The first time Marcus Smart went out to the court at TD Garden before a Celtics game was about 20 minutes before tip-off on Sunday. He did this from the visiting tunnel. The crowd’s roar was so loud that Smart could barely hear himself wave back.

What happened thirty minutes later was much worse.

The whole crowd stood during the first timeout of the first quarter for a long-awaited and well-deserved tribute. A two-minute film played on the video board. It showed the famous plays that made Smart one of the most loved Celtics players in recent years.

As the tribute video finished and the camera moved to Smart, Jayson Tatum, who was sitting on the Celtics bench, told the crowd to be louder. He looked like he was moved. A few times, he pumped his chest. He blew a kiss to everyone in the crowd and then raised both arms to greet them. He worked at this home for nine years. Calls of “We love Marcus!” came from the crowd.

Before the moment, Smart said, “I love you guys and you’ll always be in my heart. Boston will always be here.” “Never be forgotten.”

Smart did not play on Sunday because he is still healing from an injury to his right ring finger that he got last month. However, his return was perfectly captured as the Celtics honoured his nine seasons as a team icon who became a fixture in Boston.

It summed up Smart’s play as one of the best defenders and toughest rivals in the league. He was a key part of the Celtics’ rise back to the top of the Eastern Conference. He was also recognised for his work in the community when he was named the “Hero Among Us” after nine years of visiting kids with cancer at Boston Children’s Hospital every day and starting the YounGameChanger Foundation to help student-athletes from urban cities.

Smart said, “I’m proud to be more than just a basketball player, and I think being here in Boston has really given me a chance to show who I am as a person.”

When Smart quit in June, it was a surprise. There was a three-team trade that sent him to the Grizzlies right before midnight on June 21. Smart did not find out until he woke up the next morning. This upset him because, as he explained, the organisation had told him a week earlier that he would not be sold.

Smart got over that after some time. He said that a crazy year with getting married and other personal events helped.

Even though it hurt, Smart said, “it didn’t hurt as bad as I thought it would.” “I know business, and I know this business. To this day, I tell people that if it were me, I would make the same business choice.” I only asked that they let me know what was going on or just said, “Hey, there you are, nine years here. Here’s what’s going on.” Good job.

“At the end of the day, I’m also a businessman.” That’s where the pain came from. I was able to forget about it, though, as I said. I don’t have any bad feelings towards the organisation, my friends, or the coaching staff. I love all of you. I’m grateful to have had the chance to play with those guys.

Smart went to the Celtics locker room after his morning press conference to see some old teammates. The guard is proud of how well the Celtics have done even without him. He’s sad that he wasn’t able to help them win a title, but he’s glad to see them continue to do well, especially Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

“It’s amazing to see,” Smart said, “my brothers doing what they love to do and doing amazingly well at a very elite level in every sport, but especially this group of guys.” It’s been a pleasure getting to know these guys, and I’ve seen them deal with a lot of abuse over the years. What I really want is for them to finally get it together, because I loved seeing it every day. You guys were lucky enough to see it for a short time, and that was on the basketball court. I’m thrilled for those guys and pleased for them. …

“It would be hard to try to wrap your head around it,” Smart said about them not going on the trip with them. “But like I said, it doesn’t change how I feel about good guys at the end of the day.” And I think they deserve it just as much as I do.”

Smart loved Boston and the Celtics no matter what the day or night brought him. This will never change no matter where he goes in his career.

“I really feel like Boston is a second home,” Smart said. “I could talk all day about everything I’ve done and seen here, but what struck me was how Boston took me in.” Everyone knows that it’s not easy to play in this place, and I’m the one who typically tells them that. But everything is always great here, and I can answer for everyone who has played here, including the other team. There’s nothing better than playing in this city with these fans.

“They helped me get better.” These people let me see a different side of myself and watched me grow up. Not only will my favorite things always be here, but they have also changed my life in many ways.