Celtics Defeat Mavericks 107-89 in NBA Finals Game 1

Porzingis Returns with 20 Points

Boston Celtics Dominate Dallas Mavericks

The Boston Celtics took a commanding lead in the NBA Finals on Thursday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 at TD Garden. Kristaps Porzingis made his return from a calf injury and impressed with 20 points, including 18 in the second half.

The Celtics led wire-to-wire in the first half, building a 15-point lead by halftime. Boston's depth proved too much for Dallas, with four players scoring in double figures. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Mavericks struggled to keep pace throughout the game, shooting just 38.2% from the field. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, Dallas's star duo, combined for just 29 points on 9-of-33 shooting.

Conclusion

The Celtics' victory was a statement to the rest of the NBA, demonstrating their dominance and depth. The return of Porzingis has given Dallas a boost, but the Celtics' superior play on both ends of the floor proved to be too much in Game 1. With the series shifting to Dallas for Game 2 on Sunday, the Mavericks will need to find a way to slow down Boston's high-powered offense and protect their home court if they want to stay alive in the NBA Finals.