Celtics retired numbers: Every jersey in the rafters and the story behind it

Boston has been home to some of the greatest players in NBA history, and the team has honored Celtics legends by retiring their jersey numbers.

As of the 2025-26 season, the Celtics have retired 24 jersey numbers. Hanging at the TD Garden, these unforgettable figures have delivered on the biggest stage and brought championships to Boston.

From Bill Russell to Paul Pierce, the rich history of the team is on full display for future generations of Celtics fans to see.

Here’s a breakdown of the players immortalized and why they deserved the honor.

Full list of retired numbers and what each player meant

Robert Parish (00) was a three-time NBA champion with the Celtics. (He won a fourth ring with the Bulls in 1997.) The nine-time All-Star was known for being an imposing presence on the defensive end of the floor.

Walter A. Brown (1) was the founder and original owner of the Celtics. Under his leadership, the Celtics won seven championships. Brown is also known for being a key figure in the creation of the NBA and All-Star Game.

The Celtics set the standard for greatness in the 1950s and 1960s, winning nine NBA championships under head coach Red Auerbach (2), including eight in a row (1959-1966). Auerbach is arguably the greatest coach in basketball history.

After winning a title and earning the Finals MVP award with the SuperSonics in 1979, Dennis Johnson (3) won two NBA championships with the Celtics. Johnson was a steady hand at point guard, strong perimeter defender and an incredible teammate.

After being sent from the Timberwolves to the Celtics, Kevin Garnett (5) made an immediate impact in Boston, winning Defensive Player of the Year and the first title of his career. Garnett will always be remembered for triumphantly screaming, “Anything is possible!”

One of the greatest players in NBA history, Bill Russell (6) won 11 NBA championships as a player. Russell was also a towering figure in the civil rights movement, paving the way for current athletes to use their voices. He is the only player to have his jersey number retired across the league.

Jo Jo White (10) won two NBA championships in Boston, earning the Finals MVP award in 1976. He was an All-Star for seven straight seasons with the Celtics (1970-77).

A core piece of the Celtics’ early dynasty, Bob Cousy (14) was a six-time NBA champion and one of the best point guards in NBA history. The 13-time All-Star won the MVP award in 1957.

Tommy Heinsohn (15) won eight NBA championships as a player for the Celtics and earned two more rings as a coach. He became a broadcasting legend alongside Mike Gorman, handing out “Tommy Points” to Celtics players for hustle plays.

Tom Sanders (16) was an eight-time NBA champion and a defensive wizard for the Celtics. “Satch” briefly joined the Celtics’ coaching staff, making him a beloved figure in Boston.

John Havlicek (17) won eight NBA championships and a Finals MVP award with Boston. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year trophy was named after Havlicek in 2022, highlighting his off-the-bench excellence.

Dave Cowens (18) won the Rookie of the Year award in 1970-71, MVP award in 1972-73 and two NBA championships, all with the Celtics. He averaged at least 13.9 rebounds per game in each of the first eight seasons of his career.

Don Nelson (19) won five NBA championships with the Celtics in the 1960s and 1970s. Nelson later became one of the greatest coaches in league history, winning more than 1,300 games.

Bill Sharman (21) was an eight-time All-Star and won four NBA championships with Boston. He began his career with the Washington Capitols in 1950, but he played the rest of his career in a Celtics uniform.

A seven-time All-Star with the Celtics, Ed Macauley (22) is in the rare category of having his number retired without having won a championship in Boston. He won the only title of his career with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958.

Frank Ramsey (23) played an important role in the Celtics’ early dynasty run across the 1950s and 1960s. He is credited with creating the “Sixth Man” role.

Known as “Mr. Clutch,” Sam Jones (24) was an integral part of 10 NBA championship runs. The five-time All-Star is one of the best shooting guards in league history.

K.C. Jones (25) won eight NBA championships as a player with the Celtics. He went on to win four more titles as an assistant and head coach.

Cedric Maxwell (31) won two NBA championships with the Celtics. He earned the Finals MVP award in 1981 after averaging 17.7 points per game against the Rockets.

Kevin McHale (32) was one of the top power forwards in NBA history. He won three NBA titles alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish and two Sixth Man of the Year awards with Boston.

Widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time, Larry Bird (33) won three NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards and three MVP awards. His rivalry with Magic Johnson and championship runs resulted in a massive popularity spike for the NBA in the 1980s.

Known simply as “The Truth,” Paul Pierce (34) is the Celtics’ all-time leader in 3-point field goals, free throws and steals. He won a title and the Finals MVP award in 2008.

Reggie Lewis (35) was a rising star for the Celtics in the early 1990s before he died in 1993 because of a heart condition. He was just entering his prime at 27 years old before his death.

Jim Loscutoff won seven NBA championships with the Celtics. Loscutoff wore the No. 18 jersey, but he wanted future players to be able to choose it. Instead of the number, the organization added his nickname, “Loscy,” to the rafters.

The ‘why’ behind retirements: Culture, impact, legacy

When the Celtics decide to retire a number, it’s a tribute to a player’s impact on the game and community. A retired number could come from a superstar or top role player on championship teams.

Though he won an NBA title in 2008 — the first since the 1980s for the Celtics — Kevin Garnett was unsure whether he would have his number retired in Boston.

“I didn’t think that I had the body of work, if I’m being honest,” Garnett said in 2024. “Just because of all the greats that are on there, when you look up and see all the guys that are on those banners — they have an incredible body of work within the Celtics organization.”

Which modern Celtics could be next in the rafters

• Jayson Tatum (0): A six-time All-Star, Tatum helped the Celtics (18) break a tie with the rival Lakers (17) for the most championships in NBA history. If he can bounce back from an Achilles injury, Tatum could eventually break multiple team records.
• Jaylen Brown (7): With Tatum injured, Brown has stepped up as a leader for the Celtics. He already has a championship ring and Finals MVP award, and he’s hungry for more.
• Rajon Rondo (9): Rondo played with the Celtics for the first eight-plus seasons of his career and was a key member of the 2008 title run. The four-time All-Star is considered one of the best point guards in Celtics history.