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Boston Celtics raise banner 18 and claim their NBA championship rings

Boston Celtics raise banner 18 and claim their NBA championship rings

BOSTON – Things got a little more crowded at TD Garden on Tuesday night as the Celtics raised the banner of the franchise’s 18th championship to close the book on their 2023-24 NBA title.

Before opening the new season against the New York Knicks, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Co. were all involved in raising the banner on Tuesday night, much like they all contributed to Boston’s playoff run over the summer. After winning 64 games in the regular season, the Celtics went 16-3 in the playoffs and won the franchise’s first title since 2008. Boston capped its streak with a five-game win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Final.

“This is something special. “Honestly, on behalf of myself, my teammates and the organization, without you we couldn’t have done it last year,” Tatum said to the Boston fans before raising the banner. “Let’s enjoy this moment together. I can honestly say to the best fans in the world: let’s do it again!”

Celtics legends attend banner ceremony

The Celtics had legends from three different eras take the court leading up to the banner ceremony. Six-time champion Bob Cousy received a huge ovation at his introduction, as did 1981 NBA Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell. The Big Three of 2008, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, were all in attendance and also helped with the ceremony.

The Celtics pick up their championship rings

Boston players, coaches, front office and owners all collected their lavish championship rings before raising the banner. The rings were created in collaboration with Jason from Beverly Hills.

The ring is studded with diamonds, including 18 emerald-cut diamonds representing the 18 championships in Celtics history. Engraved on them are the results of the 2024 playoff series and “Whatever it takes,” the team’s mantra last season.

But the coolest parts of the rings are hidden. The top of the ring can be removed, revealing the 2024 banner on one side and a piece of the TD Garden hardwood floor on the other side, engraved with the date and final score of Boston’s title-winning victory in Game 5 over the are Mavs.

The Celtics had a special patch on the back of their jerseys

The Celtics obviously couldn’t wear their rings when the game against the Knicks ended, but they did wear some championship jewelry with this patch on the back of their jerseys:

Celtics fans were also expecting something special. There were green and white “Banner 18” T-shirts on every seat at the TD Garden, with “617,” “18,” and “BOS” written on them in the lower bowl of the Garden.

A local company made the new Celtics banner

The banner was made by New England Flag and Banner in Woburnwho made all of the team’s banners that hang in the garden. It is one of the few companies in the country that still produces hand-sewn flags and banners.

A “lucky penny” is sewn into each nylon banner.

The Celtics have more NBA titles than any other team

With 18 titles, the Celtics have more championships than any other team in NBA history. Last year’s title broke a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers, who won their 17th title in 2020.

Tuesday night marked the first banner ceremony for the Celtics since October 2009, as Pierce, Garnett and Allen put on their championship underwear after a dominant first season together in Boston. Now this Celtics team will try to do what this team couldn’t: assert themselves as champions.

The Celtics have not repeated as NBA champions since the Boston teams made back-to-back appearances in 1968 and 1969 under player/coach Bill Russell.

Banners at TD Garden

In addition to the Celtics’ extensive collection of championship banners, six Boston Bruins Stanley Cup banners hang from the rafters of the TD Garden.

There are a lot of numbers there too, as the Celtics retired 23 numbers and Jim Loscutoff’s initials, Loscy. These occupy three banners alone.

The Bruins have retired a dozen numbers, each with its own banner high above the ice/courtside at the Garden.

Matt Geagan

Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for almost 20 years. He moved online in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) of Boston sports.