Starting 5, June 18: Celtics claim 18th NBA championship – NBA.com

Jayson Tatum and Bill Russell Finals MVP Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to their record-breaking 18th NBA title.

“He told me I was the best in the world … I said ‘you’re damn right I am!’”
– Jayson Tatum on what his son, Deuce, said as the confetti fell

THE LINEUP 🏀
What’s inside today’s edition?
Jays Lead Cs To Title 18: Tatum & Brown shine to clinch first title together
Team Effort: How Finals MVP Jaylen Brown & the rest of the Celtics made history
Where They Rank: Where this Celtics team stacks up historically
Celtics Celebration: From the court to the locker room, go inside the championship party
Championship Images: Some of our favorite images from Monday in Boston
BUT FIRST … ⏰
That’s a wrap on the 2023-24 NBA season.

With the Finals complete, can you list the 10 all-time Playoff points leaders in Celtics franchise history? Test yourself in NBA Play: Expert Mode.
1. BROWN, TATUM LEAD CELTICS TO 18TH NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

For the second time in three years, the NBA Finals ended at TD Garden in Boston.
In 2022, the Celtics had to watch as the Golden State Warriors celebrated their fourth title in an eight-year span on their home court.
This time, when the clock struck 0:00, green and white confetti danced in the air as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics celebrated the franchise’s NBA-record 18th championship – breaking a tie with the rival Lakers with one of the best start-to-finish seasons in NBA history.
The Celtics won title No. 18 on the 16th anniversary of title No. 17 … on 6/17, in the 617 Boston area code, no less.
In doing so, this team — built around the star duo of Tatum and Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown — joined Boston’s championship lore.
2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum now know what it takes to be champions. What lies ahead for the accomplished duo?
How They Did It: After suffering a 38-point loss in Game 4 in Dallas, the Celtics jumped on the Mavs from the opening tip and never trailed in a 106-88 win – an 18-point victory for title No. 18.

The Celtics had been knocking on the championship door since Brown and Tatum came together as teammates in 2017 – after being selected No. 3 overall in consecutive drafts (2016 & 2017). Three seasons ended in the East Finals (2018, 2020 and 2023) and another in the Finals (2022).
From this day forward, they’ll have to say “NBA champion” whenever they introduce Brown, Tatum and the rest of the 2023-24 Boston Celtics.
2. A TRIUMPHANT MVP & A TEAM EFFORT

Jaylen Brown heard Adam Silver announce his name and felt TD Garden roar as a sea of smiling teammates engulfed him.
Brown was handed the trophy named after Celtics great Bill Russell and hoisted it to the sky – just as he had elevated Boston all season – marking the pinnacle of an eight-year journey.
After enduring four eliminations in the Conference Finals and falling two wins shy of a 2022 title, JB was the Finals MVP, and the Celtics were NBA champions.
Jaylen Brown locks up Luka Doncic in Game 5 to seal the Bill Russell trophy as 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
Brown – who also won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP – averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the Finals, and shined when it mattered most for Boston.
“It was a team effort,” said Brown on winning Finals MVP. “I share this with my brothers.”

Like Brown, several other Celtics made history on Monday.
3. THE 2024 CELTICS’ PLACE IN HISTORY

The Celtics’ unprecedented 18th title made for a fitting end to a season that’s seen them rewrite the record books again and again — and secure their place among some of the most dominant teams ever. | 18 Stats for the 18th Championship
The Boston Celtics dominate the Dallas Mavericks in the 1st half of Game 5 on the way to their 18th championship.
But the 2023-24 Celtics didn’t just become one of the winningest squads in franchise and NBA history, they also found new levels of statistical greatness.
The Boston Celtics close out the Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, bringing joy to the final moments on the floor.
And their wins weren’t close. Including the regular season and postseason, Boston posted a +10.7 per-game point differential, the largest margin of any Celtics team ever.
Only four squads in NBA history posted a better average point differential, led by the likes of Kareem & Oscar Robertson, Steph & KD, Jordan & Pippen and Wilt & West:
Now, another team, led by another duo, solidifies one of the most dominant runs ever with a ring.
4. INSIDE THE CELTICS’ CELEBRATION

From the confetti falling to the court at the final buzzer, to the champagne spraying inside the locker room, to the fans dancing in the streets, the celebration of winning banner No. 18 and the first Celtics championship in exactly 16 years is in full swing.


From pregame arrivals to the postgame celebration, our all-access cameras were rolling to take you along for the ride. Plus, Celtics superfan Jamad chronicled her perspective on the championship-clinching night.
With the gravity of their accomplishment still setting in, hear what the Celtics had to say about Game 5 and their special season.

5. A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE FRAMES FROM GAME 5









Brown averages 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists with quality defense in the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.
Boston cements its season-long dominance behind a star tandem that learned hard lessons from prior setbacks.
Dallas has an enviable foundation with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but a return trip to the title round is no guarantee.
Jaylen Brown was named Finals MVP as the Celtics reasserted themselves as a championship franchise.
Brown averages 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists with quality defense in the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.
Boston cements its season-long dominance behind a star tandem that learned hard lessons from prior setbacks.
Dallas has an enviable foundation with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but a return trip to the title round is no guarantee.
Jaylen Brown was named Finals MVP as the Celtics reasserted themselves as a championship franchise.
Portland's Donovan Clingan gets the better of Washington's Alex Sarr in the 1st of what should be plenty of future matchups.
Bryce McGowens powers his way to 19 points (10-11 FTs), keeps Blazers in front during a tight summer matchup with the Wizards.
76ers rookie Jared McCain comes up clutch to seal a Philadelphia victory at the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas.
Board of Governors had adopted flopping penalty on 1-year trial basis, also approves rule change to Emirates NBA Cup tiebreakers.
Marcus Sasser leads Pistons charge with 17 points & 5 steals as Detroit comes back to win at the NBA 2K25 Summer League.
Nick Smith Jr. and the Hornets take control in the 2nd half and rout the Nuggets at the NBA 2K25 Summer League.

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