"I wasn't able to hear the whole story because I was actually in the game and Coach was drawing up a play," James said. "But I looked up at the Jumbotron and seen what he had been through and where he is now, and I think the doctor said he would never walk again or talk again or something like that. I looked up there and I just . . . this game is so much more than basketball. Also, I seen he had my shoes on. I designed those shoes for kids with conditions where they're not able to tie their own shoestrings, and he had a pair on."

Aaron Miller , 16, was born with severe brain damage that doctors said would paralyze him for life. But he has overcome countless obstacles and undergone countless surgeries to play for Newton North High School's golf and basketball teams.

During each TD Garden home game, the Celtics honor individuals who have made contributions to their communities. And the "Heroes Among Us" honoree during Boston's 89-77 loss to Cleveland had an impact on Cavaliers star LeBron James .

The Nikes that James described essentially open at the heel and can be fastened with a large Velcro strap. And after the game, Miller got one more pair of Nikes — the ones that James wore during the game.


"I saw his story, it was just like, I don't know, I feel like I was a part of him," James said. "And I just showed him my respect."

Aaron Miller held the shoes given to him by LeBron James. Jim Davis/Globe staff

Hunter returns

Celtics guard R.J. Hunter, sidelined with a hip flexor injury since Dec. 6, made his return Tuesday night.

The rookie checked into the game after it got out of hand, playing the final 2:40. He missed his only shot attempt, a 3-pointer.

Hunter tested out his hip with some basket cuts and defensive drills at Monday's practice, feeling good enough to make a full return. He said he could have come back even earlier, but he and the team's training staff decided it was better to err on the side of caution.


"It was just a pulled hip, but when you pull it, it gets a little tear," Hunter said. "So if you kind of go when it's not ready, it will tear even more, and tear completely. So that's what I didn't want. The guys are playing well. There's no need for me to come back early and rush my hip. So I felt like when I was completely ready I was going to come back."

Hunter had carved out a spot in the Celtics' rotation before his injury. He scored 8 points in his last game, a Celtics' loss to the Spurs on Dec. 5.

"Definitely frustrating," Hunter said. "But in the grand scheme of things it's so minute. So just trying to keep the big picture in hand . . . I was playing confident, so continue to have that swagger and I'll be good."

Hunter, who is most dangerous as a long-range shooter, said his hip injury affected his balance on his jump shot. He said he was able to maintain his conditioning while he was out.

Second-year swingman James Young played well in Hunter's absence, averaging more than 17 minutes over the last four games. He was 0 for 3 (all from deep) in 15:45 Tuesday.


Coach Brad Stevens said that for Hunter and Young, playing time could shift night to night, especially with guard Marcus Smart still sidelined with a knee injury.

Love moves forward

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love said he has moved on and harbors no hard feelings toward Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk. Olynyk caused Love's shoulder dislocation last April, knocking Love out of the playoffs.

The two were tangled when chasing a loose ball in Game 4 of a first-round series last spring. After the game, Love accused Olynyk of using dirty tactics and was said to have ignored Olynyk's initial attempts at apologizing. But the two have since communicated, and Love said he is at peace. On Tuesday, Love had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

"Time heals all wounds," Love said before the game. "We've put it in the past. Guys here [with the Cavaliers] and guys for the Celtics, we're moving on. We're good."

Gary Washburn of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.