The Boston Celtics are back in Massachusetts after a memorable night in Miami, where they celebrated their historic 18th NBA championship. The team swiftly flew to Miami on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after securing the title with a Game 5 victory in the NBA Finals on Monday night. The Celtics' return flight touched down at Hanscom Field Airport in Bedford on Wednesday, shortly after 3:30 p.m.

Immediately upon disembarking, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was seen carrying the iconic Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy off the plane. Mazzulla then placed the trophy securely in the backseat of his vehicle, while answering reporters' questions about the team's trip to Miami. The city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and served as the backdrop for the Celtics' celebratory festivities.

When asked about their time in Miami, Mazzulla expressed his enjoyment, stating, "It was fun. We had a good time. Glad to be back in Boston. Grateful to the city." His wife, Camai, took hold of the trophy, ensuring its safekeeping as Mazzulla drove them away from the airport parking lot.

An interesting aspect of the Celtics' celebration was their choice to revel in Miami, a city that has been one of their fiercest rivals in recent playoff seasons. Over the past five years, Boston has faced the Miami Heat four times in the NBA Playoffs, with three of those meetings occurring in the Eastern Conference finals. The teams have shared the postseason success, with Boston winning the conference finals in 2022 and the first round this year, while Miami claimed victory in the other two conference finals series in 2020 and 2023.

The Celtics' decision to celebrate their championship in Miami garnered attention, with Miami native and famed rapper, Uncle Luke, expressing his disapproval in a social media post on Monday night. He wrote, "Whoever is hosting Boston Celtics in Miami for a party needs to be ran out of Miami."

Despite their festivities in Miami, the Celtics ensured they had ample time to return home for their highly anticipated championship parade in Boston. The parade is scheduled to commence at 11 a.m. on Friday, allowing fans an opportunity to celebrate their team's triumph together.

This celebration strategy follows in the footsteps of other NBA champions. In 2022, the Golden State Warriors traveled from Boston to Las Vegas to celebrate their victory before their victory parade in San Francisco. Similarly, last year, the Denver Nuggets flew to Las Vegas to commemorate their 2023 NBA Finals win after holding their championship parade in Denver.

The Boston Celtics have once again made history, and their championship success will undoubtedly be celebrated by fans across Massachusetts. As they return victorious from Miami, the team eagerly looks forward to sharing their triumph with their devoted supporters during the upcoming championship parade in Boston.