NBA Finals history · Foundations
The 1950s and ’60s: the dynasty defines the prize
The league found its first enduring championship language through Bill Russell’s defense, Boston’s continuity and repeated seven-game tests against the era’s greatest stars.
What defined this era
The league found its first enduring championship language through Bill Russell’s defense, Boston’s continuity and repeated seven-game tests against the era’s greatest stars.
Defense and rebounding built the first great dynasty.
The Lakers–Celtics rivalry began as a championship imbalance.
Game 7 became the stage on which early NBA history was written.
Championship timeline
How the Finals changed
1957–59
Boston’s first banner
Rookie Bill Russell joined Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn, giving Red Auerbach the defensive center his system needed. Boston survived St. Louis in a double-overtime Game 7, beginning a run of 11 championships in 13 seasons.
NBA Finals1957SLHBOSTONCELTICSST. LOUISHAWKSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · the dynasty begins
Boston Celtics vs St. Louis Hawks
NBA Finals1958SLHST. LOUISHAWKSBOSTONCELTICSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · Pettit answers
St. Louis Hawks vs Boston Celtics
NBA Finals1959BOSTONCELTICSLOS ANGELESLAKERSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · the streak begins
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
1960–61
The dynasty takes control
Boston’s depth, transition play and Russell’s command of the paint produced consecutive Finals victories over St. Louis as the Celtics made June their permanent home.
1962–65
The rivalry finds its permanent shape
Los Angeles pushed Boston to overtime in Game 7 in 1962. The same rivals kept returning as the Celtics extended the longest championship streak in league history.
NBA Finals1962BOSTONCELTICSLOS ANGELESLAKERSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · overtime Game 7
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Finals1963BOSTONCELTICSLOS ANGELESLAKERSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · the rematch
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Finals1964BOSTONCELTICSGOLDEN STATEWARRIORSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · Russell meets Wilt
Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors
NBA Finals1965BOSTONCELTICSLOS ANGELESLAKERSCOMPLETE SERIESNBA Finals · Boston continues
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
1969
Russell’s last stand
An aging fourth-seeded Boston team entered Los Angeles as an underdog. The Lakers prepared balloons for a Game 7 celebration, but the Celtics won 108–106 and Russell retired as an 11-time champion.
Watch the era
Games that explain the decade
Celtics vs Hawks
1957 NBA Finals Game 7
Lakers vs Celtics
1962 NBA Finals Game 5
Celtics vs Lakers
1962 NBA Finals Game 7
Celtics vs Lakers
1969 NBA Finals Game 7