Focus can be an issue as the ceremony will certainly be emotional. The Celtics’ quest for Banner 18 was an arduous process that included several playoff heartbreaks and the ceremony will serve as a celebration of the end of that journey. And shortly afterwards a new journey begins.

“It’s a lot of emotions, the first time we’re all experiencing this,” center Al Horford said. “I think we’re just trying to really enjoy the moment and focus on the next thing we have to do. I feel like I’m trying to take things one step at a time. Enjoy the moment and get back to work.”

That’s the goal, but the players acknowledge that the quick transition to basketball will be a challenge.

“I feel like it’s becoming a reality that we’re getting ready to do this and the time has come (Tuesday),” Horford said. “The whole time I’m just very grateful for the position I’m in. The fact that I have my wife, my children there, my parents. It will just be special. But I don’t know exactly what it will be like yet.”

It can also be an emotional evening for the families. Ean Horfordson of Al, fought back tears during the waning moments of the NBA Finals Game 5 finals in June.

“That was powerful, that was very special,” Horford said of his son. “It was more special to him because he had a dream about it and when he saw himself in that moment, it touched him. Watching the video makes me emotional. It’s so special for him to be there with me and for that to happen in the Garden and for us to share that moment, it’s just so special. It’s something I know he will never forget.”

Horford is ready to go

Horford is expected to be in the starting lineup, but the club will keep an eye on his minutes as he enters his 18th season. Horford did not play in the first four preseason games, with Lucas Kornet getting the most starts with the first unit. Kornet did well, but coach Joe Mazzulla wouldn’t commit to a lineup.

Horford said he felt fresh after playing the final game of the preseason and is prepared for a heavy workload. Of Kristaps Porzingis Once they’re out there, Mazzulla will have to maneuver the middle ground, starting with devising ways to defend the cunning and versatile cities.

“Because it’s a shortened preseason, it’s a little bit different, but I feel like I’m in a position where I should be good,” Horford said. “I have a good feeling about our group, our team and the few weeks we had prepared for everything. I’m just excited to finally start doing this again.”

Porzingis, who was listed Tuesday due to left tibialis tendon rehabilitation surgery, is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season.

Grid set

After suffering Lonny Walker on Saturday, the Celtics finalized their roster ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline. The Celtics will bring fourteen players into the season and three players — J.D. Davison, Drew PetersonAnd Anthony Watson — on mutual contracts. The Celtics could have kept Walker with their 15th pick, but the luxury tax because the club is in the second salary cap would have been $11 million on Walker’s $2.6 million deal.

Walker can report to G League Maine or sign with another club, but for now he remains without a team. The Pelicans claimed the former second-round pick Brandon Boston Jr.who was waived by Spurs before the deadline.

If they choose not to add a player to a standard contract, the Celtics can sign a 10-day contract starting January 5.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.