Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Larry Bird are amongst the top 5 Boston Celtics’ playoff games played.
The Boston Celtics’ highly decorated history includes 34 division titles,11 conference crowns and 18 total championships. Here’s a look at the five players that have participated in the most postseason games during the team’s near 80-year existence.
- John Havlicek, 1962-1978 (172 games)
John Havlicek spent all 16 seasons of his illustrious career with the Celtics, making him a natural fit at the top of this list. The versatile wing led Boston to 13 playoff appearances, with eight resulting in NBA championships. A standout performer in the postseason, Havlicek averaged 22.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during his playoff career.
- Kevin McHale, 1980-1993 (169 games)
Kevin McHale, another lifelong Celtic, was a key contributor to the team’s success in the 1980s. The versatile forward and seven-time All-Star participated in 13 postseason runs, including three championship seasons (1981, 1984, 1986). McHale’s playoff averages included 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, with an impressive 56.1% shooting from the field.
- Robert Parish, 1980-1994 (168 games)
Robert Parish, known as “Chief,” anchored the Celtics’ frontcourt alongside McHale for much of the 1980s. Parish played a pivotal role in three NBA title runs during his 13 playoff campaigns with Boston. His postseason stats featured consistent scoring (12.0–21.3 points per game) and dominant rebounding, with five playoff seasons averaging at least 10.0 boards per contest.
- Bill Russell, 1956-69 (165 games)
Bill Russell’s impact on the Celtics’ dynasty is unmatched, as he led the team to 11 NBA championships during his 13-season career. Renowned for his defensive dominance, Russell averaged an astounding 24.9 rebounds per game in his playoff career, along with 16.2 points and 4.7 assists.
- Larry Bird, 1979-92 (164 games)
Larry Bird’s postseason brilliance mirrored his regular-season dominance. Bird played a critical role in Boston’s three championships in the 1980s, delivering one of his best performances during the 1984 playoffs, where he averaged 27.5 points on 52.4% shooting, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks over 23 games. Bird’s career playoff averages include 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in 42.0 minutes per game.
