The Celtics are the fifth-most valuable NBA franchise in Forbes' annual rankings at $2.2 billion.
The Celtics slipped one spot on the list (they were fourth last year), but gained in value (they were at $2.1 billion in the 2016 rankings).
The New York Knicks top the rankings ($3.3B), followed by the Los Angeles Lakers ($3B), Golden State Warriors ($2.6) - who saw a 37 percent increase in value and jumped from sixth to third - and Chicago Bulls ($2.5B).
Forbes reports that the average NBA franchise is now worth $1.36 billion, a 3.5-fold increase over the past five years.Â
The ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck and Stephen Pagluica purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002.Â
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