Big names from the sports and entertainment world flocked to TD Garden in Boston for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Shaquille O’Neal studied his phone. Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban was spotted courtside ahead of the game.
Cuban has been a common sight at Mavs games for decades and he’s still close to the team despite selling a majority stake in December 2023.
Jason Terry, a champion with the 2011 Mavericks, was also in attendance. He effectively helped seal that series for the Mavs with a game-high 27 points in the series clincher 13 years ago. Terry also went on to play one season for the Celtics after his time in Dallas.
Two Celtics legends were represented at Game 1. Bill Russell’s wife Jeannine Russell was there, as was Bill Walton’s family. The legendary big man died May 27 and he was honored in the arena before the game.
Actor Mark Wahlberg, a Boston native, was in attendance to support the home team. His brother actor Donnie Wahlberg was there with his wife as well, actress and model Jenny McCarthy.
A couple of coaching legends were in attendance too with UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The soccer legend exchanged jerseys with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla at a practice ahead of the series.
A bevy of professional athletes were also in attendance. NFL Pro Bowlers Jalen Hurts, Maxx Crosby, Matthew Judon and others were there. Several former Celtics, among them Eddie House, Tacko Fall and Dana Barros, also returned to the Garden to catch the series opener.