BOSTON – Prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Celtics paid tribute to the late great Bill Walton.

Walton, who was 71, died late last month after a prolonged battle with cancer.

With his family on hand, the Celtics held a moment of silence for the legend, and provided a video tribute celebrating his legacy.

Also during the Finals, the Celtics are wearing special shooting shirts to honor Bill Walton, featuring a nod to him with a tie dye detail on the front.

The players also had a black band with WALTON on their jerseys and will wear it throughout the NBA Finals. Lapel pins were also worn by the Celtics’ coaching staff on the bench during Game 1.

Walton was a legendary force in the basketball world at both the collegiate and NBA level. He won multiple championships on both fronts.

He captured a pair of NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973 while leading UCLA on a 88-game winning streak over multiple seasons. After the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft, he went on to win a title with the Blazers and a Finals MVP in 1977 before foot injuries derailed a large chunk of his career with the Clippers.

In 1985, he was acquired by the Celtics where he enjoyed a career resurgence.

He was part of the 1986 that won a title. That year, he also earned the Sixth Man of the Year award, playing as the backup to Robert Parish.

Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and was also selected to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Following his playing career, Walton was a well-respected color commentator and studio analyst for NBA and college basketball.

During the conference finals, the Indiana Pacers paid tribute to Walton prior to Game 4 of that series.

He was a beloved figure and had a lasting impact on the game.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver opened his press conference by talking about Walton. Here’s what he said.

“I want to begin with someone who is a familiar face at the Finals, and that’s Bill Walton, who we lost last week. Of course, Bill won two championships but also covered multiple NBA Finals for NBC and then ABC. He and his wife, Lori, often sat, as many of you remember, at these press conferences, usually somewhere over there. I’m thrilled that Lori Walton is going to actually be at the game tonight, and Bill’s four sons are going to be here, as well.

The (Celtics) team was looking for a way to honor him tonight, and in addition to a pregame moment, the (Celtics) players are going to be wearing a special Bill Walton shooting shirt. So you’re going to be seeing these shortly. The guys are going to be coming out and warming up in this jersey. We’re happy about that.

In addition, Bill was someone who became a very close friend in the over the 30 years that I’ve been with the league. Many of you in this room have been covering the league for a long time, as well, and he traveled with us everywhere we went. I remember the first time we played in China, in 2004, being on the Great Wall with him. He was quite an adventurer. I can’t think of a better ambassador for the NBA than Bill. He enjoyed talking to every single person.

Increasingly, internationally who understood he must have played basketball, wasn’t quite sure who he was, and he would explain to them.

But even some of you know, right up until this past season, he was working. He was doing an alternate telecast with us called Throw It Down, and even Bill sort of continued to cover the game, couldn’t stop complimenting the current players. I think he saw the staggering ability of these young guys and was constantly complimenting them. Every generation of young player came to know him. And just lastly say he’ll be (missed), and my condolences to Lori and his four boys. It’s a sad moment in the league.”