BOSTON — The atmosphere in TD Garden on Monday night was a mix of warmth for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and heated disdain for Kyrie Irving. However, none of it deterred the duo from leading their team to victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks with a commanding 106-88 win, securing their 18th NBA championship. This victory breaks their tie with the Los Angeles Lakers and cements their status as an elite team.
The journey to this championship was not easy. Two years ago, the Celtics faced a humiliating Game 6 loss to Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Last year, they suffered a devastating Game 7 defeat to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. However, these setbacks only fueled their determination.
In the decisive Game 5, Tatum shone with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, overcoming his previous shooting struggles. Brown, who was awarded Finals MVP, contributed 21 points, six assists, and eight rebounds, relentlessly defending the injured Luka Dončić.
The Celtics’ success is a testament to their resilience and unity, despite the high expectations and criticism they faced. They have etched their names in NBA history, joining the ranks of legends like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
“It’s a surreal feeling. Still has not really kicked in yet,” Tatum said. “These last seven years have been a roller coaster, up and down. I had to listen to all the s*** that people said about me, and tonight, it was worth it.”
Brown echoed Tatum’s sentiments, saying, “We’ve been through a lot, the losses, the expectations. The media have said all different types of things: We can’t play together, we are never going to win. We heard it all. But we just blocked it out, and we just kept going.”
The Celtics’ victory is a testament to their endurance and unity, attributes that have become essential in today’s NBA. Their success story is a reminder that sometimes, stubbornness and faith in a team’s potential can lead to championship glory.
