The Esthen ExchangeBoston Celtics are moving on in the NBA playoffs, but a major part of the franchise will not be going along for the ride.

From Larry Bird to Paul Pierce to Kevin Garnett to Jayson Tatum − and everyone in between − the one constant over the past 43 years for the team was play-by-play announcer Mike Gorman.

The iconic voice of the Celtics had already announced he was retiring at the end of the season. And Wednesday night's 118-84 victory over the Miami Heat was his final game − since local TV broadcasts don't continue after the first round of the NBA playoffs.

True to form, Gorman's final words on NBC Sports Boston were concise and heartfelt.

"A special thanks to all who welcomed Tommy (Heinsohn), (Brian) Scalabrine and me into your homes all winter long when it was a cold night going on outside, you turned us on and it just couldn’t have been better," Gorman said. "There's no place I would have rather been, so, Boston, thank you. Good night.”

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The Celtics organization had already paid tribute to Gorman at the team's final regular-season game, presenting him with a Rolex watch, a swatch of a championship banner and the dedication of a courtside broadcast table.

Gorman became the Celtics TV voice in 1981, pairing for 39 years with former Celtics coach Tommy Heinsohn until Heinsohn's death in 2020. Former Celtics player Brian Scalabrine took over the primary analyst role the following season.

Over Gorman's tenure, the longest ever for a Boston play-by-play voice, the Celtics have been to seven NBA Finals, winning three titles.

He's also worked with 12 different head coaches.