Marcus Smart receives a standing ovation at TD Garden
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Marcus Smart receives a standing ovation at TD Garden

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Celtics

Smart returned to Boston last season in street clothes, but took the TD Garden floor as an opponent for the first time on Saturday.

Marcus Smart receives a standing ovation at TD Garden

Marcus Smart received a warm welcome at the TD Garden. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

When Marcus Smart made an emotional return to TD Garden last season for the first time since joining the Memphis Grizzlies, he was wearing street clothes.

Smart suffered an injury and was unable to play in that match against Boston, but received a memorable tribute video before the contest.

On Saturday night, Smart was able to get into the game and grace the TD Garden floor for the first time as a member of another team. Celtics fans made sure he still gave him the standing ovation he deserved as a fan favorite in Boston for years to come.

Smart responded as he checked in with an appreciative wave to the crowd.

Watch the TD Garden crowd erupt at Smart’s entrance four minutes into the game:

Smart played nine seasons for the Celtics and was instrumental in developing the team’s defensive identity. Before his return to the floor in Boston, Jayson Tatum called Smart “the ultimate Celtic.” The feisty guard played for an NBA championship against the Golden State Warriors with Boston in 2022 and also won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the green and white.

Smart was tipped last offseason as the key player who brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. Porzingis was the anchor for Boston during its championship run in 2023-24.

Despite being with a different team for two seasons, there is clearly still a lot of love in the air for Smart at Causeway Street.

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