1965
Boston Celtics
Series Flow
0
Wins
0
Losses
Regular Season
62–18
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
12–3
Win–Loss
Finals
0–0
vs Los Angeles Lakers
Finals MVP
Russell
Bill
Boston Celtics
62–18Los Angeles Lakers
49–31Elgin Baylor missed most of the series with an injury. Jerry West competed brilliantly alone.
Finals MVP
Bill Russell
#6 · Center
15.0
PPG
28.0
RPG
28 rebounds per game over five Finals games. Havlicek also emerged as the championship team's engine.
8th championship in 9 seasons
How the Series Unfolded
The Champions
John Havlicek
#17 · Forward
23.0
PPG
"Havlicek stole the ball!" — the Eastern Conference Finals cry is one of basketball's most famous calls, but his Finals contribution was equally decisive.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
Elgin Baylor missed most of the series with an injury. Jerry West competed brilliantly alone.
Jerry West
#44 · Guard
33.0
PPG
Brilliant — 33 PPG — but the Lakers had no second option.
History Written in 1965
Boston Celtics
8th championship in 9 seasons
Beyond the Box Score
"Havlicek stole the ball!" — Johnny Most's call from the Eastern Conference Finals became immortal. The Finals itself was a four-game romp against an injury-depleted Lakers team.
The Full Story
Eight championships in nine years. The Celtics were redefining the word dynasty. Bill Russell's 28 rebounds per game in the Finals, John Havlicek's emergence as the team's engine, and Red Auerbach's matchless coaching combined for another championship.