1990–91 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics yes 1991 56 26 Atlantic 1 2 Chris Ford Dave Gavitt Don GastonAlan N. CohenPaul Dupee Boston GardenHartford Civic Center Conference semifinals(lost to Pistons 2–4) BOS WFXT(Tom Heinsohn, Bob Cousy)SportsChannel New England(Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) WEEI(Glenn Ordway, Doug Brown) The 1990–91 Boston Celtics season was the 45th 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 19th overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft, and selected point guard Dee Brown out of Jacksonville University. Goldaper Sam Nets Make Coleman No. 1 Pick in N.B.A. Draft The New York Times June 28, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/28/sports/nets-make-coleman-no-1-pick-in-nba-draft.html July 10, 2025 Associated Press Clippers Go with Kimble: NBA Draft: Derrick Coleman, as Expected, Is No. 1 Overall with Nets. Clippers Also Grab Michigan's Vaught with 13th Pick Los Angeles Times June 28, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-28-sp-1194-story.html July 10, 2025 1990 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1990.html July 10, 2025 During the off-season, the team signed free agent Derek Smith, and hired assistant coach Chris Ford as their new head coach.Associated Press Celtics Turn to Ford to Give Then a Lift The Washington Post June 12, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/06/13/celtics-turn-to-ford-to-give-them-a-lift/1d4b41de-6748-4079-aaa4-2ed165dd4072/ June 30, 2025 Goldaper Sam Celtics Choose Ford as New Head Coach The New York Times June 13, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/13/sports/celtics-choose-ford-as-new-head-coach.html January 3, 2022Chris Ford Becomes Celtic Coach Los Angeles Times June 13, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-13-sp-283-story.html June 30, 2025 After playing overseas in Italy the previous season, former Celtics guard Brian Shaw would return to the team after a one-year absence. Celtics Seek to Keep Shaw from Staying in Italy Los Angeles Times June 16, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-16-sp-185-story.html November 22, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Shaw Close on Return to Celtics, Report Says The New York Times September 14, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/14/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-shaw-close-on-return-to-celtics-report-says.html January 3, 2022 The Celtics started their season without John Bagley, who would miss the entire regular season due to tendinitis in his right knee; Bagley later on had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in March.Celtics Keep F Popson; Put Guards Smith, Bagley on IR United Press International November 1, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/11/01/Celtics-keep-F-Popson-put-guards-Smith-Bagley-on-IR/4605657435600/ June 30, 2025For the Record The Washington Post March 14, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/03/15/for-the-record/95ce7d30-18ee-4cd1-92a6-2b8984a2094b/?isMobile=1 June 30, 2025 Regular season After failing to advance past the first round of the NBA playoffs in the previous two seasons, it appeared that the Celtics were fading as NBA title contenders. However, under Ford and with the addition of Brown, along with the return of Shaw, the Celtics posted two eight-game winning streaks between November and December, and posted a six-game winning streak in January, leading to a 29–5 start to the regular season, reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s, and once again established themselves as contenders. Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics Box Score, January 11, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199101110BOS.html January 17, 2022 Beginning in January, Larry Bird began to miss significant playing time due to back injuries, missing 22 games as the team struggled in his absence, Basketball: Hope Riding on Bird's Bad Back The New York Times April 25, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/25/sports/basketball-hope-riding-on-bird-s-bad-back.html November 22, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Back Surgery for Bird The New York Times June 7, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/07/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-back-surgery-for-bird.html July 26, 2017 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 but managed to hold a 35–12 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=7&year=1991 November 21, 2022 The Celtics finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 56–26 record, and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference; 1990–91 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991_games.html October 16, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the twelfth consecutive year. Bird averaged 19.