The 1973 NBA season was another fantastic year for John Havlicek, who played small forward and shooting guard for the Boston Celtics. Havlicek appeared in all 82 regular season games, averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 83.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Havlicek continued to lead the Celtics’ charge during the regular season, helping the team to a 56-26 record and a playoff berth. He was named to the NBA All-Star team for the seventh time in his career and was selected to the All-NBA First Team at the end of the season. Havlicek’s consistent performance and his ability to make clutch shots earned him the nickname “Hondo” and made him a fan favorite.

In the playoffs, Havlicek continued to shine, leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks. In Game 1, he scored a triple-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, helping the Celtics to a dominant 134-109 win. After three more victories, the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.

In the seven-game series, Havlicek was once again a key contributor, averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. In the decisive Game 7, Havlicek scored 26 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, as the Celtics defeated the Knicks 94-78 to advance to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the NBA Finals, Havlicek continued to play at a high level, averaging 25.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. The Celtics ultimately lost the series in seven games, but Havlicek’s performance throughout the playoffs was outstanding and earned him the NBA Finals MVP award.

Off the court, Havlicek was known for his professionalism and hard work, both on and off the court. His dedication to the game of basketball and his willingness to do whatever it took to help his team win made him a respected figure both within the Celtics organization and throughout the league.

Overall, the 1973 NBA season was another exceptional year for John Havlicek, who continued to dominate on the court and lead the Celtics to success. His impressive individual performances during the playoffs, which earned him the NBA Finals MVP award, are a testament to his skills and value as a player.