The Boston Celtics have secured their place in the NBA Finals for the second time in the last three seasons, completing a clean sweep in their Eastern Conference semi-final series against the Indiana Pacers.
The Celtics clinched the series with a nail-biting 105-102 victory, thanks to a decisive three-pointer by Derrick White with just 45 seconds left on the clock.
Jaylen Brown led the charge for Boston, scoring 29 points, while Jayson Tatum contributed significantly with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. The Celtics’ dominant performance throughout the series resulted in a 4-0 sweep against the Pacers.
“It’s been nothing but a grind, we haven’t skipped any steps all season,” said Brown. “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in this locker room, tough guys. Our coaching staff has been great, front office great and now we want to take the next step.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised his players for their dedication and teamwork.
“Look at all the talent, look at the players we have,” Mazzulla said. “It’s really all about them, they let us coach them. They allow us to push them, they listen to us and they set the temperature of the organization every single day. As a coach, the greatest gift you can have is a group of guys that trust you and allow you to coach them.”
This victory marks Boston’s 23rd appearance in the NBA Finals, showcasing their historic success and resilience. The Celtics have been impressive throughout the postseason, defeating the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Pacers with a 12-2 record.
The Celtics now await the winner of the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Mavericks lead 3-0 in their best-of-seven series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dallas will host Minnesota in game four at 01:30 BST on Wednesday, with a chance to secure their spot in the Finals.
As the Celtics prepare for the NBA Finals, they are focused on continuing their strong performance and aiming for their 18th championship title.
