1987–88 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1988 yes 57 25 atlantic 1 1 K. C. Jones Jan Volk Boston GardenHartford Civic Center Don GastonAlan N. CohenPaul Dupee SportsChannel New England(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn)WLVI, WTXX, WTIC-TV(Gil Santos, Bob Cousy) WEEI, WTIC Radio(Johnny Most, Glenn Ordway) Eastern Conference finals(lost to Pistons 2–4) BOS The 1987–88 Boston Celtics season was the 42nd season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Celtics had the 22nd overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected small forward Reggie Lewis out of Northeastern University. Goldaper Sam Guards Dominate Draft, But Robinson Goes First The New York Times June 23, 1987 https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/23/sports/guards-dominate-draft-but-robinson-goes-first.html July 6, 2025 Edes Gordon Only Surprise in the NBA Draft Is the Big Demand for Guards Los Angeles Times June 23, 1987 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-23-sp-10130-story.html July 6, 2025 1987 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1987.html July 6, 2025 During the off-season, the team signed rookie center Mark Acres, who previously played overseas in Belgium. Martin Adam  Palos Verdes' Mark Acres Shakes "Timid" Image, Belts Way Into Celtics Lineup  Los Angeles Times  December 10, 1987  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-10-sp-27827-story.html June 29, 2026 Regular season Coming off from an NBA Finals defeat to their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, the Celtics won their first six games of the regular season, then later on posted a seven-game winning streak in January, and held a 32–13 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 4, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=2&day=4&year=1988 July 6, 2025 At mid-season, the team traded Jerry Sichting to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jim Paxson. Associated Press Jim Paxson Traded to Boston The Washington Post February 23, 1988 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/02/24/jim-paxson-traded-to-boston/df5d2309-ab23-4e06-8301-c4dc6ddd398d/ July 6, 2025 The Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday Traded Guard Jim Paxson,... United Press International February 23, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/02/23/The-Portland-Trail-Blazers-Tuesday-traded-guard-Jim-Paxson/5259572590800/ July 6, 2025 Sports People: Paxson Traded The New York Times February 24, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/24/sports/sports-people-paxson-traded.html July 6, 2025 The Celtics posted an eight-game winning streak between March and April, but then lost four of their final six games of the season afterwards, winning the Atlantic Division title with a 57–25 record, and earning the first seed in the Eastern Conference. 1987–88 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1988_games.html July 6, 2025 Larry Bird averaged 29.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, contributed 98 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Kevin McHale averaged 22.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, led the league with .604 in field-goal percentage, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Danny Ainge provided the team with 15.7 points, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and also led them with 148 three-point field goals, while Robert Parish provided with 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and Dennis Johnson contributed 12.6 points and 7.8 assists per game. Off the bench, Paxson contributed 8.7 points per game in 28 games after the trade, while Fred Roberts provided with 6.1 points per game, and Acres averaged 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. 1987–88 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1988.html July 6, 2025 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, Bird, McHale and Ainge were all selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was Ainge's first and only All-Star appearance. Barnard Bill Today's NBA All-Star Game Will Be Homecoming of Sorts for 3 Players Los Angeles Times February 7, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-07-sp-41271-story.html July 6, 2025 NBA.com Staff 1988 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1988 July 6, 2025 1988 NBA All-Star Game: East 138, West 133 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1988.html July 6, 2025 In addition, Bird and Ainge both participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, in which Bird won for the third consecutive year. Barnard Bill NBA All-Star Game to Be Made Homecoming The Press-Courier February 7, 1988 15 https://books.google.com/books?id=vMFdAAAAIBAJ&dq=1988+nba+all-star+game+wilkins+rivers+fratello&pg=PA38&article_id=4622,1076695 July 6, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html July 6, 2025 Bird also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, Jordan Named M.V.P. The New York Times May 26, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/26/sports/jordan-named-mvp.html July 6, 2025 1987–88 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1988.html July 6, 2025 while head coach K.C. Jones finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Celtics finished sixth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 611,231 at the Boston Garden during the regular season. 