Dallas Mavericks vs Celtics Match Player Stats
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics match player stats from the March 6, 2026 meeting at TD Garden tell a much deeper story than the final 120-100 score. Boston controlled the game after halftime, using better rebounding, stronger interior scoring, balanced playmaking, and a decisive third-quarter run to pull away from Dallas. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 24 points, while Derrick White added 20. Jayson Tatum made his return and produced 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists in 27 minutes. For Dallas, Klay Thompson scored 19 points, while Cooper Flagg contributed 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The game was competitive early, but Boston gradually established control. Dallas led 22-21 after the first quarter, yet Boston responded with a 37-point second quarter. The Celtics then added 32 points in the third and 30 in the fourth. That progression explains why this matchup was not simply a case of Boston starting fast. Instead, the Celtics adjusted and became more effective as the game developed.
The official box score provides the complete player-by-player breakdown and is the best reference for checking the numbers discussed in this analysis. official NBA box score
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The matchup took place at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, with an announced attendance of 19,156. Boston entered the contest with a much stronger home profile, while Dallas was dealing with a difficult stretch.
Boston won 120-100, improving its position in the Eastern Conference race. Dallas, meanwhile, suffered another defeat during a challenging portion of its season.
The most important numbers from the game were:
| Category | Dallas Mavericks | Boston Celtics |
| Final Score | 100 | 120 |
| Field Goals | 38-93 | 47-99 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 40.9% | 47.5% |
| Three-Pointers | 14-35 | 16-48 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 40.0% | 33.3% |
| Free Throws | 10-12 | 10-15 |
| Rebounds | 45 | 58 |
| Assists | 23 | 29 |
| Steals | 2 | 6 |
| Blocks | 5 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 8 |
At first glance, Dallas actually shot the three-pointer more efficiently. The Mavericks made 40% of their attempts from deep compared with Boston’s 33.3%.
That statistic alone, however, does not explain the result.
Boston made nine more field goals overall, dominated the glass by 13 rebounds, recorded seven more assists, produced four more steals, and blocked twice as many shots. The Celtics also scored 52 points in the paint compared with 30 for Dallas.
That combination created a much stronger overall offensive and defensive profile.
How the Game Changed Quarter by Quarter
The quarter-by-quarter scoring is one of the clearest ways to understand the contest.
First Quarter: Dallas Takes a Narrow Lead
Dallas scored 22 points in the opening period while Boston scored 21.
That one-point advantage was not enough to establish meaningful control, but it showed that the Mavericks could compete early at TD Garden.
Dallas received contributions from several players, while Boston was still finding its offensive rhythm. The opening period was relatively close, and neither team created a major separation.
For Dallas, the positive takeaway was its ability to stay within striking distance immediately.
For Boston, the more important observation was that the Celtics did not panic after falling behind.
Second Quarter: Boston Takes Control
The second quarter changed the direction of the game.
Boston scored 37 points, compared with 31 for Dallas. The six-point advantage may not sound enormous, but it gave the Celtics a halftime lead after Dallas had won the first quarter.
The Celtics began generating more efficient offensive possessions and used their depth to keep pressure on the Mavericks.
This was also where Boston’s overall offensive structure became more noticeable. Rather than relying exclusively on one scorer, the Celtics continued receiving contributions from Brown, White, Pritchard, Queta, and others.
Third Quarter: The Decisive Stretch
The third quarter was the turning point.
Boston scored 32 points while Dallas managed 27.
More importantly, Boston eventually turned a close game into a double-digit advantage.
The Celtics’ own game recap highlighted how the contest was still close midway through the third quarter before Boston produced a major run. That stretch transformed a competitive game into one where Dallas had to chase the scoreboard.
Once Boston gained separation, Dallas struggled to produce enough consistent offense to respond.
Fourth Quarter: Boston Finishes Strong
Boston entered the final period with momentum and scored 30 more points.
Dallas scored only 20.
That 10-point fourth-quarter difference ensured that there would be no late comeback.
Boston’s advantage was therefore built across multiple stages rather than coming from a single lucky shooting burst. The Celtics improved as the game progressed and finished with their most decisive quarter in the final period.
Boston Celtics Player Performance
The Celtics received meaningful contributions from several players, which was one of the biggest reasons they were able to win comfortably.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown was Boston’s leading scorer with 24 points.
His complete line was particularly impressive because he contributed across several categories:
- 24 points
- 7 rebounds
- 7 assists
- 3 offensive rebounds
- 2 steals
- Plus/minus of +20
Brown was not simply a scorer.
