Starting 5 Daily Newsletter

Starting 5, June 21: Celtics' parade today in Boston

The Celtics will celebrate their 18th NBA championship in Boston starting at 11 a.m. ET, streaming live for free on the NBA App.

Updated on June 21, 2024 1:10 PM

Next Stop: Causeway Street

THE LINEUP 🏀

What’s inside today’s edition?

Boston Parade: When, where and how to watch today’s Celtics parade in Boston

Parade Moments: Classic memories, quotes and dance moves from past parades

Chasing History: Relive Boston’s road to the title over 11 chapters of exclusive access

Social Reactions: How the sports world reacted to Boston’s 18th championship

Parade Frames: Some of our favorite images from past championship parades

1. TODAY AT 11 A.M. ET: CELTICS’ PARADE

The Celtics will celebrate their 18th NBA championship with their fans in Boston today, starting at 11 a.m. ET – streaming live for free on the NBA App and NBA.com starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The Celtics will take part in a duck boat parade to commemorate their most recent championship, which the team clinched on Monday with a 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals.

The parade will begin on Causeway Street and wind through several downtown Boston streets before ending at the Hynes Convention Center.

The complete route can be seen below:

The party began on the court as green and white confetti danced in the air and the Celtics players and coaches celebrated with each other and their loved ones.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were mic’d up for the game, allowing us to hear their reactions to fulfilling their title dreams in real time.

🗣️ “We did it!” – Listen as Tatum celebrates the moment with his son, Deuce, and his mother
🗣 “I told you I’d get you a ring!” – Listen as Brown celebrates with a teammate and a New Kid
🗣 “You brought the best out of me.” – Listen as Brown and Luka Doncic meet after a hard-fought series

The celebration continued in the locker room with champagne showers, a victory cigar and plenty of photos. | See the best moments

Today, the celebration hits the streets of Boston with officials expecting up to a million fans in attendance to commemorate the first Celtics title in 16 years.

2. ALL-TIME GREAT PARADE MOMENTS

The Celtics parade is mere hours away.

But before the Cs stroll through the Boston streets, take a trip down memory lane with some of the most iconic championship parade moments in league history.

2006: Heat Coach Pat Riley shows off the moves

2014: Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich counts his rings

2013: The King overlooks his South Beach kingdom

2001: Mark Madsen dances behind a rapping Shaq

2022: Steph shows off his first Finals MVP trophy and his fourth Larry O’Brien

2021: Giannis replicates his free-throw routine from the bus

2011: Dirk waves the Texas flag as the Mavs celebrate their first banner

🗣️ Quotables

Steve Kerr’s Legendary Speech (Bulls, 1997): “I guess I gotta bail Michael out again.” 😂
Shaq’s Famous Question (Lakers, 2000): “We wanna get another one next year … Can you dig it?!”
Kawhi’s Last Laugh (Raptors, 2019): “Aha Ha Ha Ha.”
Jokic In His Happy Place (Nuggets, 2023): “I want to stay on parade.”
Bill Walton Loses His Bike (Blazers, 1977): “I just want to make sure that the guy that took my bike … I want to make sure that guy brings it back to me. I mean, it’s the only bike I have.”
Pat Riley’s Guarantee (Lakers, 1987): “I’m guaranteeing everyone here: next year, we’re going to win it again.”
Larry Bird To Boston (Celtics, 1981): “There’s only one place I’d rather be… French Lick.”

3. INSIDE LOOK AT BOSTON’S TITLE RUN

From the opening tip of the SoFi Play-In Tournament until the confetti settled on the parquet floor at TD Garden, our all-access cameras captured the 2024 postseason with Chasing History.

Relive the Celtics’ run to 16 wins, beginning with their opening round matchup against longtime Playoff rival Miami.

Ep. 3: Opening Weekend In The East: Boston took the first step toward the title with a Game 1 win over Miami
Ep. 10: Celtics, Cavs Advance: Tatum and the Celtics eliminated the Heat in five games despite losing Porzingis in Game 4

The Celtics and Cavs squared off in the second round in their first Playoff matchup since 2018.

Ep. 12: Celtics Start Hot: After closing the first round with a 34-point win, the Cs rolled to a 25-point win to open the East Semis
Ep. 13: Celtics Advance Again: Jaylen Brown takes on a bigger leadership role to help Boston reach its third straight East Finals

The East Finals presented a matchup of an experienced Celtics team and an up-and-coming Pacers squad.

Ep. 17: Celtics Start Strong: After dropping Game 2 in each of the first two rounds, Boston defended home court to take a 2-0 lead
Ep. 19: Celtics Clinch In 4: Led by Jayson Tatum and ECF MVP Jaylen Brown, the Celtics pulled off a pair of comeback wins to sweep the Pacers and advance to the Finals

Every game of the Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks was a story unto itself, with Chasing History giving us a game-by-game look.

Ep. 21: Celtics Roll In Game 1: Kristaps Porzingis’ big return and Boston’s defense on Luka and Kyrie to secure a 1-0 advantage
Ep. 22: Celtics Protect Home Court: Jrue Holiday scored 26, Derrick White had a key chasedown block as Boston took a 2-0 lead
Ep. 23: Celtics Take Command: Tatum and Brown led the Cs as they halted repeated runs by Dallas to grab a 3-0 Finals lead
Ep. 24: Mavs Strike Back: Led by Luka’s 29 points, Dallas refused to go quietly, delivering a 122-84 masterpiece to force Game 5
Ep. 25: Celtics Clinch Banner 18: Tatum and Finals MVP Brown closed out Dallas in Game 5 to secure Boston’s 18th title

4. SPORTS WORLD REACTS TO CELTICS’ TITLE

The duck boats won’t hit the road until later today, but Boston has already begun celebrating the Celtics’ record 18th championship.

Monday marked a historic day in NBA lore, and the Cs’ unprecedented title captivated fans around the globe, from past Celtic greats to rival Laker legends.

Paul Pierce: “Congratulations to the 23-24 NBA Champions My Boston Celtics.”
Kevin Garnett: “☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ LET’S GOOOO!!!!”
Magic Johnson: “I hate that the Celtics officially have more championships than us now 🙄.”

Jaylen Brown earning Finals MVP left many fans and former players smiling, as past NBA champions offered their congratulations to the eight-year vet for summiting the mountain top.

Kendrick Perkins: “No all NBA and swept the Playoff MVPs. Legendary! Jaylen ‘Appreciated’ Brown.”
Isiah Thomas: “Congratulations Jaylen Brown you are now a champion and MVP, I am so very happy for you!”
Pierce: “Omg Jaylen Brown what a year love u little bro from one finals MVP to Another wow.”

And Boston’s title didn’t just capture the basketball world’s attention — it also unified New England sports, as other teams, athletes and coaches hopped on X to boast about the latest banner in Beantown.

Tom Brady: “Another one in Boston ☘️.”
Julian Edelman: “🏆(x18)”
Boston Bruins: “BANNER 18 ✅ Congrats, Celtics!!!”
Connecticut Sun: “Congratulations to the Celtics for winning the 2024 NBA Championship! Bringing home the GOLD 🏆.”