Celtics Take Game 1

Porzingis Shines in Return, Celtics Cruise to 107-89 Victory

Dallas Faces Uphill Battle After Lopsided Loss

BOSTON, MA - Kristaps Porzingis made his long-awaited return from a calf injury in impressive fashion, dropping 20 points, including 18 in the first half, to help the Boston Celtics secure a comfortable 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

While Porzingis's scoring surge provided a much-needed spark, it was the Celtics' overall depth that proved too overwhelming for the Mavericks. Seven Boston players finished in double figures, led by Jayson Tatum's 22 points. Jaylen Brown added 21 points, while Malcolm Brogdon chipped in with 19 off the bench.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, struggled offensively, shooting just 39% from the field and 24% from three-point range. Luka Dončić led the way for Dallas with 30 points, but he was largely inefficient, making only 26 of his 44 field goal attempts.

The Celtics seized control of the game early, taking a 21-point lead in the first half. The Mavericks briefly threatened to make a comeback in the third quarter, but the Celtics quickly regained their composure and pulled away for good.

With the victory, the Celtics take a 1-0 lead in the series and have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 advantage when they host Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Conclusion: The Celtics' impressive Game 1 victory sends a clear message to the Mavericks: Dončić and company will need to play much better if they want to avoid falling into an insurmountable hole in this series. The Celtics, meanwhile, have shown that their depth and versatility make them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.