Monday’s Celtics vs. Pistons to feature all-female broadcast team
In celebrating of Women’s Empowerment Month, the Celtics are showcasing an all-female broadcast team, a
collaboration between Boston Celtics, NBC Sports Boston, and the Connecticut Sun.
Last year, a first of its kind collaboration between the Connecticut Sun and Boston Celtics was announced. This
August, the Sun will call Boston home, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks at the TD Garden on August 20.
As the WNBA and NBA further their ongoing partnerships, the Celtics vs. Pistons matchup on Monday, March 18,
will feature an all-female broadcast crew.
In honor of Women’s Empowerment Month, the game cast will feature several high profile women in basketball,
including NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin and Zora Stephenson from NBC Sports. With Stephenson set as the game
announcer, Suns guard DiJonai Carrington will join Chin, along with ESPN’s Kayla Burton.
Chin, the beloved Celtics sideline reporter, is back with the Celtics this season. While covering the team is a tough
task in itself, she appears in the pregame, halftime, and postgame segments. And of course, she’s a valued part of the
View From the Rafters podcast. While this is just a short summary of her accolades, she’s an honorable woman
working in sports.
Stephenson, a former baller for Elon University, can be seen on the Notre Dame sidelines during football season, and
has excellent coverage of Big Ten women’s basketball.
Burton, a Boston native, is notorious for her NFL coverage and remarkable endeavors on the sidelines.
Boston previously had an all-female crew, dating back to the 2023 home opener against the Heat when ESPN’s Doris
Burke, Beth Mowins, and Cassidy Hubbarth led the commentary booth. While women in sports is becoming much
more prevalent, we are witnessing exceptional women elevate in the sport, including Monica McNutt and Andraya
Carter, just to name a few.
While former Celtics Eddie House headlines pre and post game broadcast crew, he will be replaced for the night.
Amina Smith of NBC Sports Boston will lead the Celtics/Pistons pregame, halftime, and postgame show on Monday.
If you are able to watch the Celtics, along with the Patriots on NBC Boston, Smith has been a staple in both teams’
pregame, halftime, and postgame live shows. Most recently, she was hired ESPN as their newest Sports Center
anchor. An exciting new chapter, Smith is extremely well versed in sports.
Beside Smith will be Connecticut Sun team President and USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair
, Jennifer Rozzotti. Joining the both of them will be Ashley Battle, Maine Celtics assistant general manager and
Celtics scout.
A diehard UConn fan and alum, I remember watching Battle as a member of Geno Auriemma’s team, where she won
three championships with Connecticut in 2002, 2003, and 2004. It was during these years, my love for basketball
developed deeply, thanks to the Celtics and UConn. With a respectable career with the NBA, she’s also been featured
as a broadcaster in the WNBA.
DiJonai Carrington, a third year guard with Connecticut, will headline as a game analyst. Selected by the Sun 20th
overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft, she’s coming off a career year, and was part of Connecticut’s Finals run against the
Las Vegas Aces in 2022.
A four year player at Stanford under coach Tara VanDerveer, she’s a ferocious on ball defender who moves incredibly
swiftly off ball. A strong candidate for Sixth Player of the Year in 2023, Carrington shot a career-high 37.1 percent
from deep last season.
With the departure of Jonquel Jones, and Achilles injury to Brionna Jones, she was a key part of the team’s success
last year. Alongside the news of guard Tiffany Hayes retirement, Carrington has an excellent shot of earning a
starting role for head coach Stephanie White.
The news comes a year after NBC Sports Boston teamed up with the Connecticut Sun, announcing their partnership
to air 31 games over the course of the season.
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