Jan. 6, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET

Today in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics elected to trade Courtney Lee to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2014. The Celtics sent the Western Kentucky alum out as their part of a huge, three-team deal that sent out a second-round pick to the Grizzlies along with Lee, and it also saw Memphis move backup floor general Jerryd Bayless to the Celtics.

Boston also sent out draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who dealt Boston alum Ryan Gomes back to the Celtics for a very brief stint, with the Providence College alum soon cut after the trade was approved by the NBA.

The Thunder also sent out draft picks and cash to complete the deal ending Lee’s two-season tenure with the Celtics franchise.

Nov 19, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Courtney Lee (11) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Celtics 109-85. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsHistoric games

It was also on this date in 2021 that the Celtics played a game against the Miami Heat despite a violent mob roaming the US capital following attempts to prevent the results of the 2020 US election from being certified and more police violence against people of color in Minnesota. Then-coach Brad Stevens spoke about the events at the nation’s capital ahead of the game. “I watched it all. I’m sure our players watched it all. I guess my reaction is sad,” he related.

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“We play tonight’s game with a heavy heart after yesterday’s decision in Kenosha, and knowing that protesters in our nation’s capital are treated differently by political leaders depending on what side of certain issues they are on,” it began.

Jan 6, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics players kneel during the playing of the national anthem prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

“The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today’s protesters who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do. We have decided to play tonight’s game to try to bring joy into people’s lives.” The Celtics beat the Heat 107-105.

Birthdays

Finally, it is also the birthday of former Celtic guard Cecil Orgus Hankins, born this day in 1922 in Covin, Alabama. A product of Oklahoma State University, Hankins joined the now-defunct St. Louis Bombers in the Basketball Association of America’s (BAA — a precursor league to the NBA) inaugural season of 1946-47, even before there was a draft to be selected in.

Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

He would play a single season with that franchise before joining Boston in its second season of existence — his last in the BAA before retiring — putting up 2.8 points per game.