Charles Barkley Weighs in on Celtics’ Game 4 Loss and Its Implications
On Friday night, the Boston Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Texas. The Celtics, who had a chance to clinch the 2024 NBA Championship, suffered a crushing defeat, losing 122-84.
Barkley’s Bold Statement
Following the game, NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley made a striking comment about the series (via Bleacher Report/NBA TV). Barkley expressed his relief that the Mavericks avoided a sweep and his desire to see the series extend further.
“I’m glad the Mavs didn’t get swept. I’d actually like to see the Mavs win the next game because I want to see the champion put under stress. The Celtics have not been put under stress. Now they’re under stress,” Barkley remarked.
THE MAVERICKS BLOW OUT THE CELTICS IN GAME 4‼️ #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/mTCcrU6eP0
— ESPN (@espn) June 15, 2024
The State of the Series
Despite holding a 3-1 lead, the Celtics are now facing increased pressure. The Mavericks can significantly alter the dynamics of the series with a win in Game 5. Up until this point, Boston has yet to encounter a series that extended beyond five games, demonstrating their dominance throughout the playoffs.
Tonight's stats 📊⬇️@luka7doncic: 29 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL @KyrieIrving: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST@T_HardJR: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST@DereckLively: 11 PTS, 12 REB, 1 STL@daanteee: 10 PTS, 2 REB, 1 STL
Daniel Gafford: 7 PTS, 4 REB, 1 BLK@PJWashington: 6 PTS, 2 REB…— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 15, 2024
Mavericks’ Aggressive Play
The Mavericks’ aggressive start in Game 4 was key to their victory. They held the Celtics to just 21 points in the first quarter and had a commanding 26-point lead by halftime. All-Star forward Luka Doncic spearheaded the effort with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, despite a poor shooting performance from beyond the arc, going 0/8 from three-point range in 33 minutes of play.
Looking Ahead
Game 5 is set for Monday evening in Boston. If the Mavericks manage to secure a win and stay alive, the series will return to Dallas for Game 6 on Thursday evening. The Celtics remain on the brink of their first NBA championship since the 2008 season, a 16-year drought they are eager to end.
Final pic.twitter.com/kjPn3lbo6b
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 15, 2024
Additional Context
The Celtics’ journey through the playoffs has been relatively smooth, with no series extending past five games. This sudden challenge posed by the Mavericks adds an element of unpredictability and tests the Celtics’ resilience under pressure. Barkley’s comments highlight the importance of facing adversity in the quest for a championship, and how it can ultimately shape a team’s legacy. As the series progresses, both teams will need to bring their best to achieve their ultimate goal.