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while Reggie Lewis averaged 18.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and sixth man Kevin McHale provided the team with 18.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game off the bench. In addition, Kevin Gamble contributed 15.6 points per game, while Robert Parish averaged 14.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Shaw provided with 13.8 points, 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, Brown contributed 8.7 points and 4.2 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Ed Pinckney averaged 5.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Joe Kleine provided with 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. 1990–91 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991.html December 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bird, McHale and Parish were all selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while Ford was selected to coach the Eastern Conference, although Bird did not participate due to injury; it was the final All-Star appearance for both McHale and Parish. Barnard Bill The Show of Shows for Magic: NBA: For Laker Guard, Making His 10th Appearance, Each and Every All-Star Game Is a Special Occasion Los Angeles Times February 10, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-10-sp-1467-story.html July 10, 2025 NBA.com Staff 1991 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1991 July 10, 2025 1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1991.html December 2, 2021 Meanwhile, Brown won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Rookie Wins Dunk Contest The New York Times February 10, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/10/sports/pro-basketball-rookie-wins-dunk-contest.html November 22, 2022 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html July 10, 2025 Bird finished tied in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Parish finished in 14th place, and McHale finished tied in 19th place; 1990–91 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.html January 3, 2022 McHale also finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Schrempf Nips Majerle as NBA's Top 6th Man Deseret News May 1, 1991 https://www.deseret.com/1991/5/1/18918286/schrempf-nips-majerle-as-nba-s-top-6th-man November 22, 2022 while Gamble finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic, Cooper Barry It's No Dream: Skiles Is Named Most Improved Orlando Sentinel May 3, 1991 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-05-03-9105031012-story.html November 22, 2022 Brown finished in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting, Bondy Filip  Basketball: With Rookie Award Won, Marketing of Coleman Begins  The New York Times  May 7, 1991  https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/07/sports/basketball-with-rookie-award-won-marketing-of-coleman-begins.html December 8, 2025 and Ford finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting. Chaney Gets Coaching Award, New Contract United Press International May 23, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/23/Chaney-gets-coaching-award-new-contract/1404674971200/ November 22, 2022 The Celtics finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 611,537 at the Boston Garden during the regular season. 