1964 NBA Finals Game 5 vs San Francisco Warriors

Lore & Background

The 1964 championship was the sixth for the Celtics, part of their record eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. Bob Cousy had retired after the 1962–63 season and did not play in the 1964 Finals. The Celtics fielded an all African-American starting lineup on December 26, 1964, during the 1963–64 season, but this date is after the 1964 Finals (which ended in April 1964).

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden hung heavy with anticipation and the scent of floor wax. Wilt Chamberlain stood at the free-throw line, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the hardwood, but Bill Russell was already there, eyes locked on the rim, ready to deny the board. The crowd roared as K.C. Jones drove baseline, drawing two defenders before kicking it out to Sam Jones in the corner. The shot swished through the net, a quiet counterpoint to the thunderous noise of the arena. Wilt looked around, frustrated, realizing that no single move could break this wall of green. In that moment, the game ceased to be about one man's dominance and became a symphony of six men moving as one.

Reader's Guide

The 1964 NBA Finals were played between the Boston Celtics and the San Francisco Warriors. The Celtics won the series 4–1.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics won their sixth NBA championship in 1964.
• Bob Cousy retired after the 1962–63 season and did not play in the 1964 Finals.
• The Celtics' all African-American starting lineup first occurred on December 26, 1964, after the 1964 Finals had concluded.