Indiana Pacers honor Bill Walton ahead of Celtics playoff game after ex-Boston center's death at 71

The Indiana Pacers paid tribute to Bill Walton before their playoff game against the Celtics on Monday night after the former Boston center's death at 71.

Walton, who won the NBA Championship with the Celtics in 1986, died while surrounded by his family on Monday following a battle with cancer.

He was a two-time NBA champion, winning his first title with the Portland Trail Blazers before adding another in Boston.

The ex-UCLA star was also one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, winning three consecutive national college player of the year awards between 1972 and 1974 and two NCAA titles with the Bruins. 

Ahead of their Game 4 battle with Boston at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana held a moment of silence to remember Walton following his death on Monday.

Walton's NBA career - disrupted by chronic foot injuries - lasted only 468 games with Portland, the San Diego and eventually the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston. He averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in those games.

His most famous game was the 1973 NCAA title game, UCLA against Memphis, in which he shot an incredible 21 for 22 from the field and led the Bruins to another national championship. 

Walton was selected with the No. 1 pic in the 1974 NBA draft, and won his first NBA Championship with the Trail Blazers three years later. He was the NBA's MVP in the 1977-78 season.

After struggling with those foot problems, Walton's career took off again when he was traded to the Celtics for Cedric Maxwell in 1985 for two seasons. Alongside Larry Bird, Walton collected his second NBA Championship in 1986.

After retiring, he overcame a stutter to thrive on the microphone, winning a Sports Emmy in 1991 and being named one of the top 50 sports broadcasters of all-time in 2009. 

Walton originally joined ESPN and ABC in 2002 as a lead analyst for NBA games before moving to college basketball in 2012. 

During a lengthy broadcasting career, he also worked for CBS and NBC.

Tributes poured in for Walton following the news of his death on Monday, including from former Celtics teammate Bird. 

'I am very sorry about my good friend, Bill Walton,' Bird said. 'I love him as a friend and teammate. It was a thrill for me to play with my childhood idol and together we earned an NBA Championship in 1986. He is one of the greatest ever to play the game.

'I am sure that all of my teammates are as grateful as I am that we were able to know Bill, he was such a joy to know and he will be sorely missed. My family and I extend our sincere condolences to the Walton family.'

Former US President Barack Obama took to social media to pay his respects to Walton, branding him 'one of the greatest basketball players of all time'.

'Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time – a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play,' Obama wrote. 

'He was also a wonderful spirit full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are poorer for his passing, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.'

Fellow NBA legend, Julius Erving, also shared a snap of himself with Walton.

'I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed,' he wrote on X.  

'Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc.'