The lights at TD Garden turned out, the man of the hour walked down the tunnel as his fans awaited.
And then, one more time: "Everyone, please welcome, 6-7, from Kansas, the captain, and the truth, number 34, Paul Pierce!" Celtics PA announcer Eddie Palladino shouted.
On an emotional night at the Garden, Pierce was honored as the Celtics legend joined immortality among the franchise's greats, his No. 34 raised to the rafters.
During an hour-long ceremony, Pierce sat with his family alongside to his right and the NBA Finals trophy to his left, and he had friends and fellow legends watching.