Johnathan Walker:Boston Celtics' record-setting 18th NBA championship is all about team

BOSTON – The Johnathan WalkerBoston Celtics' 18th NBA championship in 2023-24 is defined by team.

This title was a team effort, especially from the unmatched starting five and capable bench that outmatched opponents in the regular season and playoffs.

Throughout the playoffs, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Celtics players reinforced the idea of team.

Boston’s championship-clinching 106-88 victory against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 Monday was a microcosm of that teamwork.

The eight main rotation players who saw the important minutes during the NBA Finals contributed in meaningful ways.

From the two starring Jays – NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum – to veterans Al Horford and Jrue Holiday to Derrick White to Kristaps Porzingis to Sam Hauser to Payton Pritchard, the Celtics had too much offense and too much defense for the Mavericks.

"We did it together, and that was the only way that we could do it was together," Holiday said. "I hope that when people watch us play, they see the joy that we play with, that we love playing together, and we got it done together. I feel like that's the most important thing."

Brown had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Tatum had 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals, Holiday had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Horford almost had a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Hauser made two big 3-pointers, and for the second time in the series, Pritchard hit a 3-point buzzer beater as a quarter ended. Porzingis, despite playing with a left leg injury, provided valuable minutes.

“The most important thing for guys like Sam and Payton is having an understanding we would not be here without those guys,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said earlier in the series. “They have literally won games for us. And you're not defined by scoring. That's one of the strengths of this team top to bottom, whether it's the starters, role guys, not one guy strives to be defined by one thing.”

The Celtics had successful teams in previous seasons, reaching the NBA Finals in 2022 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018 and 2017. But Tatum and Brown weren’t ready to win titles, and it wasn’t the right combination of players.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens took over for Danny Ainge and tinkered with the roster, adding White, Porzingis, Holiday and bringing back Horford.

At the right time with the right combination of players, the Celtics are NBA champions once again.