The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game One of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Both teams featured players facing their former teams, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup. Kyrie Irving, who played for the Celtics between 2017 and 2019, and Kristaps Porzingis, who competed for the Mavericks from 2019 to 2022, brought experience and intensity to the court.
Porzingis, returning from an injury that sidelined him during the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals, was cleared to play but started off the bench. In just 20 minutes, he became one of the Celtics’ top performers, shooting 8-for-13 from the field to tally 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
The Mavericks struggled to contain Porzingis, opting to switch defenders—a strategy that backfired as he capitalized on mismatches by sinking a series of jumpers over smaller opponents. His offensive surge helped the Celtics build a commanding 29-point lead (58-29) in the second quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Porzingis’s momentum energized the Celtics, and his performance highlighted the depth and versatility of Boston’s lineup. As the series progresses, the Mavericks will need to adjust their defensive strategies to counter the Celtics’ multi-dimensional attack.
