The Boston Celtics have put a whole lot of points on the board in NBA postseasons while they racked up a league-record 17 titles over the course of their seven decades (and counting) of existence.
Some of the greatest of the great have put the proverbial biscuit in the basket for the Celtics over the years, including several staples on lists of the greatest to play the game. But naming the 10 most prolific postseason scorers for Boston is still no easy task, even for the most ardent Celtics fans. With the golden era of the 1960s, the mid-seventies resurgence, the trio of titles in the eighties, or the most recent banner in 2008, there are a lot of options to choose from.
Make your own guesses about Boston’s playoff scoring leaders, and then scroll down to see how you did.
Can you name the top 10 players in franchise history in terms of games played in the postseason? Better yet, can you name their order? https://t.co/M5y64dseLQ
Al McGuire (16) of the New York Knickerbockers tries to balance himself after being bumped by Bob Cousy (14), Boston Celtics left guard, in the first quarter of pro basketball playoffs in Madison Square Garden on March 16, 1954. In the center background is Knicks’ Fred Schaus (17). AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman
Tommy Heinsohn - 2,058
Unknown date; Cincinnati, Ohio; Boston Celtics forward Tom Heinsohn (15) drives against Cincinnati Royals forward Bob Boozer (13). Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Jayson Tatum - 2,236
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 11: Al Horford #42 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in game six in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Bill Russell - 2,673
In this May 5, 1969, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers’ Wilt Chamberlain tries to shoot against Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell during an NBA basketball finals game at the Forum in Los Angeles. The Celtics and the Lakers met 10 times in the finals from 1959-87, with the Celtics winning the first eight. From 1983-87 alone, they played nearly 30 games, counting playoffs. AP Photo/File
Robert Parish - 2,683
Boston Celtics center Robert Parish (00) shoots over Mike Sanders (33) of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of their second-round NBA playoff game at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, May 4, 1992. The Cavs lead the series 1-0. AP Photo/Jeff Glidden
Paul Pierce - 2,843
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce pumps his fist as he is congratulated by fans after the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 96-86 in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Boston on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The Celtics eliminated the Heat from the playoffs. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Sam Jones - 2,909
Los Angeles Lakers Wilt Chamberlain (13) and Boston Celtics Bailey Howell (18) and Sam Jones (24) move to gain control of the loose ball in the fourth period of their NBA playoff game at Boston Garden, April 27, 1969. The Celtics won 111-105, but trail 2 games to 1 in the championship. AP Photo/Frank C. Curtin
Kevin McHale - 3,182
Boston Celtics Kevin McHale, left, stuffs the ball as Houston Rocket Akeem Olajuwon, right, works the play in second period NBA Championship action at Boston Garden, Sunday, June 8, 1986, Houston, Texas. AP Photo
John Havlicek - 3,776
Boston’s John Havlicek drives to the basket for two points against the Lakers in the final game of the NBA title playoff at Los Angeles May 3, 1968. Mel Counts, 7 feet tall, tries to stop him. Lakers’ Jerry West at left. Boston won, 124-109 to take the title, 4 games to 2. AP Photo/HF
Larry Bird - 3,897
Sixers Julius Erving, right, ducks under Boston Celtics Larry Bird’s arm on his way to two of his 30 points in Game 4 of the best of seven NBA semi-final playoff series at Philadelphia, April 26, 1980. Philadelphia won the game 102-90 to go up 3 games to 1. AP Photo
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