Cooper Flagg’s Effort Not Enough In Dallas Mavericks’ Loss
The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met again. Cooper Flagg and the rising Mavericks against Jaylen Brown and the surging Celtics created an intriguing Tuesday night matchup. The Celtics defeated the Mavs 110-100 at the American Airlines Center on Pegasus City Night. Boston improved to 32-18, while Dallas fell to 19-31.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Flagg led the Mavs with 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 6assists.
In Case You Missed It
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Houston Rockets 111-107 at the Toyota Center on Saturday. Flagg led the Mavs with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 5assists. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Flagg, 19, sat at 32 points with just over three minutes left in the game. He set the record for the most points by a teenager over a two-game span in NBA history (81). The previous record of 75 was held by GG Jackson II.
Flagg finished the game with 34 points, giving him a total of 83 points over the past two games. He added a career-high 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block in 39 minutes.
Thompson nearly had a triple-double. Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. Tari Eason had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3assists.
The Boston Celtics blew out the Milwaukee Bucks 107-79 at TD Garden on Sunday. Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 2assists. Ryan Rollins led the Bucks with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Starters
The Mavericks and Celtics’ non-conference matchup was also a 2024 NBA Finals rematch. The Celtics defeated the Mavs in five games. The last time the two teams faced each other was in a regular season game at TD Garden on Feb. 6, 2025, where Dallas won 127-120.
Dallas’ starting lineup featured Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Flagg, Caleb Martin, and Daniel Gafford. Dallas ruled out Dante Exum (season-ending knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Anthony Davis (finger), PJ Washington (head), Kyrie Irving (knee), D’Angelo Russell (illness), and Brandon Williams (lower leg).
Boston’s starting lineup featured Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta. Boston ruled out Jayson Tatum (torn Achilles tendon), Chris Boucher (personal reasons), and Nikola Vucevic (right knee soreness).
The Chicago Bulls traded Vucevic, 35, and a second-round pick to the Celtics on Tuesday, officially ending the Nikola Vucevic era spanning from 2020-2026. The Celtics received Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick in return.
Mavericks vs. Celtics Recap
Tuesday’s game saw the East NBA Player of the Month, Brown, and the West NBA Rookie of the Month, Flagg, go head-to-head. Flagg received the West NBA Rookie of the Month for the third straight month, becoming the second Dallas Maverick to receive the award for three straight months.
The Celtics opened the first-quarter scoring. The Mavericks picked up the pace but fell just short. Martin connected with Flagg, who knocked down a shot. Martin nailed a corner three-pointer. Payton Pritchard hit a buzzer-beater from the paint. Boston took a 32-29 lead to end the first.
Both teams played a low-key second quarter. However, the Mavs’ storyline of an extensive injury report overshadowed any attempt for a lead. Gafford dealt with a right ankle injury, limping off the court. Boston took a 52-44 lead into halftime.
The Mavs pulled within 10 early in the third quarter. Marshall shone with a sequence of buckets. Marshall, 28, also nailed a three-pointer. Boston took an 86-67 lead through three quarters.
The Mavs’ offense was rather stagnant in the fourth quarter, except for Flagg. He carried the Mavs on his back. Flagg’s parents, Ralph and Kelly Flagg, grew up watching the Larry Bird era of Celtics basketball. He grew up a Celtics fan but watched players like Tatum, Brown, and White. Boston won 110-100.
Next Steps
The Mavericks conclude the two-game homestand against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The Mavs can beat the Spurs with a strong defense, an efficient offense, and a disruption of the Spurs’ offensive strategy.
The Celtics conclude the two-game road trip at the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Central. The Celtics can create scoring opportunities, turnovers, and strong team chemistry for a potential win over the Rockets.
