The TD Garden was electric Thursday night as the Boston Celtics took Game 1 of the NBA Finals, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 107-89. The Celtics set the tone early, igniting the crowd with a scorching first quarter performance and never looking back.

A significant storyline heading into the game was the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who had been sidelined for 38 days due to a calf injury sustained in the first round of the playoffs. The Latvian big man did not disappoint, coming off the bench and making an immediate impact. Porzingis scored 18 points in the first half, showcasing his versatility by draining long-distance threes and overpowering smaller defenders in the post. He finished the game with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks, including several pivotal rejections that helped shift momentum in Boston’s favor.

The Celtics came out blazing in the first quarter, firing on all cylinders and quickly establishing a commanding lead. At one point, they led by as many as 33 points, demonstrating their dominance on both ends of the court. Jaylen Brown was instrumental, finishing with 22 points, while Jayson Tatum, Boston’s regular season scoring leader, contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds. Tatum’s unselfish play allowed his teammates to shine, showcasing the depth and cohesion of this Celtics squad.

Despite the Celtics’ sizable lead, the Mavericks showed resilience, clawing their way back to within 8 points in the third quarter. Luka Doncic spearheaded the Mavericks’ comeback attempt, displaying his usual brilliance with clutch shots and playmaking. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome Boston’s relentless attack.

Kyrie Irving, who was greeted with boos every time he touched the ball by the Boston faithful, finished with a commendable performance but couldn’t tilt the scales in favor of the Mavericks. Post-game, Irving dismissed the crowd’s reaction, stating it did not affect his play and that he expected even louder jeers.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Celtics secured a decisive victory, but their focus quickly shifted to maintaining their momentum. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will look to keep his team prepared for Game 2 on Sunday, June 9th, also in Boston. The Mavericks are expected to come out with renewed intensity, aiming to even the series.

The Celtics, now eyeing their 18th championship banner, demonstrated in Game 1 that they are a force to be reckoned with. If they continue to perform at this high level, they might just achieve their ultimate goal. Fans can expect another thrilling encounter on Sunday as these two teams battle for NBA supremacy.

Stay tuned for more coverage and analysis as the NBA Finals unfold.