Celtics–Lakers rivalry
In 1950, the Minneapolis Lakers won the first NBA Championship Series. This victory marked the beginning of a dynasty under head coach John Kundla and superstar George Mikan. The team secured three additional titles in 1952, 1953, and 1954. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics were building their own foundation around guard Bob Cousy. They captured the 1957 title but lost the following year to the Detroit Pistons. The two franchises finally met in the 1959 Finals on April 9. Boston swept the series four games to zero. This result ended the Lakers' dominance and started an eight-year streak of championships for the Celtics.
The rivalry intensified after the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. Bill Russell led the Celtics through six Finals meetings against the new Los Angeles squad between 1962 and 1969. These encounters included dramatic seven-game series in 1962, 1966, and 1969. Elgin Baylor scored 61 points in Game 5 of the 1962 series, setting a record that still stands today. Frank Selvy missed a potential game-winning shot in overtime of that same series. The Celtics won every single matchup during this decade except for 1967. Their victory over the Lakers in 1966 marked eight consecutive championships for Boston. This remains the longest streak of any North American professional sports team. Wilt Chamberlain joined the Lakers in 1968, bringing a fierce personal conflict with Russell into the mix.
A college basketball game on the 30th of March 1979 set the stage for the next chapter. Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75, 64 in the NCAA Tournament final. Magic Johnson earned Most Outstanding Player honors while Larry Bird played for the Sycamores. Both men entered the NBA shortly after, with Johnson joining the Lakers and Bird taking the Celtics. They faced each other five times in the Finals between 1984 and 1988. The 1984 series went seven games, featuring sweltering heat inside the un-airconditioned Boston Garden. Kevin McHale takedowns Kurt Rambis increased physical aggression throughout the playoffs. Game 5 became known as the Heat Game due to temperatures reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The Celtics won in seven games, but the Lakers took revenge in 1985 by winning their first title in Boston. Magic Johnson scored 22 points and dished out 20 assists in Game 2 of the 1987 series. This era revitalized national interest in the league during a time of declining viewership.
The teams met again in the 2008 NBA Finals after a 21-year gap. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen formed the Big Three for Boston. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers alongside Pau Gasol. The Celtics won the series four games to two, including a dominant 131, 92 victory in Game 6. That margin remains the largest ever in an NBA championship-clinching game. They faced each other once more in 2010. This series went the full seven games, becoming the third most-watched game in NBA history with 28.2 million viewers. Derek Fisher hit a crucial three-pointer in Game 3 while Ron Artest sank key shots late in Game 7. The Lakers won that final contest to claim their 16th title. Phil Jackson coached both teams to championships during this period, making him the fastest coach to reach 1,000 wins.
Race played a significant role in how fans engaged with the rivalry during the 1980s. White fans often cheered for the predominantly white Celtics team while black fans supported the athletic style of the Lakers. Magic Johnson recalled a black fan telling him that most Black Bostonians rooted against his team. Larry Bird rejected labels like Great White Hope and focused solely on winning. A 1984 Converse commercial featured Bird practicing alone on a rural court before Johnson arrived in a limousine. The ad highlighted perceived contrasts between Hollywood flashiness and Boston blue-collar grit. Chants of Beat L.A! originated at Boston Garden during the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals. Fans used the phrase whenever an LA-based team visited TD Garden or its predecessors. This cultural divide shaped the identity of both franchises beyond just basketball statistics.
The Celtics hold 18 championships while the Lakers have 17 titles combined from Minneapolis and Los Angeles. Together they account for 35 of the 78 total NBA championships since 1946. Their all-time winning records stand at .5918 for Boston and .5915 for Los Angeles as of the 2023 offseason. No other team has a winning record against either franchise. They met 12 times in the Finals, more than any other pair of teams. Six of those meetings occurred in the 1960s and three in the 1980s. Recent encounters happened in 2008 and 2010. Bob Cousy set a record with 51 assists in the four-game sweep of 1959. Elgin Baylor scored 61 points in Game 5 of the 1962 series. Jerry West became the first player to win Finals MVP despite losing the series in 1969. These numbers define their historical standing within the league.
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Common questions
When did the Celtics and Lakers first meet in the Finals?
The Boston Celtics and Minneapolis Lakers met for the first time in the 1959 Finals on April 9. The Celtics swept the series four games to zero, ending the Lakers' dominance.
How many championships have the Celtics won compared to the Lakers?
The Celtics hold 18 championships while the Lakers have 17 titles combined from Minneapolis and Los Angeles. Together they account for 35 of the 78 total NBA championships since 1946.
Who led the Celtics during their eight-year championship streak against the Lakers?
Bill Russell led the Celtics through six Finals meetings against the new Los Angeles squad between 1962 and 1969. This era included dramatic seven-game series in 1962, 1966, and 1969.
What happened during Game 5 of the 1984 Finals between the Celtics and Lakers?
Game 5 became known as the Heat Game due to temperatures reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit inside the un-airconditioned Boston Garden. Kevin McHale takedowns Kurt Rambis increased physical aggression throughout the playoffs.
Which game holds the record for the largest margin in an NBA championship-clinching game?
The Celtics won the 2008 series four games to two with a dominant 131, 92 victory in Game 6. That margin remains the largest ever in an NBA championship-clinching game.