It was a night of glory and grandeur at TD Garden on Tuesday. The Boston Celtics celebrated their 2024 NBA Championship win with a vibrant ceremony, handing out Celtics rings to players and staff who battled through last season. Yet, one face was notably missing from the event—and more importantly, from the ring distribution list. Svi Mykhailiuk, who contributed to Boston’s triumphant journey, wasn’t there to claim his championship hardware. The reason? The former Celtic has already switched uniforms, inking a lucrative four-year deal with the Utah Jazz in August.
Championship Glory Lost in Transit: Svi Mykhailiuk’s Quest for His Celtics Ring
Despite his departure, Mykhailiuk clearly hasn’t forgotten about the prestigious honor he earned, and he’s eager to finally hold that glistening band. In a social media post that caught fans’ attention, Mykhailiuk publicly wondered if anyone has connections at FedEx or UPS to help expedite his ring delivery. His message, posted on X (formerly Twitter), came right as Boston tipped off its season opener against the New York Knicks, sparking a mix of sympathy and amusement among fans.
Mykhailiuk’s case isn’t entirely unique, though. Charles Lee, another former Celtic, also missed out on the TD Garden ceremony. Lee, however, has a bit more luck on his side—Boston’s team heads to Charlotte for back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, where Lee, now coaching the Hornets, will likely receive his ring. Mykhailiuk, meanwhile, is left hanging until the Celtics visit Utah in March, assuming, of course, the ring doesn’t get lost in transit.
So why not just ship it to him? Tradition holds that championship rings are usually delivered in person, a gesture symbolizing the value of each player’s contribution to the team’s victory. But as fans have pointed out, rules and traditions may be overlooked when players join new franchises. Should the Celtics bend the rules for Mykhailiuk, or leave him hanging until March?
In any case, Mykhailiuk’s message underscores the often-overlooked logistics of a ring ceremony and brings a curious twist to Boston’s post-championship celebration. While Mykhailiuk might be in Utah, his heart—and his prized ring—are still with Boston.
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