BREAKING NEWS: Excitments TD Garden Stadium as former Los Angeles Lakers legend Larry Bird has officially Returned to his former team as a senior coaching….see more
BREAKING NEWS: Excitement at TD Garden as Lakers Legend Larry Bird Returns to Celtics as Senior Coach
Boston, MA — June 8, 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the basketball world, former Los Angeles Lakers rival and NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird has made a stunning return to the Boston Celtics — this time not as a player, but as a senior member of the coaching staff. The announcement came earlier today at a packed press conference held at TD Garden, where fans, media, and Celtics legends gathered in celebration.
Bird, 68, who spent his entire playing career with the Celtics from 1979 to 1992, was a cornerstone of the franchise’s dominance during the 1980s. Known for his unmatched basketball IQ, clutch shooting, and intense rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Lakers, Bird’s return marks a symbolic and strategic move for the Celtics organization.
“I never really left,” Bird said with a smile. “Boston has always been home. When the opportunity came to return in a meaningful way, I couldn’t say no. I believe in this team, in this city, and in the championship culture we built here.”
Bird’s new role as Senior Coaching Advisor will see him working closely with head coach Joe Mazzulla, mentoring young players, and helping shape game strategies. While Bird has previously held front office and coaching roles with the Indiana Pacers — even leading them to the NBA Finals in 2000 — this marks his first official return to the Celtics since his retirement as a player.
The Celtics, fresh off a deep playoff run, are poised to contend again next season, and Bird’s arrival only adds to the optimism. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens called the move “transformational,” emphasizing Bird’s ability to elevate both the mental and tactical aspects of the game.
“This is about bringing championship DNA into the building every day,” Stevens said. “Larry Bird is more than a legend — he’s a competitor, a teacher, and a winner. His presence will raise the bar for everyone.”
Fans reacted with overwhelming enthusiasm. Social media lit up with clips of Bird’s iconic moments — from his dazzling passes to unforgettable buzzer-beaters — and TD Garden was buzzing with chants of “Larry! Larry!” during the press event.
Despite his storied rivalry with the Lakers, Bird has always been a Celtic through and through. The humorous mix-up in early reporting, mistakenly calling him a “former Lakers legend,” quickly became a meme, with fans jokingly tweeting, “Bird in purple and gold? That’s a technical foul!”
In a league that often sees legends drift into retirement quietly, Bird’s decision to re-engage with the Celtics offers a rare and nostalgic twist — one that reconnects the team’s golden past with its promising future.
With Bird back in the building, expectations are sky-high. The Celtics are hoping that the return of “Larry Legend” will inspire the next generation — and perhaps bring Banner 18 to the rafters of TD Garden.
