Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown admitted he had to fight back emotions ahead of the team’s season opener against the New York Knicks. The game marked the unveiling of the Celtics’ 18th championship banner following their dominant 2023-24 season.
Boston secured a comfortable 132-109 victory over the Knicks, led by standout performances from Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Brown, and Jrue Holiday. Tatum led the team with 37 points and 10 assists, while Brown added 23 points and 7 rebounds.
Following the game, Brown shared his thoughts on the banner ceremony, acknowledging the significance of the moment. “I said I would go to war for this city. And it’s great to watch that banner get raised,” Brown said. He described the night as incredible, with legendary Celtics players like Bob Cousy and Kevin Garnett present in the arena.
The banner ceremony marked the Celtics’ first championship since 2008, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in NBA history. Boston now holds a league-leading 18 championships. The 2023-24 campaign was one of the most dominant in franchise history, as the Celtics finished the regular season with a 64-18 record and cruised through the playoffs.
The Celtics lost only three games during the entire postseason, making it one of the most impressive runs in recent memory. Brown reflected on the journey, noting how the team had been working towards this goal since his rookie year.
The emotions surrounding the banner ceremony were understandable, as Brown had been a key contributor to Boston’s success. In the 2023-24 season, Brown signed a five-year contract extension worth $304 million, making it the richest deal in NBA history at the time. He was a second-team All-NBA selection, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s top players.
Brown’s contributions throughout the season, including his performance in the NBA Finals, were crucial to the Celtics’ championship run.
Brown and teammate Jayson Tatum made history during the Finals, becoming the first Celtics duo to each post at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in an NBA Finals game. They also broke the franchise record for the most 25-plus-point games by a duo in postseason history, surpassing the legendary pair of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
Despite the emotional weight of the banner ceremony, Brown and his teammates maintained their focus on the court. Brown emphasized that the ceremony symbolized passing the torch from the Celtics legends of the past to the current roster. “It was like passing the torch. I was fighting back the emotions to start the game, but this is what we set out on this journey to do since my rookie year,” Brown added.
