It was billed as one of the more exciting and intriguing NBA Finals matchups in recent memory, but the 2023-24 campaign ended without much suspense. The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win their record-setting 18th NBA championship in June. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown finally earned their crown, while MVP finalist Luka Doncic faced criticism for his defensive effort.
The Mavs will be itching to improve upon this result and show that they still belong in the title conversation when they get another shot at the champs next season. Fans now know when that will be.
Boston and Dallas are set to duke it out on Jan. 25 in Dallas' American Airlines Center before again colliding in the TD Garden on Feb. 6, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
When NBA schedule dates start to trickle out, there are always a few marquee meetings that people anticipate. A Finals rematch often has enough appeal to be included in the coveted Christmas Day slate of action, so it is somewhat surprising that this one will not occur until 2025.
Nevertheless, the basketball-watching world should expect these regular season battles to be given a prime-time slot. Both franchises will enter the 2024-25 season with plenty left to prove.
Can the Celtics remain a juggernaut?
Although the Celtics were the best team all yearlong last season, they will not be satisfied with only one title. The doubt surrounding Tatum, Brown and the entire group will shift to a new narrative– “do they have what it takes to end this era of parity and become NBA's next dynasty?”
With Tatum being relegated to the bench for a sizable chunk of Team USA's gold medal run in Paris, many will continue to deny him elite recognition. That might be a blessing in disguise for Boston, and a dreaded curse for the rest of the league. The three-time All-NBA First-Team selection will likely have a massive chip on his shoulder, as will Brown after not being added to the Olympics roster.
The C's are bringing nearly everyone back, which means, on paper, they are still the most balanced squad in the league. Chemistry and experience should be even higher, so Boston's greatest enemy might actually be itself. Dallas is determined to not slide back down the totem pole, however.
Mavericks must build off last season's success
A fourth consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Celtics almost feels like a foregone conclusion, but the Mavericks' path to another Western Conference title could be downright brutal.
Surviving the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves figures to be more challenging than it was this past season, and the Denver Nuggets are always a threat. Dismissing LeBron James or Stephen Curry seems a bit hasty as well. Ergo, Luka Doncic and company will need to stay hungry this year.
That should not be a problem, especially for the Slovenian superstar. He is seemingly on the verge of capturing his first MVP award and could also effectively claim the “best player in the world” label if he leads the Mavs to a championship at just 26 years old.
They might not have to go through the Celtics for that Larry O'Brien Trophy, but beating them in 2025 could be a key confidence booster before the playoffs begin.
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