Celtics honor Bill Walton before Game 1 of NBA Finals showdown with Dallas

The Boston Celtics paid tribute to former player Bill Walton before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Walton, who passed away on May 27 at the age of 71, was a key member of the Celtics’ 1986 championship team.

The franchise honored Walton with a pregame moment of silence, during which a fan shouted, “We love you, Bill!” Commissioner Adam Silver also spoke highly of Walton, calling him a friend and a great ambassador for the NBA.

The Celtics showed their appreciation for Walton’s impact by wearing black shooting shirts with “Walton” and a tie-dye background, as well as black bands with his name on their jerseys. Both the Celtics and Mavericks players applauded Walton’s memory during the tribute.

Walton’s basketball career was illustrious, with three national player of the year awards at UCLA and an NBA MVP award in 1978. He played for the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Celtics during his NBA career, winning a championship with Portland in 1977 and Boston in 1986.

Despite being limited by foot injuries in his final season with the Celtics, Walton retired as a beloved figure in the basketball world. He went on to have a successful broadcasting career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

The Celtics’ tribute to Walton highlighted his unselfish team play and love for the game of basketball. His impact on the sport and the people around him was evident in the outpouring of support and admiration from fans, players, and league officials.

As the NBA Finals continue, Walton’s legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. The Celtics’ tribute was a fitting farewell to a player who left an indelible mark on the game of basketball.