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NBA Champions ·

1962 Boston Celtics

The 1961-62 Celtics were the first team in NBA history to win 60 games, finishing 60-20. They survived the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game Finals decided in overtime, after Frank Selvy missed an open jumper at the buzzer that would have won it for Los Angeles. Bill Russell grabbed 40 rebounds in that Game 7 and 189 for the series, a record that still stands.

Boston set a new standard with 60 wins, and Russell took his second straight MVP. The Celtics had so much depth that Sam Jones moved into the starting lineup while K.C. Jones backed up Cousy.

The Eastern final pitted Boston against Wilt Chamberlain's Warriors. Chamberlain had averaged 50.4 points that season and scored 100 in a single game, but the Celtics beat Philadelphia in seven and moved on.

The Lakers had Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Baylor scored 61 in Game 5, still a Finals record. The series reached a seventh game in Boston. With the score tied in the closing seconds, Selvy missed from the baseline. Russell took over in overtime and Boston won 110-107.

It was the Celtics' fourth straight title. Russell's 40-rebound Game 7 tied his own single-game mark, and no player has matched his 189 rebounds in a Finals series.

Championship roster

Featured in Ring Holders Club

1962 Boston Celtics members featured in Ring Holders Club
PlayerRoleRating
Bill RussellC98
Sam JonesSG86
Tom HeinsohnSF81
K.C. JonesPG82
Tom SandersPF76
Frank Ramsey6th man80
Red AuerbachCoach94

Ratings are year-specific curated estimates for Ring Holders Club, not official NBA stats.

Rest of the roster

Other players on the championship roster
PlayerPosNote
Bob CousyGlongtime All-Star point guard, still the starter
Carl BraunGveteran guard in his last season
Jim LoscutoffF
Gene GuariliaF
Gary PhillipsG

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