On this day, Bill Russell won his final NBA championship as player-coach of the Boston Celtics in 1968, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 124-109. This victory marked the Celtics' 10th championship and was historic for being the first won by a Black head coach in the modern era.
Key points
Bill Russell won his final championship in 1968
Celtics defeated the Lakers 124-109
John Havlicek scored 40 points in the game
First championship won by a Black head coach
Celtics' 10th championship banner
Mentioned in this story
Bill Russell
Boston CelticsLos Angeles LakersNBA Championship
Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Boston big man Bill Russell secured his final NBA championship in 1968, serving as the player-coach of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics defeated their longstanding rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, with a score of 124-109 in Game 6 of the finals. Celtics forward John Havlicek was the standout player in the win, contributing a total of 40 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Bailey Howard added another 30 points and 11 rebounds, and guard Larry Siegfried added another 22 points and 6 assists. This victory marked the Celtics' 10th championship banner as a franchise, the first of which was won during Russell's rookie season.
The title was also the first championship won without legendary general manager Red Auerbach serving in the role of head coach.
It was the first time NBA play had taken place in the month of May, and the first of the four major U.S. sports to see a Black head coach win a championship in the modern era.
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (6) fights for a loose ball against Cincinnati Royals guard Oscar Robertson (14) at Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (6) fights for a loose ball against Cincinnati Royals guard Oscar Robertson (14) at Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Historic milestones
In 1981, the Boston Celtics erased a double-digit lead by the Philadelphia 76ers to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, 91-90. Larry Bird led Boston with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and as many steals. Forward Cedric Maxwell added 19 points and 6 boards, and Robert Parish 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Celtics went on to win their 14th title over the in the 1981 NBA Finals 4-2.
Q&A
What year did Bill Russell win his final championship with the Boston Celtics?
Bill Russell won his final championship with the Boston Celtics in 1968.
Who were the standout players in the Celtics' 1968 championship victory?
John Havlicek scored 40 points, Bailey Howard added 30 points, and Larry Siegfried contributed 22 points in the 1968 championship victory.
How many championships did the Boston Celtics win under Bill Russell?
The Boston Celtics won a total of 11 championships during Bill Russell's tenure, with his final one being in 1968.
What significance does Bill Russell's 1968 championship hold in NBA history?
Russell's 1968 championship was significant as it was the first won by a Black head coach in the modern era of the NBA.
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It is also the anniversary of a 109-99 Game 7 victory over the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference first round, the Celtics clinching the series with only the third game in that stretch that did not require overtime to settle. "Oh, my God. Overtime after overtime after overtime," offered center Glen Davis on the welcome change of pace, via the Associated Press.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
On this day, point guard Isaiah Thomas scored 53 points in a 129-119 playoff victory over the Washington Wizards in 2017. The win was especially emotional for IT. It came on what would have been his sister Chyna's 23rd birthday. She had passed earlier in the week in an automobile accident. To add insult to injury, the Seattle native had spent hours in the dentist's chair ahead of the game addressing a tooth that had gotten knocked out earlier in the series.
It was the second-highest postseason point total logged by a Celtic, a point behind forward John Havlicek's 54-point record and just ahead of Ray Allen's 51-point performance from Game 6 of the 2009 first-round series against the Bulls. "The least I can do is go out there and play for her," Thomas said after the game via the Associated Press. "I knew once game-time came, my guys would get me going … There was no way I was sitting out."
Birthdays
It is also former Celtic big man Troy Murphy's birthday today. Murphy was born in 1980 in Morristown, New Jersey, and played for Notre Dame in college and the Indiana Pacers and New Jersey (at that time) Nets before being dealt to the Golden State Warriors in 2011.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Murphy was bought out and signed with Boston for the remainder of the season to help shore up the Celtics' aging frontcourt. He appeared in 17 regular-season games for Boston, averaging 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while with the team.
Gone too soon
It is also the date that we lost big man Toby Kimball in 2017. The former UConn player had been drafted by Boston in 1965 and played 38 games over one season with the team before he was picked up by the (then) San Diego Rockets in the 1967 NBA expansion draft.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: A general view of the Celtics Championship Banners ahead of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: A general view of the Celtics Championship Banners ahead of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
He averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 boards per game while with the Celtics.
