BOSTON — The Celtics are three wins away from another NBA title.
After a long break, Boston put on a dominant display in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to take a 1-0 lead over Dallas. The Celtics led by as many as 29 points in the first half and held off a second-half Mavericks rally to earn the victory.
Boston’s victory was sparked by Kristaps Porzingis, who, in his first action in over a month, scored 20 points in a reserve role. The Celtics were led by 22 points from Jaylen Brown while Jayson Tatum scored 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.
For Dallas, Luka Doncic led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds, but the five-time All-Star was limited to just one assist. Kyrie Irving struggled mightily, scoring 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.
The Sporting News followed live score updates, highlights and news throughout Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
FLOW: Watch the NBA Finals live on Sling TV
Mavericks vs. Celtics score
| 1Q | 2nd quarter | 3rd quarter | 4Q | Final | |
| Nonconformists | 20 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 89 |
| Celtics | 37 | 26 | 23 | 12 | 107 |
Mavericks vs Celtics live updates, results and highlights from Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals
(All times Eastern.)
Final: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
10:53 p.m.: The first game ends in Boston.
The Celtics took advantage of a big first half to build a cushion and thwarted a second-half rally to get the job done to open the series. These teams will be back in Game 2 on Sunday.
10:38 p.m.: It was all Celtics in this one and fans can sense a 1-0 series lead on the horizon.
Time out on the floor, Boston leads by 25 and an ovation at TD Garden sums up the evening.
Celtics 100, Mavericks 75
End of third quarter: Celtics 86, Mavericks 66
10:20 p.m.: After Dallas cut the deficit to single digits, Boston responded in dominant fashion to bring its lead back to 20 points.
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points to lead the way for the Celtics while Jaylen Brown added 19 points. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each scored 13 points each.
For Dallas, Luka Doncic leads the way with a game-high 27 points. Kyrie Irving struggled, scoring 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting in 30 minutes of action. PJ Washington is the only other Maverick in double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds.
10:14 p.m.: Boston responded and the crowd returned.
After some nervous energy filled the building, the Celtics scored eight straight points to cut the lead to 16. There were just under two minutes left in the third quarter.
Celtics 80, Mavericks 64
10:06 p.m.: The deficit is now less than 10%.
After trailing by 29 points in the first half, Dallas was down by just eight points thanks to a 3-pointer from Luka Doncic. Doncic has a game-high 27 points, while Boston only scored nine points in the third.
We have a good one on our hands.
Celtics 72, Mavericks 64
10:04 p.m.: It’s an 11-point game here in Boston.
A Kyrie Irving jumper brought his total to 12 points on the night and Dallas continued to win with over 16 minutes left in regulation.
Celtics 72, Mavericks 61
9:56 p.m.: The Mavericks have a deep hole to dig but they started the second half on a good note.
Dallas cut the lead to 16 points just four minutes into the half. Celtics timeout.
Celtics 68, Mavericks 52
Halftime: Celtics 63, Mavericks 42
9:29 p.m.: Half of it is in the books and this one was all Boston.
Led by 18 points from Kristaps Porzingis during his valiant comeback, the Celtics took a 21-point lead at the break. After Porzingis, Jaylen Brown has 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting, including a few thunderous dunks. Jayson Tatum has eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Dallas is a little stunned at first. He is led by 17 points from Luka Doncic, who is 7 of 14 from the field and 2 of 6 from deep. No other Maverick has reached double figures.
The Mavs will need a strong start to the second half to get back into this one.
9:21 p.m.: Dallas has no answer for anything Boston is doing right now.
A Jaylen Brown steal leads to a transition dunk and an offensive foul leads to another easy bucket for Derrick White. On the possession that follows? Another Mavericks turnover. Then, a Jayson Tatum 3-pointer.
Luka Doncic converts a layup to stop the bleeding but Dallas trails by 27 with less than four minutes left in the half.
Celtics 58, Mavericks 31
9:15 p.m.: It’s Kristaps Porzingis’ night.
In his first action in over a month, Porzingis scored up to 15 points (on 6 of 8 shots), accompanied by three rebounds and two blocks. He did it all in 10 minutes of action.
Happy to see you again.
9:08 p.m.: Jaylen Brown. Good morning!
Brown submitted a contender for dunk of the night (series?) by hammering a one-handed slam against Dallas’ Daniel Gafford.
JAYLEN BROWN WITH THE POSTER ????????
????Game 1 on ABC ???? pic.twitter.com/PTe9btMDW3
-NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2024
Just mean.
