Jayson Tatum’s opening-night game winner. Kyrie Irving’s return to TD Garden. Tacko Fall dunking on one end and blocking Robin Lopez from behind on the other. Jaylen Brown dropping 42 points on Memphis. Throw it all the way back to Marcus Smart’s series-saving block Norman Powell to win Game 7 against the Raptors.
Several unforgettable moments that crowd reactions would cement in Celtics lore have become murkier by way of absent witnesses and COVID fog through the quarter point of this season. Few can say they were there for that.
January marked 10 months without fans in NBA stadiums, casting cool air, muted sideline responses and gaping rows of seats as a backdrop for an incredible time in Boston basketball.