Kristaps Porzingis returns from 38-day layoff to score 20 points as Boston Celtics dominate Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of NBA Finals
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives toward the basket as Dallas Mavericks centre Daniel Gafford, left, and forward Derrick Jones Jr., below, defend during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals. The Celtics won 107-89 on June 6, 2024, in Boston .Kristaps Porzingis didn’t want to make predictions about how his body would respond heading into the NBA Finals after he spent more than a month on the sideline with a calf injury.
“That’s the KP that helped us get to where we are today,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It doesn’t matter how long the guy is off, he’s going to make plays.” Luka Doncic led Dallas with 30 points. P.J. Washington added 14 points and eight rebounds. But Dallas couldn’t find offensive consistency beyond that, totalling just nine assists on its 35 field goals for the game. The Mavericks didn’t score 25 points in any quarter.
The Celtics, seeking their first championship since 2008, showed little rust from their 10-day layoff after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. The Mavericks led by one midway through the first quarter. The Celtics responded by outscoring them 44-16 to make it 58-29 in the second.
Porzingis Game Ball Boston Doncic Quarter Points P.J. Washington Derrick White Luka Doncic
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