Celtics vs. Lakers by the numbers: Most championships, MVP winners & more key stats to know in rivalry debate

Gilbert McGregor

Celtics vs. Lakers by the numbers: Most championships, MVP winners & more key stats to know in rivalry debate image

There are several rivalries in the NBA but Celtics vs. Lakers is the rivalry that defines the league.

Boston and LA are two of the most decorated franchises in all sports and have gone head-to-head with a championship on the line a dozen times, including six meetings in the 1960s and three additional meetings in the 1980s.

With Boston on the cusp of the 2024 NBA title, the rivalry with LA is again relevant because the Celtics could again become the sole holder of the NBA's record for most championships with 18, breaking a tie with the Lakers that lasted nearly four years.

Given Boston and LA's standing as the most decorated franchises in NBA history, the Celtics' Finals appearance is a great opportunity to revisit where each team stands regarding accolades — both team and individual.

MORE: Draymond Green hilariously responds to Klay Thompson unfollowing Warriors

NBA championships

The Celtics and Lakers are tied with 17 championships. Boston has a chance to break a four-year tie with LA, which won its 17th NBA championship in 2020 during the NBA Restart at the Walt Disney Resort.

 CelticsLakers
Championships1717
Most recent title20082020
NBA Finals appearances2332
NBA Finals record17-517-15

Celtics NBA Finals wins

The Celtics have won more than half of their 17 NBA titles against the Lakers, including six head-to-head wins in the 1960s. Led by Bill Russell, Boston won 11 of its 17 championships between 1957 and 1969.

  • 2008: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2
  • 1986: Celtics def. Rockets, 4-2
  • 1984: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
  • 1981: Celtics def. Rockets, 4-2
  • 1976: Celtics def. Suns, 4-2
  • 1974: Celtics def. Bucks, 4-3
  • 1969: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
  • 1968: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2
  • 1966: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
  • 1965: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-1
  • 1964: Celtics def. Warriors, 4-1
  • 1963: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2
  • 1962: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
  • 1961: Celtics def Hawks, 4-1
  • 1960: Celtics def. Hawks, 4-0
  • 1959: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-0
  • 1957: Celtics def. Hawks, 4-3

Lakers NBA Finals wins

The Lakers have won three of their 17 NBA title against the Celtics, including two titles in three years during the 1980s. It is worth noting that the franchise won five championships before relocating to Los Angeles.

  • 2020: Lakers def. Heat, 4-2
  • 2010: Lakers def. Celtics, 4-3
  • 2009: Lakers def. Magic, 4-1
  • 2002: Lakers def. Nets, 4-0
  • 2001: Lakers def. 76ers, 4-1
  • 2000: Lakers def. Pacers, 4-2
  • 1988: Lakers def. Pistons, 4-3
  • 1987: Lakers def. Celtics, 4-2
  • 1985: Lakers def. Celtics, 4-2
  • 1982: Lakers def. 76ers, 4-2
  • 1980: Lakers def. 76ers, 4-2
  • 1972: Lakers def. Knicks, 4-2
  • 1954: Lakers def. Nationals, 4-2*
  • 1953: Lakers def. Knicks, 4-1*
  • 1952: Lakers def. Knicks, 4-3*
  • 1950: Lakers def. Nationals, 4-2*
  • 1949: Lakers def. Capitols, 4-2*

*Titles won when franchise was located in Minneapolis.

Lakers vs. Celtics: NBA Finals head-to-head

The Celtics and Lakers have met 12 times in the NBA Finals. Boston holds a 9-3 record over LA in the Finals, though the Lakers won the most recent head-to-head meeting in 2010.

In 1969, Jerry West was named the first-ever NBA Finals MVP, doing so in a losing effort to the Celtics. West is still the only member of a losing team to earn the honor.

YearSeriesFinals MVP
2010Lakers def Celtics, 4-3Kobe Bryant
2008Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2Paul Pierce
1987Lakers def. Celtics, 4-2Magic Johnson
1985Lakers def. Celtics, 4-2Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1984Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3Larry Bird
1969Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3Jerry West
1968Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2
1966Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
1965Celtics def. Lakers, 4-1
1963Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2
1962Celtics def. Lakers, 4-3
1959Celtics def. Lakers, 4-0

Hall of Fame players

Celtics

38 players who have donned the Celtics uniform have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The players in bold also played for the Lakers.

