BOSTON — Marcus Smart returned to TD Garden Saturday night, facing his former team, the Boston Celtics, for the first time as being traded.While the Memphis Grizzlies ultimately secured a 127-121 victory, the night was filled with emotion for Smart, who brought his 2-month-old son, Zayn, to experience the atmosphere of his former home court.
SmartS wife, Maisa, had their son courtside, introducing him to old friends and former teammates. ”It’s going to be something when he grows up I can show him and he can understand it as he gets older,” Smart shared with The Athletic.
Before tipoff, Smart posed for photos with Zayn and Maisa, capturing a moment he intends to share with his son in the future. “One day,” Smart said, “he can understand, he can see the impact his dad had on the city and on the team where he started his journey.”
Smart’s nine seasons with the celtics were marked by playoff appearances, including a finals run in 2022 and four Eastern Conference finals appearances. He ranks fourth in franchise history in career steals and fifth in made 3-pointers. Beyond his on-court contributions, Smart connected with the city through his fierce competitiveness, unwavering dedication, and community involvement.
“The ultimate Celtic,” said Jayson Tatum. “He’ll always be a Celtic for life.”
This marked Smart’s first game against the Celtics as the trade. He received a standing ovation when he entered the game in the first quarter, acknowledging the crowd with a raised arm before taking his defensive position against Tatum. The emotional weight of the night seemed to affect his performance, as he finished with just 3 points on 1-for-11 shooting.
Despite the trade,Smart has made peace with the Celtics’ decision and is now focused on his new chapter with the Grizzlies.
Marcus Smart’s return to Boston was more than just a game.It was a reunion, a chance for the former Celtics guard to reconnect with the city and the team that had become his family. While Smart now dons the Memphis grizzlies jersey,the echoes of his time in Boston resonated throughout TD Garden on Saturday night.
Smart, traded to Memphis in June as part of a three-team deal that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston, was greeted with a warm reception from Celtics fans. The trade, which also included two first-round picks, was a tough pill to swallow for Smart, who had envisioned a long career in green. “I wore my hair green,” Smart said, reflecting on his time in Boston. “I played the game with heart and unselfishness, two traits the city values most.”
Smart’s impact on the Celtics was undeniable. He helped transform a struggling franchise into a perennial contender. “The greatest legacy you can leave is to be someplace and it’s better off as you were there,” Brad Stevens, former Celtics president of basketball operations, told Smart after the trade. “And I think that everybody here feels that way.”
current celtics coach Joe Mazzulla echoed those sentiments. “I always say that the people who moved the Celtics forward are what make this job what it is,” Mazzulla said. “Even before I got here, he just put his mark on the city with the way the fans responded to him, the way his teammates cared about him. Just how hard he plays every night. So to me, it’s a chance to thank him for that and for the people that have come before us.”
Despite the bittersweet nature of facing his former team, Smart expressed genuine happiness for the Celtics’ championship victory in June, a feat he narrowly missed being a part of. “Obviously, you want to be a part of it, but sh– happens, excuse my French,” Smart said. “Sh– happens. You’ve just gotta move on. There’s no hard feelings. I know what those guys have been through. I know what thay’ve sacrificed. So I’m just proud to see that they finally reached their goal.”
The Celtics,playing their fifth game in seven nights,showed resilience against Memphis,battling back from a 14-point deficit in the second half. Despite shooting struggles and a late-game fade, their effort was commendable. “These are the games you’ve just gotta fight through it,” Jaylen Brown said. “Tough schedule, but we don’t make any excuses. We certainly know what the journey is about and we’re not skipping any steps. I thought we fought as a team. we didn’t let the rope go. We didn’t give up.”
For Smart and the Celtics, Saturday night was about more than just basketball. It was a chance to reconnect, to acknowledge the shared history and the enduring bonds forged on the court. ”Marcus is a family member at this point,” Brown said. ”So to be able to see him, congratulating him on him starting his family, et cetera, off the court, is amazing.”