His seven assists demonstrate his role as an offensive creator, while seven rebounds helped Boston maintain control of the possession battle. His three offensive rebounds were especially valuable because extra possessions can change the flow of a game even when they do not immediately appear in the scoring column.
Brown’s +20 also reflected Boston’s overall success while he was on the floor.
Derrick White
Derrick White finished with 20 points, making him Boston’s second-highest scorer.
His statistical contribution included:
- 20 points
- 4 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 2 steals
- 2 blocks
- Plus/minus of +23
The combination of two steals and two blocks stands out.
White contributed on both ends rather than simply hunting shots. His +23 was the best plus/minus among the listed Boston players, showing how effective the Celtics were during his minutes.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum’s return was one of the biggest stories surrounding the matchup.
He finished with:
- 15 points
- 12 rebounds
- 7 assists
- 1 steal
- 2 turnovers
- Plus/minus of +20
His shooting was less efficient than his all-around production. Tatum went 6-for-16 from the field and made 3 of 8 three-point attempts.
However, evaluating his performance only through shooting would miss the significance of his other contributions.
Twelve rebounds and seven assists gave him a major impact outside scoring. He also helped Boston maintain offensive flow through passing and screening.
For a player returning after a long absence, the statistical profile was notable because it demonstrated an ability to influence the game without needing to score 25 or 30 points.
Neemias Queta
Neemias Queta delivered one of the most efficient performances of the night.
He recorded:
- 16 points
- 15 rebounds
- 4-for-7 free throws
- 1 steal
- 1 block
- Plus/minus of +16
The 15 rebounds were a game-high.
His performance was especially important because Boston finished with 58 total rebounds compared with Dallas’s 45.
Queta’s presence gave Boston additional strength around the basket and helped the Celtics control second chances.
Payton Pritchard
Payton Pritchard produced an excellent all-around performance:
- 18 points
- 7 rebounds
- 6 assists
- 2 blocks
- Plus/minus of +19
The six assists helped Boston maintain its ball movement, while seven rebounds from the guard position added to the team’s overall rebounding advantage.
His +19 also confirms that his minutes were highly productive.
Dallas Mavericks Player Performance
Dallas did not receive the same level of balance from its rotation.
The Mavericks had several useful individual performances, but Boston’s collective production was stronger.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson led Dallas in scoring with 19 points.
He made 5 of 11 three-point attempts and finished with a plus/minus of -8.
His outside shooting was one of the clearest positives for Dallas.
Thompson shot 45.5% from three, making five long-range attempts. Against a Boston defense capable of protecting the paint, that type of shooting was important.
However, Dallas needed more overall offensive efficiency around him.
Thompson’s 19 points were not enough to offset Boston’s superior scoring balance.
Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg posted one of Dallas’s most complete individual stat lines:
- 16 points
- 8 rebounds
- 6 assists
- 1 steal
- Plus/minus of -17
Flagg’s 6 assists are particularly important.
Although his shooting efficiency was not strong, he remained involved in several areas of the game. His eight rebounds also made him one of Dallas’s leading contributors on the glass.
Flagg finished 7-for-23 from the field and did not make a three-pointer on four attempts.
That shooting line helps explain the difficulty Dallas experienced offensively. His ability to contribute as a rebounder and passer remained valuable, but the scoring efficiency was not enough against Boston.
Naji Marshall
Naji Marshall scored 13 points while shooting 6-for-12 from the field.
He also contributed three assists and one rebound.
His 50% field-goal shooting made him one of Dallas’s more efficient scorers.
The problem was that Dallas needed several players to reach that level simultaneously. Boston’s rotation produced more consistent offensive contributions.
Max Christie
Max Christie scored 12 points and was particularly effective from three-point range.
He made 4 of 6 attempts from beyond the arc, giving Dallas an excellent 66.7% three-point percentage in his individual line.
Despite that efficiency, his plus/minus was -19.
This is a useful reminder that an individual player’s shooting percentage does not always determine the overall result. Christie shot extremely well, but Boston still won his minutes convincingly.
Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams contributed:
- 11 points
- 7 rebounds
- 4 assists
- Plus/minus of -4
His four assists and seven rebounds made him one of Dallas’s more versatile contributors.
The relatively modest -4 plus/minus was actually one of the better figures among Dallas players who played meaningful minutes.
Moussa Cisse
Moussa Cisse added six points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
His three blocks were a team-high for Dallas.
Cisse provided useful defensive activity, but Boston’s overall interior production remained stronger.
Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton finished with seven points, five rebounds, and three assists.
He shot 2-for-8 from the field and finished with a -18 plus/minus.
