The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks do not play each other often, but every time they meet, the game is fun to watch. Both teams have strong players who can score fast and put on a good show. In this article, we will look at the last two games between these two teams from the 2025-26 NBA season. We will go through the full player stats, the key numbers, and the top performers from each game. By the end, you will know exactly what happened on the court and why these games matter.
A Quick Look at the Rivalry
The Celtics and the Mavericks are not division rivals. Boston plays in the Eastern Conference, and Dallas plays in the West. Because of this, they only meet once or twice each regular season. Still, fans remember this matchup well. In 2024, these two teams played each other in the NBA Finals, and the Celtics won the championship. That series is still fresh in many fans’ minds, so any regular season game between these teams gets extra attention.
In the 2025-26 season, the Celtics and Mavericks played twice. The first game was on February 3, 2026, in Dallas. The second game was on March 6, 2026, in Boston. Both games ended with a Celtics win, but the two teams had very different stories behind each result.
Game 1: Boston Celtics 110, Dallas Mavericks 100 (February 3, 2026)
The first meeting took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Celtics were on a winning streak, and they kept it going with a 110-100 win over the Mavericks. This win also gave Dallas its fifth straight loss, which was a tough stretch for the team at that point in the season.
Top performer: Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown was the best player on the court that night. He scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. This was his fifth double-double in his last eight games, which shows he was playing at a very high level during that stretch. Brown attacked the basket again and again and made life hard for the Dallas defense all night.
Payton Pritchard steps up off the bench
Payton Pritchard also had a big game. He scored 26 points on 12 out of 20 shooting from the field. What makes this even more impressive is that it was his first game coming off the bench that season. He usually starts, so this shows he can adjust his role and still play well.
Luka Garza’s hot shooting night
Luka Garza came off the bench and gave the Celtics a lift with 16 points in just 20 minutes. He made all four of his three-point attempts, which helped keep the Dallas defense honest and spread out.
Cooper Flagg’s strong showing in a losing effort
On the Dallas side, rookie Cooper Flagg had a good game even though his team lost. He is a young player who was drawing a lot of attention around the league at the time, and he showed why. He kept the Mavericks close for most of the game with his scoring and playmaking, but it was not enough to beat a hot Celtics team.
This first matchup set the tone. Boston controlled the game with balanced scoring, while Dallas relied heavily on a few key players trying to keep pace.
Game 2: Boston Celtics 120, Dallas Mavericks 100 (March 6, 2026)
The second game of the season happened about a month later at TD Garden in Boston. This game had extra meaning because it marked the return of Jayson Tatum, who had missed most of the season. The Celtics beat the Mavericks again, this time by an even bigger margin, 120-100.
Jaylen Brown leads again
Jaylen Brown was once more Boston’s top scorer. He finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. His performance showed he could do a bit of everything, not just score, but also help his teammates and grab boards.
Jayson Tatum’s return
Even though this was not his best scoring night, Jayson Tatum’s presence alone was a big story. He had missed 62 games earlier in the season, and coming back against a familiar opponent like Dallas made the moment feel bigger. His return gave Boston more scoring options on the floor and helped the team pull away in the second half.
Payton Pritchard and the Boston bench
Payton Pritchard was strong again, and the Celtics bench overall played a big part in the win. Boston’s reserves outscored Dallas’s bench by a wide margin, which was one of the main reasons the score got out of hand in the second half.
Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson for Dallas
For Dallas, Cooper Flagg again led the way in effort, pulling down 8 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists, but his shooting was inconsistent that night. Klay Thompson gave the Mavericks a spark off the bench, scoring 19 points and hitting 5 of his 11 three-point attempts. Naji Marshall also chipped in 13 points in a strong bench effort, but it was not enough to keep pace with Boston’s balanced scoring attack.
Team shooting numbers
Boston shot 47.5 percent from the field as a team and knocked down 16 threes. Dallas shot 40.9 percent and made 14 threes. The Celtics also had a big edge on the boards, out-rebounding Dallas 58 to 45, which gave them extra scoring chances throughout the game.
What These Games Tell Us About Both Teams
Looking at both matchups together, a few patterns stand out.
Boston’s depth was the difference. In both games, it was not just one Celtics star carrying the team. Jaylen Brown led the scoring in both wins, but players like Payton Pritchard, Luka Garza, and eventually Jayson Tatum all added scoring punch. This depth made it hard for Dallas to focus on stopping just one player.
Dallas leaned on young talent and role players. Cooper Flagg showed flashes of real talent in both games, especially with his rebounding and passing. Veteran players like Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall gave the Mavericks scoring boosts off the bench, but the team could not match Boston’s overall balance across the two games.
Home court did not change the outcome. Boston won both games, one on the road in Dallas and one at home in Boston. This suggests the Celtics had a real edge in this particular matchup during the 2025-26 season, no matter where the game was played.
Why Fans Should Keep Watching This Matchup
Even though Boston and Dallas are not regular rivals, the history between these two teams gives every game a bit of extra excitement. The memory of the 2024 NBA Finals means fans on both sides pay close attention whenever these teams share the court. Add in young stars like Cooper Flagg, established scorers like Jaylen Brown, and the return of players like Jayson Tatum from injury, and you get games that are worth watching closely.
Player stats also help fans and analysts understand team strengths. Boston’s balanced scoring, strong bench play, and good rebounding numbers point to a well-built team that does not rely on just one or two players. Dallas, on the other hand, is still growing around Cooper Flagg, and games like these show both the promise and the growing pains of a young core mixed with experienced veterans.
Final Thoughts
The Celtics and Mavericks played two competitive games during the 2025-26 season, and Boston came out on top both times. Jaylen Brown was the common thread in both wins, showing up as the leading scorer each time. Payton Pritchard proved he could contribute in different roles, and the return of Jayson Tatum added a new layer to Boston’s attack in the second matchup. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg continued to show why he is considered one of the most exciting young players in the league, even in defeat.
Whether you are a Celtics fan, a Mavericks fan, or just someone who enjoys good basketball, these two games offer a lot to break down. The player stats tell a story of depth, timing, and individual performances that shaped each result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the most points in the Celtics vs Mavericks games this season?
Jaylen Brown was the top scorer in both meetings. He scored 33 points in the February 3 game and 24 points in the March 6 game, leading Boston to victory both times.
Did Jayson Tatum play in these games?
Tatum missed the first matchup on February 3 because of injury. He returned to the court for the second game on March 6, which was also his first appearance of the season after missing 62 straight games.
How did Cooper Flagg perform against the Celtics?
Cooper Flagg played well in both games even though Dallas lost each time. He showed strong rebounding and passing skills, including a game with 8 rebounds and 6 assists, proving he is a key building block for the Mavericks going forward.
