The Boston Celtics had a chance to close out the 2024 NBA Finals on Friday night. Instead, the Dallas Mavericks extended the series at least one more game with a 122-84 trouncing of the visiting Celtics. The 28-point loss for Boston now goes into the NBA record books as the third-worst loss in NBA Finals history, behind Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals (where the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 96-54), and Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals (where the Celtics blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 to close out that series).
After the game, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had some thoughts.
Barkley blasted the Celtics, going as far to call their effort in Game 4 “unprofessional.” Barkley pointed to how well Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had “gotten downhill” earlier in the series, and then pointed to a reliance on outside shooting from the Boston stars in early going Friday night.
“We said, if the Celtics come out just jacking up jumpers going through the motions, Dallas has a chance,” started Barkley. “They came out nonchalant. Lackadaisical … We said, if Jayen and Jason are going downhill … I think the first quarter they shot like 12 threes out of like the first 15 to 20 shots and they missed them.
“I still feel very good [Boston] winning [the] series, but that was so unprofessional the way they played that game tonight.”
You can see Barkley’s entire comments here:
While Barkley still thinks Boston will win the series, he even held up a sign handedd to him by a fan that said otherwise:
Beyond Barkley’s comments on the Celtics, the NBA Hall of Famer made some other news on Friday night. Speaking after the game on NBATV, he announced that next season — his 25th on television — would be his last.
“You know, there’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months and I just wanna say, I’ve talked to all the other networks but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT,” began Barkley. “I have made the decision myself no matter what happens last, next year is gonna be my last year on television.
“And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I’m gonna pass the baton at the end of next year.”
Barkley’s announcement can be seen here:
Charles Barkley says he’s done doing TV after next season – he’s talked to other networks but he’s not going anywhere other than Turner/TNT pic.twitter.com/sH89v0tI1D
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 15, 2024
Given the brutal honesty he displayed in both discussing Boston’s effort in Game 4, and his own basketball future, you can understand why NBA fans might be saddened at this news.
And hoping Dallas truly forces a Game 7.