1987–88 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1988.html February 26, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1988 NBA playoffs, the Celtics faced off against the 8th–seeded New York Knicks, a team that featured All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Gerald Wilkins, and Rookie of the Year, Mark Jackson. The Celtics won the first two games over the Knicks at home at the Boston Garden, before losing Game 3 on the road, 109–100 at Madison Square Garden. 1988 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Box Score, May 4, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805040NYK.html June 19, 2026 The Celtics won Game 4 over the Knicks on the road, 102–94 to win the series in four games. News Services  Bird Leads the Way as Celtics End Series with Knicks, 102-94  The Washington Post  May 6, 1988  https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/05/07/bird-leads-the-way-as-celtics-end-series-with-knicks-102-94/959fd46e-8704-493d-95ec-cc580d37d477/ April 8, 2026 Goldaper Sam  Knicks Show Will, But Celtics Show Way and Win  The New York Times  May 7, 1988  https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/07/sports/knicks-show-will-but-celtics-show-way-and-win.html April 8, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-celtics.html July 6, 2025 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 4th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, who were led by All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, All-Star guard Doc Rivers, and Kevin Willis. The Celtics won the first two games over the Hawks at the Boston Garden, and took a 2–0 series lead. However, the Celtics lost the next three games, including a Game 5 home loss to the Hawks at the Boston Garden, 112–104 as the Hawks took a 3–2 series lead. Moran Malcolm N.B.A Playoffs: Hawks Win to Close in on Upset The New York Times May 19, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/19/sports/nba-playoffs-hawks-win-to-close-in-on-upset.html June 19, 2026 Hafner Dan The NBA Playoffs: Hawks Hold Garden Party, Upset Celtics; Wilkins Shows Way as Atlanta Pushes Boston to the Brink Los Angeles Times May 19, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-19-sp-4540-story.html June 19, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5: Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, May 18, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805180BOS.html June 19, 2026 However, the Celtics managed to win Game 6 on the road, 102–100 at the Omni Coliseum to even the series, Bonk Thomas Celtics Rise to Occasion: A 102-100 Victory Over Hawks Sends Series to Game 7 Los Angeles Times May 21, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-21-sp-2943-story.html June 19, 2026 Goldaper Sam N.B.A Playoffs: Celtics' Tradition Looming Larger The New York Times May 22, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/22/sports/nba-playoffs-celtics-tradition-looming-larger.html June 19, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6: Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, May 20, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805200ATL.html June 19, 2026 and then won Game 7 over the Hawks at the Boston Garden, 118–116 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series. Vecsey George N.B.A Playoffs: Celtics' Mr. Clutch Downs the Hawks The New York Times May 23, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/23/sports/nba-playoffs-celtics-mr-clutch-downs-the-hawks.html April 8, 2026 Bonk Thomas Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics Los Angeles Times May 23, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-23-sp-2200-story.html April 8, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hawks vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-hawks-vs-celtics.html July 6, 2025 The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth consecutive year, becoming the first team to do so since the 1968–69 Boston Celtics (which reached the previous thirteen). In the Conference Finals, and for the second consecutive year, the Celtics faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Central Division champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Isiah Thomas, Adrian Dantley and Joe Dumars. The Pistons took a 2–1 series lead, but the Celtics managed to win Game 4 on the road, 79–78 at the Pontiac Silverdome to even the series. Now the Celtics Are Winning Ugly  Chicago Tribune  May 31, 1988  https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/05/31/now-the-celtics-are-winning-ugly/ June 20, 2026 Barnard Bill  Celtics Grab Ugly Victory  The Spokesman-Review  May 31, 1988  B1  https://books.google.com/books?id=3L5YAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1988+Boston+Celtics+Detroit+Pistons+79-78&article_id=6547,8769545&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi67_DIkpaVAxWDgGoFHbI5EiMQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Boston%20Celtics%20Detroit%20Pistons%2079-78&f=false June 20, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 4: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons Box Score, May 30, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805300DET.html June 20, 2026 However, the Celtics lost Game 5 to the Pistons at the Boston Garden in overtime, 102–96, 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 5: Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 1, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198806010BOS.html June 21, 2026 before losing Game 6 at the Pontiac Silverdome by a score of 95–90, thus losing the series in six games; this was the first time since the 1982–83 season that the Celtics failed to advance to the NBA Finals. Wilbon Michael  Celtics Are Knocked Out by Pistons, 95-90  The Washington Post  June 3, 1988  https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/06/04/celtics-are-knocked-out-by-pistons-95-90/66bf0045-89ef-456c-ab78-3f63e909167c/ April 8, 2026 Goldaper Sam  Pistons Knock Out Celtics to Reach Final Round  The New York Times  June 4, 1988  https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/04/sports/pistons-knock-out-celtics-to-reach-final-round.html April 8, 2026 1988 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-eastern-conference-finals-pistons-vs-celtics.html July 6, 2025 The Pistons would advance to the Finals, but would lose to the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a full seven-game series in the 1988 NBA Finals. Goldaper Sam N.B.A Playoffs: Lakers Hold Off Pesky Pistons to Regain Their Title The New York Times June 22, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/22/sports/nba-playoffs-lakers-hold-off-pesky-pistons-to-regain-their-title.html July 8, 2025 Lakers Repeat as Champions in Tight Game Los Angeles Times June 22, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-22-mn-4645-story.html July 8, 2025 1988 NBA Finals: Pistons vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-finals-pistons-vs-lakers.html July 6, 2025 Aftermath Following the season, Jones resigned as head coach, Berger Jerry Boston Celtics Coach K.C. Jones Said Tuesday, He Will... United Press International May 3, 1988 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/03/Boston-Celtics-Coach-KC-Jones-said-Tuesday-he-will/7532578635200/ October 9, 2025 Associated Press K. C. Jones to Retire as Coach The New York Times May 4, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/04/sports/k-c-jones-to-retire-as-coach.html October 9, 2025 Cart Julie A Celtic Crossroad: After 16 Years as an Assistant, Rodgers Lands Job He Wanted Most Los Angeles Times November 25, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-25-sp-205-story.html October 9, 2025 and Roberts was left unprotected in the 1988 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Miami Heat expansion team, who then traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. Goldaper Sam Miami Chooses "Who?" First The New York Times June 24, 1988 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/sports/miami-chooses-who-first.html July 8, 2025 Edes Gordon Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland Los Angeles Times June 24, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-24-sp-5993-story.html July 8, 2025 1988 NBA Expansion Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988_expansion.html July 6, 2025 Draft picks 1987 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 22 Reggie Lewis SF United States Northeastern 2 45 Brad Lohaus C/PF United States Iowa 4 70 Tom Sheehey United States Virginia 4 91 Darryl Kennedy United States Oklahoma 5 114 David Butler United States California 6 137 Tim Naegeli United States Wisconsin–Stevens Point 7 160 Jerry Corcoran United States Northeastern Roster Boston Celtics 1987–88 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 42 Mark Acres C 6 11 220 Oral Roberts University 1962–11–15 44 Danny Ainge G 6 4 175 Brigham Young University 1959–03–17 33 Larry Bird F 6 9 220 Indiana State University 1956–12–07 53 Artis Gilmore C 7 2 240 Jacksonville University 1949–09–21 3 Dennis Johnson G 6 4 185 Pepperdine University 1954–09–18 35 Reggie Lewis G/F 6 7 195 Northeastern University 1965–11–21 54 Brad Lohaus C/F 6 11 230 University of Iowa 1964–09–29 32 Kevin McHale basketball F/C 6 10 210 University of Minnesota 1957–12–19 11 Dirk Minniefield G 6 3 180 University of Kentucky 1961–01–17 00 Robert Parish C 7 0 230 Centenary College of Louisiana 1953–08–30 4 Jim Paxson G 6 6 200 University of Dayton 1957–07–09 5 Bill Walton C 6 11 235 UCLA 1952–11–05 IN 31 Fred Roberts F 6 10 218 Brigham Young University 1960–08–10 K. C. Jones Ed Badger Chris Ford Jimmy Rodgers https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1988.html Roster notes Center Bill Walton was on the injured reserve list due to a right foot injury, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings BOS BOS Game log Regular season Boston Celtics #006400 #FFFFFF 1988 Total: 57–25 (home: 36–5; Away: 21–20) Boston Celtics November yes #FFFFFF #006400 6 1 4 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 6, 19878:00p.m. EST | Milwaukee | W 125–108 | Bird (28) | Bird (15) | Bird,Johnson (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | November 7, 19877:30p.m. EST | @ Washington | W 140–139 (2 OT) | Bird (47) | Parish (13) | Johnson (17) | Capital Centre19,643 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 || November 9, 1987 || @ New York | W 96–87 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 || November 11, 1987 || Indiana | W 120–106 | | | | Boston Garden | 4–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 13, 19877:30p.m. EST | Cleveland | W 128–114 | Bird (34) | Parish (16) | Johnson (13) | Boston Garden14,890 | 5–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 || November 15, 1987 || @ Indiana | W 103–98 | | | | Market Square Arena | 