The Battle for Supremacy: A Complete History of the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry
Six decades of fighting. The intense rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers (previously the Minneapolis Lakers) and Boston Celtics has gone on since 1959 when they faced off in the NBA Finals for the first time.
Both teams were dominating their coasts, and it was inevitable that they would face off in the Finals. But what came as a surprise was the sweep by the Celtics, winning 4-0. This was due to the performance of players like Bob Cousy providing 51 assists and Bill Russell obtaining 118 rebounds.
The Boston Celtics celebrate their 4-0 victory after the 1959 NBA Final against the Minneapolis Lakers. Players are (left to right), backrow: Sam Jones, Jim Loscutoff, Gene Conley, Bill Russell, K.C. Jones. Middle row: trainer Buddy Leroux, Coach Arnold Auerbach, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn. Bottom row: Frank Ramsey and Bill Sharman. (Photo owned by Bettmann/Retrieved from Getty Images)
Being the first Celtics victory, no one could predict that Celtics would go on to win 10 of the next 12 championships. However, consistently trailing behind was the Los Angeles Lakers, who secured six of the runner-up positions.
After their first match-up, anger was already brewing among the Lakers teammates and fanbase. The Celtics’ continued dominance in the league and multiple victories over the Lakers cemented their rivalry. For some of the players, the hatred got personal.
Point guard Jerry West of the Lakers said in an interview, “I hated green for a long time. I wouldn’t wear anything green. It just got to the point where it was so frustrating to hear the noise and shouting after games that we had lost.”
Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers taking a shot against the New York Knicks defense in a 1969 game. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Celtics lost their streak and the Lakers found an opportunity to capitalize. With the addition of the future legend Wilt Chamberlain in 1968, the Lakers were successful at earning their first NBA Championship since transitioning to Los Angeles at the 1972 NBA Finals.
The two teams kept making the NBA Finals, but in different years. It was not until 1984 that the two teams faced off again.
Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Willis Reed #19 of the New York Knickerbockers attempting to gain posession of a rebound on the February 18th 1969 game. (Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images)
Composition of the teams was quite different, but the anger of the past remained. The Celtics had star players such as Robert Parish, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale. The Lakers had their own powerhouses, including James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
The battle was fierce between the two teams, going back and forth. It came down to 3-3 and it was the final game of the series. In the end, Boston continued its reign winning only by nine points, 111-102. This defeat was hard on the team, but the war was far from over.
Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics soars over Swen Nater #41 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1984 NBA Final. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Like his predecessors, Magic Johnson had personal animosity toward the Celtics. In an interview, Johnson states, “I hated Larry. No other words were really used. And I disliked the Celtics.”
This was once again personal – Johnson would not lose. The next year, the Celtics and the Lakers found themselves back in the Finals.
During the 1989 NBA Western Conference Final, Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles down the court toward the Phoenix Suns’ defense. (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
This game was no exception to their fierce competition. Celtics won. Lakers won. It went back and forth. Although, Game 6 the Lakers were up 3-2. They knew this was their time. The Lakers managed to defeat the dominating force 111-100.
An added bonus to the victory was that they defeated them in their home court in Boston. The Bostonian crowd was silenced, and Larry Bird even stepped out of the court as his team lost.
The 1985 NBA Finals, featuring Magic Johnson #32 boxing out Larry Bird #33 in Game 2. (Photo by Steve Lipofsky/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The two teams found themselves in the Finals again in 1987, with the same result. Stars on the Lakers outperformed the Celtics in another 4-2 victory.
Both teams found themselves in the Finals multiple times, seeing victories and losses. However, they would not face off again until 2008.
The Celtics Larry Bird #33 launching toward the net over Magic Johnson #32 and other Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Gardens. (Photo by Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The teams had seen another shift in players. Boston had strong athletes like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. Los Angeles had Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Kobe Bryant.
Celtics started off with a two-game lead, and this momentum led them to a 4-2 victory. The team needed this after a 22-year streak of occasional final places, but zero NBA Championships.
The next two years the Lakers saw the Finals. 2009 they won against Orlando Magic, but that was only practice for the upcoming war. In 2010, the Lakers and Celtics once again had a fierce battle in the Finals.
During the 2009 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers observing the court for a potential pass while Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic defends him in Game 5. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
Lakers won Game 1, then the Celtics. This went back and forth until Game 7, where they were tied 3-3. As competitive as Kobe is, he simply would not allow another loss to the Celtics. The game was close, ending in an 83-79 victory by the Lakers.
This was the last battle we have seen between the rival teams. The Lakers have only been back to the NBA Championship once sense then in 2020, and the Celtics have yet to see the Finals again.
The Los Angeles Lakers celebrating their 2020 NBA Finals victory against the Boston Celtics. LeBron James proudly holds the trophies. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Boston is in the midst of rebuilding their strength – while the Lakers currently have the King: LeBron James.
These two teams are rivals for a reason. The Celtics have featured some of the best play in NBA history, with 17 wins and 21 overall NBA Finals. The Lakers also have 17 wins, although they have been to the NBA Finals a total of 32 times.
Tied for most NBA Finals wins, we are bound to see another match between these teams soon. The deep rivalry between these franchises brings hype, but it brings a unique atmosphere to their games that no other matchup has seen.
Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics explains this in an interview, “Any given year whether the team was good or bad, you’re up for this game. This game always meant something for me, regardless of how good or bad the teams I’ve been on. I remember, in my ten years in the league, I’ve averaged more points against the Lakers than anybody in the league. And that’s a fact.”
