Celtics mascot Lucky passes the ball around with Mayor Michelle Wu during a safety press conference at TD Garden ahead of the NBA Finals. (Nancy Lane / Boston Herald)
As the Celtics and their excited fans prepare for their return to the NBA Finals, with Game 1 beginning Thursday night, team officials, along with state and city leaders, announced that Green will host a first-ever viewing party at TD Garden during Games 3 and 4, scheduled for Dallas.
For the first time in Garden history, fans will be able to host a viewing party at Causeway Street Arena and enjoy the same in-game entertainment festivities as Celtics home games, including concession stands, Lucky the Leprechaun and merchandise sales.
Fans who want to attend the event can purchase tickets when they go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. TD Garden President Glenn Thornborough told the Herald on the parquet floor Tuesday that about 1,800 tickets will be distributed to local charities.
Season ticket holders will have priority access to the watch party with exclusive tickets going on sale Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
“What has amazed us the last few years that we've had playoff games is the enthusiasm and excitement of our fans,” Thornborough said. “We're looking forward to opening up our building and having a great turnout to enjoy the occasion.”
Tickets will be $18 and parking in the North Station Garage will also cost $18 “to celebrate the Celtics' 18th championship,” officials said in a statement.
Filling the Garden with fans during the Celtics and Bruins' Finals and Stanley Cup road trips is a concept arena officials have toyed with for the past decade, Thornborough said.
Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs and Mayor Michelle Wu have facilitated the discussions, and Garden officials have worked with the Celtics to see if it's feasible, Thornborough said, adding that the “copycat” version would require “the same amount of work” as an actual home game, including security, concessions and ushers.
“We're not going to miss the opportunity to come together and watch the Celtics play what they do best,” Wu said.
Game 3 is next Wednesday, and Game 4 is next Friday. Fans attending viewing parties can enter through the Garden doors beginning at 7:30 a.m., one hour before kickoff in Dallas.
Thornborough said if the series continues through Game 6 on June 20, there will be no watch party at the Garden because the arena is already booked for rapper A. Boogie wit da Hoodie.
City Hall officials unfurled a giant green banner from the building's fifth-floor balcony on the Congress Street side facing Faneuil Hall, a testament to the Celtic pride that is palpable throughout Boston.
“We're a championship city. We know our sports, we root for our teams, we love them,” Wu said. “The Celtics in particular are beloved in Boston because they're so aggressive off the court. … They deserve this honor. They've earned it. They're a great team.”
Wu noted that players show up at Boston public schools throughout the season and go out to parks “unannounced” in the summer to watch kids from around the city play basketball.
“They've really gone above and beyond with us to support the community,” Celtics co-owner Steven Pagliuca said in paying tribute to Wu and Gov. Maura Healey. “Our players give more hours of their time each year to community work than any other NBA team, and we're really proud of that.”
Canal Street will return to playoff central on Thursday when the Celtics host the Mavericks for Game 1. Boston police will close the road from 4 p.m. until midnight, and officials are encouraging fans to use public transportation in anticipation of increased traffic.
Police Commissioner Michael Cox has advised fans using ride-share services to get to and from the arena to pick up and drop off vehicles away from Causeway Street due to expected large crowds, and to use caution when purchasing tickets on the secondary market.
“We've been here before,” Cox said, “and as a city, we're expected to act like it. We know we have a winning team here, and we know we have fans who would love to win.”
TD Garden chef Jason Gorman had Celtics legend and radio announcer Cedric Maxwell on his shoulders as he unveiled the special food and drink offerings that will be available throughout the series.
Menu items include the “Smoked the Marbs” cheese quesadilla with pico de gallo, jalapeño and Monterey Jack, and the “North Ender” chicken parmesan sandwich with pesto, fresh mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes.
“Every time the team moves forward, we always strive to elevate the quality and creativity of our food,” Gorman said. “We really try to think outside the box.”
Healy, a basketball fanatic himself, had a hard time containing his excitement during Tuesday's performance at the Garden, wearing a green Celtics T-shirt under a sports jacket.
“Kids who grow up here in New England grow up on the legends and lore of the Celtics,” the governor said. “It's part of our DNA. It's a part of who we are.”
Wyck Grousbeck, part of the ownership group that bought the team in 2003, emphasized that this will be his fourth Finals, noting that the Celtics beat the Lakers in 2008 before losing two years later.
Boston then lost to Golden State in 2022.
“We're hungry for Banner 18,” Grousbeck said. “The players are working together, playing as one, playing with Celtic pride and I'm excited to see what happens.”
