Honoring the Legends: Retired Numbers of the Boston Celtics

The Celtics hold a prestigious place in NBA history as one of the most successful franchises, boasting a remarkable 18 championships. They have been home to a multitude of legendary players who have earned spots in the Hall of Fame. In fact, the Celtics have honored this esteemed group by retiring an impressive total of 24 jersey numbers. Let's take a closer look at the outstanding career achievements of these players.

00– Robert Parish

Parish played in 1,106 career games with the Celtics. He averaged 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He finished inside the top 10 in MVP voting two times and won three championships with the team.

1 – Walter Brown

Brown was the founder and first team owner of the Celtics. The team won seven championships under his helm.

2 – Red Auerbach

Auerbach won 795 games as the coach of the Celtics. He won nine titles over his 16 years with the team.

3 – Dennis Johnson

Johnson appeared in 541 career games with the Celtics, averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals. He made either the first or second All-Defensive Team in four of his seven seasons with the team.

5 – Kevin Garnett

After beginning his career with the Timberwolves, Garnett finally won a championship as a member of the Celtics. He won the Defensive Player of the Year Award during the 2007-08 season.

6 – Bill Russell

Russell is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He averaged 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for his career. He was named MVP five times and finished inside the top three in MVP voting nine times. In total, he won 11 championships.

10 – Jo Jo White

White was a seven-time All-Star as a member of the Celtics. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals over 717 games with the franchise.

14 – Bob Cousy

Cousy averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists in his career with the Celtics. He led the league in assists eight times and was named the MVP of the 1957-57 season. He won six championships.

15 – Tommy Heinsohn

Heinsohn won eight championships as a player and two as the Celtics’ head coach.

16 – Tom Sanders

Sanders spent his entire career with the Celtics and was known for his defensive prowess. He won eight championships with the team.

17 – John Havlicek

Havlicek won eight championships and made 13 All-Star teams. He averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals for his career.

18 – Dave Cowens

Cowens won the 1970-71 Rookie of the Year Award and was named the 1972-73 NBA MVP. He averaged 18.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game with the Celtics.

19 – Don Nelson

Nelson won five championships with the Celtics, averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds over 872 games.

21 – Bill Sharman

Sharman made eight All-Star teams and won four championships.

22 – Ed Macauley

Macauley made seven All-Star teams as a member of the Celtics.

23 – Frank Ramsey

Ramsey won seven championships and averaged 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists for his career.

24 – Sam Jones

Jones made five All-Star teams and won 10 championships.

25 – KC Jones

Jones won eight championships as a player and two as the head coach of the Celtics.

31 – Cedric Maxwell

Maxwell won two championships and averaged 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds over 607 career games with the Celtics.

32 – Kevin McHale

McHale averaged 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for his career. He was named Sixth Man of the Year twice and won three championships during his career.

33 – Larry Bird

Bird won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1979-80 and was named NBA MVP three times. He won three championships and averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists for his career.

34 – Paul Pierce

Pierce was a 10-time All-Star for the Celtics and won one championship. Across 1,102 games with the Celtics, he averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

35 – Reggie Lewis

Lewis averaged 17.6 points over six seasons with the Celtics. He died of a heart condition at 27 years old.

LOSCY – Jim Loscutoff

Loscutoff won seven championships with the Celtics. He reportedly did not want his number 18 to be retired, so the Celtics retired his nickname “Loscy” instead.