1990–91 Boston Celtics season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 45th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Celtics hired Chris Ford as their new head coach. After playing in Italy the previous season, former Celtics guard Brian Shaw would return to the team after a one-year absence. After failing to advance past the first round in the two previous seasons, it appeared going into the 1990–91 season that the Celtics were fading as NBA title contenders. However, the Celtics burst to a 29–5 start reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s, and once again established themselves as contenders, holding a 35–12 record at the All-Star break.

Beginning in January, Larry Bird began to miss significant playing time due to back injuries (Bird would miss 22 regular season games) and the team struggled in his absence. The team limped to the finish, losing 6 of their final 8 games to finish at 56–26 (still good for the Atlantic Division title and #2 seed in the East). The Celtics also qualified for the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season.

Bird averaged 19.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while sixth man Kevin McHale averaged 18.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and Robert Parish provided the team with 14.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Bird, McHale and Parish were all selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, with Ford coaching the Eastern Conference, but Bird did not participate due to injury. In addition, Reggie Lewis finished second on the team in scoring with 18.7 points per game, while Kevin Gamble contributed 15.6 points per game, Shaw provided with 13.8 points, 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and top draft pick Dee Brown averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 assists per game off the bench, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Charlotte. Bird also finished tied in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while McHale finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Gamble finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, and Ford finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Celtics survived a scare from the 7th-seeded Indiana Pacers, going the full five games before winning a classic finale (in which Bird went to the locker room during the game with injury, only to return and finish with 32 points). In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Celtics held home court advantage against the 2-time defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, but Bird missed Game 1 with injury and the Pistons took the game at Boston Garden, 86–75. Bird returned for the remainder of the series and the Celtics rallied to win Games 2 and 3 (Game 3 a blowout win in Detroit, 115–83), but Detroit won 3 in a row afterwards to take the series.

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	19	Dee Brown	SG/PG	United States	Jacksonville

Roster

1990–91 Boston Celtics roster

Players

Coaches

Pos.	No.	Name	Height	Weight	DOB	From
F	33	Bird, Larry	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	1956–12–07	Indiana State
G	7	Brown, Dee	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	1968–11–29	Jacksonville
G/F	34	Gamble, Kevin	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	1965–11–13	Iowa
C	53	Kleine, Joe	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	1962–01–04	Arkansas
G	35	Lewis, Reggie	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	1965–11–21	Northeastern
F	32	McHale, Kevin	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	1957–12–19	Minnesota
C	00	Parish, Robert	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	1953–08–30	Centenary
F	54	Pinckney, Ed	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	1963–03–27	Villanova
F	42	Popson, Dave	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	1964–05–17	North Carolina
G	20	Shaw, Brian	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	1966–03–22	UC Santa Barbara
G	13	Smith, Charles E.	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	1967–11–29	Georgetown
G	43	Smith, Derek	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	1961–11–01	Louisville
F	11	Smith, Michael	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	1965–05–19	BYU
C	52	Vranković, Stojko	7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)	260 lb (118 kg)	1964–01–22	Croatia
G	12	Wynder, A. J.	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	1964–09–11	Fairfield

Head coach

Chris Ford

Assistant coach(es)

Don Casey
Jon Jennings
Ed Lacerte (trainer)

Legend

(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
(S) Suspended
Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 12, 1991

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Boston Celtics	56	26	.683	—	35–6	21–20	20-6
x-Philadelphia 76ers	44	38	.537	12	29-12	15-26	14-12
x-New York Knicks	39	43	.476	17	21-20	18-23	17–9
Washington Bullets	30	52	.366	26	21-20	9-32	10-16
New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	30	20-21	6–35	8-18
Miami Heat	24	58	.293	32	18-23	6-35	9-17

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

#	Eastern Conference v t e
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	c-Chicago Bulls	61	21	.744	–
2	y-Boston Celtics	56	26	.683	5
3	x-Detroit Pistons	50	32	.610	11
4	x-Milwaukee Bucks	48	34	.585	13
5	x-Philadelphia 76ers	44	38	.537	17
6	x-Atlanta Hawks	43	39	.524	18
7	x-Indiana Pacers	41	41	.500	20
8	x-New York Knicks	39	43	.476	22

