1991–92 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1992 yes 51 31 atlantic 1 2 Chris Ford Boston GardenHartford Civic Center Dave Gavitt Don GastonAlan N. CohenPaul Dupee WFXT(Tom Heinsohn, Bob Cousy)SportsChannel New England(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) WEEI(Glenn Ordway, Doug Brown) Conference semifinals(lost to Cavaliers 3–4) BOS The 1991–92 Boston Celtics season was the 46th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 This also marked the 13th and final NBA season for All-Star forward, and Celtics legend Larry Bird, who would retire after the season. Brown Clifton Basketball: Bird Unlaces His Sneakers and Says Goodbye The New York Times August 19, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/19/sports/basketball-bird-unlaces-his-sneakers-and-says-goodbye.html November 21, 2022 Heisler Mark Larry Bird Retires: It Was Just a Hate-Love Relationship: Basketball: The Lakers Wanted to Kill the Mocking Bird, Until They Got to Know Him. Then They Just Wanted to Beat Him Los Angeles Times August 19, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-19-sp-5695-story.html November 21, 2022 Arace Michael A Final Buzzer Bird Can't Beat Hartford Courant August 19, 1992 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-08-19-0000113568-story.html November 21, 2022 Season summary Off-season The Celtics had the 24th overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected small forward Rick Fox from the University of North Carolina. Associated Press UNLV's Johnson Is No. 1: NBA Draft: Coaches' Attempts in Charlotte and New Jersey to Select Billy Owens Are Overruled. Three UNLV Players Are Taken in the First Round Los Angeles Times June 27, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-27-sp-1793-story.html July 10, 2025 Associated Press As Expected, Hornets Select Johnson No. 1 Deseret News June 27, 1991 https://www.deseret.com/1991/6/27/18928032/as-expected-hornets-select-johnson-no-1/ July 10, 2025 1991 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1991.html July 1, 2025 Regular season With the addition of Fox, the Celtics struggled losing four of their first six games of the regular season, but then won 15 of their next 18 games. However, Bird suffered a back injury in January, and only played just 45 games; Associated Press Pro Basketball: Bird Is Placed on Injured List The New York Times January 7, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/07/sports/pro-basketball-bird-is-placed-on-injured-list.html November 21, 2022 Associated Press Bird Is Put on Injured List, Because of Inflammed Back Los Angeles Times January 7, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-07-sp-1487-story.html November 21, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Bird Begins Therapy and Hopes for Best The New York Times July 7, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/07/sports/sports-people-basketball-bird-begins-therapy-and-hopes-for-best.html January 3, 2022 also during that month, the team traded Brian Shaw to the Miami Heat in exchange for Sherman Douglas. Associated Press Celtics Trade Shaw to Heat for Douglas Los Angeles Times January 11, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-11-sp-1607-story.html December 27, 2022 Winderman Ira Douglas to Celtics for Shaw Sun Sentinel January 11, 1992 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-01-11-9201020707-story.html November 21, 2022 Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Injured Celtics Send Shaw to the Heat for Douglas The New York Times January 12, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/12/sports/pro-basketball-injured-celtics-send-shaw-to-the-heat-for-douglas.html December 2, 2021 The Celtics held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=6&year=1992 November 21, 2022 posted a seven-game winning streak between March and April, and won their final eight games of the season. The Celtics won the Atlantic Division title with a 51–31 record, and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference; 1991–92 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992_games.html December 1, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 13th consecutive year. Bird averaged 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, while Reggie Lewis averaged 20.8 points and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Robert Parish averaged 14.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and surpassed the 20,000 point mark during the regular season, Basketball: For Parish, 20,000 Points and Counting The New York Times January 18, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/18/sports/basketball-for-parish-20000-points-and-counting.html January 18, 2022 Aldridge David Parish a Chief at Peace Los Angeles Times April 29, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-29-sp-973-story.html November 21, 2022 while sixth man Kevin McHale provided the team with 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game off the bench, but only played 56 games due to a leg injury, Kevin Gamble provided with 13.5 points per game, and second-year guard Dee Brown contributed 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, but only played just 31 games due to a knee injury. Sports People: Basketball: Walter Davis Waived by Trail Blazers The New York Times October 30, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/30/sports/sports-people-basketball-walter-davis-waived-by-trail-blazers.html December 2, 2021 Arace Michael Ready or Not, Here Come the Celtics Hartford Courant November 1, 1991 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1991-11-01-0000210093-story.html September 5, 2022 Meanwhile, Fox contributed 8.0 points per game off the bench, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Ed Pinckney averaged 7.