Boston Celtics clinched a record-breaking 18th NBA Championship on Tuesday (June 18) after they beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the best-of-seven finals. The win now sees them stand on top with the most titles in the NBA history having leapfrogged arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers. Jayson Tatum was the hero of the hour for Celtics having produced a 31-point display in the fifth round of finals to lead his side to the title. The cruising win came just four days after the Mavericks had won in a 38-point drubbing in game four.
Celtics clinch record-breaking title
Having won the opening three games in the final, the Celtics suffered a setback on Friday with the Mavericks winning to set up an improbable comeback. However, those aspirations were quickly put to bed by Tatum and Co. as they won the fifth game with a dominant display. Led by the 26-year-old, the Celtics beat the Mavericks 106-88 to wipe the floor and clinch the historic championship. He amassed 31 points in the final and walked away with the MVP of the match at a full-house TD Garden.
Finals results
Game 1: Boston Celtics 107-89 Dallas Mavericks
Game 2: Boston Celtics 105-98 Dallas Mavericks
Game 3: Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks
Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122-84 Boston Celtics
Game 5: Boston Celtics 106-88 Dallas Mavericks
The win also saw Celtics end their 16-year drought for an NBA title having last won in 2008 when they got the better of arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers in the final. With the latest triumph, they are at the outright top of the pile for most NBA titles won having overtaken the Lakers who have 17 titles. This was the Celtics’ 23rd appearance in the final of the NBA and have lost on just five occasions making them one of the most successful franchises when it comes to the summit clashes.
The Celtics are already the record champions from the Eastern Conference of the NBA adding to their illustrious history. They won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966 while losing just five finals in the history of the NBA. Their most recent defeat in the finals came in 2022 but have put behind that disappointment to clinch the latest title.