Hang banner No. 18.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Monday to win the franchise’s record-breaking 18th championship.
The Celtics moved past the Los Angeles Lakers as the team with the most NBA titles. The Celtics last won the championship in the 2007-08 season, defeating the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers in six games.
Jayson Tatum got going early for Boston in the closeout win, facilitating the offence from the opening tip, and finished with 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.
After a competitive opening 10 minutes, the Celtics pulled away at the end of the first quarter and during the second, capping off the half with a Payton Pritchard buzzer-beating heave from half-court to put Boston up 67-46.
The Celtics would keep their foot on the gas pedal in the second half widening the margin to 26 at one point in the third quarter.
Boston would cruise to the finish line, winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy in front of their home fans.
More to come.