9	Cleveland Cavaliers	33	49	.402	28
10	Washington Bullets	30	52	.366	31
11	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	35
12	Charlotte Hornets	26	56	.317	35
13	Miami Heat	24	58	.293	37

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1990-91 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	3–1	1–4	1–4	3–2	2–0	1–1	0–5	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–3	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2
Boston	1–3	–	3–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	2–0	4–1	5–0	1–1	2–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–1
Charlotte	4–1	1–3	–	0–5	1–4	1–1	0–2	1–4	1–1	0–2	0–5	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2
Chicago	4–1	2–2	5–0	–	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	1–1	0–2	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	4–1	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	3–1
Cleveland	2–3	1–3	4–1	0–5	–	2–0	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3
Dallas	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	–	3–1	0–2	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–4	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–4	2–2	0–5	2–0
Denver	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–3	–	0–2	1–3	0–5	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–4	0–4	1–3	1–1
Detroit	5–0	2–2	4–1	2–3	3–2	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	2–0	3–2	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–3	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Golden State	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	–	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–3	2–3	2–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	0–2
Houston	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	5–0	0–2	2–2	–	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	2–0	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	2–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	2–3	2–2	2–2	1–1
Indiana	1–4	2–2	5–0	1–4	4–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	1–1	1–1	–	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	0–2	2–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–2	3–1	2–0	4–0	–	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	4–0	3–1	3–2	2–2	2–0
Miami	0–4	1–4	2–2	0–4	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	–	0–4	0–2	3–3	1–4	1–1	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–2
Milwaukee	3–2	2–2	3–2	1–4	3–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	1–1	0–2	3–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	–	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–1	2–3	0–2	1–3	0–5	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	–	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	1–4	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–5	1–1	2–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–3
New York	1–3	0–5	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	0–4	1–1	5–0	–	0–2	5–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–2
Orlando	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	3–2	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	–	0–2	2–2	0–4	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–4	1–1
Philadelphia	4–0	3–2	2–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	0–2	3–2	1–5	2–0	–	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–2
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	4–0	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	–	3–2	3–1	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–0
Portland	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	2–3	–	3–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	2–0
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	3–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–3	–	1–3	1–4	1–3	2–0
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	4–1	2–0	2–2	3–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–1	–	3–1	2–3	2–0
Seattle	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–3	0–4	4–1	1–3	–	1–3	2–0
Utah	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–2	3–1	–	2–0
Washington	2–2	1–5	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

1990-91 game log

November

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
1	Fri. Nov. 2	Cleveland Cavaliers	125-101	Boston Garden	1-0
2	Sat. Nov. 3	@ New York Knicks	106-103	Madison Square Garden	2-0
3	Tue. Nov. 6	@ Chicago Bulls	110-108	Chicago Stadium	3–0
4	Fri. Nov. 9	Chicago Bulls	100-120	Boston Garden	3–1
5	Sat. Nov. 10	@ New Jersey Nets	105-91	Brendan Byrne Arena	4–1
6	Tue. Nov. 13	@ Milwaukee Bucks	91-119	Bradley Center	4–2
7	Wed. Nov. 14	Charlotte Hornets	135-126	Boston Garden	5-2
8	Fri. Nov. 16	Utah Jazz	114-89	Boston Garden	6–2
9	Sat. Nov. 17	@ Washington Bullets	102-90	Capital Centre	7–2
10	Wed. Nov. 21	Houston Rockets	108-95	Boston Garden	8–2
11	Fri. Nov. 23	Sacramento Kings	115-105	Boston Garden	9–2
12	Sat. Nov. 24	@ Cleveland Cavaliers	113-102	Richfield Coliseum	10–2
13	Mon. Nov. 26	Miami Heat	118-101	Hartford Civic Center	11–2
14	Fri. Nov. 30	Washington Bullets	123-95	Boston Garden	12–2

