On this day in 1962: John Havlicek’s NBA debut, two months after the Browns cut him

Oct 15, 2026

Six points in 25 minutes

On Oct. 20, 1962, at Boston Garden, rookie John Havlicek scored six points with four assists as the Celtics routed the Knicks 149-116.

A very loud win

Sam Jones scored 25 on 12-of-13 shooting, Bill Russell added 20 points and 17 rebounds, and Bob Cousy dished 11 assists.

The football detour

The Browns drafted Havlicek in the seventh round even though he never played college football. They released him on Aug. 22, 1962.

Eight titles in green

The 1962-63 Celtics went 58-22 and won a fifth straight championship, the first of Havlicek’s eight titles. He was Finals MVP in 1974.

Celtics scoring king

Havlicek retired in 1978 with 1,270 games and 26,395 points, still the Celtics’ career record, plus 13 All-Star selections.

Photo credit

Boston Celtics forward John Havlicek, 1960s. Photo by The Sporting News, resized.

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