The Celtics have moved to a win away from another title.
Boston has handled the Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals to date, moving up to a commanding 3-0 lead. In the long history of the NBA playoffs, no team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in any round, let alone the finals.
That is certainly not to say the Celtics are guaranteed to win it all. There’s a first time for everything, after all, but it’s clear Boston is an overwhelming favorite to secure another championship and add to its long list of franchise accomplishments.
With a win, where would the Celtics rank among all-time NBA franchises in titles? Here’s what you need to know.
How many NBA championships have the Celtics won?
The Celtics have won 17 NBA titles, most recently claiming a title in the 2007-08 season with a victory over the Lakers.
Boston has gone through several dynastic periods. Red Auerbach’s Celtics won 11 championships between 1957 and 1969, including winning eight consecutive NBA Finals matchups from 1959-66.
Then, from 1980-81 through 1985-86, the Celtics won three titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
The Celtics have gone 17-5 in their 22 appearances. The Lakers, who share the distinction of having 17 NBA titles, have gone 17-15 in Finals’ series
| Season | Opponent | Games | Record | NBA Finals MVP |
| 1956-57 | Hawks | 7 | W, 4-3 | N/A |
| 1957-58 | Hawks | 6 | L, 4-2 | N/A |
| 1958-59 | Lakers | 4 | W, 4-0 | N/A |
| 1959-60 | Hawks | 7 | W, 4-3 | N/A |
| 1960-61 | Hawks | 5 | W, 4-1 | N/A |
| 1961-62 | Lakers | 7 | W, 4-3 | N/A |
| 1962-63 | Lakers | 6 | W, 4-2 | N/A |
| 1963-64 | Warriors | 5 | W, 4-1 | N/A |
| 1964-65 | Lakers | 5 | W, 4-1 | N/A |
| 1965-66 | Lakers | 7 | W, 4-3 | N/A |
| 1967-68 | Lakers | 6 | W, 4-2 | N/A |
| 1968-69 | Lakers | 7 | W, 4-3 | Jerry West, Lakers |
| 1973-74 | Bucks | 7 | W, 4-3 | John Havlicek, Celtics |
| 1975-76 | Suns | 6 | W, 4-2 | Joe White, Celtics |
| 1980-81 | Rockets | 6 | W, 4-2 | Cedric Maxwell, Celtics |
| 1983-84 | Lakers | 7 | W, 4-3 | Larry Bird, Celtics |
| 1984-85 | Lakers | 6 | L, 4-2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers |
| 1985-86 | Rockets | 6 | W, 4-2 | Larry Bird, Celtics |
| 1986-87 | Lakers | 6 | L, 4-2 | Magic Johnson, Lakers |
| 2007-08 | Lakers | 6 | W, 4-2 | Paul Pierce, Celtics |
| 2009-10 | Lakers | 7 | L, 4-3 | Kobe Bryant, Lakers |
| 2021-22 | Warriors | 6 | L, 4-2 | Stephen Curry, Warriors |
| 2023-24 | Mavericks | TBD | TBD | TBD |
NBA Finals wins by franchise
The Celtics and Lakers are tied for the most NBA Finals titles in league history with 17 each. The gap between the two historic franchises and the next closest, the Warriors, is significant, as the Philadelphia/Golden State franchise has won just seven titles.
Boston has won championships in five different decades, and the Lakers have claimed titles in seven different decades.
Here’s a look at the franchises with the most wins.
| Franchise | Wins | Years |
| Celtics | 17 | 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 |
| Lakers | 17 | 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020 |
| Warriors | 7 | 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Bulls | 6 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Spurs | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 |
| Heat | 3 | 2006, 2012, 2013 |
| Pistons | 3 | 1989, 1990, 2004 |
| 76ers | 3 | 1955, 1967, 1983 |
| Bucks | 2 | 1971, 2021 |
| Rockets | 2 | 1994, 1995 |
| Knicks | 2 | 1970, 1973 |
| Nuggets | 1 | 2023 |
| Raptors | 1 | 2019 |
| Cavaliers | 1 | 2016 |
| Mavericks | 1 | 2011 |
| Thunder* | 1 | 1979 |
| Wizards | 1 | 1978 |
| Trail Blazers | 1 | 1977 |
| Hawks** | 1 | 1958 |
| Kings*** | 1 | 1951 |
| Bullets | 1 | 1948 |
* – Won as the Seattle Supersonics
** – Won as the St. Louis Hawks
*** – Won as the Rochester Royals