Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics in the game against the Utah Jazz at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., December 15, 2008. /CFP
The Boston Celtics will retire the No. 5 jersey of Kevin Garnett in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at home on March 13, 2022, the team announced on Saturday.
The Celtics first revealed the decision to retire KG's number in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 13, 2020. The team did not specify the date back then, but there were reasons to believe the retiring ceremony wouldn't happen until 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I'm honored and thankful to have my number retired with the Celtics. I will always have immense respect and appreciation for ownership, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, my past teammates and Celtic Nation!" Garnett said in a statement at the time.
Garnett joined the Celtics in summer 2007 in the biggest trade of that offseason, before making the "Big 3" with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, who was sent to the Celtics before Garnett by the Seattle SuperSonics (today's Oklahoma City Thunder).
Kevin Garnett (C) of the Boston Celtics lifts the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals at TD Banknorth Garden, June 18, 2008. /CFP
The Celtics claimed 66 wins, the-third-most in franchise history, in the 2007-2008 regular season and won the 17th NBA Championship defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. KG was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
Though he only played six seasons for the Celtics, Garnett's style and personality perfectly matched the team's temperament: toughness and teamwork.
Garnett was already inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (HOF) as a member of Class 2020 alongside Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. KG will be presenter for Pierce's induction into the HOF later this year.
Garnett's No. 5 jersey will be the 24th jersey the Celtics retire in history. The team already retired the most numbers in league history and there is only one number left between 14 and 25. That number is 20 and it was on the back of Ray Allen between 2008 and 2012.