The Celtics have reclaimed their throne.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 at TD Garden Arena to secure the 2024 NBA championship in five games, marking their 18th title and surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with a standout performance, tallying 31 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown, named NBA Finals MVP, contributed 21 points and 8 rebounds. NBA commissioner Adam Silver lauded Brown, noting, “Bill Russell would be so proud,” as he presented him with the trophy named after the Celtics legend. Despite the loss, Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Reflecting on their journey, Tatum emphasized the collective effort, stating, “We knew we needed each other. It’s a team sport, and we deserved this. We earned this.”
Boston’s championship run was fueled by a historic offensive prowess, boasting the NBA’s best regular-season record at 64-18 and leading the league with a 122.2 offensive rating. They ranked second in points per game (120.6), rebounds per game (46.3), and topped the charts with 16.5 three-pointers made per game. Tatum’s stellar season earned him a spot on the All-NBA first team with averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, complemented by Brown’s 23 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Celtics showcased strength, ranking second in the league with a 110.6 rating and leading in blocked shots with 6.6 per game.
This victory marks Boston’s first NBA title since 2008, when they defeated the Lakers in six games. Celtics veteran Al Horford, after a record 186 postseason games without a title, expressed his joy, stating, “It’s been long. A lot of hard work, but I’m so proud to be part of this team. I can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. But we did it. We’re here.”
