17 Championship Titles

Lore & Background

Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were highly ranked prospects in their respective high school classes, with Brown being ranked 4th in the class of 2015 and Tatum ranked 3rd in the class of 2016. Both also played one year in college. They were briefly together during Team USA camps, before joining the NBA. Meanwhile, by 2016, the Boston Celtics had been rebuilding for years, since the collapse of their 'Big Three' in the 2012–13 season. Upon Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum being drafted third overall in back-to-back years, the Celtics were 'almost instantly branded with the hopes of a franchise that was desperately chasing its elusive 18th championship'.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed until only the green silk of the banners glowed under the rafters. An old janitor paused beneath them, his gaze tracing the faded fibers of the 1957 banner to the pristine sheen of the 2008 addition. In the silence, the phantom roar of a thousand fans from decades past seemed to echo off the concrete walls—a sound that never truly left Boston. A young rookie stepped into the tunnel, clutching his jersey, feeling the weight of history pressing down on him. The janitor smiled. He knew the boy understood: in Boston, you don't just play for tonight; you play to add another piece of green silk to the ceiling.

Reader's Guide

The duo made their debut on October 17, 2017, in the season opener for the 2017–18 season. The Celtics lost on the road against their rival Cleveland Cavaliers, 99–102. Brown scored 25 points, while Tatum had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Through the 2017–18 regular season, Brown averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, while Tatum averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Boston finished the regular season with a record of 55–27, securing the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference. During the 2018 playoffs, the duo began to truly show their potential. Through the postseason, Brown averaged 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Tatum averaged 18.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. On April 22, 2018, in Game 4 of the first round against Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics narrowly lost on the road 104–102. However, Brown and Tatum combined to score 55 points, making them the first duo under 22 years old to do so since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. This performance was seen as a key moment in the duo's rise. The Celtics would make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Cavaliers in seven games. After the end of the Celtics' season, a writer for the Associated Press wrote: 'With the rookie Tatum and second-year Jaylen Brown, Boston established itself as the team of the future in the East.' In the 2018–19 regular season, statistically, Brown took a slight step back, while Tatum improved, compared to the previous season. Brown averaged 13 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Tatum averaged 15.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. The Celtics finished the regular season with a record of 49–33, securing the #4-seed in the Eastern Conference. In the 2019 playoffs, Brown averaged 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, while Tatum averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. The Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. During the 2019–20 regular season, Brown averaged 20.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while Tatum averaged 23.4 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Despite the pandemic, Boston was invited to the NBA Bubble for the 2020 playoffs as the #3-seed in the Eastern Conference. In Orlando, Brown averaged 21.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while Tatum averaged a double-double with 25.7 points

Did You Know?

• Brown and Tatum were the first duo under 22 years old to combine for 55 points in a playoff game since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
• On January 10, 2024, Brown and Tatum combined for 80 points, their highest combined scoring total ever, against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• On January 22, 2024, they became the first pair of teammates in NBA history to each tally at least 30 points, two blocks, and no turnovers in the same game.
• In Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown and Tatum became the second Celtics duo ever to each score 30+ points in a Finals game.

Historical Dominance and Record-Breaking Success

This victory broke a longstanding tie with the Los Angeles Lakers to establish a new franchise record for the most titles in league history. The team's performance was nothing short of historic; they secured the best regular-season record in the entire NBA at 64–18, finishing fourteen games ahead of their closest conference rival. Their playoff run was equally commanding, featuring only three losses across sixteen victories to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the Finals. This dominance resulted in a staggering season total of 80 wins, the second-highest mark ever recorded by the organization. By becoming the first team since the 2017 Golden State Warriors to combine the league's best regular-season record with a championship title, the Celtics cemented their status as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Their postseason efficiency was matched only by that 2017 Warriors squad until two years later, highlighting an era of unprecedented consistency and excellence for the franchise.

Strategic Roster Overhauls and Key Acquisitions

The foundation for this championship run was built upon significant roster changes initiated before the season began. For the first time since 2014, the team operated without veteran point guard Marcus Smart, who was traded to Memphis in a complex deal that brought forward Kristaps Porziņģis from Washington. The front office further strengthened their backcourt by acquiring two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday from Portland in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III, along with future draft assets. These strategic moves proved vital as the squad navigated the season without missing a beat. Although Porziņģis missed nearly the entire playoff run due to injury, his return for the Finals provided crucial depth before he suffered an ankle setback in Game 2. Despite these challenges and the absence of key contributors at various points, the core group maintained their momentum, clinching the Atlantic Division title for a third consecutive year and securing the number one seed in the Eastern Conference by March.

In-Season Tournament Performance and Regular Season Milestones

The Celtics performed well initially, winning East Group C with a 3–1 record and advancing via a three-way tiebreaker based on point differential. However, their tournament journey ended in the quarterfinals following a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Beyond this new format, the team achieved numerous regular season milestones, including becoming the first franchise to clinch a playoff berth early in March. They extended their dominance by winning the Atlantic Division championship and securing home-court advantage throughout the entire postseason for the first time since 2008. This consistency allowed them to finish with 64 wins, marking their first season with sixty or more victories since 2009.

Playoff Trajectory and Legacy of Greatness

The Celtics' path to the championship was characterized by swift efficiency against formidable opponents. They dispatched the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games each during the early rounds before sweeping the Indiana Pacers to reach their second NBA Finals in three years. Facing the Dallas Mavericks, Boston raced out to a 3–0 series lead, overcoming a significant blowout loss in Game 4 to close out the title in Game 5 back in Boston. This run was described as the most dominant championship performance by the franchise since 1965. Following their victory, multiple commentators ranked this squad among the greatest teams ever assembled in the league.