The Boston Celtics made a statement in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, cruising to a dominant 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Led by Kristaps Porziņģis’ impressive return from injury, the Celtics broke open a 29-point lead in the first half and never looked back.
Celtics jump out to a 1-0 lead with the home W ☘️
The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV continue Sunday with Game 2 at 8:00pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/so3JQ22TSu
Advertisement— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024
Porziņģis Sparks Celtics’ Early Run
Porziņģis, who missed the Celtics’ last 10 games due to a calf injury, came off the bench and immediately made an impact. He scored 8 points early in the first quarter, including a powerful dunk and a deep 3-pointer, helping the Celtics build a double-digit lead and force an early Mavericks timeout.
1st game back in the lineup ✅
1st-career NBA Finals game ✅…and Kristaps Porzingis came up BIG. 💪
Advertisement20 PTS (8-13 FGM)
6 REB
3 BLKCeltics take a 1-0 in the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV! pic.twitter.com/hPYDbPGrkL
— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024
Advertisement
The Celtics’ lead grew to 17 points by the end of the first quarter, marking the largest advantage after the opening period in a Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Porziņģis continued his strong play in the second quarter, scoring 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting as the Celtics took a 21-point lead into halftime.
Jaylen Brown put on a show in the @celtics Game 1 win 😤
AdvertisementHis all-around performance earned him the @YahooFantasy Player of the Night 🙌
22 PTS | 6 REB | 3 BLK | 3 STL | 48.2 FPTS pic.twitter.com/vARRMFtr9U
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) June 7, 2024
Advertisement
Celtics Withstand Mavericks’ Comeback Attempt
Despite the large deficit, the Mavericks slowly chipped away at the Celtics’ lead in the third quarter. A 20-6 run, capped by a clutch 3-pointer from Luka Dončić, cut the deficit to just 8 points. However, the Celtics responded with a 14-2 burst to end the period and regain a comfortable 20-point advantage.
This Jaylen Brown rejection was TOUGH 😤 https://t.co/dVrxvlAxML pic.twitter.com/XMsvtJkCkA
— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024
Porziņģis finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes, while Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 22 points. Jayson Tatum added 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, despite committing 6 turnovers. The Celtics set an NBA Finals record with 7 different players making multiple 3-pointers.
Mavericks Struggle Offensively
Dončić led the Mavericks with 30 points and 10 rebounds but shot just 4-of-12 from beyond the arc. As a team, the Mavericks made only 9 assists and scored a postseason-low 89 points. P.J. Washington contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving finished with 12 points.
The series now shifts to Dallas for Game 2, where the Mavericks will look to even the series before it returns to Boston. The Celtics, who have now won 8 straight games and every Game 1 this postseason, appear poised to capture their 18th NBA championship.
