With their Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics are the 2024 NBA champions, ending a five-and-a-half-year streak without a championship in the city of Boston, the second-longest drought in the city’s history. The Celtics’ run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy was one of the most dominant playoffs in recent history.
Boston lost just three games in all four rounds and even defeated the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. And to make this achievement even more impressive, the Celtics did it mostly without their star player Kristaps Porzingis.
Jaylen Brown was a threat in the Finals en route to being named Finals MVP, averaging 20.8 points, 5.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game on 44% shooting. Brown’s defense also played a big role, as the Celtics limited Mavericks’ star guard Luka Doncic to 22.2% shooting from the three-point line, a career low for Doncic in a playoff series.
The Celtics haven’t won a championship since 2008. Here’s how you can watch their championship parade.
NBA Finals: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and teamwork lead Celtics to 18th NBA championship
When is the Boston Celtics championship parade?
The Celtics parade will march through Boston on Friday, June 21. According to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the parade will begin at 11 a.m. local time.
Why is the parade on Friday?
Waiting nearly a full week for a championship parade seems a little odd. Typically, most cities want to honor their championship teams as soon as possible. That’s still the case in Boston. However, due to a persistent heat wave, the city likely had to wait until Friday.
On Tuesday, June 18, the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu, declared a “heat emergency” because high temperatures were forecast through June 20. It’s probably no coincidence that the Celtics parade is taking place one day after the state of emergency was lifted. You can’t have fans partying in the sun all day when temperatures are dangerous. Wu did, however, issue a statement urging people to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen for the parade.
Temperatures around 27 degrees and a chance of thunderstorms are currently forecast for the parade in Boston.
How to watch Boston’s championship parade:
Although official details on the rally’s broadcast schedule have not been released, NBA TV has offered a live stream of the championship parade in the past, and local Boston news stations will likely provide coverage as well.
NBA TV: Everything you need to know about the WNBA and NBA League Pass
We occasionally recommend products and services of interest. If you make a purchase through one of the links, we may receive an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this does not influence our reporting.
