This season, the NBA will honor the life and legacy of Bill Russell by retiring his number 6 jersey throughout the league. It's the first jersey number the NBA has retired. As a side note, those currently wearing number 6, such as LeBron James, are grandfathered, though it would be a classy gesture to switch numbers.
Additionally, players throughout the league will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the number 6 on the sideline near the scorer's table.
The Celtics will honor Russell, a franchise architect, in a multitude of ways, including hosting two dedicated Bill Russell tribute games. The first one will take place opening night against the Sixers on Oct. 18. That night, they'll unveil a special Bill Russell tribute 2022-23 City Edition uniform – a project the league and team had been collaborating on with the 11-time NBA champion. They'll wear these uniforms for six home games and six road matchups.
The second of the two dedicated Bill Russell tribute games is Feb. 12, Russell's birthday, against the Grizzlies.
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