Luka Garza's trade deadline story perfectly encapsulates this Celtics team

HYDE PARK —As students raced across the court, shooting layups and competing in basketball drills, one man stood out amongst the crowd. Not just because of his height, but because of the massive, gold Dunkin’ chain hanging from his neck.

Luka Garzahelped the Boston Celtics and Dunkin’ unveil a new basketball court renovation at the Match Community Day school in Hyde Park on Tuesday afternoon.

He was accompanied by two mascots: Lucky, the Celtics' mascot, and a giant iced coffee named Icy Joe. The DC native shared that his go-to Dunkin order is a Boston cream doughnut and an iced coffee. And since signing with the Celtics, the sheer amount of Dunkin’ exposure has taken Garza by surprise.

“I don't think there's been a day I haven't seen one,” he said with a laugh.

Luka Garza is now wearing a Dunkin’ chain https://t.co/hCe43IKtir pic.twitter.com/D19INugQuh— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) March 17, 2026

Before ever stepping onto the court for the Celtics, Garza was giving back to the community. Back in August, he helped out at a Jr. Celtics Academy summer camp.

And in November, he went bowling and played Uno with kids from the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club of Boston. From the moment he became a Celtic, Garza has been giving back to the community.

“As soon as you put this jersey on, there's a certain level of responsibility. Just with how the people in the city view the team,” Garza said. “And so, for me, in any city I play in, but especially here, you want to be able to give back and do whatever you can to kind of make an impact on the community first. So, I think I've gotten more comfortable as I've been here, and kind of look forward to these things and doing them more often. So, it's been a lot of fun.”

Community events have been at the backdrop of Garza’s time in Boston. At the forefront? His impressive on-court play.

He has been Boston’s go-to backup center for most of the season, helping them outperform most of the expectations set forth by the national media. Today, Boston sits in second place in the Eastern Conference, on pace for a 54-win campaign.

As the season has gone on, their play has only improved. And their behind-the-scenes relationships have followed that same trajectory.

“I think guys get more comfortable with each other as the season goes on,” Garza said. “Obviously, as you're on the road, you start going to dinner more, and just kind of learning more about each other. So, I think that's a common thing in every season, but I think especially with this team, I think it's honestly unique just how close we are off the court. Just everyone wanting to know about each other's personal lives, and checking in, and all those kinds of things.”

But for the Celtics, it’s more than just dinners. More than just locker-room chats. It’s the constant effort to form a family.

When Boston traded for Nikola Vucevicat the deadline, Garza’s teammates read the tea leaves: He could be destined to lose some minutes.

So, they checked in. Right away.

“When the Vooch trade happened, obviously, it was an amazing thing for our team, and he's a great player. But obviously, guys knew on the team that that would probably impact my minutes a little bit. And I was just kind of really surprised at some of the guys coming up to me and really just kind of giving me motivating thoughts and being like, 'Hey, stay ready. We're gonna need you. You've done so many good things for us.'

“And just as people, as players, that's the kind of guys that are in that locker room. And for me, that really meant a lot. And especially, I'm always going to be the guy with a great, positive mindset, but when you hear things like that, it helps you a lot.”

That’s what these Celtics are about. Fans get to watch the success unfold every night in the form of basketball, but it’s the work done behind the scenes—on and off the court—that makes the magic happen.