December

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
15	Sat. Dec. 1	@ Philadelphia 76ers	110-116	The Spectrum	12–3
16	Mon. Dec. 3	Seattle SuperSonics	135-102	Boston Garden	13–3
17	Wed. Dec. 5	Denver Nuggets	148-140	Boston Garden	14–3
18	Fri. Dec. 7	@ Dallas Mavericks	112-104	Reunion Arena	15–3
19	Sat. Dec. 8	@ San Antonio Spurs	96-102	HemisFair Arena	15–4
20	Mon. Dec. 10	@ Houston Rockets	107-95	The Summit	16–4
21	Wed. Dec. 12	Milwaukee Bucks	129-111	Boston Garden	17–4
22	Fri. Dec. 14	Detroit Pistons	108-100	Boston Garden	18–4
23	Sat. Dec. 15	@ Miami Heat	114-100	Miami Arena	19–4
24	Wed. Dec. 19	Philadelphia 76ers	115-105	Boston Garden	20–4
25	Thu. Dec. 20	@ Charlotte Hornets	115-96	Charlotte Coliseum	21–4
26	Sun. Dec. 23	Atlanta Hawks	132-104	Boston Garden	22–4
27	Wed. Dec. 26	Indiana Pacers	152-132	Boston Garden	23–4
28	Fri. Dec. 28	@ Atlanta Hawks	114-131	The Omni	23–5

January

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
29	Wed. Jan. 2	New York Knicks	113-86	Boston Garden	24–5
30	Fri. Jan. 4	Phoenix Suns	132-103	Boston Garden	25–5
31	Sun. Jan. 6	Dallas Mavericks	127-110	Boston Garden	26–5
32	Tue. Jan. 8	@ New York Knicks	101-87	Madison Square Garden	27–5
33	Wed. Jan. 9	Milwaukee Bucks	110-102	Boston Garden	28–5
34	Fri. Jan. 11	Los Angeles Clippers	109-107	Boston Garden	29–5
35	Sat. Jan. 12	@ Washington Bullets	99-116	Capital Centre	29–6
36	Wed. Jan. 16	Golden State Warriors	105-110	Boston Garden	29–7
37	Fri. Jan. 18	New Jersey Nets	106-111	Boston Garden	29–8
38	Mon. Jan. 21	@ Detroit Pistons	90-101	The Palace of Auburn Hills	29–9
39	Wed. Jan. 23	Detroit Pistons	111-94	Boston Garden	30–9
40	Fri. Jan. 25	@ Philadelphia 76ers	94-116	The Spectrum	30–10
41	Sun. Jan. 27	Los Angeles Lakers	87-104	Boston Garden	30–11
42	Mon. Jan. 28	@ Minnesota Timberwolves	108-87	Target Center	31–11
43	Wed. Jan. 30	Orlando Magic	144-102	Boston Garden	32–11

February

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
44	Fri. Feb. 1	@ Charlotte Hornets	91-92	Charlotte Coliseum	32–12
45	Sun. Feb. 3	Washington Bullets	119-101	Boston Garden	33–12
46	Wed. Feb. 6	Charlotte Hornets	133-117	Boston Garden	34–12
47	Thu. Feb. 7	@ New York Knicks	117-101	Madison Square Garden	35–12
48	Tue. Feb. 12	@ Seattle SuperSonics	114-111	Seattle Center Coliseum	36–12
49	Thu. Feb. 14	@ Golden State Warriors	128-112	Oakland Coliseum	37–12
50	Fri. Feb. 15	@ Los Angeles Lakers	98-85	The Forum	38–12
51	Sun. Feb. 17	@ Denver Nuggets	126-108	McNichols Sports Arena	39–12
52	Tue. Feb. 19	@ Phoenix Suns	105-109	Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum	39–13
53	Fri. Feb. 22	New Jersey Nets	111-99	Hartford Civic Center	40–13
54	Sun. Feb. 24	@ Indiana Pacers	109-115	Market Square Arena	40–14
55	Tue. Feb. 26	@ Chicago Bulls	99-129	Chicago Stadium	40–15
56	Wed. Feb. 27	Minnesota Timberwolves	116-111	Boston Garden	41–15

