Playing in the first NBA Finals since the death of Bill Walton, the Celtics honored the member of the 1986 championship team in several ways prior to and during Game 1.
Boston players donned special Walton-themed “shooting shirts” during warmups. The shirts bore tie dye writing in a reference to the Hall of Fame center (a favorite style of his as a Grateful Dead fan).
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the move prior to warmups:
“The team was looking for a way to honor him tonight, and in addition to a pregame moment, the players will be wearing a special Bill Walton shooting shirt,” Silver explained.