1969
Boston Celtics
Series Flow
0
Wins
0
Losses
Regular Season
48–34
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
12–6
Win–Loss
Finals
0–0
vs Los Angeles Lakers
Finals MVP
West
Jerry
Boston Celtics
48–34Los Angeles Lakers
55–27The 1969 Lakers had Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor — arguably the greatest collection of talent ever assembled on one team to that point. They lost to a Celtics team seeded 4th in the Eastern Division. Bill Russell's greatest accomplishment.
Finals MVP
Jerry West
#44 · Guard
37.9
PPG
7.4
APG
4.7
RPG
The only player in Finals history to win the MVP award as a member of the losing team. His 37.9 PPG was extraordinary.
First and only Finals MVP awarded to a player on the losing team — NBA changed the rule afterward
His 37.9 PPG remains one of the highest single-series scoring averages in Finals history
How the Series Unfolded
The Champions
14.0
PPG
24.9
RPG
4.0
BPG
Player-coach. His final season. 11 championships in 13 years. Led a 4th-seeded team to a title against Wilt, West, and Baylor.
25.6
PPG
9.0
RPG
"Hondo" — the Celtics' leading scorer and the player who kept them competitive when Russell's age limited his minutes.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
The 1969 Lakers had Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor — arguably the greatest collection of talent ever assembled on one team to that point. They lost to a Celtics team seeded 4th in the Eastern Division. Bill Russell's greatest accomplishment.
37.9
PPG
7.4
APG
Won the Finals MVP despite losing — the only time that has ever happened. 37.9 PPG in the Finals; not enough against Russell.
History Written in 1969
Boston Celtics
11th NBA Championship in 13 years — the greatest dynasty in professional sports history
Bill Russell
Final championship as player-coach — retired immediately after. 11 titles in 13 years.
Jerry West
First and only Finals MVP awarded to a player on the losing team — the rule was changed after this
Beyond the Box Score
Bill Russell coached himself to a championship in his final season — against a Lakers team with Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor. The Celtics were seeded 4th in the East. They won in seven games. The dynasty — 11 titles in 13 years — was complete.
The balloon drop in the Garden after the final buzzer is one of basketball's most iconic images. Bill Russell retired two days later. The greatest winner in professional team sports history walked away as a champion.
The Full Story
Eleven championships in thirteen seasons. Bill Russell. The greatest winner in the history of professional team sports.
The 1969 Boston Celtics were seeded fourth. Their opponent had Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor. Jerry West averaged 37.9 points per game and won the Finals MVP award — the only time in NBA history a player on the losing team received the honor.
The Celtics won anyway. Bill Russell retired two days later. The dynasty was over. Nothing like it has ever been seen again.