Boston Celtics

Celtics earn Banner 18 with big win in Boston

The Celtics blew out the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Garden Monday to win their 18th NBA title

NBC Universal, Inc.

The Celtics closed out the Mavericks at home in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. Boston clinched its unprecedented 18th title and first since 2008.

The Celtics tried to sweep the Mavericks in Dallas Friday, but were blown out. Monday night in Boston, they responded with a blowout of their own to win their 18th NBA title at home.

The TD Garden crowd went wild as the C's took control early and never gave it up as they beat the Mavs 106-88.

WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE

Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

The championship comes 16 years to the day after Boston's last in 2008, when the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen led the Celtics to their first title since 1986.

Beating the Mavs in Game 5 in Boston, the Celtics have won their historic 18th NBA title.

It also breaks a 4-year-old tie with the rival Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in NBA history.

Jayson Tatum, whose playoff credentials have long been questioned by fans and commentators, put on a clinic, scoring a game-high 31 points to go along with 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals.

Jaylen Brown was named Finals MVP. He scored 21 points in each of the Celtics' wins in the series, including a 30-point performance in Game 3. He contributed 21 points Monday.

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
Jayson Tatum celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after winning the 2024 NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics, beating the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of Finals at TD Garden on Monday, June 17, 2024.
Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Getty
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0, Al Horford #42, Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after Boston’s 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
Confetti falls at TD Garden as fans celebrate the Boston Celtics winning the 2024 NBA Championship against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024.
Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Confetti falls at TD Garden after the Boston Celtics’ NBA Championship-winning 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, June 17, 2024.

"It was a full team effort, and I share this with my brothers, and my partner in crime, Jayson Tatum — he was with me the whole way," Brown said after winning the award. "I've been grateful for every moment, every opportunity."

"It was a full team effort, and I share this with my brothers, and my partner in crime, Jayson Tatum — he was with me the whole way," Brown said after winning the award.

Tatum was asked what it means to be able to celebrate a championship alongside Brown, his longtime teammate.

"It means the world," he said. "This has been a long time coming, and damn, it was worth it."

It's the first championship for Tatum and Brown, as well as second-year head coach Joe Mazzulla. But it's been a longer wait for center Al Horford, who has been in the league since 2007.

"It's been long, a lot of hard work, but I'm so proud to be part of this team," Horford said. "I can't believe it. This is just how I pictured it. Here at the Garden, with our fans, everybody together, this is just how I saw it eight years ago."

The streets of Boston were packed with excited fans after the Celtics won their 18th championship.

Luka Dončić led the Mavs with 28 points while his fellow superstar, Kyrie Irving, scored 15 — one of three games in the series in which he was held under 20 points.

The former Celtic has been deeply unpopular in Boston since before his acrimonious split with the team, and fans booed loudly each time he touched the ball Monday. But as the clock ticked down in Game 5, he approached the Celtics' bench to deliver his congratulations.

"We finally ran into a team where they beat us fair and square, and we weren't able to respond to a lot of their runs and we weren't able to execute at a high level," Irving said after the game. "So when I was shaking everybody's hands, that was more of a sign of respect for their journey. They have been through an incredible five-year span of going to Game 7s or losing in the Finals, so they know what this bitter feeling feels like being up here answering questions about when this next year holds and I think they used everything as motivation."

Boston's streets were alive with celebration Monday night, but we're still waiting to find out when the official parade will be held.

After losing Game 4 in Dallas, the Celtics won Banner 18 in front of their home crowd.
Exit mobile version