NBA.com Call it a quota, call it a gentlemen's agreement, call it what you like. Before December 26, 1964, five Black players wearing the same uniform had never taken the court for the start of an NBA game. That night in St. Louis, Willie Naulls replaced the injured Tommy Heinsohn, and the Celtics had an all Black starting five, for the first time in the history of the … [Read more...] about Celtics Start NBA’s First All Black Team December 26, 1964
Red Auerbach
Bill Russell’s First Game December 22, 1956
Sam's Celtics Forum Bill Russell’s first game as a Celtic took place on December 22, 1956. It was a matinee with the St. Louis Hawks at Boston Garden that was televised nationally as the NBA Game of the Week. Attendance at Celtics games had averaged less than 7,000 so far that year. More than 11,000 fans who could have watched at home bought tickets to see the rookie … [Read more...] about Bill Russell’s First Game December 22, 1956