Celtics have fun Banner 18 by crushing Knicks in opener

Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after a 3-pointer throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photograph/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON — After the Boston Celtics obtained their diamond-, emerald- and parquet-encrusted championship rings and earlier than the franchise’s 18th banner was raised to the rafters, Jayson Tatum grabbed a microphone to say a couple of phrases to the geeked-up crowd.

“Get pleasure from this second collectively,” he informed the followers who stuffed the TD Backyard for the primary significant Celtics sport since their Recreation 5 victory over Dallas within the NBA Finals clinched their unprecedented 18th title. “Let’s do it once more.”

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The Celtics then gathered the place so lots of their predecessors had and raised the “2024 World Champions” banner to the crowded rafters. Minutes later, they took the ground for the season opener in opposition to the New York Knicks and Tatum hit a 3-pointer to begin the hunt to develop into the primary Celtics crew to repeat since Invoice Russell and John Havlicek gained the franchise’s eleventh title in 13 years in 1969.

READ: NBA: Celtics increase 18th banner, Jayson Tatum says ‘let’s do it once more’

Six-time champion Bob Cousy and 1981 NBA Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell have been readily available for the pregame ceremony, popping out to applause earlier than Paul Pierce — accompanied by fellow 2008 champions Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen — introduced out the 2024 trophy. It was positioned on a desk surrounded by the championship rings.

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Proprietor Wyc Grousbeck handed out the baubles, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver congratulating the gamers as they walked out between the numbers of a large, golden “18.” Coach Joe Mazzulla dropped his knees to provide the parquet flooring a kiss earlier than receiving his ring.

The centerpiece of the ring is a shamrock and “Celtics” in opposition to a discipline of emeralds. The highest will be eliminated to disclose a chunk of the well-known flooring, painted inexperienced and white with the 106-88 rating of the June 17 clincher in opposition to the Mavericks. Additionally unveiled is a picture of the championship banner, surrounded by the engraved numbers of every participant on the roster.

The outside of the ring is encircled with the years of the franchise’s 18 NBA titles. On one facet is an outline of the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the crew’s 80-21 general report in 2023-24; on the opposite is the participant’s identify, quantity and the slogan “No matter It Takes” on a background of the parquet sample etched into the gold.

The rings have 15 complete carats of white diamonds to symbolize the 15 groups within the Jap Convention. There are 16 emerald-cut diamonds for the crew’s 16 playoff victories, together with the phrases “WORLD CHAMPIONS” on the interior bezel.

READ: NBA season set to start with challengers looming to unseat Celtics

The outer bezel has 18 bigger diamonds for the crew’s 18 titles – yet one more than the archrival Lakers have gained in Los Angeles and Minneapolis.

The sold-out crowd arrived early to see the Celtics take the court docket in particular warm-up jackets trimmed in gold, with 18 championship trophies embroidered on the sleeve. A few of the gamers paused their taking pictures to observe the video tracing their title journey, from the drafting of Jaylen Brown and Tatum by means of the acquisition of Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis.

One other video featured highlights of Havlicek and Russell successful titles within the Fifties and ’60s by means of the pandemonium of the crew’s victory parade final spring.