Boston Celtics Win 18th Championship with Game 5 Victory over Dallas Mavericks!
The Boston Celtics once again stand alone among NBA champions, clinching their 18th championship with an electrifying 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5. This historic win breaks a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in league history.
Jayson Tatum delivered an intense performance, scoring 31 points, dishing out 11 assists, and grabbing eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and was named the NBA Finals MVP, while Jrue Holiday contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis provided a tremendous emotional lift, returning from a two-game absence to chip in five points in 17 minutes.
Boston's postseason run was remarkable, finishing with a 16-3 record and an overall 80-21 mark. This .792 winning percentage is second only to the Celtics’ legendary 1985-86 championship team. The victory also marked the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises.
Second-year coach Joe Mazzulla, at age 35, became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to a championship. Tatum's leadership was pivotal throughout the series.
Luka Doncic led Dallas with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but the Mavericks couldn’t extend the series after avoiding a sweep with a 38-point win in Game 4. Kyrie Irving, who scored just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, has now lost 13 of the last 14 meetings against the Celtics.
The Celtics never trailed in Game 5, feeding off the energy of their proud fan base at TD Garden. They led by as many as 26 points, closing the first quarter with a 12-3 run and ending the second quarter with a 19-7 spurt, capped by Payton Pritchard’s half-court buzzer beater.
Dallas trimmed a 15-point deficit to nine in the second quarter, but Boston's response was swift and decisive. The Celtics outscored the Mavericks 22-4 over the final two minutes of the first and second quarters, establishing a commanding 67-46 halftime lead.
Despite the Mavericks' efforts, including a strong showing from Doncic, the Celtics' depth and determination were unmatched. Derrick White made a tremendous hustle play in Game 5, diving for a loose ball and breaking a tooth, which led to a critical layup by Brown.
This championship is a testament to the Celtics' resilience and talent, especially after losing in the finals to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and failing to return last season after a Game 7 home loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals.
With their Game 5 win, the Celtics not only secured their place in history but also showcased the power of their team chemistry and the unwavering support of their fans. As the Garden crowd celebrated, the Celtics' stars Tatum and Brown earned their first rings, bringing the championship back to Boston after a 16-year wait.
This victory also highlights the fruits of the trade that sent 2008 champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn in 2013, which netted Boston the draft picks used to select Brown and Tatum. The Celtics’ triumphant return to the top of the NBA proves that their journey, though intense and challenging, was worth every moment.
The Boston Celtics, with their proud legacy and fierce determination, have reasserted themselves as a championship franchise, making history once again.
Jayson Tatum delivered an intense performance, scoring 31 points, dishing out 11 assists, and grabbing eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and was named the NBA Finals MVP, while Jrue Holiday contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis provided a tremendous emotional lift, returning from a two-game absence to chip in five points in 17 minutes.
Boston's postseason run was remarkable, finishing with a 16-3 record and an overall 80-21 mark. This .792 winning percentage is second only to the Celtics’ legendary 1985-86 championship team. The victory also marked the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises.
Second-year coach Joe Mazzulla, at age 35, became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to a championship. Tatum's leadership was pivotal throughout the series.
Luka Doncic led Dallas with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but the Mavericks couldn’t extend the series after avoiding a sweep with a 38-point win in Game 4. Kyrie Irving, who scored just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, has now lost 13 of the last 14 meetings against the Celtics.
The Celtics never trailed in Game 5, feeding off the energy of their proud fan base at TD Garden. They led by as many as 26 points, closing the first quarter with a 12-3 run and ending the second quarter with a 19-7 spurt, capped by Payton Pritchard’s half-court buzzer beater.
Dallas trimmed a 15-point deficit to nine in the second quarter, but Boston's response was swift and decisive. The Celtics outscored the Mavericks 22-4 over the final two minutes of the first and second quarters, establishing a commanding 67-46 halftime lead.
Despite the Mavericks' efforts, including a strong showing from Doncic, the Celtics' depth and determination were unmatched. Derrick White made a tremendous hustle play in Game 5, diving for a loose ball and breaking a tooth, which led to a critical layup by Brown.
This championship is a testament to the Celtics' resilience and talent, especially after losing in the finals to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and failing to return last season after a Game 7 home loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals.
“I’ll make the next one.”
— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2024
Jaylen Brown keeps his promises 🎯 https://t.co/YKOHNGm7LG pic.twitter.com/3V9yrN8aWr
With their Game 5 win, the Celtics not only secured their place in history but also showcased the power of their team chemistry and the unwavering support of their fans. As the Garden crowd celebrated, the Celtics' stars Tatum and Brown earned their first rings, bringing the championship back to Boston after a 16-year wait.
This victory also highlights the fruits of the trade that sent 2008 champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn in 2013, which netted Boston the draft picks used to select Brown and Tatum. The Celtics’ triumphant return to the top of the NBA proves that their journey, though intense and challenging, was worth every moment.
The Boston Celtics, with their proud legacy and fierce determination, have reasserted themselves as a championship franchise, making history once again.