Who are the Boston Celtics’ top-10 all-time leaders in postseason assists?

Few things separate a contender from a pretender more than their ability to move the ball, with the requisite trust to be selfless with the ball creating opportunities for all to eat on their way to a playoff win.

And that selfless ball movement has been the hallmark of the very best Boston Celtics playoff squads throughout the history of their storied franchise. No team has yet surpassed their 17 total titles and their historic dominance of the NBA postseason is quite literally the stuff of legends. Behind it all has been the humblest of all basketball statistics, the assist.

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But who are the Celtics players who have dished out the most in the team’s long history of postseason appearances? Let’s scroll down to find out.

One intrepid analyst tried his hand at naming them. https://t.co/uYH5R4cw5t

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 27, 2023

10

Jo Jo White - 452

Unknown date and unknown location; USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics guard Jo Jo White (10).  Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.

9

Danny Ainge - 489

Boston Celtics Danny Ainge, center, gets tangled up with Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul Jabbar, left, as Lakers Mitch Kupchak reacts at right in the third quarter of their NBA Championship game on Thursday, May 31, 1985, in Boston Garden. (AP Photo)

8

Marcus Smart - 524

Feb 27, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) passes the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

7

Paul Pierce - 538

Jun 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) passes the ball to Brandon Bass (30) as he is defended by Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

6

Dennis Johnson - 739

Unknown date; Boston, MA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics guard Dennis Johnson (3) in action at the Boston Garden. Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports

5

Bill Russell - 770

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics leaps into the air as Boo Ellis (12) of the Minneapolis Lakers keeps his eye on the ball in their NBA playoff game at Boston Garden on April 5, 1959. Guarding another Minneapolis player is Ben Swain of the Celtics. Boston won 128-108. (AP Photo)

4

John Havlicek - 825

Boston Celtics? John Havlicek prepares to pass ball off as New York Knickerbockers? Walt Frazier moves in during their National Basketball Association game in the afternoon on Sunday, March 13, 1972, at Boston Garden. Havlicek scored 41 points in the game. The total gave him 16,984 NBA career points, putting him ahead of Bob Cousey as Boston’s leading all-time scorer and 10th on the list of NBA scorers. (AP Photo)

3

Rajon Rondo - 845

June 3, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball against Miami Heat small forward Shane Battier (31) during overtime in game four of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Heat in overtime 93-91. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

2

Bob Cousy - 937

Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics weeps with joy on the bench after playing 47 out of 48 minutes of the game against the St. Louis Hawks at Boston Garden, Boston, Ma., April 9, 1960. The Celtics defeated the Hawks, 122-103, to win their third National Basketball Association Championship in four years. (AP Photo)

1

Larry Bird - 1,062

Boston Celtics Larry Bird finds room to pass around Atlanta Hawks Tree Rollins during first period National Basketball Association Playoff Action on Sunday afternoon, April 24, 1983 at Boston Garden in Boston. (AP Photo/Paul R. Benoit)

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