Celtics vs. Mavericks NBA Finals Game 5: Live updates, highlights (2024)

The Dallas Mavericks are still breathing – barely.

The Mavs kept the Boston Celtics from a sweep and – for the moment – their 18th NBA championship with a lopsided 122-84 win in Game 4 on Friday. Dallas' star guard Luka Doncic led the way with 29 points, including 25 in the first half, with five assists, five rebounds and three steals.

The Mavericks still have to overcome long odds. No team down 3-0 in a series has come back to win it, and only four teams have forced a Game 7. The last time it happened was last season when the Celtics pushed the Eastern Conference finals to seven games after losing the first three to the Miami Heat, but Boston lost Game 7.

Follow along for the latest information, updates, analysis and highlights.

Kristaps Porzingis will play in Game 5

BOSTON – Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is available and expected to play in Game 5, according to coach Joe Mazulla. There is no minutes restriction.

As of Monday morning, Porzingis hadremained questionable with a rare left-leg injury.

He sustained a torn medial retinaculum allowingdislocation of the posterior tibialis tendonin Boston’s 105-98 victory against Dallas in Game 2 on June 9.

"We expected him back at some point, and he's available tonight," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "What does it change? Just, you know, his ability to score in Game 1 and 2, and we have to be better. We've got to make him put it on the floor where he just can't catch-and-shoot. Then defensively, we have to be aware of his shot blocking. And so we've got to account for him when we do drive it to the paint that he's one that can change or block shots, and we have to be better at that. In Game 1 and 2, we weren't very good.

"With him on the floor, we'll see how he moves, but I think that healthy or not healthy — I mean, healthy, we are going to still check to see how he moves. So nothing changes there."

He missed Game 3 and Game 4 in Dallas, and on Sunday, Mazzulla said, “I haven't talked to him yet. … I'm not sure kind of where he's at. But he's trying and doing everything he can to try to put himself in position to be out there. I know that for sure.” — Jeff Zillgitt and Richard Morin

What time is NBA Finals Game 5?

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston.

How to watch NBA Finals Game 5

ABC will broadcast every game of the 2024 NBA Finals.

How to stream NBA Finals Game 5

Each game of the 2024 NBA Finals can be streamed on ESPN+ or on Fubo.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

NBA Finals schedule

• Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89 (Boston leads 1-0)
• Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98 (Boston leads 2-0)
• Game 3: Celtics 106, Mavericks 99 (Boston leads 3-0)
• Game 4: Mavericks 122, Celtics 84 (Boston leads 3-1)
• Monday, June 17: Game 5 at Boston, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
• *Thursday, June 20: Game 6 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
• *Sunday, June 23: Game 7 at Boston, 8 p.m. on ABC

Who sang the Game 5 national anthem?

Grammy Award-winning singer Joelle James sang the national anthem before Game 5.

Celebrities at Game 5

There are some stars in attendance to see the Boston Celtics potentially win another NBA title.

Celebrities inside TD Garden on Monday include artists Jack Harlow, Donnie Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre, AEW star Mercedes Moné and Fanatics founder Michael Rubin. There are some Boston-area athletes in New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Boston Bruins great Brad Marchand. Celtics alumni in attendance include former player and coach ML Carr, Mal Graham, Eddie House, Leon Powe and Jason Terry. — Jordan Mendoza

Celtics starting lineup

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are sticking with the same starting fives for Game 5. There have not been any changes to the starting lineups in this series.

• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum
• Al Horford
• Derrick White
• Jrue Holiday

Mavericks starting lineup

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are sticking with the same starting fives for Game 5. There have not been any changes to the starting lineups in this series.

• Derrick Jones Jr.
• P.J. Washington
• Daniel Gafford
• Kyrie Irving
• Luka Doncic

Game 5 referees

Zach Zarba (14th Finals) will be the crew chief for Game 5 in Boston, with John Goble (10th Finals) and Bill Kennedy (eighth Finals) also on the whistle. The referees for Monday have called games already in this series; Zarba officiated Game 1 while Goble and Kennedy were on Game 2. — Jordan Mendoza

Kyrie Irving gets another shot in Boston

BOSTON – Kyrie Irving left Boston disappointed and frustrated after the first two games of the NBA Finals in Boston.

Not only did theDallas Maverickslose the first two games on their way to a 3-0 series deficit, Irving did not play well against his former team in front of a crowd he desperately wanted to silence with his play.

