Boston is the new historic champion in NBA basketball, after crushing Dallas 106–88 in tonight's final match.
With 18 titles in the bag, the club has now won more times than anyone else in the league's history.
Good God. It's an unreal feeling. We did it, exclaimed a jubilant Jayson Tatum after the final win.
He himself was the match's top scorer with 31 points.
Team-mate Jaylen Brown, who was named the final series' most valuable player, complemented with 21 points.
Tatum and Brown have a special relationship after playing 107 playoff matches together over the years, more than any other duo without winning an NBA title.
Now the win against Dallas came on the 16th anniversary of Boston Celtics' last win in the NBA final in 2008 – then against rival Los Angeles Lakers, who have won the league 17 times.
It's taken a long time. And bloody hell, I'm grateful, says Tatum since the title was secured in front of a jubilant home crowd in Boston.
Boston took 11 of their total 18 NBA titles between 1957 and 1969, and this was only their second title in 38 years.
The final series ended 4–1 in matches. Dallas only won the fourth meeting, after a sparkling performance from Dallas star Luka Doncic. Tonight, he scored 28 points.
Obviously, we didn't win the final, but we had a bloody good season and I'm proud of everyone, said a somewhat downbeat Doncic afterwards.
When asked what was going through his head after the defeat, he replied:
Nothing. Sad that we lost.
Dallas has won on one occasion, in 2011.
2024: Boston
2023: Denver
2022: Golden State
2021: Milwaukee
2020: Los Angeles Lakers
2019: Toronto
2018: Golden State
2017: Golden State
2016: Cleveland
2015: Golden State
18: Boston
17: Los Angeles Lakers
7: Golden State
6: Chicago
5: San Antonio
