The Boston Celtics are just four wins away from their 18th NBA championship, which would break their tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history. Here’s a look at their journey and what’s at stake.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Finals
The Celtics have reached the NBA Finals for the first time since their 2022 loss to the Golden State Warriors. They are aiming for their first title since 2008, marking the second-longest stretch in team history without a championship, surpassed only by the period between 1987 and 2007.
Dominating the Eastern Conference
Boston’s strong performance in the Eastern Conference playoffs has been key to their success. They eliminated Miami in five games, Cleveland in five games, and Indiana in four games, finishing off the Pacers with a 105-102 victory in Game 4 on Monday. Despite close contests, Boston’s offense and defense proved too powerful in the final moments.
Standout Players and Team Effort
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been outstanding, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday form the best two-way backcourt in the league. Al Horford, starting for the injured Kristaps Porzingis, has provided experience and reliability. The Celtics are 12-2 in the postseason, winning seven consecutive games and 11 of 12 in the playoffs, despite a few hiccups along the way.
High Expectations
As the No. 1 seed in the East with a league-best 64 victories, the Celtics were expected to reach this position. However, simply making it to the Finals isn’t enough. “I don’t know if celebrate is the right word,” Derrick White said after eliminating the Pacers. For this team, winning the East is just a step.
Committed Ownership and Management
Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, leading the Celtics’ ownership group, commit to contending. They have given president of basketball operations Brad Stevens the resources to build a championship-caliber team. Stevens has assembled a squad that finished with the NBA’s best regular-season record at 64-18 and boasts the league’s best starting five when Kristaps Porzingis is healthy.
Star Performers
Jayson Tatum made All-NBA this season, Jaylen Brown was named Eastern Conference finals MVP, and both Holiday and White were All-Defensive selections this season. Anything short of a championship will be a disappointment for this talented team.
The Road Ahead
The Celtics will face either the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves in the Finals, with the Mavericks being the likely opponent given their 3-0 series lead. Since drafting Brown in 2016 and Tatum in 2017, the Celtics have reached the conference finals six times. They’ve faced various challenges, including strong opponents and coaching changes, but this year’s team is their best and most talented in the past eight seasons.
The Final Push
“Our mindset is very clear,” Al Horford said. “We need to finish.” The Celtics’ focus is on winning the championship and making history. With four more wins, they can achieve their goal and secure their place as the most successful team in NBA history. The Boston Celtics are just four wins away from their 18th NBA championship, poised to break the record for most titles in league history.
