1966 NBA Finals

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/1966-nba-finals

1. What is the series name?
2. What is the competing teams?
3. What happened in the 1966 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers?
4. Who became the first African American head coach in the NBA during the 1966 Finals?

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the series name?1966 NBA World Championship Series
2. What is the competing teams?Boston Celtics (Eastern Division Champion) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Western Division Champion)
3. What happened in the 1966 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers?The Celtics won the series, earning their eighth straight championship, while the Lakers fought hard but fell short.
4. Who became the first African American head coach in the NBA during the 1966 Finals?Bill Russell, the Celtics' star center, became player‑coach for the next season.

Dynasty: A prolonged period of success and dominance by a particular team or individual in a sport or field.
NBA Playoffs: The postseason tournament contested by the top teams in the National Basketball Association to determine the league champion.
Player-Coach: An individual who simultaneously plays for a team and manages its coaching duties.
Racial Barrier: An obstacle or prejudice that prevents individuals of certain racial groups from achieving equality or advancement.