numbers retired by the celtics form one of the most exclusive clubs in all of professional sports. Boston has hung 23 banners in the TD Garden rafters, yet only a select group of legends have seen their jersey numbers hoisted alongside them. That scarcity is the point: the franchise treats retirement as the ultimate honor, not a participation trophy.
The problem is that most fans can name a handful of these numbers but cannot explain the full list, the eligibility bar, or why some all-time greats never got the call. This guide breaks down every retired number, the criteria behind each honor, the players who just missed out, and how to see the banners for yourself.
The Complete List of Retired Numbers in Boston
The Celtics have retired 23 jersey numbers, the most of any NBA franchise. Each one represents a player, coach, or contributor whose impact went beyond statistics.
Here is the full rundown, organized by era so you can see how the tradition evolved:
- 00 – Robert Parish (center anchor of the 1980s dynasty)
- 1 – Walter Brown (founder and original owner)
- 2 – Red Auerbach (coach and architect)
- 3 – Dennis Johnson (defensive leader of the 1984 and 1986 titles)
- 6 – Bill Russell (11 championships; number retired league-wide in 2022)
- 10 – Jo Jo White (1976 Finals MVP)
- 14 – Bob Cousy (six-time champion and showtime pioneer)
- 15 – Tom Heinsohn (player and coach)
- 16 – Satch Sanders (eight-time champion)
- 17 – John Havlicek (the franchise's all-time leading scorer for decades)
- 18 – Dave Cowens (1970s MVP and champion)
- 19 – Don Nelson (six-time champion)
- 21 – Bill Sharman (sharpshooter of the 1950s dynasty)
- 22 – Ed Macauley (early star and Hall of Famer)
- 23 – Frank Ramsey (the original sixth man)
- 24 – Sam Jones (10-time champion)
- 25 – K.C. Jones (player and coach)
- 31 – Cedric Maxwell (1981 Finals MVP)
- 32 – Kevin McHale (low-post master of the 1980s)
- 33 – Larry Bird (three-time MVP)
- 34 – Paul Pierce (2008 Finals MVP)
- 35 – Reggie Lewis (honored after his tragic death in 1993)
- LOSCY – Jim Loscutoff (declined a number so others could wear it)
The mix of players, coaches, and founders shows that numbers retired by the celtics honor contribution, not just scoring averages.
How to apply this: Save this list and cross-check it against a jersey you plan to buy, since Boston does not reissue retired numbers.
Why the List Includes Non-Players
Walter Brown and Red Auerbach never played a minute for Boston, yet their numbers hang in the rafters. Brown founded the franchise, and Auerbach built the dynasty that defined it.
That precedent matters: the organization values builders as much as scorers. Reggie Lewis earned his honor for leadership and community impact before his career was cut short, a reminder that numbers retired by the celtics are about more than box scores.
The LOSCY Exception
Jim Loscutoff asked the team not to retire his number 18 so future players could wear it. Boston honored him with a "LOSCY" banner instead.
Dave Cowens later wore 18 and had it retired. This is the clearest proof that the numbers retired by the celtics follow a human logic, not a rigid formula.
How a Number Gets Retired in Boston
There is no published checklist, but the pattern is clear from six decades of decisions. A player needs sustained excellence, championships, and a lasting connection to the organization.
The evidence supports this. Every retired player number except Reggie Lewis belongs to a champion, and most were core contributors to multiple title runs, which is why numbers retired by the celtics carry so much weight.
Consider Bill Russell: 11 rings in 13 seasons, five MVP awards, and a playing-coach role. His number 6 became the first jersey retired league-wide by the NBA in 2022, a move the league announced to honor his legacy.
The bar is not just talent. Dennis Johnson averaged modest numbers but hit clutch shots and defended the best guards in the league, which earned him the honor.
- Championship impact carries more weight than raw stats
- Longevity in Boston matters; short stints rarely qualify
- Cultural legacy can override pure numbers, as with Lewis
How to apply this: When debating whether a current player deserves retirement, check whether they won a title in Boston and stayed long enough to build a legacy.
The Numbers That Stay Available
Some iconic numbers are not retired, and that surprises fans. Number 5, worn by Kevin Garnett during the 2008 title run, is not in the rafters.
Number 20, Paul Pierce's early number before he switched to 34, is also available. Number 9, worn by Rajon Rondo, remains in circulation.
The franchise draws a line between great players and immortal ones. Garnett spent six seasons in Boston, which many observers argue is too short for the honor despite his transformative impact.
