2008 NBA Finals

• 1. The Big Three Formation

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  In the 2007 off-season, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge executed a trade that would alter the franchise's trajectory. He acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to join existing star Paul Pierce. This new trio became known as the Big Three. The move created what was regarded as the most talented Boston Celtics team since Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce played together in the early 2000s. The addition of second-year point guard Rajon Rondo completed a roster that led the team to a dramatic turnaround. They finished the regular season with 66 wins after enduring lean years for two decades prior.

• 2. Game One The Wheelchair Incident

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  On the 5th of June 2008, the series began at the TD Garden. During the third quarter, forward Paul Pierce collided with teammate Kendrick Perkins. Pierce fell awkwardly onto Perkins' leg and was taken out of the game in a wheelchair. The crowd watched in silence as he left the court. Minutes later, Pierce returned to play. He hit three straight three-pointers and scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone. His return reinvigorated the home crowd and helped secure a 98, 88 victory. Some observers later called it the Wheelchair Game. Pierce admitted during coverage of the 2019 NBA Finals that he simply needed to use the bathroom.

• 3. Leon Powe And The Bench Depth

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  In Game 2, sophomore reserve Leon Powe entered the game and immediately impacted the flow. He took his physical style of play to the free-throw line ten times within his first three minutes on the floor. Powe scored 21 points on 6, 7 shooting from the field and 9, 13 from the line in just 15 minutes of action. Back-to-back poster slams over the Lakers defense occurred in the final minute of the third quarter. The Boston crowd chanted his name after those dunks. Over the course of the game, Powe shot 13 free throws while the Lakers shot only 10. His performance shifted momentum decisively toward Boston.

• 4. Kobe Bryant And Pau Gasol Duo

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  The Los Angeles Lakers relied heavily on Kobe Bryant and new teammate Pau Gasol throughout the series. In Game 1, Gasol hit tough fadeaways and layups while using physicality to get P.J. Brown into foul trouble. Bryant struggled offensively early but made up for it with elite defense. By Game 3, Bryant scored a series-high 36 points leading the Lakers to their first win. In Game 4, the duo helped build a 35, 14 lead after the first quarter. That was the largest first-quarter lead in NBA Finals history at that time. Despite their efforts, the Celtics won four games including a historic blowout in Game 6.

• 5. The Historic Game Six Blowout

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  On the 17th of June 2008, the Celtics defeated the Lakers by a margin of 39 points. This became the largest ever in an NBA championship-clinching game. Ray Allen hit seven three-pointers tying what was then the Finals record. Rajon Rondo recorded 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and six steals. The team set a Finals record with 18 steals and turned the ball over only seven times. Every Boston player who saw action scored in double figures except one. The victory gave Boston its 17th title and broke the old record of 33 points set in 1965.

• 6. Postseason Legacy And Future Rivalries

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  After winning the 2008 title, the Celtics faced the Lakers again on Christmas Day in the 2008, 09 season. Their momentum halted when they lost to Los Angeles. Kevin Garnett suffered a devastating right knee injury shortly after the 2009 All-Star Game. The teams met once more in 2010 where the Lakers avenged their loss by beating Boston in seven games. The Celtics would not return to the Finals until 12 years later in 2022. They reached the Finals again in 2024 emerging victorious over the Dallas Mavericks. Sam Cassell served as an assistant coach for the 2024 championship team having been part of the 2008 squad.