Bill Russell Boston Celtics 1963-1965 Game Worn Warmup Jacket | Apparent Match to 1964 NBA Playoffs | Russell Attribution to NBA Finals

The Collection of Bill Rusell, 

Private Collector

This warmup jacket has an apparent match to Bill Russell on March 31, 1964, during Game 1 of the Eastern Division Finals, when the Boston Celtics played the Cincinnati Royals. The jacket is additionally signed by Russell and inscribed "64-65 FINALS" on the inside of the jacket.

During the game, Russell recorded a double-double, finishing with 18 points, 31 rebounds, and 2 assists. The Celtics beat the Royals, 103-87. The Celtics would go on to win the series 4–1 and claim the 1964 NBA Championship.

This warmup jacket includes a letter of opinion from SIA Photo Match.

Going Deeper | Bill Russell

Bill Russell’s legacy stands as one of the most important in basketball history. He was not only one of the greatest winners the sport has ever seen, but also a transformative defender, leader, and civil rights advocate whose impact reached far beyond the court.

Bill Russell's greatness began at the University of San Francisco, where he led the Dons to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. He anchored a team that won 55 consecutive games, and his dominance as a rebounder and defensive force helped redefine what elite defense looked like in basketball.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, and raised in Oakland, California, Russell was selected second overall by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1956 NBA Draft before being traded to the Boston Celtics. His arrival helped spark one of the most dominant dynasties in sports history.

During his 13 seasons with the Celtics, Russell won an NBA-record 11 championships, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 through 1966. He was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 12-time All-Star, and the driving force behind Boston's dominance throughout the 1960s.

Russell's impact extended well beyond championships. He finished his career with 21,620 rebounds, averaging 22.5 rebounds per game, and led the league in rebounding four times. His defensive brilliance transformed the sport's understanding of team defense, rim protection, and winning through selfless play.

In 1966, Russell became the NBA's first Black head coach and the first Black head coach in major U.S. professional sports, serving as player-coach for the Celtics and leading them to two additional championships.

At the time of his retirement, Russell's résumé included 11 NBA championships, 5 MVP awards, 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA selections, and 2 NCAA championships. He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.