On this day in Boston Celtics history, Rick Pitino was hired as head coach in 1997, while Dennis Johnson played his final game in 1990. Pitino's tenure ended with a 102-146 record, failing to reach the playoffs.
Key points
Rick Pitino was hired as head coach in 1997
Dennis Johnson played his last game in 1990
Pitino's record was 102-146 with no playoff appearances
Johnson scored 21 points in his final game
Pitino's tenure was marked by questionable decisions
Mentioned in this story
Rick PitinoDennis Johnson
Boston CelticsNew York Knicks
Today in Boston Celtics history, Rick Pitino was appointed as the head coach and general manager of the storied ball club in 1997. Prior to this, he had served as a moderately successful head coach for the New York Knicks in the NBA from 1987 to 1989 and had most recently coached at the University of Kentucky in the NCAA ranks.
His tenure with the Celtics went considerably worse, with the pressure to return to greatness after the longest losing streak in team history undoubtedly a factor in the several questionable 'win-now' decisions made by Pitino. The New Yorker threw in the towel after four seasons with the franchise, amassing a 102-146 record in the regular season, good for a .411 winning percentage.
He never made the postseason in his role as team president and head coach.
Historic milestones
It is also the date of Dennis Johnson's last game with the Celtics, in 1990. The game was against the Knicks, a Game 5 loss in the East Finals that had Boston finishing with a 121-114 loss. Johnson scored 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists in the final game of his career, as the Californian retired after the loss.
Dennis Johnson #3, Point Guard and Shooting Guard for the Boston Celtics jumps to make a one handed lay up to the basket as #42 James Worthy, #32 Magic Johnson and #33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during their NBA Pacific Division basketball game on 16th February 1986 at The Forum arena in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Celtics won the game 105 - 99. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Dennis Johnson #3, Point Guard and Shooting Guard for the Boston Celtics jumps to make a one handed lay up to the basket as #42 James Worthy, #32 Magic Johnson and #33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during their NBA Pacific Division basketball game on 16th February 1986 at The Forum arena in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Celtics won the game 105 - 99. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Q&A
What was Rick Pitino's record as head coach of the Boston Celtics?
Rick Pitino had a record of 102-146 during his time as head coach of the Boston Celtics.
When did Dennis Johnson retire from the Boston Celtics?
Dennis Johnson retired from the Boston Celtics after his last game on June 4, 1990.
What significant event happened in Boston Celtics history on June 4?
On June 4, 1990, Dennis Johnson played his final game with the Celtics, marking a significant event in the team's history.
What were the circumstances of Rick Pitino's hiring by the Celtics?
Rick Pitino was hired as the head coach and general manager of the Boston Celtics in 1997, following a moderately successful coaching career.
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The Pepperdine alum played the last seven seasons of his career with the Celtics, averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 boards, and 6.4 assists with the team.
Birthdays
Today is former Boston shooting guard Oliver Lafayette's birthday, who had the briefest of Celtics tenures.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game 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 Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
He appeared in exactly one game after signing a rest-of-season contract with the team in April 2010, scoring 7 points.
Transactions
The 1968 NBA Expansion draft was held today, in which Boston lost several players of note to help populate the rosters of the newly-formed Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. All three players taken from the Celtics were drafted by the Bucks, starting with wing Tom Thacker. A former NCAA and NBA champion with Cincinnati and Boston respectively, Thacker chose to play in the ABA instead of reporting to Milwaukee, winning an ABA championship with the Indiana Pacers. Thacker averaged 4.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in his sole season with the Celtics.
The second player taken was forward Johnny Jones, who played just one season with Boston, winning a ring on the 1967-68 squad. Like Thacker, Jones chose the ABA instead of reporting to the Bucks, signing with the Kentucky Colonels instead. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.2 boards, and 0.5 assists with the Celtics in that single season.
Finally, the Celtics also lost big man Wayne Embry, a former five-time All-Star who also had won a ring with Boston in the 1967-68 NBA season. Embry was the sole player of the three to report to Milwaukee, for whom he played one season more before retiring permanently. He averaged 5.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) drives past San Diego Rockets forward Jim Barnett (33) and Toby Kimball (7) at the Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) drives past San Diego Rockets forward Jim Barnett (33) and Toby Kimball (7) at the Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
On this day in 1965, the NBA draft was held in New York City, and Boston selected two players of note. The first was forward Ron Watts, drafted out of Wake Forest with the 17th overall pick. Watts would play just two seasons for the Celtics, winning a banner with the team in his rookie season despite only playing one game for Boston.
Watts averaged 1.4 points, as many rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game in the 28 games he played for the Celtics between 1965 and 1967. The other player taken by Boston was former UConn Huskies big man Toby Kimball, who played just one season with the club in 1966-67.
Just under a year later, he would be taken from the franchise in the 1967 expansion draft by the (then) San Diego (now, Houston) Rockets, where he had the most success of his career. He would record 2.6 points, 3.8 boards and 0.3 assists per contest with the Celtics.
