During the NBA All-Star Weekend, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics had the opportunity to meet the legendary Larry Bird.

The 73rd NBA All-Star Game brought a special moment for Boston Celtics fans as the past and present of the franchise converged before the game. Jayson Tatum, born several years after Larry Bird’s playing career, met the Celtics legend for the first time, capturing the moment with a photo near the Eastern Conference bench at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tatum, who has studied Bird’s legacy through videos and footage, expressed his admiration, and the encounter left him visibly thrilled.

Initially missing the chance to meet Bird before the game with other NBA legends, Tatum’s wish came true through a quick arrangement by Celtics’ PR expert Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers. The meeting with Bird was a surreal experience for Tatum, who was star-struck by Bird’s height and impact on the game and the Celtics’ legacy. Bird, rarely seen in public events, made a special appearance in Indianapolis, where he was honored as the Legend of the Year by the NBA Retired Players Association.

Jaylen Brown also had a brief yet significant interaction with Bird in the locker room, marking his first meeting with the Celtics legend and appreciating the opportunity to be in the presence of such an iconic figure in the team’s history.