The Boston Celtics were routed 121-99 by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, but the game isn’t what Celtics fans in attendance will remember of the evening. The ensuing ceremony, in which beloved former Celtic Paul Pierce had his no. 34 jersey retired, wiped the ugly loss from the minds of everybody in TD Garden.
In case you missed it, here’s full video of the ceremony, featuring speeches from Pierce, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, Celtics GM Danny Ainge, former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and more, plus an emotional tribute video for Pierce.
All of the core members of the Celtics’ 2008 championship squad – save for Ray Allen, who was golfing – were in attendance to see their teammate, captain and friend’s jersey be retired.
Pierce was drafted 10th overall by the Celtics in 1998 and played in Boston until 2013, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for a slew of draft picks.
Pierce was an integral part of the Celtics and holds the following indelible marks on Celtics history:
- Played 1102 games (third)
- Played 40,360 minutes (third)
- Scored 24,021 points (second)
- Made 1,823 3-pointers (first)
- Made 6,434 free throws (frst)
- Dished out 4,305 assists (fifth)
- Recorded 1,583 steals (first)
- Blocked 668 shots (fourth)
#ThankYouPaul
