2024
Boston Celtics
Series Flow
4
Wins
1
Losses
Regular Season
64–18
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
16–3
Win–Loss
Finals
4–1
vs Dallas Mavericks
Finals MVP
Brown
Jaylen
Boston Celtics
64–18Dallas Mavericks
50–32Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving were a captivating Finals duo, but the Celtics' depth, three-point shooting, and elite defense were too much to overcome. The Mavs were outgunned on both ends.
Finals MVP
Jaylen Brown
#7 · Guard / Forward
20.8
PPG
5.4
RPG
5.0
APG
1.4
SPG
The first Finals MVP in Celtics history since Paul Pierce (2008). Closed out the Mavericks with authority on both ends.
18th championship for the Boston Celtics — breaking the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for most in NBA history
First Celtics Finals MVP since Paul Pierce in 2008
How the Series Unfolded
G1 · W
1–0
G2 · W
2–0
G3 · L
2–1
G4 · W
3–1
G5 · W
4–1
107
BOS
89
DAL
Payton Pritchard's explosive off-the-bench scoring (21 pts) combined with Brown's 22 points gave Boston an immediate series advantage. Luka had 30 but received no support.
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown
22 pts · 7 reb · 5 astSet the competitive tone in the first Finals game of his career.
DAL
Luka Dončić
30 pts · 7 reb · 7 astBrilliant individually but couldn't drag the Mavs to a win without support.
105
BOS
98
DAL
Tatum's 23 points and 8 rebounds anchored a dominant Boston performance. Holiday's defense stifled Luka to just 32% shooting.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum
23 pts · 8 reb · 7 astComplete performance — led the Celtics on both ends.
Jrue Holiday
8 pts · 6 ast · 4 stlMade Luka's night miserable with elite defensive pressure.
95
BOS
106
DAL
Luka's 35 points on a dominant offensive night sparked the Mavs in Dallas. Kyrie Irving's 21 points gave Boston a genuine challenge.
DAL
Luka Dončić
35 pts · 10 reb · 7 astReminded the basketball world what he's capable of when everything is clicking.
Kyrie Irving
21 pts · 7 astFinally found his Finals rhythm — dangerous when motivated.
106
BOS
84
DAL
Brown's 23 points on the road in Dallas effectively closed out the series. The Celtics' three-point shooting was brutal for the Mavericks to contain.
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown
23 pts · 7 reb · 4 astDominant performance on the road — the Finals MVP case was being built in real time.
Al Horford
12 pts · 11 reb · 3 3PMAt 38, the veteran contributed enormously in a road Finals game.
106
BOS
88
DAL
Boston closed out the Mavericks at home with 18 three-pointers — a Finals record. Brown had 21 points. Tatum had 31. Al Horford, 38 years old, celebrated his first championship on the parquet.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum
31 pts · 11 reb · 8 astThe championship game he had been building toward — dominant, composed, and complete.
Jaylen Brown
21 pts · 8 reb · 5 astFinals MVP — the co-star who stepped up when it mattered most.
Al Horford
11 pts · 10 reb · 3 blk16 seasons. 38 years old. Finally, a championship.
The Champions
19.8
PPG
8.8
RPG
6.6
APG
His best all-around Finals series. Led the league in scoring with 30+ PPG in the regular season; delivered when it mattered.
11.2
PPG
9.4
RPG
52.4%
3PT%
38 years old. Won his first championship after 16 NBA seasons. The defining veteran storyline of the Finals.
11.4
PPG
2.4
SPG
6.0
APG
Guarded Luka Dončić into the most inefficient series of his career. The most impactful defender of the playoffs.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving were a captivating Finals duo, but the Celtics' depth, three-point shooting, and elite defense were too much to overcome. The Mavs were outgunned on both ends.
28.0
PPG
8.4
RPG
7.4
APG
His individual numbers were spectacular but the Celtics' collective was superior. His first Finals — a learning experience for a future champion.
22.4
PPG
6.2
APG
Returned to face his former team in the Finals. Played well but couldn't overcome Boston's superior depth.
History Written in 2024
Boston Celtics
18th NBA Championship — breaking the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in NBA history
Boston Celtics
First championship since 2008 — ending a 16-year drought
Jaylen Brown
First Finals MVP of his career — the 7th player in Celtics history to win the award
Al Horford
Won his first championship at age 38 after 16 NBA seasons — one of sport's great perseverance stories
Boston Celtics
18 three-pointers in the clinching game — a new NBA Finals record
Beyond the Box Score
The 2024 Boston Celtics finished with the best record in the NBA (64-18) and were the unanimous favorite to win the title from day one of the season. They went 16-3 in the playoffs — the most dominant postseason performance since the 2017 Golden State Warriors.
The championship ended a 16-year drought for the franchise and gave Boston sole possession of the most NBA titles in history at 18 — breaking the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers that had stood since 2020.
The Full Story
Sixteen years. The Boston Celtics had last won the title in 2008, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. In 2024, a new generation did it: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford. The parquet floor, the banners, the same green — and a new championship.
The Mavericks had Luka Dončić — one of the best players in the world — and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics had depth. They made 18 threes in the closing game and won by 18. Al Horford, 38 years old, in his 16th NBA season, finally held the trophy.
18 championships. More than any franchise in NBA history. The Celtics had always been the standard. In 2024, they reclaimed it.