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

Justin Quinn

May 24, 2021 at 4:46 PM·3 min read

The Boston Celtics have stolen more than their fair share of balls in the seven-decade history of the NBA Playoffs, with a few of those steals figuring as iconic moments on the way to several of the team’s league-record 17 titles.

But most of us would be hard-pressed to recount which of the many legendary pickpockets have racked up the most steals in the postseason while playing for the Celtics. Fewer still could guess order they have done it in, and only those among us with a reference with perhaps a few extraordinary exceptions could tell you the number each Boston icon came away with.

Test your own sense of which Celtic luminaries have had the stickiest fingers in the postseason — extra Tommy points to those of you able to get the order more or less correct as well.

These are the games of Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum’s career in which he scored the most. https://t.co/hYIYherSUC
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 24, 2021

Dave Cowens - 78

Houston Rockets Elvin Hayes, (44), moves below the leaping defense of Boston Celtics Dave Cowens in the first period of their game. Celtics blasted the Rockets 108-97. (AP Photo)

Marcus Smart - 88

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) steals the ball from Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe (6) during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Ray Allen - 89

Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen (20) steals the ball and heads up court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Allen scored a game-high 18 points as the Celtics won the game 88-78. Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Garnett - 106

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) tries to steal the ball from Washington Wizards forward Kevin Seraphin, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston. The Celtics won 100-94 in overtime. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola),

Danny Ainge - 122

Lakers forward Kurt Rambis finds it tough going against a double-team maneuver by Celtics Kevin McHale (32) and Danny Ainge (44) in pre-season action in Inglewood. Lakers won 128-124. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Robert Parish - 138

Spencer Haywood (24) of the Washington Bullets has the ball stolen from him by Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics under the hoop during first quarter NBA action at Boston Garden in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit)

Dennis Johnson - 140

Cleveland Cavalier forward Phil Hubbard (35) steals the ball from Boston Celtics Dennis Johnson as Celtics Cedric Maxwell, left, and Cavalier John Bagley, right, look on in an NBA playoff game at Richfield Coliseum. Cleveland defeated Boston 105-98 but still trail the best of five series 2-1. (AP Photo/Ernie Mastroianni)

Paul Pierce - 180

Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) goes for the steal on Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Celtics 99-86. Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo - 181

Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) tries to steal a rebound from Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller (40) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 96-87. Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Bird - 296

Boston Celtics Larry Bird steals a pass intended for Utah Jazz Ben Poquette during first period NBA action at the Boston Garden. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit

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