Celtics Rout Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of NBA Finals Behind Brown's Return, Porzingis' Absence

Boston Takes Early Lead in Title Series

The Boston Celtics took a commanding lead in the 2024 NBA Finals on Tuesday night, routing the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum, who recorded 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jaylen Brown added 34 points and 4 assists in the victory.

Key Players Return and Absences

The game marked the return of Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who missed the final two games of the Eastern Conference Finals with a hamstring injury. Brown's presence was immediately felt, as he provided a much-needed boost to the Celtics' offense. The Mavericks, on the other hand, were without star Kristaps Porzingis, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

Celtics Control the Game

The Celtics controlled the game from the opening tip, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter. The Mavericks managed to cut the lead to single digits in the second quarter, but the Celtics responded with a strong third quarter to take a commanding lead into the fourth.

Mavericks Comeback Attempt Falls Short

The Mavericks made a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, cutting the Celtics' lead to just 5 points with just over 3 minutes remaining. However, the Celtics held on, making key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Celtics One Win Away from Title

With the win, the Celtics are now just one victory away from their 18th NBA title. The two teams will meet again in Game 2 on Thursday night in San Francisco.