Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics honored the late Bill Walton with a moment of silence on Thursday ahead of the team’s clash with the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
The Celtics also played a tribute video of Walton, who spent two years of his Hall of Fame career in Boston.
Walton’s family was also in attendance for the game, while players warmed up in shirts that featured the last name of the former MVP.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Adam Silver says the players will warmup in a Bill Walton shirt in honor of the late Hall of Famer 🙏
Walton’s family is in attendance for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/mdgYwCfxr3
The Celtics also gave out tie-dye pins to honor Walton, who was a notable Grateful Dead fan (h/t Jared Weiss of The Athletic).
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Celtics giving out Bill Walton pins tonight pic.twitter.com/PdnMx3Ah2b
Walton died on May 27 at age 71 after a battle with cancer. In addition to his storied NBA career, he also won two national championships in college at UCLA and became a broadcaster following his playing days.
He won the Sixth Man of the Year award with the Celtics in 1986, appearing in 16 playoff games during that same season and helping Boston secure a victory in the NBA Finals over the Houston Rockets.
While injuries prevented him from prolonging his NBA career, he still played an important role on the Celtics’ 1986 title run and fans honored him ahead of Boston’s current championship push.