A common scenario: a fan sees a current player wearing a number they associate with a 2000s star and assumes it is retired. It usually is not.
| Number | Player | Retired? | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Kevin Garnett | No | Tenure length vs. impact debate |
| 20 | Ray Allen | No | Left via free agency in 2012 |
| 9 | Rajon Rondo | No | Trade ended his Boston run |
| 0 | Jayson Tatum | Active | Too early to evaluate |
| 34 | Paul Pierce | Yes | 2008 Finals MVP |
| 33 | Larry Bird | Yes | Three MVPs, three titles |
This table shows that numbers retired by the celtics reflect a high bar, and availability does not mean a player was forgotten.
How to apply this: Before assuming a number is retired, verify it against the official team list rather than memory. The numbers retired by the celtics are documented in full on the team's own site.
Records and Milestones Behind the Banners
The statistical footprint of these legends is staggering. Bill Russell's teams won 11 titles in 13 years, a rate no modern franchise has approached.
Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across his career, per Basketball Reference. That all-around line explains why his number went up immediately after retirement.
John Havlicek scored 26,395 points, a franchise record that stood for decades until Paul Pierce passed it. Pierce finished with 24,021 points in Boston.
The numbers retired by the celtics also track defensive excellence. K.C. Jones and Dennis Johnson were both named to All-Defensive teams, proving that two-way play earns permanent recognition.
How to apply this: Use Basketball Reference to compare a current player's career line against the statistical floor set by these legends.
Seeing the Banners in Person
The retired numbers hang in the TD Garden rafters, and seeing them live is the best way to grasp the scale. The arena displays all 23 banners plus the 17 championship flags.
Tickets are available through the team's official site, Celtics.com, where you can also find arena tour information.
For research, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame maintains profiles on nearly every honored player. The Hall's records confirm that most of these legends are enshrined in Springfield.
A practical tip: sit in the lower bowl and look up during warmups. The banners are easier to read before the crowd fills in and the lights dim. Standing under the numbers retired by the celtics is the fastest way to feel the franchise's history.
How to apply this: Book an arena tour or lower-bowl seat and photograph the rafters early, then match each banner to this list.
Frequently Asked Questions About numbers retired by the celtics
What is the highest number retired by the Celtics?
The highest is 35, worn by Reggie Lewis. Boston retired it in 1993 after his sudden death, honoring both his play and his standing in the community. No number above 35 hangs in the rafters, which means most current players wear numbers outside the honored range. Checking numbers retired by the celtics confirms 35 is the ceiling.
Did the Celtics retire Kevin Garnett's number 5?
No, number 5 remains available. Garnett transformed the culture and won the 2008 title, but his six seasons fell short of the longevity bar the franchise typically applies. Fans still debate the decision, and the team has not announced plans to change it. The full set of numbers retired by the celtics does not include 5.
Why is Bill Russell's number 6 retired across the whole NBA?
The NBA retired number 6 league-wide in 2022 to honor Russell's 11 championships and his civil rights activism. Boston had already retired it in 1972, so the league move extended the honor to every team. Players who wore 6 before the ruling could keep it. This makes 6 unique among numbers retired by the celtics.
Can a current Celtics player wear a retired number?
No, the franchise does not reissue retired numbers. A new signing must pick an available number, which is why you rarely see 33 or 34 on the floor. The one quirk is the LOSCY banner, since Jim Loscutoff never had a number formally retired. Any list of numbers retired by the celtics should note that exception.
How many numbers have the Celtics retired in total?
Boston has retired 23 numbers, the most in the NBA. That count includes founders, coaches, and the LOSCY banner, not just players. The total grows slowly because the bar is high and the team rarely adds new honorees. Tracking numbers retired by the celtics shows roughly one addition per few years.
Conclusion
The retired jerseys in Boston tell a story about standards as much as stats. Here are the key takeaways:
- 23 numbers hang in the rafters, the most in the NBA
- Championships and longevity matter more than raw scoring
- Builders like Red Auerbach earned honors alongside players
- Some greats, like Kevin Garnett, fall short of the bar
The numbers retired by the celtics reward sustained excellence and lasting loyalty, which is why the list reads like a history of the league itself. Every player who looks up at those banners is measured against the same standard.
Your next step: pull up the official team page, compare it against this list, and pick one legend to study in depth. You will understand the franchise faster than any highlight reel can teach you.
