BOSTON — For those who appreciate symbolism, it’s worth noting that the Boston Celtics raised their 18th championship banner on Tuesday night right in front of the visiting team’s bench at TD Garden. As the new banner ascended, the crowd erupted with a rousing “Let’s go, Celtics!” chant, until it found its place next to the first of three banners honoring the retired jersey numbers of Boston basketball legends.

In the hierarchy of championship banners, this latest addition stands alone. On one side hangs the 2007-08 Celtics’ championship banner, number 17, while number 18 occupies its spot on the opposite side. High above the court, as the late, great Celtics announcer Johnny Most would say, banner number 18 will now loom over the Knicks, Pacers, 76ers, Lakers, and others, reminding them of the Celtics’ legacy until next spring’s tournament kicks off.

Will the significance of this banner aid the Celtics in defending their title? Not at all. However, the ceremony on Tuesday reaffirmed the Celtics’ prominent place in NBA history. With 18 championships, they now lead the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17. Some might argue that four of the Lakers’ titles were earned when they played in Minnesota at the Minneapolis Auditorium, but that debate is irrelevant. Championships are championships, and with 18, the Celtics have edged ahead.

Similar to how the Montreal Canadiens once did in hockey and the New York Yankees may soon do in baseball, the 2023-24 Celtics achieved more than just a title. They created an opportunity to honor both living and deceased stars. As Boston sports fans watch the upcoming World Series, they’ll see legendary figures like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter blended with today’s stars, just as Knicks fans had to endure numerous references to Bill Russell and Larry Bird during the ceremony. (For good measure, the Garden crowd also chanted “Yankees suck!” during the Celtics’ dominating 132-109 victory over the Knicks.)

For Celtics fans, each new championship transforms the following season’s home opener into a thrilling family reunion, where past and present players come together to celebrate the raising of the banner and the distribution of championship rings. Tuesday night’s event featured all the expected video tributes and passionate speeches, including Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck’s statement, “The statistics do not lie. You are looking at one of the finest teams in NBA history.”

The presence of Celtics legends was striking. Bob Cousy, who turned 96 in August, was escorted onto the court by longtime executive Jeff Twiss. Cousy was a key player on the Celtics’ first championship team in 1957 and won five more titles. Cedric Maxwell represented the iconic 1980s squad. The Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen were also present, along with Sam Cassell, who served as both an assistant coach and a member of the 2007-08 team.

Then came the ring presentation. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla surprised everyone by getting down to kiss the green floor when his name was announced. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum received the loudest cheers during their introductions, although Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens also garnered significant applause. In a time when the management of the Red Sox and Patriots faces criticism, Stevens has emerged as a beloved figure in Boston sports.

While much of Tuesday’s ceremony followed a script, one unscripted moment occurred between Tatum and Garnett. Tatum approached the legendary No. 5 and embraced him warmly.

That moment encapsulated the spirit of the event: a current Celtic honoring a former great. Though Tatum and Garnett never played together, they are now united as champions in the rafters, alongside Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, as well as Bird, McHale, Parish, Russell, and Cousy.

Few NBA teams can orchestrate such a celebration. The Lakers have done it numerous times, but the Celtics have done it even more often.