Banner 18 is officially in the rafters
The TD Garden rafters got even more crowded Tuesday night.
The Boston Celtics tipped off the 2024-25 NBA season against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, and as is tradition, the reigning champions raised a "2024 World Champions" banner to the rafters in a special pregame ceremony.
The Celtics also received their championship rings to honor their 18th NBA title, which surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.
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Boston's 2023-24 campaign was historic in many ways, as the club set multiple NBA records while steamrolling to a 64-18 regular-season record (fourth-best in team history) and 16-3 postseason record that culminated in a five-game NBA Finals victory over the Dallas Mavericks to secure Banner 18.
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That historic achievement was immortalized Tuesday night.
Celtics players took the floor about 30 minutes before tip-off in special championship warmup jackets before every player, coach, and member of the front office received their championship rings from NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
WATCH 📲
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 22, 2024
Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum receive their rings 💍 pic.twitter.com/UlsKWWeqMr
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made a particularly memorable entrance, kissing the parquet floor before receiving his ring.
Joe with the parquet 😘 pic.twitter.com/qmd7Gor0Bv
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) October 22, 2024
C's star then addressed the TD Garden crowd and whipped fans into a frenzy by declaring, "Let's do it again."
Finally, Celtics players gathered on the court to help lift Banner 18 into the rafters alongside Boston's 17 other banners.
The Celtics have insisted all preseason they're focused on the 2024-25 campaign and have put last season's title in the past, but Tuesday's ceremony was a terrific way to tie a bow on a historic 2023-24 season.
