The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in the NBA Finals on Monday, making them the franchise with the most championships in league history.
The Celtics won the series 4-1 and now have 18 titles, surpassing their decades-long rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17.
Their final game was played at home with more than 19,000 fans in attendance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a surreal feeling. We did it,鈥� said Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
The Finals MVP award, named after Celtics legend Bill Russell, was given to guard Jaylen Brown, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5 assists during the series.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it,鈥� . 鈥淚 still can鈥檛 believe it. I mean, we did it. We鈥檙e here, but I can鈥檛 believe it. This is just how I pictured it here at the Garden, with our fans, everybody together. It鈥檚 just how I saw it eight years ago.鈥�
Lakers legend Magic Johnson, however, , 鈥淚 hate that the Celtics officially have more championships than us now.鈥�
鈥淐ongratulations to the 23-24 NBA Champions My Boston Celtics,鈥� , who helped win the Celtics their last championship in 2008.
President Biden also on their 18 championships, calling them 鈥渁 true legacy of excellence.鈥�
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