retired celtics numbers tell the story of the NBA's most decorated franchise, and one detail surprises almost everyone: the Boston Celtics have hung more championship banners (18) than any other team, yet they have retired only about two dozen jersey numbers. That gap between trophies and honored jerseys says a lot about how the organization chooses its legends.
If you have ever stood in the TD Garden rafters squinting at those banners, or argued with a friend about whether a certain number belongs up there, the rules can feel murky.
This guide breaks down the full list, the criteria behind each honor, the names attached to every number, and the practical details fans actually ask about—from "is number 0 retired?" to "why does nobody wear 17?"
The Complete List of Retired Celtics Numbers and Who Wore Them
The Celtics have retired 24 numbers, and each one belongs to a player (or contributor) whose impact went beyond statistics. The team's official records list these as permanent honors, with the earliest dating to Ed Macauley's number 22 in 1963 and the most recent being Kevin Garnett's number 5 in 2022.
What makes the retired celtics numbers list unusual is how heavily it skews toward the dynasty eras—11 of the honored numbers come from the 1957–1969 run alone.
Here is the core roster of honored numbers, with the names most associated with each:
| Number | Player | Era | Action for fans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Robert Parish | 1980–1994 | Check the "Chief" banner in the rafters |
| 1 | Walter Brown | Founder | Note: honored as contributor, not player |
| 2 | Red Auerbach | Coach/Exec | Look for the cigar motif on displays |
| 3 | Dennis Johnson | 1983–1990 | Watch 1984 Finals footage |
| 5 | Kevin Garnett | 2007–2013 | See the 2008 title banner nearby |
| 6 | Bill Russell | 1956–1969 | Note: league-wide retirement since 2022 |
| 10 | Jo Jo White | 1969–1979 | Compare his Finals MVP year |
| 17 | John Havlicek | 1962–1978 | Check the "Hondo" tribute case |
The list continues through Larry Bird (33), Robert Parish's frontcourt partners Kevin McHale (32) and Cedric Maxwell (31), Paul Pierce (34), and Ray Allen (20), among others. Each number was retired only after the player left the organization, a rule the team has followed consistently.
To apply this, pull up the Celtics' official history page and match each banner to its player before your next game—you will spot details the broadcast never mentions.
How the Celtics Decide Which Numbers Get Retired
The Celtics retire a number when a player's contribution meets a standard that is stricter than the Basketball Hall of Fame. Team historian and front-office sources have long described the criteria as a mix of championship impact, longevity, and cultural significance to Boston—not raw statistics alone.
That is why some statistically dominant players never saw their numbers raised, while role-defining champions did.
Three practical filters explain most decisions:
- Championship contribution: Nearly every retired player won at least one title with Boston.
- Tenure and identity: The player must be strongly identified with the franchise, not a late-career stop.
- Organizational role: Contributors like Walter Brown and Red Auerbach were honored for building the team, not just playing.
The retired celtics numbers policy also explains a notable exclusion: Shaquille O'Neal wore number 36 briefly but was never honored, because his prime belonged elsewhere. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett's 2022 ceremony showed the modern bar—a title, a defensive identity, and a cultural reset for the franchise.
A useful way to apply this is to test any "snub" argument against the three filters above. If a player fails two of them, the team's decision usually makes sense.
Why Number 6 Was Different
Bill Russell's number 6 stands apart because the NBA retired it league-wide in 2022, the first such honor in league history. The Celtics had already raised it in 1972, so Boston fans see a double tribute. This makes 6 the one retired celtics numbers entry that no future player on any team can wear.
The "No Number 0" Question
Fans often ask why 0 is not on the list despite Jayson Tatum wearing it. The answer is simple: Tatum is still active, and the team retires numbers only after a career ends. That rule keeps the retired celtics numbers list from becoming a moving target.
The Legends Behind the Most Famous Retired Celtics Numbers
Some retired celtics numbers carry more cultural weight than others, and understanding why helps you appreciate the rafters. Number 33 belongs to Larry Bird, a three-time MVP and the face of the 1980s revival. Number 17 honors John Havlicek, whose steal in the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals remains one of the most replayed moments in league history.
Number 34 is Paul Pierce, the 2008 Finals MVP who stayed through a rebuild.
Consider Bill Russell's number 6 again—11 championships in 13 seasons, a record no player has approached. The team's own media guides cite that run as the defining standard for the honor. Robert Parish's 00 rounds out the famous "Big Three" frontcourt with Bird and McHale, giving Boston three retired numbers from one starting lineup.
A data point worth noting: the Celtics have retired numbers for players who collectively won more than 40 championships as a group, a concentration unmatched by any other franchise's retired-jersey wall.
To apply this, pick one number and read a single long-form profile of that player before your next visit to the Garden. You will see the banner differently.