The limited scoring efficiency made it difficult for Dallas to match Boston’s offensive production.
P.J. Washington
P.J. Washington recorded five points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block.
He shot 2-for-9 from the field.
His -23 plus/minus was one of the most difficult numbers on the Dallas side.
Dwight Powell
Dwight Powell finished with two points, five rebounds, and one block.
His contribution was more defensive and rebounding oriented than scoring oriented.
Caleb Martin
Caleb Martin scored four points and grabbed three rebounds.
He finished with a positive plus/minus of +1, one of the few Dallas players to finish above zero.
Ryan Nembhard and AJ Johnson
Ryan Nembhard scored five points and finished with a positive plus/minus of +4.
AJ Johnson did not score and finished with a plus/minus of +4.
Their limited minutes meant their individual statistical influence was naturally smaller than the main rotation players.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Team Comparison
The team statistics reveal why Boston won even though Dallas shot better from three-point range.
Shooting
Dallas made 38 of 93 field-goal attempts.
Boston made 47 of 99.
That means Boston made nine more field goals.
The difference in overall field-goal percentage was also meaningful. Dallas shot about 41%, while Boston shot about 47%.
The three-point numbers were different.
Dallas made 14 of 35, or 40%.
Boston made 16 of 48, or about 33%.
So Dallas had the better three-point percentage.
Yet Boston attempted 13 more field goals overall and made nine more of them.
That larger volume of successful two-point and three-point shots outweighed Dallas’s superior long-range accuracy.
Rebounding
Rebounding was arguably the biggest statistical advantage for Boston.
Boston collected 58 rebounds.
Dallas collected 45.
That is a 13-rebound difference.
Queta led the Celtics with 15 rebounds, while Tatum added 12. Brown and Pritchard each grabbed seven.
Dallas had Flagg with eight and Cisse and Williams with seven each.
Boston therefore received significant rebounding contributions from multiple players.
Assists
Boston recorded 29 assists compared with Dallas’s 23.
That six-assist advantage indicates that the Celtics generated more successful collaborative offensive possessions.
Tatum and Brown each recorded seven assists.
Pritchard added six.
Flagg led Dallas with six, while several other Mavericks contributed three or four.
The difference was not one dominant playmaker against nobody. It was Boston’s broader distribution of playmaking.
Turnovers
Dallas committed 10 turnovers.
Boston committed eight.
The two-point difference was not enormous, but it favored Boston.
More importantly, Boston converted its defensive activity into additional opportunities.
The Celtics recorded six steals and 10 blocks, compared with two steals and five blocks for Dallas.
Interior Scoring
Boston scored 52 points in the paint.
Dallas scored 30.
That 22-point difference is enormous.
It helps explain why Boston could win despite Dallas’s better three-point percentage.
The Celtics did not need to win exclusively from outside. They created efficient opportunities closer to the basket and consistently pressured Dallas inside.
Why Boston Won the Game
Several factors combined to produce the final result.
1. Boston Won the Rebounding Battle
The 58-45 rebounding advantage gave Boston control over possessions.
Queta’s 15 rebounds and Tatum’s 12 were especially important.
When a team combines efficient shooting with an extra 13 rebounds, the opponent has very little room for error.
2. Boston Had More Offensive Balance
Brown scored 24.
White scored 20.
Pritchard scored 18.
Queta scored 16.
Tatum scored 15.
That is five players scoring at least 15 points.
Dallas had only Thompson at 19 and Flagg at 16 before the next scoring group.
Boston therefore did not need one player to carry the entire offense.
3. The Celtics Dominated the Paint
The 52-30 advantage in points in the paint is one of the clearest indicators of Boston’s superiority.
Dallas’s strong three-point percentage was not enough to compensate for the interior gap.
Boston consistently generated points from closer range and used its size effectively.
4. Boston Finished Better
The Celtics scored 62 points in the second half.
Dallas scored 47.
That difference shows that Boston improved as the game developed.
The fourth quarter was especially important, with Boston winning it 30-20.
5. Boston Defended Without Giving Away Too Many Possessions
Boston’s 10 blocks and six steals demonstrate strong defensive activity.
At the same time, the Celtics committed only eight turnovers.
That combination is difficult to overcome.
A team that creates defensive plays while protecting the basketball can control both ends of the possession battle.
The Importance of Jayson Tatum’s Return
Tatum’s performance deserves separate attention because the game represented more than a standard regular-season box score.
He finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
His shooting was rusty, but his broader contribution was significant.
The most encouraging aspect was that he did not need to dominate scoring to influence the game.
