Boston’s TD Garden celebrates a Celtics victory while the Red Sox’s newest star pitcher gets his first taste of the Garden energy.
Ranger Suarez picked a pretty good night to make his first unofficial appearance as a Boston athlete.
Less than 12 hours after standing at Fenway Park and calmly explaining that his name is technically pronounced “Rahn-her” - but, hey, “Ranger” is fine too - the Red Sox’s newest ace was already settling into another Boston rite of passage:
A midweek Celtics (27-16) win at TD Garden. Courtside. Agent Scott Boras in tow. Jumbotron cameo and all.
If Suarez was looking for confirmation that he landed in a city that embraces its stars quickly (and loudly), he got it.
The Garden crowd erupted when the broadcast cut to him and Boras, a moment that felt less like a novelty appearance and more like an early handshake between franchises. One Boston icon (the crowd) welcoming - potentially -another, even if most of the building was still pronouncing his name the Texas way.
The Celtics did their part to make the evening worthwhile.
After a frustrating one-point loss to Detroit (32-10) earlier in the week, Boston wasted no time getting back on script against Indiana (10-35). Jaylen Brown was the engine, pouring in 30 points on efficient shooting while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. It was the kind of authoritative, no-nonsense performance that’s become routine when the Celtics want to remind teams who they are.
May 22, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) reacts in the dugout in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)Brown wasn’t alone.
Sam Hauser knocked down five threes and finished with 17 points, Neemias Queta matched him with 17 of his own and protected the rim with a season-high 5 blocks, Payton Pritchard chipped in 13, and Derrick White quietly hit double figures as well. Five starters in double digits, a double-digit lead by the first quarter, and a 119-104 final that never really felt in doubt.
All of it unfolded with Suarez watching from a few rows back, already getting a feel for the expectations that come with wearing “Boston” across your chest - however it’s pronounced.
Earlier in the day, Suarez had been introduced at Fenway Park as the centerpiece of the Red Sox’s offseason pitching push, finalizing a five-year, $130 million deal after eight seasons in Philadelphia. He joins a rotation that suddenly has shape and swagger, pairing with Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and Johan Oviedo. For a franchise that’s missed the postseason too often of late, it’s a meaningful pivot toward seriousness.
That context matters, because Wednesday night wasn’t just about a celebrity sighting at a basketball game. It was a reminder of what Boston looks like when things are aligned:
One team already rolling along near the top of its conference on the parquet
Another playing for a chance at their 12th Super Bowl appearance in franchise history on Sunday.
Another on the ice that’s now won seven of their last eight games.
And another hoping its newest star - Rahn-her, Ranger, take your pick - helps drag it back into October relevance.
The Celtics, holding onto the East’s second seed, will carry that momentum on the road Friday against Brooklyn (12-30). The Red Sox, meanwhile, still have weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers.
But for one night, the seasons overlapped in the most Boston way possible:
A packed Garden, a star acquisition soaking it in, and a city already acting like it knows exactly who he is - even if it’s still learning how to say his name.
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.