By Tiffany Williams –
On Tuesday at TD Garden, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Governor Maura Healey, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Celtics & TD Garden leadership, and Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell came together to announce the exciting plans for the upcoming NBA Finals games between Boston and Dallas. The officials stated that they are thrilled to have the Celtics back in the finals and are looking forward to the upcoming home games and watch parties at TD Garden for away games.
Governor Maura Healey expressed her enthusiasm for the Celtics’ return to the finals and emphasized that the administration is working closely with the City and Celtics to ensure a wonderful and safe experience for all fans. She also encouraged everyone to come together to support the Celtics and create memorable moments for the state.
Mayor Wu announced that Canal Street in Boston will be designated as the Finals Hub for the first four games, providing an outdoor gathering place for fans to enjoy the playoffs. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the first two home and first two away games, allowing bars and restaurants to extend their capacity onto the street.
Additionally, the Celtics, in partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, will introduce the Hoopbus to Canal Street as part of the Finals Hub, further enhancing the fan experience.
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox shared the Boston Police Department’s preparations for the NBA Finals, emphasizing the importance of celebrating responsibly. He assured that there will be additional officers on hand to assist with public safety and traffic congestion, especially during street closures and peak times associated with the games.
Commissioner Cox also advised fans to purchase tickets from authorized vendors to avoid the risks associated with secondary sources, such as invalid or counterfeit tickets.
To accommodate the influx of fans, officials encouraged attendees to utilize public transportation, including the Commuter Rail, the Green Line, and Orange Line diversion shuttle buses, to reach TD Garden. It was also noted that portions of the Orange Line will be shut down for maintenance work, and attendees should plan their travel accordingly.