Image Source: AP
[Saba Sports News] Jayson Tatum put his hands behind his head, soaking in the cheers from the TD Garden fans. As he walked to the bench, he embraced Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, marking the end of their journey.
The Boston Celtics now stand alone among NBA champions. Tatum scored 31 points, with 11 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Celtics to a 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. This win secured the franchise’s 18th championship, breaking their tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.
Boston claimed its latest title on the 16th anniversary of their last championship in 2008. This marks the 13th championship won by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises this century.
“It means the world,” Tatum said after receiving the trophy from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “It’s been a long time. And damn, I’m grateful.”
Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, earning the NBA Finals MVP. “I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum,” Brown said. This victory was the 107th playoff game for the Tatum-Brown duo, the most for any duo before winning a title.
Jrue Holiday added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis, returning from a two-game absence, chipped in five points in 17 minutes.
The Celtics concluded a dominant postseason, going 16-3 and finishing with an 80-21 overall record. This .792 winning percentage is second only to the 1985-86 championship team’s .820.
Mazzulla, at age 35 in his second season, became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to a championship. “You have very few chances in life to be great,” Mazzulla said.
Luka Doncic scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Dallas, which couldn’t extend the series after avoiding a sweep with a Game 4 win. Despite battling injuries, Doncic made no excuses for the loss. “I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough,” he said.