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Tatum Becomes Duke's Eighth NBA Champion
6/17/2024 11:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON - Jayson Tatum became the eighth former Duke Blue Devil to win an NBA championship title on Monday night, as the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 106-88, for 4-1 series victory in the 2024 NBA Finals.
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Tatum averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per contest in the NBA Finals, including 31 points, 11 assists and eight boards in the series-clinching game five.
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Monday's performance marked Tatum's third double-double of the Finals, having posted 16 points and 11 rebounds in game one and 18 points and 12 helpers in game two. In 19 playoffs games this season, the five-time NBA All-Star averaged 25.0 points, 9.7 boards and 6.3 assists per outing.
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Eight Blue Devils have now captured 10 NBA championship titles. Prior to Tatum, the last Duke representative to win the final game of the playoffs was Jack White with the Denver Nuggets a year ago. White was preceded by Quinn Cook, Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and Golden State Warriors in 2018; Kyrie Irving and Dahntay Jones, Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016; Shane Battier, Miami Heat in 2013 and 2012; Danny Ferry, San Antonio Spurs in 2003; and Jeff Mullins, Golden State Warriors in 1975.
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Also celebrating the NBA title with the Tatum is 2015 Blue Devils national champion and former Duke men's basketball assistant coach Amile Jefferson, who is on the Celtics' coaching staff, and Duke alumnus Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the Celtics.
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On the other side, Duke was also represented in the NBA Finals by the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, featuring eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving and NBA All-Rookie Team selection Dereck Lively II.
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During the Mavericks' playoff run, Irving averaged 22.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, while Lively contributed 7.9 points and 7.4 boards per outing.
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Lively became the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 to achieved consecutive double-doubles in the NBA Finals with 11 points and 13 rebounds in game three and 11 points and 12 caroms in game four. The 20-year-old also became the youngest player in Finals history to make a 3-point field goal, nailing his first career triple in the Mavericks' game four triumph.
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMBB".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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Tatum averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per contest in the NBA Finals, including 31 points, 11 assists and eight boards in the series-clinching game five.
Â
Monday's performance marked Tatum's third double-double of the Finals, having posted 16 points and 11 rebounds in game one and 18 points and 12 helpers in game two. In 19 playoffs games this season, the five-time NBA All-Star averaged 25.0 points, 9.7 boards and 6.3 assists per outing.
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Eight Blue Devils have now captured 10 NBA championship titles. Prior to Tatum, the last Duke representative to win the final game of the playoffs was Jack White with the Denver Nuggets a year ago. White was preceded by Quinn Cook, Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and Golden State Warriors in 2018; Kyrie Irving and Dahntay Jones, Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016; Shane Battier, Miami Heat in 2013 and 2012; Danny Ferry, San Antonio Spurs in 2003; and Jeff Mullins, Golden State Warriors in 1975.
Â
Also celebrating the NBA title with the Tatum is 2015 Blue Devils national champion and former Duke men's basketball assistant coach Amile Jefferson, who is on the Celtics' coaching staff, and Duke alumnus Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the Celtics.
Â
On the other side, Duke was also represented in the NBA Finals by the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, featuring eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving and NBA All-Rookie Team selection Dereck Lively II.
Â
During the Mavericks' playoff run, Irving averaged 22.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, while Lively contributed 7.9 points and 7.4 boards per outing.
Â
Lively became the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 to achieved consecutive double-doubles in the NBA Finals with 11 points and 13 rebounds in game three and 11 points and 12 caroms in game four. The 20-year-old also became the youngest player in Finals history to make a 3-point field goal, nailing his first career triple in the Mavericks' game four triumph.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMBB".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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