Lakers vs Celtics
The greatest rivalry in NBA history: Celtics vs. Lakers.
The Celtics–Lakers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics and the Lakers are the two most storied franchises in the NBA, and the rivalry has been called the greatest in the league. The teams have met a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, with their first such meeting being in 1959. They would both go on to dominate the league in the 1960s and 1980s, facing each other in the Finals six times in the 1960s (with the Celtics winning all six), three times in the 1980s (with the Lakers winning two out of three), and, more recently, in 2008 (Celtics victory) and 2010 (Lakers victory). The teams also won 3 of the 10 titles of the 1970s (the Lakers in 1972, the Celtics in 1974 and 1976), but they did not face each other in the NBA Finals during that decade.
Quick Facts
- Total nba finals meetings
- 12
- Lakers total championships
- 17
- Celtics total championships
- 18
Lore & Background
The rivalry became slightly less intense when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson both retired in the early 1990s. However, the intensity picked up again in 2008, when the two teams met in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987, with the Celtics winning the series 4–2. They met again in the 2010 NBA Finals, which the Lakers won in 7 games. Although the rivalry is primarily known for the Finals meetings of the past, the two teams remain strong rivals to this day.
Reader's Guide
The two teams have won the two highest numbers of championships in the NBA: the Celtics have won 18, and the Lakers have won 17 (12 in Los Angeles and 5 in Minneapolis). Together, they account for 35 of the 78 championships (or 45%) in NBA history, and were tied for the most titles with 17 apiece from 2020 until 2024. As of the 2023 offseason, the Celtics and Lakers have a .5918 and .5915 all-time winning records respectively. As of the end of the 2023–24 season, Boston is the only team with a winning overall record against the Lakers. The head-to-head Finals record is Celtics 9, Lakers 3.
Did You Know?
- The first NBA Finals match-up between the two teams was in 1959, when the Boston Celtics swept the Minneapolis Lakers 4–0 for the first sweep in NBA Finals history.
- The Celtics won eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966, the longest streak of any North American professional sports team.
- Jerry West was named Finals MVP in 1969 despite being on the losing team.
- The Lakers' 33-game win streak in the 1971–72 regular season remains an NBA record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main rivals in the Lakers vs Celtics feud?
The rivalry pits the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics, representing the two most successful franchises in NBA history with a combined 34 championships. This clash symbolizes a cultural battle between Hollywood's glamour and New England's blue-collar discipline.
How many times have these teams met in the NBA Finals?
The Lakers and Celtics have faced each other in the NBA Finals exactly 12 times throughout their storied history. In those matchups, the Celtics hold a significant edge with nine victories compared to the Lakers' three wins during the rivalry's peak eras.
Which legendary players defined the early era of this rivalry?
The mid-20th century was dominated by Bill Russell leading the Celtics against Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor for the Lakers. This period established the foundation for their intense competition through sheer athletic dominance and defensive mastery.
Who were the key stars during the 1980s resurgence of this feud?
The rivalry rekindled in the 1980s with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar representing the Lakers against Larry Bird for the Celtics. Their contrasting styles and personal chemistry created one of the most memorable chapters in professional sports history.
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