1990–91 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Celtics faced off against the 7th–seeded Indiana Pacers, a team that featured All-Star guard Reggie Miller, Chuck Person, and Sixth Man of the Year, Detlef Schrempf. The Celtics took a 2–1 series lead before losing Game 4 to the Pacers on the road, 116–113 at the Market Square Arena as the Pacers evened the series. Horner Scott  Indiana 116, Boston 113  United Press International  May 3, 1991  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/03/Indiana-116-Boston-113/1146673243200/ June 23, 2026 Associated Press  Pacers Beat Celtics, 116-113; Send Series Back to Boston  The Albany-Herald  May 4, 1991  2B  https://books.google.com/books?id=yXtEAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1991+Indiana+Pacers+Boston+Celtics+116-113&article_id=4063,401636&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXs_uv2J2VAxXXvokEHReKKxwQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=1991%20Indiana%20Pacers%20Boston%20Celtics%20116-113&f=false June 23, 2026 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers Box Score, May 3, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199105030IND.html June 23, 2026 In Game 5 at the Boston Garden, and during the second quarter, Bird fell down on the court and landed hard on the right side of his face, as he had to go to the locker room; despite the injury, Bird returned to the game and finished with 32 points, as the Celtics defeated the Pacers, 124–121 to win in a hard-fought five-game series. Goldaper Sam Basketball: The Legend Grows for Bird and Celtics The New York Times May 6, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/06/sports/basketball-the-legend-grows-for-bird-and-celtics.html July 26, 2017 Wilbon Michael Bird Hits Floor, Turns Other Cheek and Decks Pacers Los Angeles Times May 6, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-06-sp-958-story.html November 22, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pacers-vs-celtics.html April 10, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the All-Star trio of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Defensive Player of the Year, Dennis Rodman. However, Bird missed Game 1 due to back spasms as the Pistons defeated the Celtics at the Boston Garden, 86–75. Goldaper Sam Basketball: Injury Sidelines Bird as Celtics Lose Opener The New York Times May 8, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/08/sports/basketball-injury-sidelines-bird-as-celtics-lose-opener.html January 17, 2022 Arace Michael 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 May 8, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-08-sp-1290-story.html November 22, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, May 7, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199105070BOS.html June 23, 2026 Bird returned for the remainder of the series, as the Celtics won Game 2 at home, 109–103 to even the series, and then won Game 3 over the Pistons on the road by a blowout win, 115–83 at The Palace of Auburn Hills to take a 2–1 series lead. Klonke Chuck Celtics 115, Pistons 83 United Press International May 11, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/11/Celtics-115-Pistons-83/2952673934400/ August 27, 2022 Associated Press NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semifinals: Only Time Stops Celtics in 115-83 Beating of Pistons Los Angeles Times May 12, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-12-sp-2605-story.html November 22, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons Box Score, May 11, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199105110DET.html June 23, 2026 However, the Pistons won the next three games, as the Celtics lost Game 6 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in overtime, 117–113, thus losing the series in six games. Brown Clifton Basketball: Quest for Third Title Alive as Pistons Eliminate Celtics The New York Times May 18, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/18/sports/basketball-quest-for-third-title-alive-as-pistons-eliminate-celtics.html July 26, 2017 Cotton Anthony Pistons Eliminate Celtics in Overtime The Washington Post May 18, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/05/18/pistons-eliminate-celtics-in-overtime/b8d78d5a-5f77-43b8-9067-841b2c7431f3/ December 31, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-pistons-vs-celtics.html April 10, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Derek Smith, and second-year forward Michael Smith were both released to free agency. Draft picks 1990 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 19 Dee Brown SG/PG United States Jacksonville Roster Boston Celtics 1990–91 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 5 John Bagley basketball G 6 0 185 1960–04–23 Boston College yes IN 33 Larry Bird F 6 9 220 1956–12–07 Indiana State University 7 Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 G 6 1 160 1968–11–29 Jacksonville 34 Kevin Gamble GF 6 5 210 1965–11–13 Iowa 53 Joe Kleine C 6 11 255 1962–01–04 Arkansas 35 Reggie Lewis G 6 7 195 1965–11–21 Northeastern 32 Kevin McHale basketball F 6 10 210 1957–12–19 Minnesota 00 Robert Parish C 7 0 230 1953–08–30 Centenary College of Louisiana 54 Ed Pinckney F 6 9 195 1963–03–27 Villanova 42 Dave Popson F 6 10 220 1964–05–17 North Carolina 20 Brian Shaw basketball G 6 6 190 1966–03–22 UCSB 13 Charles E. Smith Charles Smith (basketball, born 1967) G 6 1 160 1967–11–29 Georgetown 43 Derek Smith basketball G 6 6 205 1961–11–01 Louisville 11 Michael Smith basketball, born 1965 F 6 10 225 1965–05–19 Brigham Young 52 Stojko Vranković C 7 2 260 1964–01–22 Croatia 12 A. J. Wynder G 6 2 180 1964–09–11 Fairfield Chris Ford Don Casey Jon Jennings Ed Lacerte (trainer) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991.html April 12, 1991 Roster notes Point guard John Bagley was on the injured reserve list due to tendinitis in his right knee, and missed the entire regular season. 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 background:#efe196; color:#008040 1990-91 game log y background:#008040; color:white November Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 1 | November 2 | Cleveland | W 125–101 | Boston Garden | 1–0 |- | 2 | November 3 | @ New York | W 106–103 | Madison Square Garden | 2–0 |- | 3 | November 6 | @ Chicago | W 110–108 | Chicago Stadium | 3–0 |- | 4 | November 9 | Chicago | L 100–120 | Boston Garden | 3–1 |- | 5 | November 10 | @ New Jersey | W 105–91 | Brendan Byrne Arena | 4–1 |- | 6 | November 13 | @ Milwaukee | L 91–119 | Bradley Center | 4–2 |- | 7 | November 14 | Charlotte | W 135–126 | Boston Garden | 5–2 |- | 8 | November 16 | Utah | W 114–89 | Boston Garden | 6–2 |- | 9 | November 17 | @ Washington | W 102–90 | Capital Centre | 7–2 |- | 10 | November 21 | Houston | W 108–95 | Boston Garden | 8–2 |- | 11 | November 23 | Sacramento | W 115–105 | Boston Garden | 9–2 |- | 12 | November 24 | @ Cleveland | W 113–102 | Richfield Coliseum | 10–2 |- | 13 | November 26 | Miami | W 118–101 | Hartford Civic Center | 11–2 |- | 14 | November 30 | Washington | W 123–95 | Boston Garden | 12–2 |- y background:#008040; color:white December Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 15 | December 1 | @ Philadelphia | L 110–116 | The Spectrum | 12–3 |- | 16 | December 3 | Seattle | W 135–102 | Boston Garden | 13–3 |- | 17 | December 5 | Denver | W 148–140 | Boston Garden | 14–3 |- | 18 | December 7 | @ Dallas | W 112–104 | Reunion Arena | 15–3 |- | 19 | December 8 | @ San Antonio | L 96–102 | HemisFair Arena | 15–4 |- | 20 | December 10 | @ Houston | W 107–95 | The Summit | 16–4 |- | 21 | December 12 | Milwaukee | W 129–111 | Boston Garden | 17–4 |- | 22 | December 14 | Detroit | W 108–100 | Boston Garden | 18–4 |- | 23 | December 15 | @ Miami | W 114–100 | Miami Arena | 19–4 |- | 24 | December 19 | Philadelphia | W 115–105 | Boston Garden | 20–4 |- | 25 | December 20 | @ Charlotte | W 115–96 | Charlotte Coliseum | 21–4 |- | 26 | December 23 | Atlanta | W 132–104 | Boston Garden | 22–4 |- | 27 | December 26 | Indiana | W 152–132 | Boston Garden | 23–4 |- | 28 | December 28 | @ Atlanta | L 114–131 | The Omni | 23–5 |- y background:#008040; color:white January Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 29 | January 2 | New York | W 113–86 | Boston Garden | 24–5 |- | 30 | January 4 | Phoenix | W 132–103 | Boston Garden | 25–5 |- | 31 | January 6 | Dallas | W 127–110 | Boston Garden | 26–5 |- | 32 | January 8 | @ New York | W 101–87 | Madison Square Garden | 27–5 |- | 33 | January 9 | Milwaukee | W 110–102 | Boston Garden | 28–5 |- | 34 | January 11 | L.A. Clippers | W 109–107 | Boston Garden | 29–5 |- | 35 | January 12 | @ Washington | L 99–116 | Capital Centre | 29–6 |- | 36 | January 16 | Golden State | L 105–110 | Boston Garden | 29–7 |- | 37 | January 18 | New Jersey | L 106–111 | Boston Garden | 29–8 |- | 38 | January 21 | @ Detroit | L 90–101 | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 29–9 |- | 39 | January 23 | Detroit | W 111–94 | Boston Garden | 30–9 |- | 40 | January 25 | @ Philadelphia | L 94–116 | The Spectrum | 30–10 |- | 41 | January 27 | L.A. Lakers | L 87–104 | Boston Garden | 30–11 |- | 42 | January 28 | @ Minnesota | W 108–87 | Target Center | 31–11 |- | 43 | January 30 | Orlando | W 144–102 | Boston Garden | 32–11 |- y background:#008040; color:white February Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 44 | February 1 | @ Charlotte | L 91–92 | Charlotte Coliseum | 32–12 |- | 45 | February 3 | Washington | W 119–101 | Boston Garden | 33–12 |- | 46 | February 6 | Charlotte | W 133–117 | Boston Garden | 34–12 |- | 47 | February 7 | @ New York | W 117–101 | Madison Square Garden | 35–12 |- | 48 | February 12 | @ Seattle | W 114–111 | Seattle Center Coliseum | 36–12 |- | 49 | February 14 | @ Golden State | W 128–112 | Oakland Coliseum | 37–12 |- | 50 | February 15 | @ L. A. Lakers | W 98–85 | The Forum | 38–12 |- | 51 | February 17 | @ Denver | W 126–108 | McNichols Sports Arena | 39–12 |- | 52 | February 19 | @ Phoenix | L 105–109 | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 39–13 |- | 53 | February 22 | New Jersey | W 111–99 | Hartford Civic Center | 40–13 |- | 54 | February 24 | @ Indiana | L 109–115 | Market Square Arena | 40–14 |- | 55 | February 26 | @ Chicago | L 99–129 | Chicago Stadium | 40–15 |- | 56 | February 27 | Minnesota | W 116–111 | Boston Garden | 41–15 |- y background:#008040; color:white March Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 57 | March 1 | San Antonio | W 108–98 | Boston Garden | 42–15 |- | 58 | March 3 | Portland | L 107–116 | Boston Garden | 42–16 |- | 59 | March 4 | Indiana | W 126–101 | Hartford Civic Center | 43–16 |- | 60 | March 6 | Miami | W 126–117 | Boston Garden | 44–16 |- | 61 | March 8 | @ L. A. Clippers | W 104–98 | L.A. Sports Arena | 45–16 |- | 62 | March 10 | @ Portland | W 111–109 (OT) | Memorial Coliseum | 46–16 |- | 63 | March 12 | @ Sacramento | W 110–95 | ARCO Arena | 47–16 |- | 64 | March 13 | @ Utah | L 109–112 | Salt Palace | 47–17 |- | 65 | March 15 | @ Washington | W 94–86 | Capital Centre | 48–17 |- | 66 | March 17 | Philadelphia | W 110–105 | Boston Garden | 49–17 |- | 67 | March 19 | @ Atlanta | L 92–104 | The Omni | 49–18 |- | 68 | March 20 | Washington | W 102–81 | Boston Garden | 50–18 |- | 69 | March 22 | @ Indiana | L 109–121 | Market Square Arena | 50–19 |- | 70 | March 28 | @ Miami | L 88–90 | Miami Arena | 50–20 |- | 71 | March 29 | Cleveland | W 110–108 | Boston Garden | 51–20 |- | 72 | March 31 | Chicago | W 135–132 (2OT) | Boston Garden | 52–20 |- y background:#008040; color:white April Game Date Opponent Score Location Record |- | 73 | April 2 | @ New Jersey | W 94–77 | Brendan Byrne Arena | 53–20 |- | 74 | April 4 | New Jersey | W 123–104 | Boston Garden | 54–20 |- | 75 | April 6 | @ Orlando | L 98–102 | Orlando Arena | 54–21 |- | 76 | April 11 | @ Milwaukee | L 92–111 | Bradley Center | 54–22 |- | 77 | April 12 | Miami | W 119–109 | Boston Garden | 55–22 |- | 78 | April 14 | New York | W 115–102 | Boston Garden | 56–22 |- | 79 | April 16 | @ Detroit | L 90–118 | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 56–23 |- | 80 | April 18 | @ Philadelphia | L 97–122 | The Spectrum | 56–24 |- | 81 | April 19 | @ Cleveland | L 117–124 (OT) | Richfield Coliseum | 56–25 |- | 82 | April 21 | Atlanta | L 105–117 | Boston Garden | 56–26 |- |- | 1990-91 Schedule Playoffs Boston Celtics #FFFFFF #008040 yes 1991 #008040 #FFFFFF yes First round yes no 2 1 1 1 |- | 1 | April 26 | Indiana | W 127–120 | Reggie Lewis (28) | Larry Bird (12) | Larry Bird (12) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- | 2 | April 28 | Indiana | L 118–130 | Lewis, Shaw (22) | Robert Parish (12) | Larry Bird (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–1 |- | 3 | May 1 | @ Indiana | W 112–105 | Kevin McHale (22) | Larry Bird (9) | Brian Shaw (7) | Market Square Arena16,530 | 2–1 |- | 4 | May 3 | @ Indiana | L 113–116 | Kevin McHale (24) | Robert Parish (12) | Larry Bird (8) | Market Square Arena16,530 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 5 | Indiana | W 124–121 | Larry Bird (32) | Larry Bird (9) | Brian Shaw (9) | Boston Garden14,890 | 3–2 #008040 #FFFFFF Conference Semi-finals yes no 1 2 1 2 |- | 1 | May 7 | Detroit | L 75–86 | Reggie Lewis (20) | Kevin McHale (10) | Brian Shaw (5) | Boston Garden14,890 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 9 | Detroit | W 109–103 | Reggie Lewis (23) | Robert Parish (13) | Dee Brown (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–1 |- | 3 | May 11 | @ Detroit | W 115–83 | Reggie Lewis (21) | Robert Parish (11) | Brown, McHale (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–1 |- | 4 | May 13 | @ Detroit | L 97–104 | Kevin McHale (28) | Robert Parish (10) | Brian Shaw (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 15 | Detroit | L 111–116 | Reggie Lewis (30) | Reggie Lewis (11) | Dee Brown (10) | Boston Garden14,890 | 2–3 |- | 6 | May 17 | @ Detroit | L 113–117 (OT) | Kevin McHale (34) | Ed Pinckney (9) | Reggie Lewis (5) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–4 BOS yes 1991 Player statistics Season Boston Celtics |- | Bird, Larry Larry Bird | 60 || 60 || 38.0 || .454 || .389 || .891 || 8.5 || 7.2 || 1.8 || 1.0 || 19.4 |- | Brown, Dee Dee Brown | 82 || 5 || 23.7 || .464 || .206 || .873 || 2.2 || 4.2 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 8.7 |- | Gamble, Kevin Kevin Gamble | 82 || 76 || 33.0 || .587 || .000 || .815 || 3.3 || 3.1 || 1.2 || 0.4 || 15.6 |- | Kleine, Joe Joe Kleine | 72 || 1 || 11.8 || .468 || .000 || .783 || 3.4 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 3.6 |- | Lewis, Reggie Reggie Lewis | 79 || 79 || 36.4 || .491 || .077 || .826 || 5.2 || 2.5 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 18.7 |- | McHale, Kevin Kevin McHale | 68 || 10 || 30.4 || .553 || .405 || .829 || 7.1 || 1.9 || 0.4 || 2.1 || 18.4 |- | Parish, Robert Robert Parish | 81 || 81 || 30.1 || .598 || .000 || .767 || 10.6 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 1.3 || 14.9 |- | Pinckney, Ed Ed Pinckney | 70 || 16 || 16.6 || .539 || .000 || .897 || 4.9 || 0.6 || 0.9 || 0.6 || 5.2 |- | Popson, Dave Dave Popson | 19 || 0 || 3.4 || .406 || .000 || .900 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 1.8 |- | Shaw, Brian Brian Shaw | 79 || 79 || 35.1 || .469 || .111 || .819 || 4.7 || 7.6 || 1.3 || 0.4 || 13.8 |- | Smith, Charles E. Charles E. Smith | 5 || 0 || 6.0 || .429 || .000 || .600 || 0.4 || 1.2 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 1.8 |- | Smith, Derek Derek Smith | 2 || 0 || 8.0 || .250 || .000 || .750 || 0.0 || 2.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 2.5 |- | Smith, Michael Michael Smith | 47 || 3 || 8.3 || .475 || .250 || .815 || 1.2 || 0.9 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 4.6 |- | Vranković, Stojko Stojko Vranković | 31 || 0 || 5.4 || .462 || .000 || .556 || 1.6 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 0.9 || 1.9 |- | Wynder, A. J. A. J. Wynder | 6 || 0 || 6.5 || .250 || .000 || .750 || 0.5 || 1.3 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 2.0 |- |} Playoffs Boston Celtics |- | Bird, Larry Larry Bird | 10 || 10 || 39.6 || .408 || .143 || .863 || 7.2 || 6.5 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 17.1 |- | Brown, Dee Dee Brown | 11 || 0 || 25.8 || .491 || .000 || .824 || 4.1 || 3.7 || 1.0 || 0.5 || 12.2 |- | Gamble, Kevin Kevin Gamble | 11 || 11 || 21.6 || .483 || .000 || .667 || 1.2 || 1.7 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 6.0 |- | Kleine, Joe Joe Kleine | 5 || 1 || 6.2 || .444 || .000 || .000 || 2.2 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.6 |- | Lewis, Reggie Reggie Lewis | 11 || 11 || 42.0 || .487 || .000 || .824 || 6.2 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 0.5 || 22.4 |- | McHale, Kevin Kevin McHale | 11 || 1 || 34.2 || .527 || .545 || .825 || 6.5 || 1.8 || 0.5 || 1.3 || 20.7 |- | Parish, Robert Robert Parish | 10 || 10 || 29.6 || .598 || .000 || .689 || 9.2 || 0.6 || 0.8 || 0.7 || 15.8 |- | Pinckney, Ed Ed Pinckney | 11 || 0 || 15.5 || .762 || .000 || .810 || 3.6 || 0.2 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 4.5 |- | Shaw, Brian Brian Shaw | 11 || 11 || 28.7 || .470 || .333 || .867 || 3.5 || 4.6 || 0.9 || 0.1 || 11.0 |- | Smith, Derek Derek Smith | 10 || 0 || 8.6 || .429 || .000 || .786 || 0.9 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 2.9 |- | Smith, Michael Michael Smith | 2 || 0 || 3.0 || .500 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0 |- | Vranković, Stojko Stojko Vranković | 1 || 0 || 4.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 2.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.0 |- |} Player statistics citation: 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:1990–91 Boston Celtics Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991_transactions.html October 16, 2021 References See also 1990–91 NBA season Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics