Today in Boston Celtics history: IT goes for 53, Coach Russell last banner; beat 76ers in '81 ECF

Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Boston big man Bill Russell secured his final NBA championship in 1968, serving as the player-coach of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics defeated their longstanding rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers , with a score of 124-109 in Game 6 of the finals. Celtics forward John Havlicek was the standout player in the win, contributing a total of 40 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Bailey Howard added another 30 points and 11 rebounds, and guard Larry Siegfried added another 22 points and 6 assists.

This victory marked the Celtics' 10th championship banner as a franchise, the first of which was won during Russell's rookie season. The title was also the first championship won without legendary general manager Red Auerbach serving in the role of head coach. It was the first time NBA play had taken place in the month of May, and the first of the four major U.

S. sports to see a Black head coach win a championship in the modern era. Historic milestones In 1981, the Boston Celtics erased a double-digit lead by the Philadelphia 76ers to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, 91-90.

Larry Bird led Boston with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and as many steals. Forward Cedric Maxwell added 19 points and 6 boards, and Robert Parish 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Celtics went on to win their 14th title over the Houston Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals 4-2.