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Most Celtics fans have already forgotten Wednesday's 108-88 throttling to the Warriors, but Louis Corbett is going to remember yesterday as one of the best days of his life.
Louis is a 12-year-old boy from New Zealand who suffers from a degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which is causing him to go blind at a rapid pace.
One of Louis' dreams was to see a Boston Celtics game in-person. After a number of circumstances, the wife of a Celtics co-owner, Corrine Grousbeck, caught wind of his situation and organized for Louis to make his way to Boston for a game.
Last night, the Corbett family was given VIP treatment with courtside seats, a shopping spree at the Celtics store, a ceremony at half court, and meet and greets with players before the game. Louis got it all, as he should, because in an unfair world, it's always nice to see a child's dream come true.
One of Louis' favorite moments of the night might've been when he met his favorite player, Rajon Rondo. "It was very exciting to meet him," said Rondo. "He came into the locker room before the game and he met me. I didn't know I was his favorite player.
"We had some words. Very happy kid, to go through what he's going through and still have a smile on his face is very humbling, because we all get to do what we love to do for a living and you never know, at any moment, it can all be taken from you, so you try not to take anything for granted."
Rondo knows what it's like to have something taken away, after tearing his ACL this past year, and so does Jeff Green, who underwent heart surgery to repair an aortic root aneurysm only two years ago.
"It is tough to meet a kid going through what he is going through," said Green. "His overall spirit, really, in spite of the game, put a smile on my face because he is going through something that is going to be with him for life."
Since recovering from heart surgery, Green has made a habit of helping kids fighting through life-changing medical conditions, but he gets something in return too: inspiration.
"I look up to kids like that. Even though he is younger than me, he inspires me to get better each day. I just wish the best for him and pray for him every day."
The game wasn't pretty, but it doesn't matter because it was a perfect night for Louis. The Perkins School for the Blind appropriately sang the national anthem, and during a timeout, the city of Boston greeted Louis and his family with an impressive standing ovation when they were introduced at center court.
Coach Brad Stevens said that he wishes the team played better for Louis, but he knows that it was still a memorable night.
"I just think it's the way we should be. It's the way an organization should be. You should give back to community," said Stevens. "I don't know that you should necessarily be applauded for it. I think you should just do it. Stories like that are uplifting to all of us, and I hope that he had a great night even though we didn't play well."
Brad Stevens is right when he says these types of acts should happen without hesitation. Louis Corbett is a 12-year-old boy who will likely lose his sight at one point, but at least last night's images will be engraved in his memory forever.