Celtics Legend Travels 6,703 Miles Just to Witness Jayson Tatum & Co. Break Historic Record After 16 Years

It’s all celebrations for the Boston Celtics fans and the true ones would’ve done anything to witness the winning moments in person. The Mavericks saved themselves from an embarrassing clean sweep in Game 4. But Jayson Tatum and Co. eventually claimed the record 18th NBA championship for the franchise. And the man who contributed to one of these 18 wins — Ray Allen — has shared his journey of spreading love for the game in Asia to traveling all the way to Boston to be in attendance of his former team surpassing LA Lakers in the number of Championships.

Taking to his official IG account, Allen shared a series of photos, including the Celtics’ game to his own. Meanwhile, in the caption, he disclosed he traveled almost 6,703 miles from Japan to Boston “to catch game 5 and watch @celtics win their 18th NBA championship.”

The 2x NBA champ also shared that prior to Japan, he was in Singapore, where he met some NBA fans and partners of the league in Southeast Asia. According to The Strait Times, Allen was in Singapore, along with Gary Payton, for multiple events. This included a Jr. NBA coaching clinic at Dover Court International School, a fireside chat with the local basketball community at the Singapore Sports Institute, and a Game 3 viewing party at Funan Mall. 

Subsequently, the 10x All star traveled to Tokyo where he spent a week and witnessed Game 4 with the fans. As per The Japan Times, Mr. Basketball watched Game 4 in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. He also appeared as a special guest for Rakuten’s NBA Fest in Japan’s 2024 public viewing event.

After witnessing Jayson Tatum and Co. lose a clean sweep opportunity against the Mavs, it seems the 10x All-Star wanted to witness the Game 5 in person. “@nba_asia @rayray_jr3 and I left Tokyo at 7pm on Monday night and landed back in Boston…” wrote the 2008 NBA championship winner for the Celtics.

More than a decade since Celtics claimed a championship before 2024

The Celtics claimed their 17th championship on the same day back in 2008 and Ray Allen himself was on the winning roster. In fact, it was the popular trio of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett carrying the championship aspirations of the team back then.

“The New Big Three” did not disappoint, finishing regular season 66-12 and securing a 4-2 win in the finals series against Kobe Bryant‘s Lakers. However, this loss upset the Black Mamba, and he eventually made a comeback with two subsequent Championship wins. One of them was against the Celtics as well in 2010, and a third win in 2020.

Since then, both Lakers and Celtics were tied at 17-17 championship wins. But Jayson Tatum’s Celtics has now become the first ever team in NBA history to win 18 NBA championships. Now, it’s to be seen if the Lakers can again level the score next season. Considering the team has not reached even finals since 2020, expectations from the next head coach could be high.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.