Jayson Tatum saved the best for last in this roller coaster NBA Finals series.
Boston finally found its groove beyond the arc in the right place at the right time, while playing stinging defense.
On the same day Boston clinched their last NBA title at home 16 years ago, the Celtics are finally hanging championship banner no. 18.
Tatum came up big with an all-around game of 31 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists as the Celtics closed out the Mavericks behind a masterful 106-88 Game 5 win--giving Boston its first title in 16 years.
The Boston Celtics DEFEAT the Dallas Mavericks TO WIN THE 2024 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) June 18, 2024
Celtics with the MOST banners in NBA HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/3ogE2Pqehc
Boston now broke a tie with rivals Los Angeles Lakers with the most championships with 18.
Tatum played a facilitator role early and found his offense along the way, dropping 16 points, nine assists, and four rebounds in the first half for a 67-46 Celtics lead.
Jayson Tatum came READY for Game 5...
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
16 PTS
9 AST
4 REB
54.5 FG%
Seeking his 1st 🏆... Boston leads 67-46 at the half on ABC. pic.twitter.com/fSRHRkQ9V7
After Tatum and Doncic exchanged buckets in the closing moments of the second period, it was Pritchard who stole the show late with a buzzer-beating, half-court three pointer that made the entire TD Garden rocked and roared.
JT and Luka trading buckets! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qlnuj64aPh
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2024
"Here's Pritchard he loves these... puts it up from halfcourt at the buzzer... BANG... HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!" https://t.co/dWXM1HVj4D pic.twitter.com/EtcSju6Gn0
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
In this NBA Finals series, Tatum did less for the Celtics to do more. But in the biggest game of his career, the 26-year-old superstar delivered for Boston when they needed him the most.
Boston’s lead grew to as much as 26 points, 78-52, after a Jrue Holiday layup early in the third en route to a dominating title-clinching performance.
After getting blown out in Game 4, the Celtics would not be denied this time.
They shot 13 triples, outrebounded the Mavs, and finished this dominating championship run at a 16-3 (.842), the second-best win percentage since 2003 when the league debuted the best-of-seven format for all four playoff rounds.
Boston, who fell short in the same stage two years ago, got the job done that started from dominating the regular season with 64 wins, breezed through the playoffs, and capping off with a title.
Tatum and Brown, after years of playoff heartbreaks and enduring criticisms of not being good enough to lead a team to the promised land, are finally hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Al Horford added nine points and nine rebounds and it took the former Florida Gator 186 playoff games, 15 playoff appearances, 17 seasons, and two stops with the Celtics to win a title.
Kristaps Porzingis returned after missing the last two games and scored five points in 11 minutes for his first chip after nine long years.
OMG KP pic.twitter.com/HvYvfWky8f
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 18, 2024
Derrick White got his one while Jrue Holiday is now a two-time champ and his first as Celtics.
Joe Mazzulla also became the sixth youngest coach in history to win an NBA title.
It was a bitter end for Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks, who are in their first NBA Finals since 2011.
Doncic had 28 points, 12 rebounds and four dimes but shot eight of 20 from the field, including missing seven of his nine three pointers, and the search for that elusive first NBA title continues.
Irving finished with just 12 points and nine assists on a dismal four-of-fifteen shooting.
After a historic Game 4 win, the Mavericks could not overcome a rejuvenated Celtics squad that imposed their will on both ends. Dallas struggled on offense and shot a measly 11-of-37 clip from three.