PlayerTenureInducted
Ed Macauley1950-561960
Andy Phillip1956-581961
Bob Cousy1950-19631971
Bill Russell1956-19691975
Bill Sharman1951-19611976
Frank Ramsey1954-19641982
John Havlicek1962-19781984
Sam Jones1957-19691984
Tom Heinsohn1956-19651986
Bob Houbregs19541987
Pete Maravich19801987
Clyde Lovellette1962-641988
K.C. Jones1958-19671989
Dave Bing1977-781990
Dave Cowens1970-19801991
Nate Archibald1978-19831991
Bill Walton1985-881993
Bailey Howell1966-19701997
Larry Bird1979-19921998
Arnie Risen1955-581998
Kevin McHale1980-19931999
Bob McAdoo19792000
Robert Parish1980-19942003
Dominique Wilkins1995-962006
Dennis Johnson1983-19902010
Artis Gilmore19882011
Gary Payton2004-052013
Jo Jo White1969-19792015
Shaquille O'Neal2010-112016
Ray Allen2007-20122018
Dino Radja1994-972018
Charlie Scott1975-772018
Carl Braun1961-622019
Chuck Cooper1950-542019
Paul Westphal1972-752019
Kevin Garnett2007-20132020
Paul Pierce1998-20132021
Chauncey Billups1997-982024

Lakers

31 different Lakers players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The players in bold also played for the Celtics.

PlayerTenureInducted
George Mikan1948-54, 1955-561959
Elgin Baylor1958-711977
Jim Pollard1948-551978
Wilt Chamberlain1968-731979
Jerry West1960-741980
Slater Martin1949-561982
Clyde Lovellette1953-571988
Connie Hawkins1973-751992
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar1975-891995
Vern Mikkelsen1949-591995
Gail Goodrich1965-68, 1970-761996
Bob McAdoo1981-852000
Magic Johnson1979-91, 19962002
James Worthy1982-942003
Adrian Dantley1977-792008
Karl Malone2003-042010
Dennis Rodman1998-992011
Jamaal Wilkes1977-852012
Gary Payton2003-042013
Mitch Richmond2001-022014
Spencer Haywood1979-802015
Zelmo Beaty1974-752016
Shaquille O'Neal1996-20042016
Charlie Scott1977-782018
Steve Nash2012-152018
Vlade Divac1989-96, 2004-052019
Kobe Bryant 1996-20162020
Lou Hudson1997-792022
Pau Gasol2008-142023
Dick Barnett1962-652024
Michael Cooper1978-902024

NBA MVP award winners

Both teams have had four different MVP award winners, though Boston's players won a combined 10 times. Bill Russell earned the honor five times and Larry Bird was named MVP three consecutive years in the 1980s.

The Lakers have had a pair of three-time winners in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson while Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal each won the award once.

Celtics

PlayerMVP year(s)
Bob Cousy1957
Bill Russell1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965
Dave Cowens1973
Larry Bird1984, 1985, 1986

Lakers

PlayerMVP year(s)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar1976, 1977, 1980
Magic Johnson1987, 1989, 1990
Shaquille O'Neal2000
Kobe Bryant2008

All-NBA First Team selections

11 different Lakers players have earned All-NBA First Team honors compared to nine for the Celtics. 

Boston has a total of 35 All-NBA First Team selections among nine players while Lakers players have combined to earn All-NBA First Team honors 63 times, including 40 selections between Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Jerry West.

Celtics

PlayerSelections
Bob Cousy10
Larry Bird9
John Havlicek4
Jayson Tatum3
Bill Russell3
Ed Macauley3
Kevin Garnett1
Kevin McHale1
Ed Sadowski 1

Lakers

PlayerSelections
Kobe Bryant11
Jerry West10
Elgin Baylor10
Magic Johnson9
Shaquille O'Neal6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar6
George Mikan6
Jim Pollard2
Anthony Davis1
LeBron James1
Gail Goodrich1

NBA All-Star selections

John Havlicek and Bob Cousy are Boston's most decorated All-Stars with 13 selections apiece. Kobe Bryant's 18 All-Star selections are the third-most all-time and Jerry West is not far behind with 14 selections.

Celtics

PlayerSelections
John Havlicek13
Bob Cousy13
Larry Bird12
Bill Russell12
Paul Pierce 10
Robert Parish9
Dave Cowens8
Bill Sharman8
Kevin McHale7
Jo Jo White7
Tom Heinsohn6
Ed Macauley6
Jayson Tatum5
Kevin Garnett5
Sam Jones5
Rajon Rondo4
Jaylen Brown3
Ray Allen3
Antoine Walker3
Nate Archibald3
Kyrie Irving2
Isaiah Thomas2
Kemba Walker1
Al Horford1
Reggie Lewis1
Danny Ainge1
Dennis Johnson1
Paul Silas1
Bailey Howell1

Lakers

PlayerSelections
Kobe Bryant18
Jerry West14
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar13
Magic Johnson12
Elgin Baylor11
Shaquille O'Neal7
James Worthy7
LeBron James6
Vern Mikkelsen6
Slater Martin4
Gail Goodrich4
Wilt Chamberlain4
Dick Garmaker4
Jim Pollard4
George Mikan4
Anthony Davis3
Pau Gasol3
Rudy LaRusso3
Eddie Jones2
Jamaal Wilkes2
Rod Hundley2
Larry Foust2
Clyde Lovellette2
Dwight Howard1
Andrew Bynum1
Nick Van Exel1
Cedric Ceballos1
A.C. Green1
Norm Nixon1
Archie Clark1
Darrall Imhoff1
Frank Selvy1

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.