BOSTON – Things got a little busier at the TD Garden on Tuesday night as the Celtics raised the franchise’s 18th championship banner to close the book on their 2023-2024 NBA title.

Before calling off the new season against the New York Knicks, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and company all did their part Tuesday night, just as they all contributed to Boston’s playoff run over the summer. After winning 64 games during the regular season, the Celtics went 16–3 in the playoffs to win the franchise’s first title since 2008. Boston capped their run with a five-game win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

“This is special. Honestly, on behalf of me, my teammates and the organization, we couldn’t have done this without you guys last year,” Tatum told 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!”

Celtic legends take part in the banner ceremony

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

Celtics collect their championship rings

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

There are diamonds all over the ring, including 18 emerald cut diamonds representing the 18 titles in Celtics history. They are engraved with the results of the 2024 playoff series and “Whatever it takes,” which was 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 parquet floor on the other, engraved with the date and final score of Boston’s Game 5 title victory over the Mon.

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 started, but they did have some championship bling on them with this patch on the back of their jerseys:

Celtics fans were also waiting for them. Green and white “Banner 18” t-shirts hung on every seat in TD Garden, with the letters “617,” “18,” and “BOS” 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 the team banners that hang in the garden. It is one of the few companies in the country that still makes hand-sewn flags and banners.

There is a “lucky penny” sewn into each nylon banner.

The Celtics have more NBA titles than any other team

With eighteen titles, the Celtics have won 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, when Pierce, Garnett and Allen picked up their championship waxes after a dominant first season together in Boston. Now this Celtics team will try to do what it couldn’t: repeat as champions.

The Celtics haven’t repeated as NBA champions since the 1968 and 1969 Boston teams went back-to-back under player/coach Bill Russell.

Banners in the TD Garden

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

There are also a lot of numbers at the top, as the Celtics removed 23 numbers and Jim Loscutoff’s initials, Loscy. They take up three banners on their own.

The Bruins have retired about a dozen numbers, each of which sits on its own banner high above the ice/rink in the Garden.