The Indiana Pacers paid tribute to Bill Walton before their playoff game against the Celtics on Monday night following the death of the former Boston center at age 71.
Walton, who won the NBA championship with the Celtics in 1986, died surrounded by his family on Monday after a battle with cancer.
He was a two-time NBA champion and won his first title with the Portland Trail Blazers before adding another in Boston.
The former UCLA star was also one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, winning three consecutive national college player of the year awards from 1972 to 1974 and two NCAA titles with the Bruins.
Before its Game 4 battle with Boston at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana held a moment of silence to remember Walton following his death on Monday.
The Indiana Pacers paid tribute to Bill Walton before their playoff game against the Celtics
Former Celtics center Walton (left, playing for Boston in 1985) died while surrounded by his family on Monday following a battle with cancer.
Walton’s NBA career, cut short by chronic foot injuries, lasted just 468 games with Portland, San Diego and, eventually, the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston. He averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in those games.
His most famous game was the 1973 NCAA title game, UCLA vs. Memphis, in which he shot an incredible 21 of 22 from the field and led the Bruins to another national championship.
Walton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft and won his first NBA championship with the Trail Blazers three years later. He was the NBA MVP in the 1977-78 season.
After struggling with those foot problems, Walton’s career took off again when he was traded to the Celtics for Cedric Maxwell in 1985 for two seasons. Along with Larry Bird, Walton won his second NBA championship in 1986.
After retiring, he overcame a stutter to thrive in front of the microphone, winning a Sports Emmy in 1991 and being named one of the 50 Greatest Sportscasters of All Time in 2009.
Walton originally joined ESPN and ABC in 2002 as a lead analyst for NBA games before moving to college basketball in 2012.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle participated in a moment of silence for Walton before Monday’s game.
Walton (right) was part of the Boston Celtics team that won the 1986 NBA Championship.
After his playing career, he moved into commentary and won a Sports Emmy in 1991.
Larry Bird (center) was one of many who paid tribute to his former Celtics teammate (left)
During a long career in broadcasting, he also worked for CBS and NBC.
Tributes poured in for Walton following the news of his death on Monday, including from his former Celtics teammate Bird.
“I’m very sorry to hear about my good friend, Bill Walton,” Bird said. “I love him as a friend and teammate. It was exciting for me to play with my childhood idol and together we won an NBA championship in 1986. He is one of the best to ever play the game.
“I’m sure all of my teammates are as grateful as I am to have been able to meet Bill. It was a great pleasure meeting him and he will be deeply missed.” My family and I extend our deepest condolences to the Walton family.
Former US President Barack Obama took to social media to pay his respects to Walton, calling him “one of the greatest basketball players of all time.”
“Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time: a champion at every level and the embodiment of selfless team play,” Obama wrote.
Former US President Barack Obama took to social media to pay his respects to Walton.
Walton and former teammates Kevin McHale (left) and Danny Ainge (right) were honored by the Celtics in 2016.
The NBA Hall of Famer is survived by his wife Lori and sons Adam, Nate, Luke and Chris.
‘He was also a wonderful spirit full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are poorer for his death and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.”
NBA legend Julius Erving also shared a photo of himself with Walton.
“Today I am saddened to know that my comrade and one of the most beloved champions and characters in the world of sports has passed away,” he wrote in X.
‘Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. Competing against him and working with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss, Walton family. We will miss him too. Doc.’
