What Numbers Are Retired In The NBA?

A look at which numbers have been retired by NBA teams, including the stories behind the retirements.

Introduction

In the NBA, each team is allowed to retire a maximum of six player jersey numbers and one head coach’s number. A player must have played at least three seasons with the team and be retired for at least three years before his number can be eligible to be retired. After a number has been retired, no other player on that team will ever wear that number again. The only exception to this rule is if a player joins the team after the number has already been retired (i.e. Shaquille O’Neal with the Lakers).

Here is a list of all the numbers that have been retired by NBA teams:

The Numbers that have been Retired in the NBA

In the NBA, certain numbers are retired in order to honour the greatest players in the league who have donned that number. As of right now, a total of 24 numbers have been retired by the NBA. Let’s take a look at which numbers have been retired and who they were retired for.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s #23 has been retired by both the Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Hornets. He is the only player in NBA history to have had his number retired by two different teams.

Kobe Bryant

On April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant played his final NBA game. He ended his Hall of Fame career with 60 points, leading his team to a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz.

In honor of his incredible 20-year career, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both of Kobe’s jersey numbers, 8 and 24. He is the first player in Lakers history to have two jersey numbers retired, and just the 10th player in NBA history to have multiple jersey numbers retired with one franchise.

Magic Johnson

32 – Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
“Magic” was one of the most successful and popular players in NBA history, winning five championships with the Lakers. He was a three-time NBA Finals MVP and a 12-time All-Star, and his number was retired by the Lakers in 2002.

Larry Bird

The Boston Celtics retired Larry Bird’s #33 jersey on February 4, 1993. He was the first player in franchise history to have his number retired without having won a championship with the Celtics.

Bill Russell

The Boston Celtics have retired 21 numbers in their history, the most of any team in the NBA. The first number retired by the Celtics was 16, worn by legendary coach Red Auerbach, which was retired in 1966. The most recent number retired by the Celtics was 36, worn by longtime Celtic and Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, which was retired in 2017.

The following is a complete list of numbers retired by the Boston Celtics:

-1: Walter Brown
-2: Red Auerbach
-3: Dennis Johnson
-4: Johnny Most
-6: Bill Russell
-10: Jo Jo White
-14: Bob Cousy
-15: Tom Heinsohn
-16: Satch Sanders
-17: John Havlicek
-18: Dave Cowens
-19: Don Nelson
-21: Bill Sharman
-23: Cedric Maxwell
-24: Paul Silas
-25: Kevin McHale
-32: Kevin Garnett
-33: Larry Bird

The Numbers that have been Retired League-Wide

In the NBA, there have been many great players that have come and gone. Some have left their mark on the game more than others. These are the players that had their numbers retired by the teams they played for.

Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain’s No. 13 is one of many to have been retired league-wide. (Getty Images)
Before he was racking up Ws with the Warriors, Klay Thompson was piling up points for Washington State. He did so wearing the same number his dad, Mychal, donned during his 11 NBA seasons: 1.
Now that Thompson is an NBA champion and one of the league’s best players, it’s safe to say his number is safe from retirement anywhere he goes. The same can’t be said for every player and every number, though.
As we inch closer to the start of the 2019-20 season, let’s take a look at which numbers have been retired across the league.

Jerry West

In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Jerry West’s (#42) jersey, making him the first player in franchise history to receive the honor. West spent his entire playing career with the Lakers, winning one NBA championship in 1972. He was also a 14-time All-Star and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1969. After his playing career, West served as the head coach of the Lakers for three seasons and as the team’s general manager from 1982 to 2000. He helped lead the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances and seven championships during that time.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the first player in NBA history to have his jersey number retired league-wide. The number 33 will never be worn again by any player in the NBA in honor of Abdul-Jabbar, who is widely considered one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the numbers that have been retired by the NBA. There may be more added in the future, but for now, these are the ones that have been retired.