March

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
57	Fri. Mar. 1	San Antonio Spurs	108-98	Boston Garden	42–15
58	Sun. Mar. 3	Portland Trail Blazers	107-116	Boston Garden	42–16
59	Mon. Mar. 4	Indiana Pacers	126-101	Hartford Civic Center	43–16
60	Wed. Mar. 6	Miami Heat	126-117	Boston Garden	44–16
61	Fri. Mar. 8	@ Los Angeles Clippers	104-98	L.A. Sports Arena	45–16
62	Sun. Mar. 10	@ Portland Trail Blazers	111-109 (OT)	Memorial Coliseum	46–16
63	Tue. Mar. 12	@ Sacramento Kings	110-95	ARCO Arena	47–16
64	Wed. Mar. 13	@ Utah Jazz	109-112	Salt Palace	47–17
65	Fri. Mar. 15	@ Washington Bullets	94-86	Capital Centre	48–17
66	Sun. Mar. 17	Philadelphia 76ers	110-105	Boston Garden	49–17
67	Tue. Mar. 19	@ Atlanta Hawks	92-104	The Omni	49–18
68	Wed. Mar. 20	Washington Bullets	102-81	Boston Garden	50–18
69	Fri. Mar. 22	@ Indiana Pacers	109-121	Market Square Arena	50–19
70	Thu. Mar. 28	@ Miami Heat	88-90	Miami Arena	50–20
71	Fri. Mar. 29	Cleveland Cavaliers	110-108	Boston Garden	51–20
72	Sun. Mar. 31	Chicago Bulls	135-132 (2OT)	Boston Garden	52–20

April

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record
73	Tue. Apr. 2	@ New Jersey Nets	94-77	Brendan Byrne Arena	53–20
74	Thu. Apr. 4	New Jersey Nets	123-104	Boston Garden	54–20
75	Sat. Apr. 6	@ Orlando Magic	98-102	Orlando Arena	54–21
76	Thu. Apr. 11	@ Milwaukee Bucks	92-111	Bradley Center	54–22
77	Fri. Apr. 12	Miami Heat	119-109	Boston Garden	55–22
78	Sun. Apr. 14	New York Knicks	115-102	Boston Garden	56–22
79	Tue. Apr. 16	@ Detroit Pistons	90-118	The Palace of Auburn Hills	56–23
80	Thu. Apr. 18	@ Philadelphia 76ers	97-122	The Spectrum	56–24
81	Fri. Apr. 19	@ Cleveland Cavaliers	117-124 (OT)	Richfield Coliseum	56-25
82	Sun. Apr. 21	Atlanta Hawks	105-117	Boston Garden	56–26

1990-91 Schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log

First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)

Game	Date	Team	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location Attendance	Series
1	April 26	Indiana	W 127–120	Reggie Lewis (28)	Larry Bird (12)	Larry Bird (12)	Boston Garden 14,890	1–0
2	April 28	Indiana	L 118–130	Lewis, Shaw (22)	Robert Parish (12)	Larry Bird (10)	Boston Garden 14,890	1–1
3	May 1	@ Indiana	W 112–105	Kevin McHale (22)	Larry Bird (9)	Brian Shaw (7)	Market Square Arena 16,530	2–1
4	May 3	@ Indiana	L 113–116	Kevin McHale (24)	Robert Parish (12)	Larry Bird (8)	Market Square Arena 16,530	2–2
5	May 5	Indiana	W 124–121	Larry Bird (32)	Larry Bird (9)	Brian Shaw (9)	Boston Garden 14,890	3–2

Conference Semi-finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)

