As the Boston Celtics celebrate their record 18th NBA title, the franchise's origins are traced back; Red Auerbach makes history by drafting Chuck Cooper, the NBA's first Black player; racial tensions augur a tumultuous era ahead.

At the peak of the civil rights movement, with segregation persisting in Boston, Bill Russell inserts himself into the struggle; yet the winning continues, with Russell making more history.

Against the backdrop of the controversial Boston busing mandate and racial unrest in the city, the Celtics return to glory with a pair of championships in the 1970's; the team fades before Auerbach pulls off another brilliant move.

Larry Bird arrives in Boston as a beacon of hope; his rivalry with Magic Johnson help revive a struggling NBA; Bird helps lead the Celtics to their 14th championship in 1981; internal discord threatens to derail another potential dynasty.

As the Celtics and Lakers battle for basketball supremacy, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's rivalry captivates the sports world; in 1986, Bird helps lead one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history, but an unthinkable tragedy changes everything.

The tragic death of Len Bias casts a shadow over the Celtics, and Larry Bird's style of play begins to take its toll; new rivals emerge with the Celtics going head-to-head with the Detroit Pistons in a heated 1987 playoff series; Bird retires.