1961
Boston Celtics
Series Flow
0
Wins
0
Losses
Regular Season
57–22
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
8–2
Win–Loss
Finals
0–0
vs St. Louis Hawks
Finals MVP
Russell
Bill
Boston Celtics
57–22St. Louis Hawks
51–28The Hawks had beaten the Celtics in 1958 — the one interruption in the dynasty. They couldn't repeat it.
Finals MVP
Bill Russell
#6 · Center
18.0
PPG
30.0
RPG
Perhaps the most dominant series of his championship career — 30 rebounds per game against St. Louis.
4th championship in 5 seasons
30 RPG in the Finals — one of the most extraordinary statistical achievements in basketball history
How the Series Unfolded
The Champions
Bob Cousy
#14 · Guard
14.0
PPG
10.0
APG
The game's premier passer at the peak of his powers.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
The Hawks had beaten the Celtics in 1958 — the one interruption in the dynasty. They couldn't repeat it.
Bob Pettit
#9 · Forward
24.0
PPG
16.0
RPG
One of the best power forwards of the 1950s-60s — 24 and 16 in the Finals couldn't overcome Russell.
History Written in 1961
Boston Celtics
4th championship in 5 seasons
Beyond the Box Score
The Hawks had ended the Celtics' first dynasty run in 1958. By 1961, Boston was back and dominant. Russell's 30 rebounds per game remains one of the greatest statistical achievements in Finals history.
The Full Story
The St. Louis Hawks had beaten the Celtics in 1958. In 1961, Boston returned the favor — decisively. Bill Russell's 30 rebounds per game remains one of the most extraordinary statistical series in basketball history.