Maine Celtics

Franchise history

On February 25, 2009, the NBA Development League (D-League) awarded the city of Portland, Maine, with an expansion franchise. On July 21, 2009, the Red Claws announced Austin Ainge as the first head coach of the team. On April 2, 2009, "Red Claws" was announced as the winning name after a name-the-team contest, beating out Beacons, Crushers, Destroyers, Swarm, and Traps. The name and logo gave homage to the lobster fishing industry, a major economic engine of the New England area. The use of "Red" in the team's name also served to pay tribute to longtime Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. During the 2009–10 season, the Red Claws were the only D-League team to sell out all 24 of their home games. This streak continued until the 2011–12 season, ending the streak at 48 consecutive games.

On June 21, 2012, the Red Claws announced that they had entered a hybrid affiliation with the Boston Celtics, making the Celtics the Red Claws' sole affiliate. For the team's first two seasons, their affiliation was split between the Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats. For its third season, the team's affiliation was split between Boston, Charlotte and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Red Claws made their first playoff appearance in April 2013, entering the playoffs as the eighth seeded team and being swept by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in a best-of-three-game opening round series.

On July 16, 2014, the Red Claws announced that Mike Taylor would not return for a third season as the team's head coach. He had a 45–55 record as coach over two seasons with the team. He was replaced by Canadian Scott Morrison after 11 seasons as the head coach of Lakehead University's Lakehead Thunderwolves. Morrison spent the 2013–14 season as a D-League assistant. On June 21, 2017, Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics head coach, named him as an assistant coach with the Celtics. In 2017, the D-League rebranded as the NBA G League via a sponsorship with Gatorade.

On July 25, 2019, the Celtics announced they would purchase the Red Claws franchise from original owners Bill Ryan and Bill Ryan Jr. Before the sale, the Red Claws had been one of the few remaining independently owned G League franchises. Their sale to the Celtics continued the trend of NBA teams purchasing their G League affiliates. The sale was finalized on October 15, 2019.

On December 7, 2019, Bryce Brown set a franchise record with scoring 11 of 11 three-pointers for the Red Claws in a 128–123 loss to the Delaware Blue Coats. The 2019–20 season was then curtailed in March 2020 by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic while the Red Claws were in first place in their division. The following 2020–21 season was then delayed due to the ongoing pandemic-related restrictions and eventually held at a single location in Orlando, Florida. However, the Celtics decided to not have the Red Claws participate and opted out of the season.

On May 24, 2021, the Boston Celtics announced the Red Claws had been rebranded the Maine Celtics beginning with the 2021–22 season.

On July 2, 2025, the Maine Celtics announced that Phil Pressey would be named the 11th head coach in franchise history. Pressey replaced Tyler Lashbrook, who would remain with the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach.

Season-by-season

Head coaches

Current roster

NBA affiliates

• Boston Celtics (2009–present)
• Charlotte Bobcats (2009–2012)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2011–2012)

References

References

1. Maine Celtics Staff. (September 15, 2015). "Contact Us". NBA Media Ventures, LLC.
2. "Maine Celtics Reproduction Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc..
3. Mike Lowe. (June 29, 2009). "Red Claws, Celtics make their partnership official". Portland Press Herald.
4. Boston, Evans. (May 24, 2021). "Maine Red Claws Renamed Maine Celtics". NBA Media Ventures, LLC.
5. (February 25, 2009). "NBA Development League Expands to Portland, Maine". Maine Red Claws.
6. . (July 21, 2009). ["Red Claws name Austin Ainge as head coach"](https://www.pressherald.com/2009/07/21/red-claws-name-austin-ainge-as-head-coach/). *[[The Forecaster]]*.
7. (June 15, 2017). ""She's Your Lobster" {{!}} Memorable Lobster Moments in Pop Culture".
8. "27 Teams In 27 Days: Meet The Maine Red Claws".
9. (June 21, 2012). "BOSTON CELTICS AND MAINE RED CLAWS ENTER INTO SINGLE AFFILIATION PARTNERSHIP BEGINNING WITH 2012-13 SEASON". NBA Media Ventures, LLC.
10. Toscano, Jimmy. (June 21, 2012). "Celtics enter into single affiliation partnership with Red Claws". [[NBC Sports]].
11. (July 7, 2011). "Maine Red Claws Add 76ers As Affiliate".
12. "Furious Red Claws' Rally Falls Short".
13. "RED CLAWS TO OPEN FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS AT HOME THURSDAY".
14. "Maine Basketball LLC owner bios".
15. . (July 16, 2014). ["Red Claws' Taylor not returning as head coach"](https://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/16/red-claws-taylor-not-returning-as-head-coach/). *[[Journal Tribune]]*.
16. Dunick, Leith. (August 15, 2014). "End of an era".
17. (June 20, 2017). "Former Wolves coach named assistant with Celtics". [[TBNewsWatch.com]].
18. (February 14, 2017). "NBA sells D-League sponsorship to Gatorade, renames it G-League". NBC Sports.
19. (July 25, 2019). "Boston Celtics reach deal to purchase Maine Red Claws".
20. "Celtics Complete Purchase of Maine Red Claws". NBA G League.
21. (December 7, 2019). "Bryce Brown hits franchise 3's record in Red Claws loss". [[NBC Sports]].
22. (January 8, 2021). "Maine Red Claws will not participate in 2020-21 G League season". [[Boston.com]].
23. (May 24, 2021). "Maine Red Claws Renamed Maine Celtics".
24. (July 2, 2025). "Phil Pressey Named Head Coach of Maine Celtics".