HBO’s ‘Celtics City’ is Climbing Max’s Streaming Chart

HBO’s Celtics City is steadily rising on Max‘s streaming chart while Celtics fans watch their games. According to the streaming service, the nine-part sports documentary series is garnering rave reviews from fans worldwide. Executive produced by Bill Simmons, American sports analyst and author, and Connor Schell, Celtics City tells the story of the Boston Celtics, the NBA’s most storied franchise. It goes into depth about where it all began, from being one of the original teams in the league to its historic championships and rivalries that shaped its identity. Never-before-seen archives and over eight dozen interviews were conducted to complete what Rotten Tomatoes reviewers are calling “a well-produced history for those who fit its target audience.”

While the series began streaming on Max on March 3, 2025, it already has a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, with Alan French of Sunshine State Cineplex calling it a “fun ride with plenty of serious discussions.” Scott Hines of Decider laments, “As a resolute Celtics hater, it brings me absolutely no pleasure to report this, but Celtics City is quite good,” while John Anderson of the Wall Street Journal concludes, ““Celtics City” never stops. It can’t. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, if you can measure a team by the quality of its archenemies, “Celtics City,” even at nine episodes, is barely long enough to list them all.”

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Part one kicked off with a celebratory nod to the franchise winning its 18th Championship. It then turns into an introductory episode digging into the historic signing of Chuck Cooper, the NBA’s first Black player to be drafted by a team. Going back to the events in 1950, when Red Auerbach set his sights on turning the Celtics into a dominating force, the debut episode set the tone for the episodes to follow. During that time, the team was led by Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, who controlled the court. Cousy won six rings and Russell won 11.

The second episode, which debuted on March 10, 2025, begins with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and the racism Bill Russell faced while playing in Boston. Despite constant death threats, Russell and the team continued to move the needle. He even became the league’s first Black head coach, replacing Auerbach. Throughout Celtics City, watchers will see participants, including Celtics Hall of Famers and present players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Doc Rivers, Kendrick Perkins, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and more. Even celebrity fans, journalists and relatives of past players got the chance to tell their Celtics stories.

‘Celtics City’ Isn’t the Only HBO Original About Historic Events & Athletes in Sports

Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North — HBO

Basketball isn’t the only sports league that has caught HBO’s attention. For a while, the streaming service has been giving National Football League (NFL) fans a glimpse into the world of football with Hard Knocks. Each season a team is chosen for Hard Knocks: Training Camp, Hard Knocks: In Season, and Hard Knocks: OffSeason. With players being extended, cut, and drafted, viewers see vulnerable moments from athletes hoping to make the 53-man roster and coaches with their jobs on the line.

With so many legendary moments in sports history, there’s an endless amount of content that can be made into sports films and docuseries. In 2018, HBO highlighted the life and accomplishments of Serena Williams. Being Serena was an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Williams and her iconic tennis career. It also gave fans a peak into the star’s life as a wife and mother following a hiatus from the sport. Celtics City season 1 is available to watch on HBO and Max with new episodes every Monday at 9:00PM ET/PT through April 28, 2025.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes, Sunshine State Cineplex, Decider, Wall Street Journal