Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats & Box Score

BOSTON — In a highly anticipated return nearly 10 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, Jayson Tatum made his 2025–26 season debut, helping the Boston Celtics secure a commanding 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at TD Garden.

The win marks Boston’s fourth victory in their last five games, while the struggling Mavericks dropped their sixth consecutive contest.

Jayson Tatum’s Return Performance

Tatum was sidelined since suffering his injury during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks in May. On Friday, he logged 27 rust-filled minutes, playing in limited five- to six-minute stints.

Despite missing his first six shot attempts—including three from beyond the arc—Tatum found other ways to impact the game, finishing with a double-double:

• Points: 15 (6-of-16 FG)

• Rebounds: 12

• Assists: 7

Even when his shot wasn’t falling early on, Tatum remained aggressive, screening effectively and facilitating the offense for his teammates.

Key Player Performances & Stats

Boston relied on a balanced attack to control the tempo from start to finish, powered by strong games from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.

Boston Celtics Key Contributors

• Jaylen Brown: Led the way with a stellar all-around line of 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

• Derrick White: Provided lethal perimeter scoring with 20 points.

Dallas Mavericks Key Contributors

• Klay Thompson: Led Dallas in scoring with 19 points.

• Cooper Flagg: The No. 1 overall pick and Maine native put up 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in his first professional appearance at TD Garden.

• Naji Marshall: Added 13 points off the bench.

Looking Ahead for the Celtics

With 19 games remaining in the regular season—including 11 at TD Garden—the Celtics will focus on gradually building up Tatum’s workload and rhythm as they prepare for another deep playoff run.