Irving averaged just 14 points, shot 35.1% from the field, missed his eight 3-point attempts and struggled with his ball-handling in Game 1 and Game 2 in Boston.

“Being back in Boston, there's such a level of desire that I have inside of me to play well,” the Mavericks guard said earlier in the series.

Irving is back in Boston for Game 5 Monday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and if Irving isn’t better than he was in the first two games, Dallas’ chances of extending the series dwindle. Read Jeff Zillgitt's column.

Has any team come back from down 3-0 in the NBA Finals?

For Mavericks fans searching for hope, there may not be much left: No NBA team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Finals.

Not only has a team never won after being down 3-0 in the Finals, in NBA playoff history, a team that is down 3-0 in the series has lost all 156 times.

Biggest NBA Finals beatdowns

TheDallas Maverickswere at risk of being swept by theBoston Celticsentering Game 4 of the2024 NBA Finalson Friday. With their backs against the wall, theMavericks delivered one of the biggest beatdownsin Finals history.

The Mavericks led by as many as 48 points in their122-84 win over the Celticsat the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The 38-point differential marked the third-largest margin of victory in Finals history.

As the Mavericks look to become the first team in history to come back from a 3-0 deficit, many NBA fans may be wondering about another record that no one wants attached to their name: What's the biggest NBA Finals blowout? What’s the fewest points scored in the NBA Finals? We got you covered. Read story here. — Cydney Henderson and Jeff Zillgitt

Luka Doncic responds to critics with thrilling Game 4 performance

DALLAS — The two days from the end of Game 3 of theNBA Finalson Wednesday to the start ofGame 4were unkind toDallas Mavericksstar Luka Doncic.

The criticism of his game, especially his defense and officiating complaints, dominated the conversation, at least from Dallas’ side asBostonjumped to a 3-0 series lead.

Before Game 4, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd defended his All-NBA guard, calling the criticism “unfair or unwarranted.”

“No one in this room is perfect, right. So, like, give my man a break. Let him play the game,” Kidd pleaded.

Doncic responded when the Mavericks needed him most, with their season on the line and the Celtics trying to win their 18th championship. Read Jeff Zillgitt's column from Game 4.

NBA Finals Game 5 Mavericks-Celtics predictions

• Mike Freeman, USA TODAY: Mavericks 97, Celtics 94
• Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Celtics 113, Mavericks 101
• Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY: Celtics 115, Mavericks 99

(Series predictions from USA TODAY staffers)

NBA Finals predictions

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA experts’ picks and predictions for the 2024 NBA Finals:

• Scooby Axson: Celtics in 6
• Cydney Henderson: Mavericks in 6
• Lindsay Schnell: Mavericks in 7
• Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics in 6

Why Celtics will win Game 5

At home with an NBA championship, the Celtics are ready to seize the moment. They had their dud of the series in Game 4, and they will return to the kind of play that gave them a 3-0 series lead. In the end, it’s the story of the Celtics’ season and playoffs in particular: too much offensive and defensive depth led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. — Jeff Zillgitt

Why Mavericks will win Game 5

The Mavericks have improved as the series has progressed. They were dominant in Game 4, star guard Luka Doncic continues to put up big offensive numbers andbackcourt partner Kyrie Irvingwill finally have a good game in Boston against his former team. Getting production from other starters, such as P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr., and from the bench (Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, Dante Exum) will help the Mavs send the series back to Dallas for another game. — Jeff Zillgitt

Joe Mazzulla, Jason Kidd make NBA Finals history

The year was 1975. It wouldn't be long before Apple computer was founded. A show called “Saturday Night Live” premiered on NBC. There was Disco, 8-track players and bell-bottom pants.

Also, that year the NBA Finals featured two Black head coaches in Golden State's Al Attles and Washington's K.C. Jones. It wasn't just the first time two Black head coaches faced off in the Finals, it was also the first major sports championship in U.S. history featuring two Black head coaches.

We fast-forward to now (minus the bell-bottoms). There are again two Black head coaches in the NBA Finals.Read Mike Freeman’s column.

NBA Finals odds

According to BetMGM, the Celtics are –3000 to win the NBA championship against the Mavericks. Dallas is +1300.

