The Boston Celtics have etched their name in NBA history once again.
With a decisive 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5, the Celtics secured their 18th championship, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history.
Let’s look at the key stats and moments that defined this series.
Mavericks
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| L. Doncic | 28 | 12 | 5 | 3 |
| K. Irving | 15 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| D. Jones Jr. | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Gafford | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| P. Washington | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Bench | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| J. Green | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| D. Exum | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Hardy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Kleber | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| D. Lively II | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| T. Hardaway Jr. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| D. Powell | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Lawson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| O. Prosper | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Morris | – | – | – | – |
| A. Fudge | – | – | – | – |
| B. Williams | – | – | – | – |
| G. Brown | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 88 | 35 | 18 | 20 |
Celtics
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| J. Tatum | 31 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
| J. Brown | 21 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| J. Holiday | 15 | 11 | 4 | 3 |
| D. White | 14 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Horford | 9 | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| Bench | PTS | REB | AST | PF |
| S. Hauser | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| K. Porzingis | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| P. Pritchard | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L. Kornet | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Mykhailiuk | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| O. Brissett | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Davison | – | – | – | – |
| X. Tillman | – | – | – | – |
| J. Walsh | – | – | – | – |
| D. Peterson | – | – | – | – |
| N. Queta | – | – | – | – |
| J. Springer | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 106 | 51 | 25 | 15 |
Game 5 Highlights
- Final Score: Celtics 106, Mavericks 88
- Top Scorer: Jayson Tatum (Celtics) – 31 points
- Key Stat: The Celtics never trailed in the game
The Celtics came out strong, setting the tone early and maintaining control. Jayson Tatum led the charge with a stellar performance, contributing not just in scoring but also with 11 assists and 8 rebounds.
Series MVP
Jaylen Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP, capping off an impressive playoff run. His Game 5 stats tell part of the story:
- 21 points
- 8 rebounds
- 6 assists
Team Performance
The Celtics’ dominance wasn’t limited to just the finals. Their postseason run was nothing short of spectacular:
- Playoff Record: 16-3
- Overall Season Record: 80-21
- Winning Percentage: .792 (second-best in team history)
Coaching Milestone
Joe Mazzulla, at just 35 years old, became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to an NBA championship.
This achievement in only his second season at the helm speaks volumes about his leadership and the team’s trust in him.
Mavericks’ Effort
Despite the loss, the Mavericks didn’t go down without a fight:
- Luka Doncic led the team with 28 points and 12 rebounds
- The team had been undefeated (3-0) in Game 5s this postseason before facing the Celtics
Historical Context
This championship holds special significance for the Celtics:
- It comes exactly 16 years after their last title in 2008
- It’s the 13th championship won by a Boston sports team this century
Looking Ahead
While the Celtics celebrate their historic win, both teams will look to build on this experience.
The Mavericks, led by the young superstar Luka Doncic, see this as a stepping stone for future success.
This championship cements the Celtics’ status as the most successful franchise in NBA history.
The 2024 NBA Finals will be remembered for the Celtics’ record-breaking victory and the culmination of a journey for stars like Tatum and Brown.
From draft picks to champions, their story is now woven into the rich tapestry of Celtics lore.
