1990–91 Boston Celtics season


The 1990–91 NBA season was the 45th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. After failing to advance past the first round in the two previous seasons, it appeared going into the 1990–91 season that the Celtics were fading as NBA title contenders. However, the Celtics burst to a 29–5 start reminiscent of their title years of the 1980s and once again established themselves as contenders. Besides general team improvement, the Celtics were helped by the return of 1988 first round draft pick Brian Shaw. Beginning in January, Larry Bird began to miss significant playing time due to back injuries and the team struggled in his absence. The team limped to the finish, losing 6 of their final 8 games to finish at 56–26. Rookie Dee Brown won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Charlotte.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics survived a scare from the 7th-seeded Indiana Pacers, going the full five games before winning a classic finale. In the eastern semis, the Celtics held home court advantage against the 2-time defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, but Bird missed Game 1 with injury and the Pistons took the game at Boston Garden. Bird returned for the remainder of the series and the Celtics rallied to win Games 2 and 3, but Detroit won 3 in a row afterwards to take the series.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
119Dee BrownSG/PGUnited StatesJacksonville

Roster

Depth chart

PG-20 Brian Shaw
SG-35 Reggie Lewis
SF-34 Kevin Gamble
PF-33 Larry Bird
C-00 Robert Parrish

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

Player statistics

Season

14.9

Playoffs

Awards and records