The 2024 NBA Finals pitted two talented teams against each other: the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams worked hard all season to reach this stage. The series had strong performances from star players on both sides. In the end, the Boston Celtics won the championship, but each game was full of action, skill, and competition. Let’s review the match player stats from this exciting series.
| Game | Team | Top Scorer | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Other Key Stats |
| 1 | Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown | 22 | 6 | 0 | 3 steals |
| 1 | Boston Celtics | Kristaps Porzingis | 20 | 6 | 0 | 3 blocks |
| 1 | Boston Celtics | Jayson Tatum | 16 | 11 | 0 | – |
| 1 | Dallas Mavericks | Luka Dončić | 30 | 10 | 0 | – |
| 1 | Dallas Mavericks | Kyrie Irving | 12 | 0 | 0 | 6-of-19 FG |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | Jrue Holiday | 26 | 11 | 0 | 11-of-14 FG |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | Jayson Tatum | 18 | 9 | 12 | – |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown | 21 | 0 | 0 | 3 steals |
| 2 | Dallas Mavericks | Luka Dončić | 32 | 11 | 11 | Triple-double |
| 2 | Dallas Mavericks | Kyrie Irving | 16 | 0 | 6 | – |
| 3 | Boston Celtics | Jayson Tatum | 31 | 8 | 6 | – |
| 3 | Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown | 30 | 8 | 8 | – |
| 3 | Dallas Mavericks | Kyrie Irving | 35 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 3 | Dallas Mavericks | Luka Dončić | 27 | 6 | 6 | – |
| 4 | Dallas Mavericks | Luka Dončić | 29 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 4 | Dallas Mavericks | Kyrie Irving | 21 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 4 | Dallas Mavericks | Tim Hardaway Jr. | 15 | 0 | 0 | All in 4th quarter |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | Jayson Tatum | 31 | 8 | 11 | – |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | Jrue Holiday | Early scoring | – | – | Set early tone |
| 5 | Dallas Mavericks | Luka Dončić | 28 | 12 | 5 | – |
Game 1: Boston Celtics 107, Dallas Mavericks 89
The first game of the Finals took place at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics started strong and controlled the game early. They built a 29-point lead in the first half and never looked back.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 22 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Kristaps Porzingis made a big impact coming off the bench, scoring 20 points, pulling down six rebounds, and blocking three shots in just 21 minutes of play. Jayson Tatum also helped with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Mavericks, Luka Dončić tried his best to keep his team in the game. He scored 30 points and collected 10 rebounds. However, the Mavericks struggled as a team. They only had nine assists throughout the entire game, indicating difficulty with ball movement. Kyrie Irving also had a tough night, scoring just 12 points while shooting 6-of-19 from the field.
Game 2: Boston Celtics 105, Dallas Mavericks 98
In the second game, the Celtics continued their strong performance. Jrue Holiday stepped up and led Boston with 26 points while shooting an impressive 11-of-14 from the field. He also grabbed 11 rebounds. Jayson Tatum came close to a triple-double with 18 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and Derrick White contributed 18 points, with both players also recording three steals each.
Luka Dončić gave another excellent performance for Dallas. He finished the game with a triple-double, scoring 32 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and providing 11 assists. This made him the first Mavericks player to record a triple-double in an NBA Finals game. Kyrie Irving scored 16 points and handed out six assists, but once again, the Mavericks could not overcome the Celtics’ balanced offense.
Game 3: Boston Celtics 106, Dallas Mavericks 99
The series moved to Dallas for Game 3, but the Celtics remained in control. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Jaylen Brown followed closely with 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Derrick White continued his consistent play by scoring 16 points.
On the Mavericks’ side, Kyrie Irving finally had a breakout game, scoring 35 points. Luka Dončić supported him with 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Dallas started strong but could not hold onto their lead, and Boston took a 3-0 lead in the series.
Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84
Facing elimination, the Mavericks played their best game of the series in Game 4. Luka Dončić led the way with 29 points, while Kyrie Irving added 21 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 15 points, all of which came in the fourth quarter.
Dallas dominated the game, especially in the second half. They outscored Boston 61-35 in the final two quarters and won by 38 points. This victory was one of the biggest margins in NBA Finals history and helped Dallas avoid being swept.
Game 5: Boston Celtics 106, Dallas Mavericks 88
The Celtics returned home for Game 5 determined to close out the series. Jayson Tatum led the team with a strong performance, scoring 31 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and providing 11 assists. Jrue Holiday set the tone early by scoring Boston’s first three baskets. Kristaps Porzingis returned from injury to give the team extra depth off the bench. Payton Pritchard made a memorable buzzer-beating half-court shot to end the first half, helping Boston build a 21-point lead at halftime.
Luka Dončić fought hard for Dallas once again, scoring 28 points along with 12 rebounds and five assists. Despite his efforts, the Mavericks could not match Boston’s strong team performance. The Celtics secured the win and their 18th NBA championship, making them the team with the most titles in NBA history.
Series Summary and Player Highlights
The Boston Celtics showed great teamwork and depth throughout the series. Jaylen Brown was named the Finals MVP, averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. His consistent performance on both offense and defense was a key factor in Boston’s success.
Jayson Tatum also played a vital role, often leading the team in scoring and assists. Jrue Holiday provided excellent defense and efficient scoring, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed important minutes despite dealing with injuries.
On the Mavericks’ side, Luka Dončić had a remarkable series. He led all players in total points, rebounds, and assists for the entire 2024 playoffs, becoming only the second player in NBA history to do so in a single postseason. His leadership and skills kept Dallas competitive in each game. Kyrie Irving, though inconsistent early in the series, showed his scoring ability with a strong performance in Game 3.
Team Performances
The Boston Celtics demonstrated their experience and balance throughout the series. Their strong defense, effective ball movement, and unselfish play allowed multiple players to contribute every night. Boston’s ability to adjust to different situations helped them control the pace of the games.
The Dallas Mavericks, while unable to win the championship, showed resilience. Luka Dončić’s leadership and individual brilliance were highlights of the series. The Mavericks’ Game 4 win showed they could compete at a high level, but overall, they struggled to match Boston’s consistency.
Conclusion
The 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks was a series filled with great moments and outstanding individual performances. The Celtics’ victory added another chapter to their long and successful history, while the Mavericks proved they have the foundation to compete for future championships. Fans saw excellent basketball throughout the series, with standout efforts from stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Luka Dončić, and Kyrie Irving. As both teams move forward, they will aim to build on this experience and continue their pursuit of NBA greatness.
