Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Rallies Support for Beloved Former Celtics Trainer Ed Lacerte
BOSTON - Before tip-off between the Celtics and Pacers on Monday night, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle took a moment to shift the focus from basketball to something far more urgent: a call to action for a man who’s spent decades helping others heal.
Carlisle opened his pregame media availability with an emotional appeal for Ed Lacerte, the longtime Celtics head athletic trainer and physical therapist, who is currently battling acute monocytic leukemia - a rare and aggressive form of the disease. Lacerte is in need of a stem cell transplant, and the search for a compatible donor is underway.
“As many of you know, he’s fighting for his life,” Carlisle said. “He has aggressive leukemia, and there’s an effort right now to find a stem cell match.”
For those familiar with the Celtics’ storied history, Lacerte is more than just a name on the staff list - he’s been a cornerstone of the organization’s behind-the-scenes success. He served as the team’s head trainer for 30 years and was a three-time recipient of the Joe O'Toole NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year award.
His work extended beyond the NBA hardwood, too. Lacerte was the athletic trainer for the legendary 1992 Dream Team, helping guide some of the greatest players in basketball history to Olympic gold.
Now, the Celtics are stepping up for one of their own. The organization has been encouraging fans to join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry, hoping to find a match not only for Lacerte, but for others facing similar battles. During Monday night’s game at TD Garden, the team hosted a cheek-swab station on Level 4, behind Sections 18 and 19, giving fans between the ages of 18 and 35 a quick and meaningful way to potentially save a life.
Carlisle, who played three seasons with the Celtics in the 1980s before transitioning into coaching, has known Lacerte for decades. Their paths crossed again when Carlisle served as president of the NBA Coaches Association and Lacerte held the treasurer role for the NBA Trainers Association - a testament to Lacerte’s influence and leadership within the league.
“To register, you need to be between ages 18 and 35,” Carlisle explained. “It’s a simple 20-second cheek swab to find a match.
It can be done at home. And donating is as simple as giving blood.”
Carlisle also noted that Lacerte’s blood type is rare, which adds another layer of urgency to the search.
Fans looking to help can visit the Celtics’ social media pages or head directly to the NMDP website for more information on how to register. The process is simple, the impact potentially life-saving.
The Celtics have already begun honoring Lacerte in visible ways. Players have been wearing warm-up shirts with the phrase “20 seconds could save a life” across the front and “Lacerte” on the back. The Pacers plan to join in later this season, with players wearing the same shirts and pins in support of Lacerte.
“This is a great man,” Carlisle said. “He served his country.
He served this city, this organization, and it’s a difficult struggle right now. So, anything any of us can do to help bring awareness, we would like to do.”
In a league where the spotlight usually shines brightest on the players and coaches, this moment was a reminder that the people behind the scenes - the ones who tape ankles, rehab injuries, and keep teams running - are just as vital to the fabric of the game. Ed Lacerte spent a career helping athletes stay strong. Now, the basketball world is rallying to return the favor.