Uncommon Knowledge
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The 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks finally tips off on Thursday night.
Read more: NBA Finals Schedule: How to Watch, Betting Odds and More for Mavericks vs Celtics
This matchup is loaded with star power, with four of the league’s top players facing off in what should be an exciting series.
Usually, in the NBA playoffs, teams need their best players to come through in the biggest moments if they want to win it all. So, we at Newsweek Sports figured we’d rank the 10 best players in the 2024 NBA Finals.
Read more: NBA Finals Predictions for Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks
The high-flying forward does a little bit of everything for Dallas. He averaged 8.9 points per game this season but had scoring outputs of 17, 19, and 22 in three straight games to help close out the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Gafford was acquired at the trade deadline from the Washington Wizards and became an integral part of the Mavericks. He averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in 29 regular season games with Dallas, and has continued to contribute on both ends of the court in the playoffs.
Another trade deadline acquisition for Dallas, Washington came from the Charlotte Hornets and turned into a major contributor for the Mavericks. After averaging 11.7 points per game in the regular season, he’s averaged 13.6 points per game in the playoffs and has scored double figures in 15 of 17 games this postseason.
White had a breakout season for Boston, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He made the All-Defensive 2nd Team for a second straight season and finished eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He’s been even better in the playoffs, averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from deep.
Porziņģis has missed most of the playoffs with injury but is on track to return for Game 1 of the Finals. He was acquired over the offseason via a three-team trade, and immediately fit in seamlessly in Boston, averaging 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from deep, and 85.8 percent from the free throw line.
Holiday was also acquired from Boston this offseason after the Milwaukee Bucks shockingly traded for Damian Lillard. Holiday, like Porziņģis, was a perfect addition to the Celtics. He averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game and made the All-Defensive 2nd Team while finishing in sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
One of the four superstars in this series, Brown averaged 23.0 points and 5.5 per game this season and made his third All-Star appearance. He’s raised his game in the playoffs, averaging 25.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 54.1 percent from the field. He’s had two 30-plus point games and one 40-point game this postseason.
The most experienced player on this list, Irving had a dominant regular season, averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from deep, and 90.5 percent from the free throw line. He’s had six 30-plus point games this playoffs and averaged 27.0 points per game in the Western Conference Finals.
The superstar of the Celtics, Tatum had another incredible season, averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He made his fifth straight All-Star team, earned All-NBA 1st Team honors for the third straight season, and finished top six in MVP voting, also for the third straight season. In the playoffs, he’s averaged 26.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, and has four 30-plus point games.
Dončić is not only the best player on this list, but he’s one of the best players in the entire NBA. After winning the Rookie of the Year award in his first season, he’s made five straight All-Star appearances, five straight All-NBA 1st Team appearances, and has finished top eight in MVP voting in each of the last five seasons.
This year, Dončić had his best overall season, averaging a career- and league-high 33.9 points per game, to go along with 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals a contest. He also had 21 triple-doubles, which was third in the NBA behind Domantas Sabonis and MVP winner Nikola Jokic. Dončić finished a career-high third in MVP voting.
Thus far in the playoffs, the Slovenian superstar is averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. He has eight 30-plus point games and six triple-doubles.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
