Brown's Stellar Performance Propels Celtics to Dominant Victory Against Cavaliers.

Jaylen Brown showcased his leadership skills as he guided the top-seeded Boston Celtics to a resounding victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first game of their NBA playoff semi-final. 

Brown's exceptional performance on both ends of the court was instrumental in securing a convincing win for the Celtics, setting a strong tone for the series ahead.

Brown and Derrick White were on fire, combining for 57 points to lead the Celtics to a comfortable 120-95 triumph in their home turf of Boston.

The Celtics, eyeing their 18th NBA title, emphasized their defensive prowess in this game. "It starts with defense," Brown noted, pleased with their ability to hold the Cavaliers below the 100-point mark. 

Confident in their versatility, Brown added, "We feel like we've got an answer for everything, so we just play the game the right way."

Throughout the match, Boston maintained a commanding lead, never letting the Cavaliers threaten their double-digit advantage.

While Donovan Mitchell put up a valiant effort for the Cavaliers with 33 points, it wasn't enough to overcome the Celtics' dominance. Evan Mobley contributed 17 points, and Darius Garland added 14 for Cleveland.

Looking ahead, the Celtics aim to continue their winning momentum into game two of the series, scheduled to take place in Boston on Thursday.

In another exciting playoff matchup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder with 29 points, propelling them to a 117-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in their Western Conference semi-final opener. 

Gilgeous-Alexander's stellar performance, coupled with his nine rebounds and nine assists, showcased the Thunder's promising potential, as they now hold the distinction of being the youngest team ever to win an NBA playoff semi-final, with an average age just above 23.