Celtics vs Hawks
A rivalry that defined the early NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. Founded in 1946 as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America, the Celtics then moved into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949, as said league was formed by the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League. Currently playing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have the most NBA titles with 18 championships.
Quick Facts
- First major confrontation era
- Late 1950s
- Key celtics figure
- Bill Russell
- Key hawks figure
- Bob Pettit
- Defining playoff series format
- NBA Finals and Conference Finals
- Historical context
- Expansion from St. Louis to Atlanta
Lore & Background
The Celtics and Hawks have met in the NBA Finals multiple times. In 1957, the Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games for their first championship. In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in six games.
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