NBA honors Bill Walton with moving tribute before showdown between Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics

The NBA announced it will honor Bill Walton before Game 1 of the Finals.

NBA Hall of Famer Walton died on May 27 at age 71 after a courageous battle with cancer.

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Before Game 1 of the 2024 Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, which will be played at TD Garden, league commissioner Adam Silver announced that players would wear commemorative Walton jerseys during warmups.

Nike t-shirts feature ‘Walton’ on the front in a colorful tie-dye style font in honor of his great love for the Grateful Dead.

“The team was looking for a way to honor him tonight, and in addition to the pregame moment, the players will wear a special Bill Walton pitcher jersey,” Silver told reporters.

He also revealed that Walton’s wife, Lori, as well as his four sons, Adam, Nathan, Luke and Chris, will be in attendance.

Silver described Walton as “a great adventurer”, saying he “couldn’t think of a better ambassador for the NBA”.

Fans will also have the opportunity to honor Walton in Massachusetts, with the Celtics handing out circular pins with his name on top of a tie-dye backdrop.

Walton will forever be remembered as a legend in both college and professional basketball.

A UCLA icon, the 6-foot-5 center won two NCAA titles with the Bruins.

He was selected first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Walton’s 13-year playing career was spent with the Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Celtics – winning titles with Portland and Boston.

The two-time All-Star, who finished his playing career with two seasons in Boston, retired having been named 1977 Finals MVP, 1978 Finals MVP and the 1978 Sixth Man of the Year.

In 468 games, Walton averaged 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Walton became a beloved broadcaster for CBS, NBC, ABC and ESPN, where his colorful personality shined.

He also enjoyed working as a commentator for the Clippers and Sacramento Kings.

Along with his lasting impact on the NBA, both on and off the court, Walton also left his mark on the film industry.

Not only did Walton audition to play Chewbacca in Star Wars, but he also stated that the iconic character was inspired by him.

“I auditioned for Chewbacca and they said, ‘No, but we’re going to model the character after you,’” he said during an ESPN college basketball broadcast.

Walton, however, made the cut for a brief appearance in the original Ghostbusters film.

He would later make appearances in He Got Game, Little Nicky and The Sixth Man, among others.

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