Celtics' Perfect Ending to a Dynasty in 1969
The Boston Celtics entered the 1968-69 season with low expectations, as they were an aging team with five players 30 or older. Their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, had traded for Wilt Chamberlain to team with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, three of the greatest players in NBA history. No one predicted the Celtics would get anywhere near the NBA Finals, much less win it.
But the Celtics pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. The Celtics finished the regular season with a 48-34 record, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They acquired two former New York Knicks, Jim Barnes and Emmette Bryant, to bolster their roster.
The Regular Season
The Celtics' regular season was marked by short winning streaks and losing streaks. However, when the playoffs began, they were ready to pull it all together. They dominated the Eastern Conference playoffs, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Eastern Playoffs
The Celtics won the first three games against the 76ers, including two on the road. They closed out the series with a 93-90 win in Game 5. Against the Knicks, they won Game 1 in Madison Square Garden, 108-100, with Bryant posting 13 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists against his former team.
NBA Finals
The Celtics faced off against the Lakers in the NBA Finals for the seventh time since Bill Russell arrived in Boston. The Lakers had yet to beat the Celtics, and the series was not televised nationally. The Celtics won the series in stunning fashion, defeating the Lakers in six games.
Recent Form
The Celtics are currently on a five-game losing streak, with their last result being a 100-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on May 2, 2026. They have lost their last five games, with a recent form record of 0-0-5 (LLLLL).
The Celtics' 1969 NBA championship was a perfect ending to a dynasty. They had won 13 seasons of greatness, and their victory in 1969 cemented their place in NBA history.
