BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have become the winningest basketball team in the NBA Monday night.

After getting blown out in Game 4 to the Dallas Mavericks, the C’s responded well in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, 106-88. Jaylen Brown deservingly won the Finals MVP.

As far as the game goes, the Celtics came out swinging as they got the early lead in the game and stretched it out to double digits in the first half. The Celtics didn’t let their foot off the gas and continued to score on all three levels on the court. Brown scored 21 points, had eight boards and six assists to go along with his stellar play all playoffs. Jayson Tatum himself finally got a game in this series where he got the scoring going. Tatum finished with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, he led the C’s. Jrue Holiday had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Holiday won his second title since his 2021 season in Milwaukee. Al Horford, 38, becomes the first Dominican player to win an NBA title.

Perhaps one of the biggers keys was the return of Kristaps Porzingis. The center got cleared to play despite the ankle injury. It was his first time on the court since Game 2 when he suffered the injury, he was cleared on Game 3 but didn’t play a single minute. On Monday he played 16 minutes and five points. However, it was the defensive impact that Porzingis had which was a big factor as he protected the rim.

Much like most of this series aside from Game 3, Kyrie Irving struggled. The New Jersey native finished with 15 points and nine assists. For Luka Doncic, he had 28 points and 12 rebounds, hitting mid range and shots behind the arc was his mantra due to Porzingis being in the paint.

Coach Joe Mazzulla became the youngest head coach in the NBA to win a championship. The way he came into the position was unconventional with all the spotlights surrounded by Ime Udoka’s exit. However, he coaches this team to a 64-18 regular season record that garnered them the top seed in the eastern conference, and the best team in basketball. They essentially ran through the postseason without seeing a single Game 6 or Game 7 for the entire run, beating teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers including the Mavs. Many questioned the number of three-pointers that the C’s take and the one-on-one game they would find themselves playing, but it never got in the way of winning.

Tomorrow, media personalities will question whether this is the beginning of a dynasty, but for now, it’s the Celtics’ 18th NBA championship, the most for any franchise in the league.