BOSTON – The Boston Celtics are preparing to honor their recent NBA championship triumph one final time before shifting their focus toward the pursuit of another title.

In a special event on Tuesday evening, the franchise, known for its rich legacy, will unveil its 18th championship banner in the rafters of TD Garden prior to their season opener against the New York Knicks. This occasion will also feature a ceremony where players receive their championship rings.

“This is an incredible achievement for us, and it’s bound to be a memorable night,” remarked guard Payton Pritchard following Monday’s practice. “However, we’ve emphasized that we need to start over and continue our focus. We’ll get our rings, but then our goal is to go out there and show we’re ready to make a statement again.”

Last season, the Celtics dominated the NBA regular season, wrapping it up with the best record in the Eastern Conference, finishing 14 games ahead of their nearest rivals. Their playoff journey was equally impressive, concluding with a 16-3 record. With core players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown returning alongside the entire starting five and much of the bench, the Celtics are widely expected to be serious contenders for the title yet again.

Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has indicated that he does not feel stressed about the task of repeating as champions.

“We’re all going to be gone eventually, and in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. So there’s zero pressure,” he explained. “It’s an opportunity to further the organization’s legacy, to reinforce the rich tradition associated with this team. What else would people expect but for us to strive for victory continually? This isn’t pressure at all,” he continued in a statement to reporters at the team’s facility. “My identity, both as a person and a coach, isn’t defined by anyone outside this circle. We either win or we don’t, and in 40 years none of you will be at my funeral, so that’s that.”

The Celtics have a storied history, with 16 championships between 1957 and 1986. Legendary Bill Russell led the way with 11 titles in just 13 years. Teams in the 1970s, featuring players like Dave Cowens and John Havlicek, secured two championships, while the 1980s saw the Big Three of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale take home three more titles.

The 2008 victory by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen marked the end of the franchise’s longest title drought. Although they reached the NBA Finals again two years later, they fell short against the Lakers. (The stretch from 2008 to 2024 is recognized as the second-longest drought.)

Pritchard noted that to cement their legacy among the greats of the Celtics, they must win again.

“A lot of teams can claim a single championship,” Pritchard pointed out. “I acknowledge how challenging it is to win a title, but many have done it at least once. However, securing multiple championships and forming a dynasty is a true measure of greatness, and that’s our goal.”

The Celtics’ journey for another title begins against the Knicks, who have bolstered their roster with the acquisitions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges during the offseason.

Mazzulla expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the upcoming challenge.

“I have faith in who they are as players. They understand both what we have achieved and what we’re aiming for,” the coach stated. “The intangible aspects of winning should carry over from one season to the next.”

“You need to appreciate what you’ve accomplished,” he added. “But you must also remember what led you to success; forgetting those key components will hinder your ability to return to that pinnacle.”