The Boston Celtics missed their chance to clinch the NBA championship on Friday night, succumbing to a 122-84 blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Celtics, known for their consistent execution under head coach Joe Mazzulla, struggled to maintain their form against a determined Mavericks team.

Dallas was led by stellar performances from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, who combined for 50 points. Dončić contributed 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Irving added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Mavericks took control early, with a surprise three-pointer from rookie center Dereck Lively II sparking a significant run that the Celtics could not counter.

The Mavericks built a substantial lead early in the game, leading by double digits by the end of the first quarter and extending their advantage to 25 points by halftime. Boston’s struggles were evident as they missed 10 of their first 15 shots, unable to find a rhythm against Dallas' heightened defensive pressure and physical play.

By the third quarter, Dallas had pushed their lead close to 40 points, prompting both teams to bench their starters. Tim Hardaway Jr., who had been out of the rotation, made a significant impact off the bench, helping the Mavericks maintain their dominance.

Boston's metronomic consistency, which had been their hallmark throughout the season, faltered significantly. Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the challenge posed by Dallas, noting their ability to test the Celtics' discipline on every possession. Despite Mazzulla’s strategic approach, the Celtics were often out of position and failed to execute properly, leading to their worst Finals loss in history.

With the series now shifting back to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics must regroup and address the issues that led to their collapse. As guard Jrue Holiday remarked, winning in the Finals is a formidable challenge, and Boston will need to elevate their game to secure the championship.

Game 5 is scheduled for Monday at 8:30 PM ET on ABC, where the Celtics will aim to rebound from this setback and claim their long-awaited title.