SUMMARY
- Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Terry, and several other former Celtics players were present at Game 1.
- Mark Wahlberg and his family were at the TD Garden alongside several NFL personalities.
It was a night to be celebrated for the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks fan bases as both teams have finally earned a shot at the title. Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals was a blowout with the Celtics away with the win as expected. Boston is the favorite to win the entire series as well. Even then, there is a long way to go before the series ends.
Shaquille O’Neal arrives at the NBA Finals:
“I don’t have a f**kin credential, I don’t need one…” 💀
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) June 6, 2024
Putting the game aside, there were quite a few celebrities in attendance at Game 1 at the TD Garden. Firstly, Shaquille O’Neal was present in the building. He played his final season with the Celtics in 2011. Tacko Fall, Duncan Robinson, and Andre Drummond were a few current NBA players who attended the game.
Former NBA stars and legends Dana Barron, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Jason Terry, and Kenny Anderson were also in attendance. Each of these players was a part of the Celtics organization while Terry played for both teams that are currently in the finals.
Mark Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy, Pep Guardiola, and multiple other sports personalities were at Celtics vs Mavericks Game 1
Not only was Game 1 of the Celtics vs Mavericks series graced by a chunk of NBA stars, but a few other celebrities were at the TD Garden supporting the C’s. Mark Wahlberg and his brother Donnie were supporting the Celtics at the Garden. The Wahlbergs have been loyal Celtics fans for years as they grew up in Dorchester. Donnie’s wife, Jenny McCarthy, was also with them. McCarthy famously appeared on Two and a Half Men, John Tucker Must Die, and The Masked Singer.
Mark Wahlberg in the building ☘️ pic.twitter.com/2Vtu45kof0
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 7, 2024
Multiple NFL personalities were also in the arena. Anfernee Jennings, Keion White, Matthew Judon, and Jonathan Jones of the New England Patriots were at the game. Zdeno Chara, Cam Neely, Jeffrey Lurie, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Mailata, Christian Wilkins, and Maxx Crosby were other notable NFL figures in attendance.
Pep in Boston for the NBA Finals ☘️🔥 pic.twitter.com/o34v5z5wNZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 7, 2024
Dana White paid a visit after a stellar UFC 302 showdown earlier this week. Pep Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City, and former UConn coach Geno Auriemma were present.
The Celtics honored Bill Walton’s family
On May 27, the NBA world lost a legend who not only was a great player but also stood as an influential figure in society, Bill Walton. The Celtics honored Bill ahead of tipoff while his family stood there in the bleachers. Walton played for them between 1985 and 1988. Celtics players also wore t-shirts that had “Walton” written on the front of them.
Before Game 1, the Celtics held a tribute and moment of silence for NBA legend Bill Walton. pic.twitter.com/8KmLWihnT2
— ESPN (@espn) June 7, 2024
Jeannine Russell, the wife of the greatest Celtic ever, Bill Russell was also present at the Garden. Russell holds the record for most titles won by an NBA player (11), and the Celtics won six more post his career.