Retired Celtics Numbers vs. Other Franchises: A Quick Comparison
The retired celtics numbers approach differs sharply from how other teams handle honors, and the contrast is instructive. The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston's historic rival, have retired a similar count but with a heavier emphasis on individual star power. The New York Knicks have retired fewer numbers and leaned toward longevity.
The San Antonio Spurs, by contrast, have built a compact, efficiency-driven list tied to their dynasty.
| Franchise | Approx. retired numbers | Selection emphasis | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 24 | Championships + culture | Team history page |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 20+ | Star power | Arena rafters guide |
| San Antonio Spurs | Under 15 | Dynasty core | Team media guide |
| New York Knicks | Under 15 | Long tenure | Franchise records |
The practical takeaway: Boston's retired celtics numbers list rewards players who won in green, not just players who scored a lot. If you are comparing franchises for a project or a debate, weight championships and tenure more heavily than raw stats—that is how the Celtics do it.
One more comparison point: the Celtics have never retired a number for a player who spent only a short, non-championship stint in Boston, a discipline the Lakers have occasionally relaxed.
Practical Details Fans Ask About the Retired Celtics Numbers
Beyond the names, the retired celtics numbers raise practical questions that come up at games, in trivia, and in collectibles. Here is what actually matters if you are planning a visit or building a fan project.
- Where to see them: The banners hang in TD Garden's rafters; arena tours often include a closer look at the retired-number displays.
- Merchandise rules: Replica jerseys of retired numbers are widely sold, but the team controls official throwbacks—check licensing before buying.
- Trivia accuracy: Many online lists mix retired numbers with "honored" contributors, so verify against the team's official history before quoting a count.
According to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Celtics' concentration of honored players is among the highest of any franchise, which is why the rafters double as a museum. The Hall's official site is a reliable cross-check for career details.
A common scenario: a fan buys a vintage number 6 jersey and is surprised to learn it is now league-retired. That is a good reminder to confirm the status of any retired celtics numbers purchase against current league rules before you spend.
How to Track Retired Celtics Numbers Accurately
Accuracy matters because the retired celtics numbers list changes rarely but meaningfully—each new ceremony updates the count. The best approach is to rely on primary sources rather than fan wikis, which often lag behind official announcements.
Two real tools help here:
- Basketball Reference tracks franchise histories and player tenures, so you can verify when a player left Boston.
- NBA.com publishes official team announcements, including retirement ceremonies and league-wide honors like the number 6 decision.
A practical workflow: when you hear about a new honor, check the team's official channel first, then confirm the player's tenure on a stats database. That two-step check prevents the most common error—confusing a "ring of honor" nod with a full number retirement.
To apply this, bookmark both sites and set a reminder to recheck the list after each Celtics season ends. Ceremonies are usually announced in the offseason.
Frequently Asked Questions About retired celtics numbers
Is number 0 retired by the Celtics?
No. Number 0 belongs to Jayson Tatum, who is still active, and the team retires numbers only after a player's career ends. If you see 0 listed as "retired" online, that is an error. The retired celtics numbers list will only add 0 after Tatum retires and the team holds a ceremony.
Who was the first Celtics player to have his number retired?
Ed Macauley's number 22 was retired in 1963, making it the first entry on the retired celtics numbers list. A specific exception: some lists credit Red Auerbach's number 2 as "first," but that honor came later and recognized his coaching and executive role, not a playing career.
Can a current Celtics player wear a retired number?
No. Once a number is retired, no Boston player can wear it again, which is why you never see 33 or 17 on the floor. The one league-wide exception is number 6, retired across the NBA in 2022. Any retired celtics numbers rule applies to all future rosters without exception.
How many retired Celtics numbers are from the 1960s dynasty?
Eleven of the honored numbers trace to the 1957–1969 championship run, the largest cluster on the retired celtics numbers wall. A specific scenario: fans touring the rafters often assume the 1980s Bird era dominates, but the 1960s group is actually larger, reflecting how many titles that roster produced.
Are coaches and executives included in retired Celtics numbers?
Yes. Red Auerbach (number 2) and founder Walter Brown (number 1) are honored alongside players, which makes the retired celtics numbers list broader than a pure player-jersey wall. If you are researching the full list, include front-office figures or you will undercount the total.
Conclusion
The retired celtics numbers wall is more than a list—it is a set of standards. Key takeaways:
- Boston has retired 24 numbers, concentrated in its dynasty eras.
- Championship impact and franchise identity drive the decisions, not stats alone.
- Number 6 is unique as a league-wide retirement.
- Active players like Tatum are not eligible yet, so the list keeps growing.
Your next step is simple: visit the Celtics' official history page, cross-check a few entries on Basketball Reference, and pick one legend to study before your next game. Understanding the retired celtics numbers story turns a glance at the rafters into a real appreciation of the franchise's history.
