On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise made a bold move by hiring Rick Pitino as both head coach and general manager in 1997. Pitino arrived with a reputation for success, having led the University of Kentucky to an NCAA championship and enjoyed a stint with the New York Knicks. However, his time in Boston proved to be a challenging chapter. Tasked with reviving a team mired in its longest losing streak, Pitino made several win-now decisions that didn't pan out. After four seasons, he stepped down with a 102-146 regular-season record—a .411 winning percentage—and never guided the Celtics to the playoffs.

This date also marks the final game of Dennis Johnson's storied career in 1990. In a Game 5 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Knicks, 121-114, Johnson delivered a memorable performance with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Pepperdine alum spent his last seven seasons in Boston, averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, cementing his legacy as a key contributor to the team's success.

We also celebrate the birthday of former Celtics shooting guard Oliver Lafayette, whose time with the team was notably brief. After signing a rest-of-season contract in April 2010, he appeared in just one game, scoring 7 points—a fleeting moment in Celtics lore.

Additionally, the 1968 NBA Expansion Draft took place on this day, as the league welcomed the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. The Celtics lost three players to the Bucks, including wing Tom Thacker. A champion at both the NCAA and NBA levels with Cincinnati and Boston, Thacker opted to play in the ABA instead, where he won another title with the Indiana Pacers. During his NBA career, he averaged 4.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.