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, John Bagley was the team's starting point guard this season, averaging 7.2 points and 6.6 assists per game, and Joe Kleine provided with 4.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. 1991–92 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html December 1, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Bird and Lewis were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, although Bird did not participate due to injury; it was Bird's final All-Star selection, and the first and only All-Star appearance for Lewis. Heisler Mark Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game Los Angeles Times February 9, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-09-sp-3573-story.html January 28, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1992 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1992 July 10, 2025 1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1992.html November 27, 2021 In addition, Bird was also selected to participate in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, but withdrew due to injury, and was replaced with Dell Curry of the Charlotte Hornets. Adams Replaces Bird on All-Star Team United Press International February 4, 1992 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/02/04/Adams-replaces-Bird-on-All-Star-team/3813697179600/ October 12, 2025 Pro Basketball Gadsden Times February 8, 1992 D2 https://books.google.com/books?id=H3EfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=1992+NBA+slam+dunk+roster&article_id=7135,868277&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTgMOr2p2QAxVfLtAFHVQuNtIQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=1992%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20roster&f=false October 12, 2025 Bird finished in 14th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1991–92 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html December 7, 2025 while head coach Chris Ford finished tied in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting. The Celtics finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 610,776 at the Boston Garden during the regular season. 1991–92 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Celtics faced off against the 7th–seeded Indiana Pacers, a team that featured Reggie Miller, Chuck Person, and Sixth Man of the Year, Detlef Schrempf. Despite starting the series without Bird and Brown due to injuries, the Celtics won the first two games over the Pacers at home at the Boston Garden, before winning Game 3 on the road, 102–98 at the Market Square Arena to win the series in a three-game sweep. Associated Press Pro Basketball: One Down, How Many to Go? Depleted Celtics Sweep Pacers The New York Times April 28, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/28/sports/pro-basketball-one-down-how-many-to-go-depleted-celtics-sweep-pacers.html October 14, 2021 Arace Michael Look Who's Talking Hartford Courant April 29, 1992 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-04-29-0000202598-story.html July 26, 2022 1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pacers-vs-celtics.html April 18, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, who were led by the trio of All-Star center Brad Daugherty, All-Star guard Mark Price, and Larry Nance. Despite the Celtics winning the Atlantic Division title, the Cavaliers had home-court advantage in the series, since they finished with a better regular-season record. The Celtics lost Game 1 to the Cavaliers on the road, 101–76 at the Coliseum at Richfield, 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, May 2, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205020CLE.html July 2, 2026 but managed to win the next two games, including a Game 3 home win at the Boston Garden, 110–107 to take a 2–1 series lead. Associated Press Basketball: Late Rally Puts Celtics One Up on the Cavaliers The New York Times May 9, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/09/sports/basketball-late-rally-puts-celtics-one-up-on-the-cavaliers.html January 17, 2022 Arace Michael Bird Still Needs Time, But Brown Going Strong Hartford Courant May 9, 1992 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-05-09-0000202107-story.html July 26, 2022 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Box Score, May 8, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205080BOS.html July 2, 2026 Bird returned to play in Game 4, in which the Celtics lost to the Cavaliers at home in overtime, 114–112. 