<P> With Bill Russell , the Celtics advanced to the 1957 NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games , giving the Celtics the first of their record 17 championships . Russell went on to win 11 championships , making him the most decorated player in NBA history . In 1958 , the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals , this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games . However , with the acquisition of K.C. Jones that year , the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade . In 1959 , the Celtics won the NBA Championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers , the first of their record eight consecutive championships . During that time , the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals five times , starting an intense and often bitter rivalry that has spanned generations . In 1964 , the Celtics became the first NBA team to have an all African - American starting lineup . On December 26 , 1964 , Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tommy Heinsohn , joining Tom ' Satch ' Sanders , K.C. Jones , Sam Jones , and Bill Russell in the starting lineup . The Celtics defeated St. Louis 97 -- 84 . Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn . The Celtics of the late - 1950s -- 1960s are widely considered as one of the most dominant teams of all time . </P>
<P> With Bill Russell , the Celtics advanced to the 1957 NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games , giving the Celtics the first of their record 17 championships . Russell went on to win 11 championships , making him the most decorated player in NBA history . In 1958 , the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals , this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games . However , with the acquisition of K.C. Jones that year , the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade . In 1959 , the Celtics won the NBA Championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers , the first of their record eight consecutive championships . During that time , the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals five times , starting an intense and often bitter rivalry that has spanned generations . In 1964 , the Celtics became the first NBA team to have an all African - American starting lineup . On December 26 , 1964 , Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tommy Heinsohn , joining Tom ' Satch ' Sanders , K.C. Jones , Sam Jones , and Bill Russell in the starting lineup . The Celtics defeated St. Louis 97 -- 84 . Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn . The Celtics of the late - 1950s -- 1960s are widely considered as one of the most dominant teams of all time . </P>
when did the boston celtics win their first championship
when did the boston celtics win their first championship
1957
1957