Tommy Heinsohn, who has been absent from Celtics broadcasts on NBC Sports Boston the past few weeks with an illness, will be part of the broadcast Friday when the Celtics host the Mavericks, though not in the usual way.
Heinsohn, 84, will call in during the broadcast to offer his insights on the team during the second quarter.
The legendary Celtics player, coach, and television analyst — he has been Mike Gorman’s partner on regional Celtics broadcasts since 1980 — has not been on NBC Sports Boston’s coverage since late November.