Celtics Unveil Details About Dazzling Championship Rings On Banner Night

BOSTON — Following four months of much-deserved relaxation, offseason transactions and preseason preparation, the Celtics finally returned home to give their fans what they’ve waited 16 years for: a record-setting 18th championship.

Moments before hosting the new-look New York Knicks, the Celtics were presented with their championship rings, which feature 16 emerald cut diamonds to represent the team’s 16 playoff victories, 80 white diamonds for the team’s 80 combined wins during the regular season and postseason and an NFC chip — allowing the recipient to put their phone against the wood parquet on the inside of the ring to reveal a video of each person’s ring and how it was produced.

“On behalf of me, my teammates and the organization, we couldn’t have done it without you lastly,” Tatum told the fans in attendance. “Let’s enjoy this moment together. I can honestly say, the best fans in the world. Let’s do it again.”

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla embraced the moment by kissing Boston’s parquet floor upon being presented with his championship ring. He became the youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals since icon Bill Russell did so in 1969 as a player-coach.

“Fans, the statistics do not lie. You are looking at one of the finest teams ever assembled in the history of the NBA,” team governor and CEO Wyc Grousbeck told the fans. “They have multiple All-Stars and All-NBA players, incredible teamwork and they have the most efficient No. 1 offense in the 78-year history of the NBA. We went 37-4 at home, 16-3 in the playoffs and we won Banner 18.”

Grousbeck continued: “This team had a great coaching staff led by Joe, Brad (Stevens) and the great front office and they had you, the best fans in Boston. The fans in sports! We won this banner together, this is your banner too.”

Boston also had a handful of Celtics legends in the building for the once-in-a-lifetime moment, from Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to 96-year-old Bob Cousy. It was a long-awaited journey to reclaim the spot as the most successful NBA franchise but ended with an unforgettable cherry-on-top ceremony to begin a clean slate.