Luka Doncic and Jaylen Brown have massive respect for each other after battling in the 2024 NBA Finals

Luka Doncic and Jaylen Brown shared an emotional moment after the Boston Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship win, showcasing the strong bond between the two stars despite being on different teams.

The 2024 NBA Championship was clinched by the Boston Celtics, who secured a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, with Jaylen Brown earning the Finals MVP title. Brown’s influence in the series extended beyond his offensive prowess, as he delivered stifling one-on-one defense against Luka Doncic for the majority of the games. Following the conclusion of the series, the two players shared a heartfelt exchange, expressing mutual admiration.

Jaylen Brown expressed, “Luka, you’re a formidable opponent, you brought out the best in me. I care about you, bro.”

In response, Luka Doncic conveyed, “I feel the same way, bro. I care about you too.”

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Brown consistently employed an aggressive defensive strategy whenever facing Doncic, and the statistics highlight the significant impact of Brown’s defensive contributions. Throughout the 154.4 possessions in the Finals where Brown guarded Doncic, the Mavericks managed to score only 131 points, resulting in an offensive rating of 84.8. Over the course of the five games, Brown spent more than 32 minutes guarding Luka, who was limited to scoring 21 points on 40.9% shooting from the field, while also committing five turnovers when matched up against Brown.

This individual matchup remained the most reliable defensive effort in the series, as other players succumbed to the Mavericks’ switch-heavy offense. Jaylen ensured that Doncic faced discomfort whenever he possessed the ball and reserved switching off him only when absolutely necessary.

During the series, Doncic maintained averages of 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, whereas Brown held averages of 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Even though Jaylen’s statistical output did not match that of his teammate Jayson Tatum, his exceptional defense against Luka emerged as the primary reason for him surpassing Tatum to claim the Finals MVP title.

Luka Doncic’s First Big Test Ended In Failure

It’s ridiculous how the Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals despite most preseason predictions labeling them as a play-in team, yet they are still facing ridicule from fans. Luka Doncic had the most exceptional season of his young career, not only leading the Mavs to a 50-win record despite injuries to players like Kyrie Irving, but is now being criticized for not achieving championship success.

While the Finals loss stings, the Mavericks were clearly overmatched by the Celtics. Doncic recognizes that the team has numerous reasons to feel proud of their performance this season, and he expressed his positive outlook after Game 5.

“I feel great. We made some great moves. I would say we’ve been together for five months. I’m proud of every guy that stepped on the floor, all the coaches, all the people behind [the scenes]. Obviously, we didn’t win the Finals. But we did have a hell of a season. And I’m proud of everyone.”

In the regular season, Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists, followed by 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in the Playoffs. The injuries he played through during the postseason impacted his performance, efficiency, and defensive capabilities, but he remained the clear catalyst behind the Mavs’ Playoff campaign. Returning to this stage in the West is no easy feat, but Doncic’s presence will establish the Mavs as perennial contenders.