Cedric Maxwell

Cross-checked official NBA and Celtics histories, Finals records, franchise retrospectives, and archived box scores. The list is anchored by Maxwell's authorship of Boston's two 1980s championships, preserves the decisive win that completed the 1981 conference-finals comeback, and includes the career-high performance from his pre-Bird emergence as the Celtics' leading scorer.

1. #1. After telling his teammates to climb on his back, Maxwell led Boston with 24 points and eight assists, added eight rebounds and two steals, and repeatedly attacked the line in the 111–102 Game 7 victory over the Lakers that clinched the 1984 championship. Celtics: Cedric Maxwell's memorable 1984 Game 7 · NBA official Lakers–Celtics Game 7 box score
2. #2. Maxwell dominated 1981 Finals Game 5 with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists as Boston routed Houston 109–80 to seize a 3–2 series lead, the signature performance of his Finals MVP campaign. Celtics: salute to Cedric Maxwell · NBA official Rockets–Celtics Game 5 box score
3. #3. Maxwell completed his Finals MVP series with 19 points, five rebounds, and six assists as Boston won 102–91 at Houston in Game 6, securing his first NBA championship and the Celtics' first of the Bird era. NBA history: 1980–81 season review · NBA official Celtics–Rockets Game 6 box score
4. #4. Maxwell scored 19 points with six rebounds as Boston edged Philadelphia 91–90 in 1981 Eastern Conference finals Game 7, finishing a comeback from a 3–1 series deficit and opening the path to his Finals MVP breakthrough. NBA history: 1980–81 season review · NBA official 76ers–Celtics Game 7 box score
5. #5. Before Boston's championship core arrived, Maxwell scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Kansas City, capturing the 1978–79 season in which the second-year forward emerged as the Celtics' leading scorer. Celtics: Cedric Maxwell's place among Boston draft choices · NBA official Kings–Celtics box score

Reviewed through 2026-07-18