Professional basketball players in the NBA are no strangers to paying tribute to legendary players on their teams in the... past. In the 2022 Playoffs, the Celtics do so to honor the dearly departed Sam Jones. Sam was a famous Celtics player who passed away on Dec. 30, 2021. While on the Celtics, he served as Number 24 on the team. Since Sam's retirement in 1969, the number has been retired in his honor.