1961–62 Boston Celtics season

The 1961-62 NBA season was the Celtics' 16th season in the NBA. The Celtics finished the season by winning their fifth NBA Championship.

Offseason

NBA Draft

The 1961 NBA Draft took place on March 27, 1961.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	9	Gary Phillips	Guard	United States	Houston
2	17	Al Butler	Guard	United States	Niagara

Roster

Depth chart

Playoffs

East Division Semifinals

The Celtics had a division semifinal bye.

East Division Finals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Philadelphia Warriors: Celtics win series 4–3

• Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 117, Philadelphia 89
• Game 2 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 113, Boston 106
• Game 3 @ Boston: Boston 129, Philadelphia 114
• Game 4 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 110, Boston 106
• Game 5 @ Boston: Boston 119, Philadelphia 104
• Game 6 @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia 109, Boston 99
• Game 7 @ Boston: Boston 109, Philadelphia 107

Last Playoffs meeting: 1960 Eastern Division Finals (Boston won 4–2).

NBA Finals

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (1) Los Angeles Lakers:Celtics win series 4–3

• Game 1 @ Boston: Boston 122, Los Angeles 108
• Game 2 @ Boston: Los Angeles 105, Boston 103
• Game 3 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 117, Boston 115
• Game 4 @ Los Angeles: Boston 115, Los Angeles 103
• Game 5 @ Boston: Los Angeles 126, Boston 121
• Game 6 @ Los Angeles: Boston 119, Los Angeles 105
• Game 7 @ Boston: Boston 110, Los Angeles 107 (OT)

Last Playoffs meeting: 1959 NBA Finals (Boston won 4–0; Lakers were in Minneapolis at the time).

Awards and honors

• Bill Russell, NBA Most Valuable Player
• Bill Russell, All-NBA Second team
• Bob Cousy, All-NBA Second team
• Tom Heinsohn, All-NBA Second team

References

• Celtics on Database Basketball
• Celtics on Basketball Reference