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Box Score, May 10, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205100BOS.html July 2, 2026 After trailing 3–2 in the series, the Celtics won Game 6 over the Cavaliers at the Boston Garden, 122–91 to even the series. Associated Press  Celtics Tie Up Cavaliers, 122-91: NBA: Bird Scores 16 Points in 37 Minutes, as Celtics Force Seventh Game in Playoff Series  Los Angeles Times  May 16, 1992  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-16-sp-1816-story.html June 27, 2026 Moran Malcolm  Basketball: The Rebound of the Celtic Legend  The New York Times  May 17, 1992  https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/17/sports/basketball-the-rebound-of-the-celtic-legend.html June 27, 2026 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Box Score, May 15, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205150BOS.html June 27, 2026 However, the Celtics lost Game 7 to the Cavaliers at the Coliseum at Richfield, 122–104, thus losing in a hard-fought seven-game series. George Thomas Basketball: Cavalier Youth Serves Up a Blowout of Aging Celtics The New York Times May 18, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/18/sports/basketball-cavalier-youth-serves-up-a-blowout-of-aging-celtics.html October 14, 2021 Associated Press Cavaliers Step Up Into Conference finals: NBA Playoffs: Daugherty Scores 16 Points in the First Quarter as Cleveland Beats Celtics Los Angeles Times May 18, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-18-sp-28-story.html January 28, 2023 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Celtics vs. Cavaliers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-celtics-vs-cavaliers.html April 18, 2023 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on March 15, 1992, in which the Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers at home in double-overtime, 152–148 at the Boston Garden. Bird finished with a triple-double of 49 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in a nationally televised game; Results Plus The New York Times March 16, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/16/sports/results-plus-600192.html November 21, 2022 Hafner Dan NBA Roundup: Bird Gets 49; Celtics Win in Two Overtimes Los Angeles Times March 16, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-16-sp-2867-story.html November 21, 2022 Portland Trail Blazers at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 15, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199203150BOS.html July 6, 2026 it was the most points for Bird since February 15, 1988, when he scored 49 against the Phoenix Suns. Aftermath Following their loss to the Cavaliers, the Celtics would not win an NBA playoff series again for another ten years. Draft picks 1991 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 24 Rick Fox SF Canada North Carolina Roster Boston Celtics 1991–92 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 5 John Bagley basketball PG 6 0 185 1960–04–23 Boston College 8 Kenny Battle SF 6 6 210 1964–10–10 Illinois 33 Larry Bird PF 6 9 220 1956–12–07 Indiana State University 7 Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 PG 6 1 160 1968–11–29 Jacksonville 20 Sherman Douglas PG 6 0 160 1966–09–15 Syracuse 44 Rick Fox SF 6 7 230 1969–07–24 North Carolina 34 Kevin Gamble SF 6 5 210 1965–11–13 Iowa 53 Joe Kleine C 6 11 255 1962–01–04 Arkansas 35 Reggie Lewis SG 6 7 195 1965–11–21 Northeastern 41 Tony Massenburg PF 6 9 220 1967–07–31 Maryland 32 Kevin McHale basketball PF 6 10 210 1957–12–19 Minnesota 00 Robert Parish C 7 0 230 1953–08–30 Centenary College of Louisiana 54 Ed Pinckney PF 6 9 195 1963–03–27 Villanova 12 Kevin Pritchard PG 6 3 180 1967–07–17 Kansas 4 Larry Robinson basketball, born 1968 SG 6 3 180 1968–01–11 Centenary College of Louisiana 52 Stojko Vranković C 7 2 260 1964–01–22 Croatia Chris Ford Don Casey Jon Jennings Ed Lacerte (trainer) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html March 23, 1992 Regular season Season standings BOS y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot BOS z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Playoffs Boston Celtics 1992 yes #006400 #FFFFFF Boston Celtics #008040 white First round yes yes no 2 0 1 0 |- | 1 | April 23 | Indiana | W 124–113 | Reggie Lewis (32) | Robert Parish (14) | John Bagley (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- | 2 | April 25 | Indiana | W 119–112 (OT) | John Bagley (35) | Robert Parish (14) | John Bagley (15) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–0 |- | 3 | April 27 | @ Indiana | W 102–98 | Reggie Lewis (32) | Ed Pinckney (14) | John Bagley (11) | Market Square Arena16,530 | 3–0 |- Boston Celtics #008040 white Conference Semi-finals yes no 2 1 1 3 |- | 1 || May 2 || @ Cleveland | L 76–101 | Kevin Gamble (22) | Ed Pinckney (10) | John Bagley (8) | Richfield Coliseum17,496 | 0–1 |- | 2 || May 4 || @ Cleveland | W 104–98 | Robert Parish (27) | Robert Parish (8) | John Bagley (11) | Richfield Coliseum20,273 | 1–1 |- | 3 || May 8 || Cleveland | W 110–107 | Reggie Lewis (36) | Robert Parish (17) | Reggie Lewis (7) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–1 |- | 4 || May 10 || Cleveland | L 112–114 (OT) | Reggie Lewis (42) | Robert Parish (18) | John Bagley (7) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–2 |- | 5 || May 13 || @ Cleveland | L 98–114 | Reggie Lewis (27) | Joe Kleine (11) | John Bagley (5) | Richfield Coliseum20,273 | 2–3 |- | 6 || May 15 || Cleveland | W 122–91 | Reggie Lewis (26) | Dee Brown (8) | Larry Bird (14) | Boston Garden14,890 | 3–3 |- | 7 || May 17 || @ Cleveland | L 104–122 | Reggie Lewis (22) | Ed Pinckney (9) | Bagley, Brown (5) | Richfield Coliseum20,273 | 3–4 |- BOS yes 1992 Player statistics Regular season Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Bagley basketball | 73 || 59 || 23.9 || .441 || .238 || .716 || 2.2 || 6.6 || .8 || .1 || 7.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kenny Battle† | 8 || 0 || 5.8 || .750 || || 1.000 || 1.1 || .0 || .1 || .0 || 1.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Bird | 45 || 45 || 36.9 || .466 || .406 || .926 || 9.6 || 6.8 || .9 || .7 || 20.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 | 31 || 20 || 28.5 || .426 || .227 || .769 || 2.5 || 5.3 || 1.1 || .2 || 11.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sherman Douglas† | 37 || 0 || 17.7 || .455 || .111 || .680 || 1.5 || 4.1 || .6 || .2 || 7.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rick Fox | 81 || 5 || 19.0 || .459 || .329 || .755 || 2.7 || 1.6 || 1.0 || .4 || 8.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Gamble | 82 || 77 || 30.4 || .529 || .290 || .885 || 3.5 || 2.7 || .9 || .5 || 13.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rickey Green | 26 || 0 || 14.1 || .447 || .250 || .722 || .9 || 2.6 || .7 || .0 || 4.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Joe Kleine | 70 || 3 || 14.2 || .491 || .500 || .708 || 4.2 || .5 || .3 || .2 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Reggie Lewis | 82 || 82 || 37.4 || .503 || .238 || .851 || 4.8 || 2.3 || 1.5 || 1.3 || 20.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tony Massenburg† | 7 || 0 || 6.6 || .444 || || .500 || 1.3 || .0 || .0 || .1 || 1.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin McHale basketball | 56 || 1 || 25.0 || .509 || .000 || .822 || 5.9 || 1.5 || .2 || 1.1 || 13.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Robert Parish | 79 || 79 || 28.9 || .535 || || .772 || 8.9 || .9 || .9 || 1.2 || 14.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ed Pinckney | 81 || 36 || 23.7 || .537 || .000 || .812 || 7.0 || .8 || .9 || .7 || 7.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Pritchard | 11 || 0 || 12.4 || .471 || .000 || .778 || 1.0 || 2.7 || .3 || .4 || 4.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Robinson basketball, born 1968 | 1 || 0 || 6.0 || .200 || || || 2.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Brian Shaw basketball† | 17 || 3 || 25.6 || .427 || .000 || .875 || 4.1 || 5.2 || .7 || .6 || 10.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Stojko Vranković | 19 || 0 || 5.8 || .469 || || .583 || 1.5 || .3 || .0 || .9 || 1.9 |} Playoffs Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|John Bagley basketball | 10 || 10 || 30.8 || .442 || .250 || .703 || 2.7 || 8.5 || .9 || .1 || 11.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Bird | 4 || 2 || 26.8 || .500 || .000 || .750 || 4.5 || 5.3 || .3 || .5 || 11.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 | 6 || 0 || 20.0 || .500 || .000 || .667 || 2.0 || 5.2 || .2 || .7 || 8.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sherman Douglas | 6 || 0 || 10.8 || .360 || .000 || .500 || .7 || 1.7 || .0 || .0 || 3.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rick Fox | 8 || 0 || 8.4 || .478 || .500 || 1.000 || .8 || .5 || .3 || .3 || 3.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin Gamble | 10 || 10 || 33.5 || .473 || .000 || .800 || 4.2 || 2.3 || 1.2 || .6 || 13.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Joe Kleine | 9 || 0 || 9.1 || .409 || .000 || 1.000 || 2.4 || .1 || .0 || .1 || 2.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Reggie Lewis | 10 || 10 || 40.8 || .528 || .333 || .762 || 4.3 || 3.9 || 2.4 || .8 || 28.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Kevin McHale basketball | 10 || 0 || 30.6 || .516 || .000 || .795 || 6.7 || 1.3 || .5 || .5 || 16.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Robert Parish | 10 || 10 || 33.5 || .495 || || .714 || 9.7 || 1.4 || .7 || 1.5 || 12.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ed Pinckney | 10 || 8 || 31.4 || .603 || .000 || .839 || 8.4 || .7 || 1.2 || .9 || 9.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Stojko Vranković | 1 || 0 || 3.0 || 1.000 || || || .0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |} † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Celtics only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Rick Fox, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team References Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics