Game Used ‘2024 NBA Finals’ Ball | Game 3

This NBA Finals Game Ball was used in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 12, 2024, when the Boston Celtics played the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics beat the Mavericks, 106-99. 

Game 3 of the Finals was arguably the most crucial match up of the series. After confident victories in Games 1 and 2, the Celtics emerged from the locker room determined to extend their lead. On the other end stood the defiant Mavericks, hungry to take their first victory of the series and prevent the Celtics from taking a 3-0 lead. Knowledgeable to the fact that no team in NBA history has ever come back from being 3-0 down, Game 3 served as a turning point for the series, one which could either breathe new life into the Mavericks, or put the Celtics on the brink of a championship. 

With the closest match up yet between the two sides, Game 3 did not disappoint. Despite being down over 20 points, the Mavericks made a resurgent 22-2 run to cut the Celtics lead to just one point. With the Celtics on the back foot, the game was all to play for. Although the Mavericks looked as though they would take an important victory at home, the Celtics showed physical and mental resilience and scored crucial buckets down the stretch. Luka also found himself in Foul trouble, and fouled out of the game with only 4 minutes remaining. With their superstar watching on from the bench, the tides instantly turned with the Mavericks finding themselves on the back foot. Under pressure from a tough Dallas crowd, the Celtics demonstrated why they would eventually become champions of the series, extending their lead once more to win the game by 7 points. 

The night saw incredible individual performances. The Celtics’ dynamic duo Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 61 points, and the Mavericks’ Irving and Doncic collectively put up 62 points.