixth NBA title in 1964, part of his record 11 championships as a player.
• Bob Cousy had retired after the 1962–63 season and did not play in the 1964 Finals.
• Rick Barry did not join the NBA until the 1965–66 season and did not play in the 1964 Finals.