The Boston Celtics blew out the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 to take Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Thursday night at the TD Garden.
![Boston Celtics News: Jaylen Brown Achieves Insane NBA Finals Feat That Hasn't Been Done Since Tim Duncan in 2003 1 Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) falls while defended by Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23487884_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
It was a balanced effort for the Boston Celtics, as six players scored in double digits, with Jaylen Brown leading the way with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
Because of his superb Game 1 performance, Jaylen Brown emerged as a favorite to win Finals MVP. And he is, by the way, the reigning Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
![Boston Celtics News: Jaylen Brown Achieves Insane NBA Finals Feat That Hasn't Been Done Since Tim Duncan in 2003 2 Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23488917_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks off the bench in his first playoff game back for the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford had 16, 15, 12, and 10 points in the victory.
Jaylen Brown channeled his inner Tim Duncan for the Boston Celtics in Game 1
Mike Breen from ESPN described Jaylen Brown as a “defensive demon” for the Boston Celtics in Game 1, which is quite accurate because of his impact on that end of the floor.
According to Stathead, Jaylen Brown became the first player since Tim Duncan in 2003 to record at least three steals and three blocks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and he only needed three quarters to do so.
![Boston Celtics News: Jaylen Brown Achieves Insane NBA Finals Feat That Hasn't Been Done Since Tim Duncan in 2003 3 May 21, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after the game against the Indiana Pacers for game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_23344999_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
Other than holding the Dallas Mavericks to only 89 points, the Boston Celtics had a 9-1 advantage in blocks and a 23-9 edge in assists. They also shot 38.1 percent from three-point range (16-for-42) compared to 25.9 percent (7-for-27) for Dallas.