While not everyone on the celtics had the opportunity to meet Smart’s newborn son, Zayn, the warmth and respect between the former teammates was palpable. The night served as a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections transcend the boundaries of the game.
boston celtics guard Marcus Smart experienced a night of pure joy on Saturday, celebrating a momentous personal milestone alongside the unwavering support of his team and the city he calls home.
Just hours before taking the court for a crucial game against the Miami Heat, Smart welcomed his first child into the world. While he couldn’t be physically present for the birth,Smart’s teammates ensured he felt connected to the momentous occasion. Teammate Derrick White shared a heartwarming anecdote, revealing that Smart’s fiancée, Maisa, had informed him of the baby’s arrival before the game.
“When you become a parent, you kind of want to show your kid off,” White said. “And I think he saw all of us become parents and then he entered into that world. And we’ve kind of seen him and Maisa’s relationship over the years. I wish I met him. I’m sure he’s adorable. Just congratulations to them both.”
the Celtics’ victory that night took on an even deeper meaning for Smart,who was visibly moved by the outpouring of love and support from his teammates and the Boston faithful. He acknowledged the significance of the moment, recognizing that this memory would forever be etched in his heart.
“I think my legacy is going to speak for itself,” Smart said. “I don’t know what the end of my legacy will be here, what story will be told. But I know I’ve done my part and I think I made a great enough impact that it should be a good one.”
(Top photo of Marcus Smart driving on Jayson Tatum: Winslow Townson / getty Images)
## A Celtic at heart: Marcus Smart’s Emotional Return to Boston
**World Today News sits down with Marcus Smart after his emotionally charged return to Boston, where he faced his former team, teh Celtics, for the first time since being traded.**
**World Today News:** Marcus, Welcome back to Boston. It was a night full of emotions. How did it feel stepping onto the court at TD Garden as a member of the memphis Grizzlies?
**Marcus Smart:** It was definately surreal. Boston will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my home for nine seasons. Hearing the cheers from the crowd was truly moving. Seeing old friends and teammates courtside, including the little guy, my son Zayn, made it even more special.
**WTN:** You brought your two-month-old son, Zayn, to the game. What do you hope he takes away from this experience when he’s older?
**MS:** I want him to understand the impact his dad had on this city, on this team. To see the love and respect I received tonight, it’ll be something unbelievable to share with him someday.
**WTN:** You were traded to Memphis in June. How are you navigating this new chapter in your career?
**MS:** It’s been an adjustment, there’s no doubt whatsoever. Leaving Boston after nine years wasn’t easy, but I’m embracing the chance with the Grizzlies. I’m focusing on helping Memphis win and continue to grow as a player.
**WTN:** You poured your heart and soul into the Celtics.What are some of the things you’ll miss most about playing in Boston?
**MS:** I’ll miss everything: the city, the fans, my teammates. I dedicated myself to this team and city. I played with passion and heart, and I beleive the fans appreciated that. I’ll cherish the memories of our playoff runs, the Eastern Conference Finals appearances, and the strong bond I built with everyone involved.
**WTN:** The Celtics’ championship win this past June was a bitter-sweet moment for you.
**MS:** Of course, you want to be a part of something like that. But seeing them achieve their goal after years of hard work made me incredibly proud. I’m happy for those guys, for Brad, for Danny Ainge. They deserve it.
**WTN:** What do you think your legacy will be with the celtics?
**MS:** I hope I’m remembered as a guy who gave it his all every night, a guy who represented the city with pride and passion.
**WTN:** What’s next for Marcus Smart?
**MS:** I’m excited about this new chapter with the Grizzlies. I want to help them become a contender. And I’ll always carry a piece of Boston with me, wherever I go.
**The Celtics recognized Smart’s contributions during an emotional pre-game ceremony. His former teammates, coaches, and the fans showed their appreciation for his dedication and impact on the franchise.As Marcus Smart embarks on this new journey, his legacy in Boston will undoubtedly endure.**
