Pacers’ Rick Carlisle recalls how Bill Walton helped him win over his wife, and meet the Grateful Dead

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Tributes poured in on Monday after the NBA announced the death of Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who died at the age of 71 following his battle with cancer. 

Among the countless memories shared, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, Walton’s former teammate, shared his fondest one – and it wasn’t winning the NBA championship together with the Boston Celtics in 1986. 

Celtics team members, from left, Danny Ainge, Rick Carlisle, Larry Bird and Bill Walton, celebrate with the NBA championship trophy at Boston City Hall Plaza, June 10, 1986. (Bill Greene/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

"He has stayed in touch with me – he’s been texting me a lot throughout our playoffs," Carlisle told reporters before the Pacers’ Game 4 loss to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night. 

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"And I have him to thank, probably, also for me being married to my wife, Donna."

With a smile, Carlisle recalled calling on Walton for a favor in 1987. He had only recently met his future wife and was hoping to impress her with tickets to see the Grateful Dead – Walton’s favorite band. 

"Our first date was to a Dead show in Washington, D.C., and I called Bill and I said ‘Look… I got a date with a girl that I think is pretty cool. I'd love to go to the Dead show at Capital Centre. I don't have any tickets. Can you help?’ And he said, ‘Just go to the back door, ask for Dennis McNally, tell him you’re Rick Carlisle from the Boston Celtics and everything will be just fine.’" 

Carlisle explained that he did just as he was told the night of the concert, but had to reassure his future wife that they did