After 16 years of waiting, the Boston Celtics are NBA champions once again — and this time, they’ve done more than just win a title. With their dominant run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics have now claimed their 18th championship, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in NBA history.
The win not only breaks the tie that had lasted since the Lakers’ 2020 title but also cements Boston’s position at the top of the league’s all-time legacy leaderboard.
🏆 Championship Clinched in Convincing Fashion
The Celtics clinched the 2024 NBA Finals by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games (4–1). Boston overwhelmed Dallas with their defensive intensity, depth, and poise, outscoring them by an average of +14.4 points per game across the series — one of the most lopsided Finals margins in recent memory.
Jaylen Brown, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5 assists, was named Finals MVP, edging out Jayson Tatum, whose all-around contributions were equally pivotal. The duo proved why Boston’s front office refused to break them up during years of trade rumors.
🔥 A Dominant Season From Start to Finish
Boston’s journey to the title wasn’t a Cinderella story — it was a display of sustained dominance.
Record: 64–18 (best in the league)
Home Record: 37–4 at TD Garden
Playoff Record: 16–3
Swept Indiana 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
Defeated Miami and Cleveland in earlier rounds
Anchored by the elite perimeter defense of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, the versatile scoring of Brown and Tatum, and the rim protection of Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, the Celtics were built for a deep playoff run — and executed perfectly.
🧠 Brad Stevens’ Vision Comes to Life
This championship is also a major vindication for Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who took a bold approach in reshaping the team after taking over for Danny Ainge in 2021.
His acquisition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis in the offseason raised eyebrows, but both moves paid off. Holiday brought championship pedigree and poise, while Porziņģis gave the Celtics a modern big who could stretch the floor and protect the rim.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla, still only 35, proved his mettle in his second full season. After early-season doubts and scrutiny, he now has a title on his résumé — and the respect that comes with it.
🏀 Boston’s Rich Championship Legacy
The Celtics’ first championship came in 1957, and they dominated the 1960s under Bill Russell, winning 11 titles in 13 years. Legends like Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett have all contributed to Boston’s storied history — but this 18th banner carries its own unique weight.
For years, Boston and the Lakers were locked at 17 championships apiece, each franchise boasting iconic legacies and fanbases. Now, Boston stands alone.
> “This banner is for everyone — the legends, the fans, the city,” said Tatum in the postgame celebration. “We made history tonight.”
📣 Final Thoughts
This 2024 championship is more than just a ring — it’s a statement.
The Boston Celtics are not just back. They’re officially at the top of the NBA mountain — in both the present and the past.
With a young core, elite depth, and a taste of championship success, this could be the beginning of a new green dynasty.
