The Boston Celtics were crowned NBA champions after beating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 of the finals.
It is an 18th title for the East Coast side, meaning they finally surpass the Los Angeles Lakers to become the most successful team in the league.
The Mavericks again put up little fight in what was expected to be a close series, allowing the Celtics to win by nealy 20 points in the decisive match.
They were never behind in the the game and despite losing in Dallas last time out, always looked like they would win the series.
Boston’s 4-1 win means they only dropped three games throughout the entire play-offs, an impressive achievement.
Jaylen Brown – who scored 21 points on the night – was named finals MVP, although it could have been him or Jayson Tatum, who hit 31 and impressed again.
However, the latter was still named in the All-NBA first team for the third time this season.
WE THE CHAMPS BABY pic.twitter.com/vmxaGh9vJa
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 18, 2024
Speaking after the match, Brown said: “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.
Tatum added: “We’ve responded all year and this was no different.
“We owed our fans, it been a long journey. It’s been a long journey.”
The Celtics’ 18th title comes 16 years after their last triumph in 2008.
They have been involved in a series of near misses in recent years, including defeat in the NBA Finals in 2022.
For the Mavericks, they never looked like they could compete with their opponents.
Star players Luka Doncic kept up his impressive streak in the play-offs by hitting 28 points and 12 rebounds, but again was poor on defence.
He committed seven turnovers and missed his first six three-point attempts.
The @celtics are the 2023-24 NBA Champions! pic.twitter.com/UrZtUG0jwY
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
But he was still proud of his team for their efforts over the season and says it was still one to remember.
“I’m proud of every guy that stepped on the floor, all the coaches, all the people behind [the scenes],” said Doncic.
“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.”
Former Celtics man Kyrie Irving yet again had a poor night, finishing with only 15 points.
He went five-of-16 with his shooting and has now lost 13 of his last 14 against the Celtics.
“We finally ran into a team that beat us fair and square,” he added.
“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 will now celebrate their victory in Boston and embark on a parade through the streets to round-off a brilliant campaign.
