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 ten most prolific postseason scorers for Boston is still no easy task, even for the most ardent Celtics fans out there. With the golden era of the 1960s, the mid-seventies resurgence, trio of titles in the eighties or the most recent banner in 2008, there’s 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.
Dennis Johnson – 1,802
Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics, right, drives toward the hoop around Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, left, in the second half of the Lakers’ 115-109 win in the first game of the NBA championship playoff series at the Boston Garden on May 28, 1984 in Boston.(AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
Bob Cousy – 2018
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 center background is Knicks’ Fred Schaus (17). (AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman)
Tommy Heinsohn – 2,058
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Tom Heinsohn (15) drives against Cincinnati Royals forward Bob Boozer (13). Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
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 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 one 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, Tex. (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 three games to one. (AP Photo)
1
1
1
1
1
1