Mavericks-Celtics full coverage: Dallas runs out of time in NBA Finals (2024)

The improbable Dallas Mavericks 2024 playoff run has come to an end at the hands of the Boston Celtics.

The efforts of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks come up short in a decisive Game 5 win for Boston, the Celtics celebrating the franchise’s 18th championship.

See our full coverage from the closeout game of the NBA Finals below.

Game stories

— Five thoughts: Mavericks’ improbable NBA Finals run ends as Celtics clinch title in Game 5

— Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Finals dream comes to an end. But it’s only the beginning

— Mavericks took us on a wild ride, earning higher expectations for next season and beyond

— National reactions to Mavs’ Game 5 loss from Dirk Nowitzki, others: ‘We will be back’

— Mavericks’ Luka Doncic uncertain about playing in Olympic qualifiers due to health

Game photos

Game updates

Box score | Play-by-play

Final: Celtics 106, Mavericks 88

The Celtics win Game 5, and for the 18th time in franchise history are champions of the NBA. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, despite a great season and surprising run, have to settle for second place.

Fourth quarter, 9:08 remaining: Celtics 88, Mavericks 67

The celebration is starting at TD Garden among the Boston fans. The Celtics’ lead is back over 20 points.

End of third quarter, Celtics 86, Mavericks 67

Barring a wild comeback, the Mavericks’ title run will end tonight at the hands of the Celtics and their soon-to-be 18th NBA championship.

Third quarter, 4:05 remaining: Celtics 82, Mavericks 64

Dallas trying to make another push, they have the lead back under 20 points as the third quarter starts to wind down. Josh Green has helped keep them afloat with a 4-for-4 performance from beyond the arc.

Third quarter, 9:10 remaining: Celtics 78, Mavericks 52

As ABC broadcaster Mike Breen said, “the barrage continues” for the Boston Celtics. Their lead has ballooned to 26 points as the Mavericks’ chances for a comeback, both in Game 5 and in the NBA Finals, are starting to look more and more remote.

Halftime, Celtics 67, Mavericks 46

The Celtics closed out the first half with a statement, and ended it with an exclamation point.

Boston stretched its lead back to double-digits and then some as the second quarter came to a close, with Payton Pritchard, for the second time this series, sinking a half-court buzzer-beater right before the end of the half.

The bucket pushed the Celtics’ lead back to 21 as the teams head to the locker rooms, the Mavericks potentially 24 minutes away from seeing their title dreams come to a close.

Second quarter, 5:00 remaining: Celtics 48, Mavericks 39

The Mavericks are hanging around midway through the second quarter and force a Celtics timeout. Dallas has been finding more success getting the ball to the hole, currently on an 8-2 run with every Dallas bucket coming from close range.

Second quarter, 7:00 remaining: Celtics 46, Mavericks 31

The Celtics have stayed hot and have their biggest lead of the night at 15 points, though it bodes well for the Mavericks that Kyrie Irving just hit his first 3-pointer of the night. Irving has five points as he tries to pull the Mavs back in it.

End of first quarter: Celtics 28, Mavericks 18

The Celtics with a surge to close out the quarter on an 11-3 run to take a double-digit lead into the second quarter. Not how the Mavericks would’ve liked the first quarter of Game 5 to go, as the raucous crowd at TD Center is locked in to start.

First quarter, 3:56 remaining: Celtics 16, Mavericks 13

Dallas calms down and begins to hit some shots, including a three-point play by Luka Doncic and back-to-back 3-pointers from Josh Green. Boston calls a timeout after the Mavs cut the lead to three points.

First quarter, 7:30 remaining: Celtics 9, Mavericks 2

Not the start the Mavericks wanted, as they’re out of the gate shooting 1-for-8 and trail Game 5 early.

First quarter, 12:00 remaining: Mavericks 0, Celtics 0

We’re underway in Game 5.

Pregame updates

7:20 p.m.: The Mavericks have announced their starting five.

6:20 p.m.: As expected, Luka Doncic will play in Game 5.

5:30 p.m.: Kristaps Porzingis is available for tonight’s Game 5.

Pregame reading

— Dereck Lively II’s resurgence key to Mavericks staying alive in NBA Finals

— Facing elimination, Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving has to fight his ‘self-doubt’ in Game 5

— Mavericks could be in for a successful Game 5: ‘As the series goes on, they get better’

— Tim Hardaway Jr., Daniel Gafford say if Mavs play ‘desperate,’ they can make history

— Why Mavericks’ task vs. Celtics shouldn’t be considered Mission Impossible

— Like ‘Matrix’ vs. LeBron James in 2011, Mavs’ Derrick Jones Jr. giving Jayson Tatum fits

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.