In a heartfelt gesture, the Boston Celtics are paying tribute to the late Bill Walton ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden.
Fans arriving at the game received commemorative pins in honor of Walton, the NBA legend who passed away earlier this week.
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Celtics & Mavericks join Bill Walton tribute
Walton, remembered for his unique contributions both on and off the court, died on Monday surrounded by his family.
The NBA announced that in addition to the fan giveaway, both the Celtics and their opponents, the Dallas Mavericks, would wear “Walton” tribute jerseys during their warmups.
“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” stated NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Walton, who was the NBA’s MVP for the 1977-78 season and a member of the league’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams, left a lasting legacy despite his career being cut short by chronic foot injuries.
Selected as the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Walton’s career spanned 10 seasons in the NBA.
He won championships with both the Trail Blazers in 1977 and the Celtics in 1986.
Walton’s career statistics include 6,215 points, 4,923 rebounds, 1,034 blocks, and 1,590 assists over 468 games.
Celtics looking to secure 18th NBA championship
The 2024 NBA Finals begin tonight at 8:30 p.m., featuring the Boston Celtics against the Dallas Mavericks.
Key storylines for the series include the impact of star duos Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for Boston, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for Dallas.
The Celtics will also look to leverage the addition of Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics secured their spot in the Finals by sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, following victories over the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston, aiming for its 18th NBA championship, returns to the Finals after falling short in 2022 against the Golden State Warriors.
The Mavericks, making their first Finals appearance since their 2011 championship win, advanced by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, after eliminating the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
