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Photos: The 'Make Way for Ducklings' catch Celtics fever ahead of NBA Finals

Roberto Scalese

June 06, 2024

Visitors to the Boston Public Garden stop to look at artist Nancy Schön's duckling sculptures, this week dressed in green to support the Celtics in the NBA playoffs. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack all have the Celtics' back.

Boston Public Garden's bronze waddlers, the "Make Way for Ducklings" statuettes, seemingly wriggled into little Celtics-inspired outfits Thursday, just hours ahead of the Game 1 matchup between the C's and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

Visitors to the Boston Public Garden walk by artist Nancy Schön's duckling sculptures, this week dressed in green to support the Celtics in the NBA playoffs. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

The "Make Way for Ducklings" statues in Boston Public Garden wear Celtics green for the first game of the NBA Finals. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Mama was wearing number 42, a nod no doubt to Celtics forward Al Horford's stature as the senior member and spiritual leader of the team.

Police officer Michael could not be reached for comment. A few live ducks seemed to stare with a bit of green-eyed envy.

Although it's the first day of the NBA Finals, these duckings in the Boston Public Garden are not wearing Celtics jerseys. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) — Although it's the first day of the NBA Finals, these ducklings in the Boston Public Garden are not wearing Celtics jerseys. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

The green garb wasn't the only sartorial choice made by the Mallards in recent years. In fact, WBUR photographer Robin Lubbock had set out to find out if the fam was donning their Pride outfits like in past years, only to find them game-ready instead.

Nor were the ducks the only Celtics fans around Beacon Hill. A giant banner in support of the basketball club was unfurled in front of the State House Thursday, emblazoned with this year's team motto "Different here" a nod to the heightened expectations and raucous crowds in and around that other Garden, TD Garden.