Best of the Early Years

Boston posted 46 wins in the 1952-53 season, the most by a Celtics team in the franchise’s first seven seasons. All-Stars Bob Cousy, Ed Macauley and Bill Sharman emerged as leaders, helping the team advance to the playoffs. The Celtics dispatched the Syracuse Nationals in the Eastern Division Semifinals in a two-game sweep behind Cousy’s 50-point effort in the second contest. In the Eastern Division Finals against the rival New York Knicks, Cousy guided the Celtics with 20.8 points and 7.3 assists per game, but Boston ultimately fell in the series, 3-1.