The Boston Celtics have etched their name in the annals of NBA history once again by securing a record 18th NBA championship, surpassing their historic rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday night, concluding the series with a 4-1 victory.
In a momentous trophy presentation ceremony, Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla, who at 35 has become one of the youngest coaches to win an NBA title, praised his team’s determination and effort.
“You have very few chances in life to be great … you’ve got to take the bull by the horns and you’ve got to own it, and our guys owned it,” Mazzulla said.
What was anticipated to be a fiercely contested series turned out to be a relatively smooth ride for the Celtics, who dominated the final game on their home court. Leading by 21 points at halftime, the Celtics never trailed throughout the night.
Even though the Mavericks managed to snatch a single win in Game 4 with a staggering 38-point blowout, the Celtics’ overall control of the series was never seriously threatened. This dominance was reflective of their entire playoff run, in which they lost only three games.
Reflecting on the team’s response to the Game 4 defeat, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum expressed the collective resilience of the squad.
“We’ve responded all year and this was no different,” Tatum said. “We owed our fans, it’s been a long journey. It’s been a long journey.”
Tatum, a three-time All-NBA first team selectee, delivered an outstanding performance in the clinching game with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
Jaylen Brown, who was instrumental throughout the series, particularly shone in Game 5 and was deservedly named the Finals MVP. Brown contributed 21 points in the decisive game and shared the spotlight with his teammate Tatum. “It was a full team effort and I’m going to share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum, he was with me the whole way,” Brown remarked.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace with the Celtics on Monday night. Despite Luka Dončić’s commendable 28 points and 12 rebounds, his seven turnovers and poor shooting from beyond the arc hindered Dallas’ chances.
“I’m proud of every guy that stepped on the floor, all the coaches, all the people behind [the scenes],” Dončić said. “Obviously, we didn’t win the finals, but we did have a hell of a season and I’m proud of every one of them.”
Kyrie Irving, who has had a troubled history with the Celtics, faced another tough night. Finishing with just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, Irving’s performance against his former team remained lackluster.
Despite the outcome, Irving displayed a noticeable change in demeanor, showing respect to the Celtics’ journey. “We finally ran into a team that beat us fair and square,” Irving admitted.
“We weren’t able to respond to a lot of their runs. When I was shaking [Celtics players’ hands at the end of the game] that was a sign of respect for their journey, they’ve been through an incredible five-year span.”
The Celtics’ championship win marks their first title since 2008 and adds another glorious chapter to the franchise’s storied legacy. As they bask in the glory of their 18th championship, the team and its fans can revel in the accomplishment of surpassing their greatest rivals and solidifying their place as the most successful franchise in NBA history.