NBA Finals MVP odds

According to BetMGM:

• Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +220
• Jaylen Brown, Celtics: -225
• Luka Dončić, Mavericks: +1300
• Jrue Holiday, Celtics: +3500

Celtics coaching staff

• Head coach: Joe Mazzulla
• Assistant coach: Charles Lee
• Assistant coach: Samuel Cassell
• Assistant coach: Tony Dobbins
• Assistant coach: Amile Jefferson
• Assistant coach: DJ MacLeay
• Assistant coach: Matthew Reynolds
• Senior consultant: Jeff Van Gundy

Mavericks coaching staff

• Head coach: Jason Kidd
• Assistant coach: Darrell Armstrong
• Assistant coach: Sean Sweeney
• Assistant coach: Marko Milic
• Assistant coach: Jared Dudley
• Assistant coach: Keith Vaney
• Assistant coach: Josh Broghamer
• Assistant coach: Eric Hughes
• Assistant coach: Alex Jensen
• Head of player culture: God Shammgod

Celtics championships

Boston’s 17 NBA championships are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for most in league history. The Celtics’ last NBA Finals win came in 2008 when Doc Rivers’ team, led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, knocked off the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers in six games. The Celtics lost in the NBA Finals in 2010 (to the same Lakers in seven games) and in 2022 (to the Golden State Warriors in six games).

Mavericks championships

Dallas has one NBA title to its name, coming in 2011 when Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd (the Mavericks’ current coach) beat the Miami Heat in six games. It was Miami’s first season as the Heatles, a nickname given due to their worldwide appeal with stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Mavericks went to the NBA Finals only one other time, losing in 2006 to a Heat team that had Wade, but also Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Terry and Antoine Walker.

Celtics playoff schedule

• Earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference
• Eastern Conference first round: Beat No. 8 Miami Heat in five games
• Eastern Conference semifinals: Beat No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers in five games
• Eastern Conference finals: Beat No. 6 Indiana Pacers in four games

Mavericks playoff schedule

• Earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference
• Western Conference first round: Beat No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers in six games
• Western Conference semifinals: Beat No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder in six games
• Western Conference finals: Beat No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves in five games

Celtics vs. Mavericks regular-season series

The Celtics went 2-0 against the Mavericks during the regular season.

Jayson Tatum scored 39 points with 11 rebounds in Boston’s 119-110 victory in Dallas on Jan. 22.

Tatum led the way again with 32 points and eight rebounds on March 1, when Boston won 138-110.

Mark Cuban Mavericks sale

The Adelson and Dumont families reached a binding agreement to purchase a majority ownership of the Dallas Mavericks from owner Mark Cuban back in November.

Miriam Adelson, the widow of Las Vegas Sands Corp. founder Sheldon Adelson, and her family said in an SEC filing they are selling $2 billion of LVS stock and “they currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, along with additional cash on hand, to fund the purchase of a majority interest in a professional sports franchise pursuant to a binding purchase agreement, subject to customary league approvals.”

Cuban has been one of the NBA’s most prominent owners in the past two decades and one of the most fined, racking up nearly $4 million in fines — and that doesn’t include $10 million Cuban donated to women’s groups following an investigation into a toxic work environment, including sexual harassment and workplace misconduct, within the Mavericks’ organization. — Jeff Zillgitt

NBA playoff bracket 2024

EASTERN CONFERENCE

First round

• No. 1 Boston Celtics beat No. 8 Miami Heat, 4-1
• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers beat No. 5 Orlando Magic, 4-3
• No. 2 New York Knicks beat No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2
• No. 6 Indiana Pacers beat No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks, 4-2

Conference semifinals

• No. 1 Boston Celtics beat No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1
• No. 6 Indiana Pacers beat No. 2 New York Knicks, 4-3

Conference finals

• No. 1 Boston Celtics beat No. 6 Indiana Pacers, 4-0

WESTERN CONFERENCE

First round

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder beat No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans, 4-0
• No. 5 Dallas Mavericks beat No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers, 4-2
• No. 2 Denver Nuggets beat No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1
• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves beat No. 6 Phoenix Suns, 4-0

Conference semifinals

• No. 5 Dallas Mavericks beat No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-2
• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves beat No. 2 Denver Nuggets, 4-3

Conference finals

• No. 5 Dallas Mavericks beat No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1

Who won NBA Finals 2023?

The Denver Nuggets won last year’s NBA Finals in five games against the Miami Heat. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was named the MVP of the series after averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.