6–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 17, 19878:00p.m. EST | @ Cleveland | L 88–109 | Johnson (16) | Acres (8) | Bird (4) | Richfield Coliseum14,621 | 6–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 || November 18, 1987 || New York | W 111–109 (2OT) | | | | Boston Garden | 7–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 || November 20, 1987 || @ Philadelphia | L 85–116 | | | | The Spectrum | 7–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 10 || November 21, 1987 || @ New Jersey | W 107–97 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 8–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 11 | November 23, 19877:30p.m. EST | Chicago(at Hartford, Connecticut) | L 102–107 | Johnson (23) | Lohaus,Parish (9) | Johnson (7) | Hartford Civic Center15,134 | 8–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 12 | November 25, 19877:30p.m. EST | Atlanta | W 117–102 | Daye (26) | Parish (13) | Ainge (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 9–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | November 27, 19877:30p.m. EST | Seattle | W 117–112 | Daye (27) | Bird (10) | Bird (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 10–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 14 | November 28, 19879:00p.m. EST | @ Milwaukee | L 97–112 | Bird (28) | Parish (13) | Johnson (9) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 10–4 Boston Celtics December #FFFFFF #006400 3 2 4 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 15 | December 1, 19877:30p.m. EST | @ Atlanta | L 106–120 | McHale (22) | Bird,Lohaus (8) | Johnson (8) | The Omni16,451 | 10–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 16 || December 2, 1987 || New Jersey | W 130–99 | | | | Boston Garden | 11–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 17 | December 4, 19877:30p.m. EST | @ Detroit | L 105–128 | Bird (27) | Parish (11) | Johnson (6) | Pontiac Silverdome34,523 | 11–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | December 9, 19877:30p.m. EST | Denver | L 119–124 | Bird (40) | Parish (14) | Johnson (15) | Boston Garden14,890 | 11–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 19 | December 11, 19878:00p.m. EST | L.A. Lakers | L 114–115 | Bird (35) | Bird,Parish (9) | Bird (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 15, 19877:30p.m. EST | @ Washington | W 122–102 | Bird (27) | McHale (8) | Johnson (8) | Capital Centre15,890 | 12–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 21 | December 16, 19877:30p.m. EST | Utah | W 121–111 | Bird (38) | Parish (14) | Johnson (11) | Boston Garden14,890 | 13–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 || December 20, 1987 || Philadelphia | W 124–87 | | | | Boston Garden | 14–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 || December 22, 1987 || @ Philadelphia | W 118–115 | | | | The Spectrum | 15–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 24 || December 26, 1987 || @ L.A. Clippers | W 106–97 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 16–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 || December 27, 1987 || @ Sacramento | W 114–102 | | | | ARCO Arena | 17–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 30, 198710:30p.m. EST | @ Seattle | L 105–111 | Bird (36) | Bird (15) | Bird (8) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,850 | 17–9 Boston Celtics January #FFFFFF #006400 9 0 5 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 27 || January 2, 1988 || @ Golden State | W 115–110 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 18–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | January 4, 19889:30p.m. EST | @ Utah | W 107–99 | Bird (28) | Parish (10) | Johnson (12) | Salt Palace12,212 | 19–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 || January 6, 1988 || New York | W 117–108 | | | | Boston Garden | 20–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | January 8, 19887:30p.m. EST | Washington | W 125–109 | Bird (35) | Bird (11) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 21–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 || January 9, 1988 || @ New York | L 98–106 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 21–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | January 12, 19888:00p.m. EST | @ Chicago | W 104–97 | Bird (38) | Parish (16) | Ainge,Minniefield (9) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 22–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 33 | January 13, 19887:30p.m. EST | Detroit | W 143–105 | McHale (31) | Bird,McHale (7) | Bird (13) | Boston Garden14,890 | 23–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 || January 15, 1988 || Sacramento | W 122–86 | | | | Boston Garden | 24–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 || January 16, 1988 || @ New Jersey | W 103–96 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 25–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 36 || January 18, 1988 || Golden State | W 121–101 | | | | Boston Garden | 26–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 || January 20, 1988 || Phoenix | W 131–115 | | | | Boston Garden | 27–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 22, 19888:00p.m. EST | Atlanta | W 124–106 | Bird (25) | Parish (12) | Ainge (11) | Boston Garden14,890 | 28–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#fcccc" | 39 | January 23, 19887:30p.m. EST | @ Cleveland | L 100–119 | Bird (32) | McHale (17) | Johnson (5) | Richfield Coliseum20,900 | 28–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 26, 19887:30p.m. EST | @ Atlanta | W 102–97 | McHale (21) | Parish (14) | Ainge (10) | The Omni16,451 | 29–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 27, 19887:30p.m. EST | Washington | W 106–100 | Bird (49) | Parish (12) | Ainge (13) | Boston Garden14,890 | 30–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 42 | January 29, 19888:00p.m. EST | @ Detroit | L 108–125 | Bird (25) | Bird (11) | Bird (8) | Pontiac Silverdome61,983 | 30–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 || January 31, 1988 || Philadelphia | W 100–85 | | | | Boston Garden | 31–12 Boston Celtics February #FFFFFF #006400 5 0 4 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 44 || February 3, 1988 || Indiana | W 118–103 | | | | Boston Garden | 32–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | February 4, 19888:30p.m. EST | @ Milwaukee | L 101–111 | McHale (25) | Bird (12) | Johnson (6) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 32–13 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 || February 9, 1988 || @ Houston | L 120–129 | | | | The Summit | 32–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 47 || February 10, 1988 || @ San Antonio | W 139–120 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 33–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 48 | February 12, 19888:30p.m. EST | @ Dallas | W 105–104 | Bird (39) | McHale,Parish (15) | Johnson (11) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 34–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 14, 19883:30p.m. EST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 106–115 | Bird (25) | Bird (17) | Johnson (10) | The Forum17,505 | 34–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 50 || February 15, 1988 || @ Phoenix | W 107–106 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 35–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 51 | February 17, 19889:30p.m. EST | @ Denver | L 125–138 | McHale (33) | McHale (11) | Minniefield (6) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 35–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 || February 19, 1988 || @ Portland | W 124–104 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 36–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 || February 22, 1988 || New York | W 95–93 | | | | Hartford Civic Center | 37–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 54 || February 24, 1988 || Portland | W 113–112 | | | | Boston Garden | 38–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | February 26, 19887:30p.m. EST | Milwaukee | W 132–96 | Bird (32) | McHale (8) | Bird,Johnson (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 39–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 56 | February 28, 198812Noon EST | @ Detroit | L 101–106 | McHale (33) | McHale (11) | Bird (9) | Pontiac Silverdome37,462 | 39–17 Boston Celtics March #FFFFFF #006400 8 2 3 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 57 | March 1, 19888:00p.m. EST | @ Milwaukee | L 116–117 | Bird (31) | Bird,McHale (7) | Ainge (10) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 39–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 58 || March 2, 1988 || New Jersey | L 107–117 | | | | Boston Garden | 39–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 || March 4, 1988 || L.A. Clippers | W 121–90 | | | | Boston Garden | 40–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 60 | March 6, 19881:00p.m. EST | Cleveland | W 127–98 | Bird (31) | McHale (8) | Ainge,Johnson (6) | Boston Garden14,890 | 41–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 61 || March 9, 1988 || San Antonio | W 117–116 | | | | Boston Garden | 42–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 || March 11, 1988 || Indiana | W 122–112 | | | | Hartford Civic Center | 43–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 63 | March 13, 198812Noon EST | Atlanta | W 117–100 | Bird (28) | Acres (11) | Johnson (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 44–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 || March 15, 1988 || @ Indiana | W 119–113 | | | | Market Square Arena | 45–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 18, 19888:30p.m. EST | @ Chicago | L 103–113 | McHale (33) | Bird,McHale (10) | Ainge (9) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 45–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 66 | March 20, 19881:00p.m. EST | Chicago | W 137–107 | Bird (33) | McHale (10) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 46–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 23, 19887:30p.m. EST | Washington | W 104–89 | Bird (37) | Bird (14) | Bird (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 47–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 || March 25, 1988 || Philadelphia | L 93–97 | | | | Boston Garden | 47–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 || March 26, 1988 || @ New York | W 118–106 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 48–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 || March 28, 1988 || @ New Jersey | W 106–105 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 49–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 || March 30, 1988 || Houston | W 117–110 | | | | Boston Garden | 50–21 Boston Celtics April #FFFFFF #006400 6 0 1 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | April 1, 19888:00p.m. EST | Detroit | W 121–110 | Bird (32) | Bird,McHale (11) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 51–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 73 | April 3, 19881:00p.m. EDT | Dallas | W 110–101 | Bird (32) | McHale (7) | McHale (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 52–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 || April 8, 1988 || New Jersey | W 127–90 | | | | Boston Garden | 53–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 75 || April 10, 1988 || @ Philadelphia | W 117–108 | | | | The Spectrum | 54–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 76 | April 13, 19887:30p.m. EDT | Milwaukee | W 123–104 | Bird (26) | BirdMcHale (10) | Bird (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 55–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | April 15, 19887:30p.m. EDT | @ Cleveland | L 109–120 | Bird (30) | Parish (9) | Bird (8) | Richfield Coliseum20,149 | 55–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 78 | April 17, 19883:30p.m. EDT | @ Washington | L 92–98 | Bird (23) | Bird (7) | Ainge (9) | Capital Centre18,643 | 55–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 19, 19887:30p.m. EDT | Detroit | W 121–110 | McHale (33) | Parish (12) | Bird (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 56–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 80 | April 21, 19887:30p.m. EDT | Chicago | W 126–119 | Bird (44) | Bird,Parish (10) | Johson (15) | Boston Garden14,890 | 57–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 81 | April 22, 19887:30p.m. EDT | @ Atlanta | L 106–133 | Ainge (25) | Parish (7) | Ainge,Johnson,,Parish,Roberts (4) | The Omni16,451 | 57–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 82 | April 24, 19883:30p.m. EDT | @ Chicago | L 108–115 | Ainge (20) | Acres (9) | Ainge (11) | Chicago Stadium18,636 | 57–25 BOS 1988 Playoffs Boston Celtics 1988 yes #006400 #FFFFFF Boston Celtics #008040 white First round yes yes no 2 0 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 || April 29 || New York | W 112–92 | McHale, Bird (29) | Robert Parish (13) | Dennis Johnson (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 || May 1 || New York | W 128–102 | Larry Bird (36) | Kevin McHale (12) | Dennis Johnson (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 || May 4 || @ New York | L 100–109 | Kevin McHale (24) | Robert Parish (11) | Larry Bird (12) | Madison Square Garden19,591 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 || May 6 || @ New York | W 102–94 | Larry Bird (28) | Robert Parish (12) | Dennis Johnson (12) | Madison Square Garden19,591 | 3–1 |- Boston Celtics #008040 white Eastern Conference Semifinals yes no 3 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 11, 19888:30p.m. EDT | Atlanta | W 110–101 | Bird (38) | Parish (14) | Ainge (12) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 13, 19888:00p.m. EDT | Atlanta | W 108–97 | McHale (32) | Parish (14) | Johnson (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 15, 19881:00p.m. EDT | @ Atlanta | L 92–110 | Bird (22) | Parish (13) | Bird (8) | The Omni16,451 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 16, 19888:00p.m. EDT | @ Atlanta | L 109–118 | Bird (30) | McHale (12) | Johnson (10) | The Omni16,451 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 18, 19888:00p.m. EDT | Atlanta | L 104–112 | Parish (24) | Parish (13) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | May 20, 19888:00p.m. EDT | @ Atlanta | W 102–100 | McHale (26) | Bird (11) | Ainge (14) | The Omni16,451 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | May 22, 19881:00p.m. EDT | Atlanta | W 118–116 | Bird (34) | McHale (13) | Ainge (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 4–3 |- Boston Celtics #008040 white Eastern Conference Finals yes no 1 2 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 25, 19888:00p.m. EDT | Detroit | L 96–104 | McHale (31) | Parish (13) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 26, 19888:00p.m. EDT | Detroit | W 119–115 (2OT) | Parish (26) | Bird (12) | Johnson (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 28, 19883:30p.m. EDT | @ Detroit | L 94–98 | McHale (32) | Bird (11) | Bird (8) | Pontiac Silverdome26,481 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 30, 19883:00p.m. EDT | @ Detroit | W 79–78 | Bird (20) | Bird (10) | Bird,Johnson (6) | Pontiac Silverdome26,625 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | June 1, 19888:00p.m. EDT | Detroit | L 96–102 (OT) | Bird (27) | Bird (17) | Johnson (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | June 3, 19889:00p.m. EST | @ Detroit | L 90–95 | McHale (33) | Bird (14) | Johnson (9) | Pontiac Silverdome38,912 | 2–4 |- BOS yes 1988 Player statistics Season Playoffs The Celtics would end up losing to the Detroit Pistons in the conference finals, as an aging Celtics team was beginning to falter against a younger and fresher Pistons team led by Isiah Thomas. This also marked that franchise's "Bad Boy" era, noted for the team's penchant for fighting and rough, physical play. This would be the first time in five years that the Celtics would not make it to the finals and would not return to another finals until 2008. Awards and records Larry Bird, All-NBA First Team Kevin McHale, NBA All-Defensive First Team References Celtics on Database Basketball Celtics on Basketball Reference See also 1987–88 NBA season Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics