"From the Celtics' Beginning to Their 23rd NBA Finals: A History of Boston's Performance"

Boston Celtics took care of the Indiana Pacers in a four-game sweep to advance to the NBA Finals, a place this Celtics franchise is well familiar with. After losing in the 2022 NBA Finals to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look to finally get over that hump and capture that first championship ring. As one of the most decorated sports franchises, what does Boston's overall history look like in the NBA Finals? Here are some facts to familiarize yourself as Boston aims for their 18th ring:

Boston has appeared in the second-most finals in NBA history (23), just behind the Los Angeles Lakers (32). Their appearances have come in the following years: 1957-1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984-1987, 2008, 2010, 2022, 2024

Now reaching their 23rd finals, Boston will have appeared in 29.5% (23/78) of the all-ever NBA Finals. The only team with a higher percentage is the Los Angeles Lakers at 41% (32/78)

Boston is tied for first with the Los Angeles Lakers for most finals victories in NBA history (17). Those wins have come in the following years: 1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008

Boston has only swept their opponent in the NBA Finals once, that coming in 1959 against the Minneapolis Lakers. In their five NBA Finals losses, they have never been swept. Since the NBA Finals MVP trophy was handed out in 1969, Boston has had five unique winners in the franchise's history. The only player to receive multiple Finals MVP awards was Larry Bird in 1984 and 1986

Since their last NBA Finals win in 2008, nine different teams have won an NBA Finals. Dating back to the turn of the century in 2000, Boston is tied for the fifth most titles with one. Ahead of them since that mark: Lakers (5), Spurs (4), Warriors (4), Heat (3)