McHale spent 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics, where he was a three time NBA Champion, seven time All Star, and the NBA Sixth man of the Year twice. After his playing career, he worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves as the team's general manager and later its coach. McHale worked as an analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports in 2009.

McHale's number 32 jersey was retired by the Celtics on January 30, 1994, during a halftime ceremony at the Boston Garden. He was chosen one of the NBA's fifty greatest players and was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. McHale was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. 

In 2011, McHale became the Head Coach of the Houston Rockets.