Game	Date	Team	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location Attendance	Series
1	May 7	Detroit	L 75–86	Reggie Lewis (20)	Kevin McHale (10)	Brian Shaw (5)	Boston Garden 14,890	0–1
2	May 9	Detroit	W 109–103	Reggie Lewis (23)	Robert Parish (13)	Dee Brown (8)	Boston Garden 14,890	1–1
3	May 11	@ Detroit	W 115–83	Reggie Lewis (21)	Robert Parish (11)	Brown, McHale (6)	The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454	2–1
4	May 13	@ Detroit	L 97–104	Kevin McHale (28)	Robert Parish (10)	Brian Shaw (6)	The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454	2–2
5	May 15	Detroit	L 111–116	Reggie Lewis (30)	Reggie Lewis (11)	Dee Brown (10)	Boston Garden 14,890	2–3
6	May 17	@ Detroit	L 113–117 (OT)	Kevin McHale (34)	Ed Pinckney (9)	Reggie Lewis (5)	The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454	2–4

1991 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Season

Boston Celtics statistics
Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Larry Bird	60	60	38.0	.454	.389	.891	8.5	7.2	1.8	1.0	19.4
Dee Brown	82	5	23.7	.464	.206	.873	2.2	4.2	1.0	0.2	8.7
Kevin Gamble	82	76	33.0	.587	.000	.815	3.3	3.1	1.2	0.4	15.6
Joe Kleine	72	1	11.8	.468	.000	.783	3.4	0.3	0.2	0.2	3.6
Reggie Lewis	79	79	36.4	.491	.077	.826	5.2	2.5	1.2	1.1	18.7
Kevin McHale	68	10	30.4	.553	.405	.829	7.1	1.9	0.4	2.1	18.4
Robert Parish	81	81	30.1	.598	.000	.767	10.6	0.8	0.8	1.3	14.9
Ed Pinckney	70	16	16.6	.539	.000	.897	4.9	0.6	0.9	0.6	5.2
Dave Popson	19	0	3.4	.406	.000	.900	0.7	0.1	0.1	0.1	1.8
Brian Shaw	79	79	35.1	.469	.111	.819	4.7	7.6	1.3	0.4	13.8
Charles E. Smith	5	0	6.0	.429	.000	.600	0.4	1.2	0.2	0.0	1.8
Derek Smith	2	0	8.0	.250	.000	.750	0.0	2.5	0.5	0.5	2.5
Michael Smith	47	3	8.3	.475	.250	.815	1.2	0.9	0.1	0.0	4.6
Stojko Vranković	31	0	5.4	.462	.000	.556	1.6	0.1	0.0	0.9	1.9
A. J. Wynder	6	0	6.5	.250	.000	.750	0.5	1.3	0.2	0.0	2.0

Playoffs

Boston Celtics statistics
Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Larry Bird	10	10	39.6	.408	.143	.863	7.2	6.5	1.3	0.3	17.1
Dee Brown	11	0	25.8	.491	.000	.824	4.1	3.7	1.0	0.5	12.2
Kevin Gamble	11	11	21.6	.483	.000	.667	1.2	1.7	0.4	0.2	6.0
Joe Kleine	5	1	6.2	.444	.000	.000	2.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	1.6
Reggie Lewis	11	11	42.0	.487	.000	.824	6.2	2.9	1.1	0.5	22.4
Kevin McHale	11	1	34.2	.527	.545	.825	6.5	1.8	0.5	1.3	20.7
Robert Parish	10	10	29.6	.598	.000	.689	9.2	0.6	0.8	0.7	15.8
Ed Pinckney	11	0	15.5	.762	.000	.810	3.6	0.2	0.5	0.2	4.5
Brian Shaw	11	11	28.7	.470	.333	.867	3.5	4.6	0.9	0.1	11.0
Derek Smith	10	0	8.6	.429	.000	.786	0.9	0.5	0.3	0.1	2.9
Michael Smith	2	0	3.0	.500	.000	.000	0.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	1.0
Stojko Vranković	1	0	4.0	1.000	.000	.000	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0

