Iconic Boston Announcer Mike Gorman Receives Befitting Ovation After Final Call in Celtics’ Victory Against Heat

“Burries it, right in Harrington’s face!”, as a Boston Celtics faithful, try and admit this line doesn’t ring a bell! Yes, it belongs to Mike Gorman. And the veteran play-by-play commentator decided to call it a day after a special showcase by the Cs. Launching his career back in 1981, he admitted “There’s no place I would rather have been”, as he laid the mic down one last time. Heartwarmingly, Gorman received a teary-eyed farewell from everyone in the arena.

After Game 5 of the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat playoff clash, the giant screen over at TD Garden in Boston displayed a ‘Thank You Mike’ message on its screen, as the crowd rose as one in applause to thank the man for his years of service. Gorman himself kept standing as both Miami and Boston fans forgot their rivalry for those few minutes. In his final game too, he made sure to add some memorable moments that would bring a smile to the viewers’ faces.

When a technical foul was called against Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro, he roasted the player by saying “A technical foul called on Herro, who threw the ball at (Payton) Pritchard because Pritchard plays hard and he (Herro) doesn’t”. The Celtics, in return, delivered once again for the commentator and other fans by defeating the Heat for a fourth time. Thanks to this score, they will now head to Round 2. Moving the spotlight back on Gorman, along with the standing ovation, the night carried various other emotional moments.

After the final buzzer went off, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla proceeded to walk towards the man himself and share a warm handshake. Mazzulla had earlier stated on quite a few occasions how he grew up watching Gorman give his commentary on Celtics games.

Mike Gorman’s emotional final ‘sign off’

After the game, the Celtics proceeded to highlight a tribute video for Mike Gorman, which carried messages from legends like Paul Pierce, the crew over at ‘NBA on TNT’, etc. Once it concluded, it was time for the man to deliver his final words. He proceeded to call it an “honor” and a “distinct pleasure” to have been a part of the franchise for more than half his life. While thanking the ‘ownership’ as a whole, he mentioned two individuals who had been by his side throughout.

“Special thanks to all who welcomed Tommy (Heinsohn), Scal (Brian Scalabrine), and me into your homes all winter long. When it was a cold night outside, you turned us on, and it just couldn’t have been better,” Gorman concluded.

Tommy Heinsohn was Gorman’s long-time broadcast partner who sadly passed away back in 2020. Together, the duo called out the epic games of players like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, etc. Brian Scalabrine is an analyst and Heinsohn’s successor, who started calling home games alongside Gorman. During the standing ovation, the 76-year-old was getting uncomfortable by the length of it and even joked about it wrapping up.

However, Scalabrine highlighted his wish to not let the tribute die out soon, stating, “Come on, Mike – 43 years. All these people have listened to you countless times.” It’s not easy for sports fans to see a prominent chapter in the NBA books come to a close. However, by keeping the good times in the back of your head, it’s easy to turn that sadness into a warm smile. For Mike Gorman, that’s what fans chose to do.