The Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday night to win the franchise's 18th championship.
On Friday, it was time to celebrate.
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The Celtics celebrated their win in what has become standard Boston fashion, joined by a crowd of over a million people for a duck boat parade through the city to mark the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises.
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The Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins have all commemorated championships in recent years by jumping aboard the duck boats — amphibious vehicles usually used to show tourists the town sights.
Firing up the duck boats for a slow cruise down city streets has become synonymous with its feeling of sports supremacy. Friday's parade was the latest component of what has been a rolling salute to the team since it cemented itself as the kings of the NBA on Monday night by finishing off the Mavericks in five games.
“It’s unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem true. But just trying to stay in the moment,” All-Star Jayson Tatum said during a pre-parade rally at the Garden.
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck gave fans an early treat about 90 minutes before the trade began.
He was attempting to drive to the arena with the Larry O'Brien Trophy and newly made 2024 championship banner along with his wife, Emilia Fazzalari, and their daughter.
They couldn’t get through because of traffic and barricades. So they walked a half-mile down Causeway Street, passing by a sea of fans while carrying the trophy and banner.
Inside the Garden, the rally included players and their family members, members of the Celtics organization, arena staff, season ticket holders and guests including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Jaylen Brown said Friday the theme for this year’s team was unity.
“Whatever it took for us to win, that’s what I was willing to do,” Brown said.
The parade started at TD Garden at 11 a.m., and lasted a little over 90 minutes, turning first onto Causeway Street in front of arena, traveling past city hall, through Boston Common, down Boylston Street and eventually ending at Hynes Convention Center.
Watch the whole Celtics duck boat parade
You can watch NBC10 Boston's full broadcast of the parade in the video player above or the YouTube player below:
More parade highlights
For a minute-by-minute look at some of the best social media moments from Friday's parade, check out NBC Sports Boston's live blog.