Awards and records

Dee Brown, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team

Transactions

Players Added

Draft

Dee Brown

Free agency

Dave Popson (August 17, 1990; re-signed December 27, 1990)
Stojko Vranković (October 2, 1990)
Derek Smith (December 22, 1990)
A. J. Wynder (April 12, 1991)

Players Lost

Released

Jim Paxson (October 6, 1990)
Dave Popson (June, 1991)

Free agency

Gerald Paddio (September 27, 1990) (to Cleveland)

Player Transactions Citation:

References

1990–91 Boston Celtics
Goldaper, Sam (June 13, 1990). "Celtics Choose Ford as New Head Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
Nagi, Chris (June 12, 1990). "Chris Ford Named Celtics Coach". United Press International. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
"Celtics Seek to Keep Shaw from Staying in Italy". Los Angeles Times. June 16, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Shaw Close on Return to Celtics, Report Says". The New York Times. September 14, 1990. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
"Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics Box Score, January 11, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
"NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
"BASKETBALL; Hope Riding on Bird's Bad Back". The New York Times. April 25, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Back Surgery for Bird". The New York Times. June 7, 1991. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
Arace, Michael (November 1, 1991). "Ready or Not, Here Come the Celtics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
"1990–91 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
"Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
"1990–91 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1991). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rookie Wins Dunk Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1991). "Celtics' Brown Makes Dunking Dee-Lightful: All-Stars: At 6-1, He Uses Creativity to Beat Seattle's Kemp. Hodges Wins Shootout Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"Schrempf Nips Majerle as NBA's Top 6th Man". Deseret News. May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
Cooper, Barry (May 3, 1991). "It's No Dream - Skiles Is Named Most Improved". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"1990–91 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
"Chaney Gets Coaching Award, New Contract". United Press International. May 23, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"Rockets' Chaney Named Coach of Year". Chicago Tribune. May 24, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
Goldaper, Sam (May 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; The Legend Grows for Bird and Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
Wilbon, Michael (May 6, 1991). "Bird Hits Floor, Turns Other Cheek and Decks Pacers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"Bird, Celtics Eliminate Pacers: Person, Indiana 'One Bullet Short'". Greensboro. Associated Press. May 6, 1991. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
"1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
Goldaper, Sam (May 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Injury Sidelines Bird as Celtics Lose Opener". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
Arace, Michael (May 8, 1991). "Celtics Can't Fly Without Bird, Losing to Pistons, 86-75: NBA Playoffs: Ailing Back Prevents His Playing. Parish and Thomas Have to Leave the Game in the Fourth Quarter with Ankle Injuries". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
"NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: Only Time Stops Celtics in 115-83 Beating of Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
Klonke, Chuck (May 11, 1991). "Celtics 115, Pistons 83". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
Klonke, Chuck (May 17, 1991). "Pistons 117, Celtics 113". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
Brown, Clifton (May 18, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Quest for Third Title Alive as Pistons Eliminate Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
Cotton, Anthony (May 18, 1991). "Pistons Eliminate Celtics in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
"1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
"1990–91 Boston Celtics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.

v t e Boston Celtics
Founded in 1946 Based in Boston, Massachusetts
Franchise	History All-time roster Draft history Accomplishments and records Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	Boston Arena Boston Garden Hartford Civic Center TD Garden
Personnel	Owner(s) Boston Basketball Partners President Rich Gotham General manager Brad Stevens Head coach Joe Mazzulla
G League affiliate	Maine Celtics
Retired numbers	00 1 2 3 5 6 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 31 32 33 34 35 LOSCY MIC
NBA championships	1957 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1968 1969 1974 1976 1981 1984 1986 2008 2024
Rivalries	Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers
Culture and lore	Broadcasters Radio network Celtic Pride Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs Mike Gorman Johnny Most "Havlicek stole the ball" 1961 Boston Celtics boycott Auerbach Center North Station The Sports Museum of New England Reebok Pro Summer League Newhart Uncut Gems Extended Family Starting 5 Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum
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