End of first quarter: Celtics 37, Mavericks 20
9:02 p.m.: The TD Garden is swing.
Kristaps Porzingis had 11 points on the night and recorded two massive blocks. The Mavericks can’t do much offensively and haven’t been able to match Boston from the perimeter.
KP SAID N???? pic.twitter.com/QUNqKQZSEc
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 7, 2024
The Celtics shot 7 of 15 from deep in one quarter and led by 17 points.
It could be a long night for Dallas.
8:57 p.m.: Kristaps Porzingis is back, back.
Porzingis came off the bench to score eight quick points, including buckets on each of the final two possessions. After a dunk, Porzingis sinks another jumper from the middle of the post to give Boston a 10 lead.
In addition to scoring, Porzingis pulled down two rebounds, blocked a shot and altered a few others. Mavericks timeout. There are 2h20 left in the first.
Celtics 28, Mavericks 18
8:52 p.m.: It’s a 10-2 run for the Celtics, who now lead by seven after trailing at the final timeout.
Derrick White canned a pair of triples and Kristaps Porzingis is on the board for the first time in 38 days.
Celtics 22, Mavericks 15
8:45 p.m.: The pace to start this one is frenetic. Boston and Dallas go blow for blow on every possession. The Mavericks have a one-point lead from the first break in the action. There are 6:58 left in the first quarter.
Jrue Holiday leads all scorers with five points early while Kyrie Irving has four points for the Mavs.
Mavericks 13, Celtics 12.
8:40 p.m.: Al Horford puts Boston first on the board with a driving slam, but Derrick Jones Jr. quickly responds with a 3.
HE’S HUNGRY ???? pic.twitter.com/pftBf1a6IF
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 7, 2024
On the ensuing possession, Jrue Holiday drains a 3. Nerves don’t seem to be playing a role yet.
Continue the game.
Pre-match
8:30 p.m.: Same starting lineup for the Mavericks, who will be accompanied by Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
It’s about that time.
8:12 p.m.: The Celtics came out to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and the energy at TD Garden is on another level.
Boos rained down on the Mavericks, who also took the floor for pregame warmups.
We are getting closer and closer to denunciation.
8 p.m.: Kristaps Porzingis is back in action for the first time since April 29, but the Celtics will make it easier.
Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 1 while veteran center Al Horford will retain his spot in the starting lineup.
7 p.m.: Boston’s star duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are poised to make their second NBA Finals appearance. They too were ready to work.
Bad boys ????#JetBlueRunway pic.twitter.com/6QHRfILdVo
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 6, 2024
6 p.m.: Luka Doncic has arrived on stage and the Dallas superstar is ready to work.
Luka Doncic arrives for his NBA Finals debut ????
Game 1 of #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV advice at 8:30 p.m./and on ABC! pic.twitter.com/FdJDBgVqrT
-NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2024
NBA FINALS PREVIEW: Will Luka Doncic or Jayson Tatum win the first championship?
Mavericks vs. Celtics start time
- Date: Thursday June 6
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Mavericks vs. Celtics will be notified 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 6. The game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.
How to watch the Mavericks vs. Celtics
- TV channel: ABC
- Direct: Sling
Mavericks vs Celtics will air on ABC in the United States and on TSN in Canada. US viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home of sports fans, offering various channels. You can still cheer on your favorite teams on channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1, etc.
MORE: Ranking the best players in the 2024 NBA Finals
Mavericks vs. Celtics Odds for Game 1
Here are the latest Mavericks-Celtics odds for Game 1courtesy of BetMGM, a licensed NBA gaming operator.
The Celtics are favored by 6.5 and are -105 against the moneyline. A moneyline of -105 means a $100 bet would pay out $195.24.
| Series tied 0-0 | Nonconformists | Celtics |
| Spread | +6.5 (-115) | -6.5 (-105) |
| Money line | +200 | -250 |
| Total P/O | W 214.5 (-115) | U214.5 (-105) |
Check out BetMGM to see the latest NBA Finals Odds including updated chances of winning the series,
2024 NBA Finals Schedule
Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 are scheduled to be played at TD Garden in Boston. The series will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas for Games 3, 4 and 6.
(1) Celtics vs. (5) Mavericks – Boston leads series 1-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live Streaming |
| June 6 | Game 1 | Celtics 107Nonconformists 89 | ABC, Sling |
| June 9 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 12 | Game 3 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 14 | Game 4 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 17 | Game 5* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 20 | Game 6* | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| June 23 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
