Kristaps Porzingis high fives Jayson Tatum as the Boston Celtics play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. | ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The Boston Celtics are the 2024 NBA champions after crushing the Dallas Mavericks, 106-88, in Game 5 of the Finals on Monday (Tuesday morning, June 18, Philippine time).
Jayson Tatum had a blast in Game 5, scoring 31 points as the Celtics won their 18th NBA title, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17.
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NBA Finals 2024 LIVE UPDATES: Boston vs Dallas, Game 5
Jaylen Brown added 21 while Jrue Holiday had 15 for Boston, the Eastern Conference champions.
Luka Doncic led Dallas with 28 points. Kyrie Irving had 15.
Jayson Tatum celebrates with the crowd after making a three-point basket against Dallas in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. | Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP
Humbled by Dallas in a 38-point game four drubbing on Friday, Boston slammed the door on any chance of a Mavericks fightback to seal a 4-1 series victory at an electric TD Garden.
Tatum spearheaded a superb performance at both ends of the floor as Boston pulled clear of their arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers to stand alone with 18 NBA titles.
The emphatic win came 16 years to the day after Boston’s last NBA Finals win — over the Lakers — in 2008.
NBA FINALS 2024 series recap
Game 1: Boston 107, Dallas 89
Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 20 in his first game in more than a month and the Boston Celtics powered past the Dallas Mavericks 107-89.
Game 2: Boston 105, Dallas 98
Jrue Holiday had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum made up for a rough shooting night with 12 assists and nine rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 105-98.
Game 3: Boston 106, Dallas 99
The Boston Celtics, fueled by their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, held off a furious Dallas rally to beat the Mavericks 106-99.
Game 4: Dallas 122, Boston 84
Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half, Kyrie Irving added 21 points and the Dallas Mavericks emphatically extended their season, fending off elimination by beating the Boston Celtics 122-84.