The Boston Celtics secured their first NBA championship since 2008 with a convincing 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2023-2024 NBA Finals.

This win capped off an impressive playoff journey for a team expected to dominate the league for years. Jayson Tatum and his teammates mirrored the 2007-08 Celtics’ success, clinching their 18th championship on their home court.

The 2023-24 Celtics, much like their 2008 counterparts, were built around talented players developed within the team and strategic offseason acquisitions aimed at restoring the franchise to its former glory. However, unlike the 2008 team, this season’s Celtics faced adversity and setbacks along their path to the championship.

In a fitting conclusion filled with cheers, Boston’s 18th NBA title was sealed by stellar performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum led the charge with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 21 points. Jrue Holiday contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Derrick White chipped in with 14 points.

Kristaps Porzingis returned from injury to score 5 points in 16 minutes, and veteran Al Horford, at 38 years old, celebrated his first championship with 9 points.

Despite early challenges, the Celtics overcame difficulties at the American Airlines Center, shooting 45.2% from the field and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities near the basket.

Boston dominated Dallas from the outset, ending the first half with a 28-18 lead after a 9-0 scoring run sparked by Sam Hauser’s three-pointer. Although they faced offensive struggles in the second half, Boston maintained their lead as Dallas struggled to narrow the gap, despite Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic combining for 43 points.

As the final seconds ticked down, chants of “Let’s Go Celtics” and “We Want Boston” reverberated throughout TD Garden, marking a historic achievement for Jayson Tatum and his teammates.