Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown reaches the top spot in the NBA Finals MVP Ladder.
Three days of consistent Jayson Tatum consternation all over the globe appeared equivalent to the Dallas Mavericks calling out the “Candyman’’ five times in front of a mirror.
Tatum heard the summon and responded loudly in Game 3, holding off the Mavericks alongside Jaylen Brown. Both players shared 61 points in a 106-88 win over Dallas in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis.
Boston’s performance ruined any chances Kyrie Irving had at redemption that night. Irving shook off duds in Games 1 and 2 with a game-high 35 points, only to witness that effort crumble when Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 left.
The Celtics ride a dominating 3-0 series lead in the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV into Friday’s possible elimination clash at American Airlines Center. No NBA club has ever rallied from down 3-0 to a win of best-of-seven series.
Here are the Top 5 in the 2024 Race to the NBA Finals MVP Ladder after Game 3:
1. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Last ranking: No. 3
NBA Finals stats: 24.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 5.7 apg.
Brown has been consistent in scoring. He delivered a game-high 15 points in the third quarter, combining to outscore Dallas 22-19, building a 15-point lead, before fouling out Doncic with the game on the line. As usual, Brown was clutch down the stretch.
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last ranking: No. 4
NBA Finals stats: 21.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 7.3 apg.
Tatum began fast with 13 points in the first frame on his way to matching Irvings’ game-high 20 points in the first half. He kept Boston in the contest over that span as Irving and Doncic combined for 37 points before Brown joined the party in the second half. Tatum earned his triumphant stroll to the visitor’s locker room.
3. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Last ranking: No. 5
NBA Finals stats: 21 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3 apg
Irving averaged 26.5 ppg in the first round, 15.7 ppg in the conference semifinals and 27 ppg in the West Finals. He averaged 14 in Games 1 and 2 on 35.1% shooting and was 0-for-8 on 3-pointers. In Game 3, Irving was 4-for-5 from range in just the first half to become the first Mavericks besides Doncic to hit multiple 3s in the series.
4. Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
Last ranking: No. 1
NBA Finals stats: 15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 4.3 apg.
Derrick White deserves a mention after his performance in Game 3 (16 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks). But Holiday is in this spot because his consistent, versatile and hustles in this series. His scoring numbers may not be high, but his effort is. Jrue won’t completely shut down his defensive assignments, but he will certainly make life hard on them.
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last ranking: No. 2
NBA Finals stats: 29.7 ppg, 9 rpg, 6 apg.
A difficult first-half showing. But Doncic fouled out for the third time in his career and the first time in the playoffs. His disqualification could not have come at a worse time with 4:12 left and Dallas trailing by 3. The Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has talked to Doncic several times for allowing arguments with officiating to take him out of matches.