- His seven assists helped move the offense.
- His 12 rebounds helped Boston control the glass.
- <p>His defensive presence contributed to the Celtics’ overall structure.
- The performance suggested that Tatum could provide value in several ways while rebuilding his rhythm.
For analysts looking beyond the headline score, this is an important distinction.
A player returning from a long absence does not necessarily need to immediately produce a 30-point performance. The ability to facilitate, rebound, screen, defend, and make the correct reads can be equally important.
What the Plus/Minus Numbers Tell Us
Plus/minus can be misleading when viewed alone, but it becomes more useful when combined with the rest of the box score.
Boston had several strong numbers:
- Derrick White: +23
- Jaylen Brown: +20
- Jayson Tatum: +20
- Payton Pritchard: +19
- Neemias Queta: +16
Those numbers show that Boston’s best stretches involved a broad group of contributors.
Dallas had several negative figures:
- P.J. Washington: -23
- Max Christie: -19
- Khris Middleton: -18
- Cooper Flagg: -17
- Naji Marshall: -20
Yet the individual figures should not be interpreted as simple measures of player quality.
For example, Christie shot 4-for-6 from three, an excellent individual shooting performance, while still finishing at -19.
That illustrates an important point when evaluating basketball statistics: individual efficiency and team performance can move in different directions.
The Most Important Statistical Takeaways
If you only have a few minutes to review the box score, these numbers deserve the most attention.
Final score: Boston 120, Dallas 100.
Leading scorer: Jaylen Brown, 24 points.
Dallas leading scorer: Klay Thompson, 19 points.
Best all-around Boston line: Jayson Tatum with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Best Dallas all-around line: Cooper Flagg with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Rebounding advantage: Boston 58, Dallas 45.
Assist advantage: Boston 29, Dallas 23.
Points in the paint: Boston 52, Dallas 30.
Three-point percentage: Dallas 40%, Boston 33.3%.
Blocks: Boston 10, Dallas 5.
Steals: Boston 6, Dallas 2.
The interesting part is that Dallas won the three-point percentage battle but lost almost every broader statistical category that mattered more to the final outcome.
What Dallas Could Have Done Differently
The box score points toward several areas Dallas needed to improve.
First, the Mavericks needed greater efficiency from their primary creators.
Flagg’s 7-for-23 shooting placed significant pressure on the rest of the roster.
Second, Dallas needed more interior production.
Scoring 30 points in the paint compared with Boston’s 52 made it difficult to sustain offense when outside shots stopped falling.
Third, Dallas needed to compete more effectively on the glass.
A 13-rebound disadvantage is difficult to overcome against a team with multiple strong rebounders.
Fourth, Dallas needed better defensive disruption.
Two steals and five blocks were not enough to match Boston’s 16 combined steals and blocks.
The Mavericks did shoot well from three, but perimeter efficiency alone could not compensate for weaknesses in other areas.
What Boston Could Take From the Performance
Boston’s victory was encouraging because it was not based on one statistical category.
The Celtics shot 47.5% from the field.
- They won the rebounding battle.
- They recorded more assists.
- They generated more steals and blocks.
- They scored 52 points in the paint.
- They also limited turnovers to eight.
- That balance is the clearest strength shown by the game.
The Celtics did not need perfect shooting from outside.
They did not need Tatum to score 25 or 30 points.
They did not need Brown to carry every offensive possession.
Instead, multiple players contributed in different ways.
That is exactly the kind of statistical balance that can make a team difficult to defend.
A Closer Look at the Supporting Players
The supporting cast also deserves attention because box-score analysis often focuses only on leading scorers.
For Boston, Sam Hauser finished with six points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
Baylor Scheierman scored six points and added two rebounds, two assists, and one block.
Nikola Vucevic contributed 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
Luka Garza did not score and recorded one rebound.
These contributions were not individually spectacular, but they added depth to Boston’s rotation.
Dallas also received contributions beyond its two leading scorers.
Cisse’s seven rebounds and three blocks provided defensive value.
Williams contributed seven rebounds and four assists.
Marshall shot 50% from the field.
Christie shot 66.7% from three.
The issue was not a complete absence of useful performances from Dallas. The issue was that those contributions did not combine into a winning team performance.
A Practical Way to Read This Box Score
When analyzing basketball statistics, it is tempting to begin with the leading scorer.
A better approach is to use a layered process.
Start with the final score.
Then examine shooting efficiency.
Next, compare rebounds and assists.
After that, check turnovers and defensive events.
Finally, review individual players and plus/minus.
Using that approach here produces a clear conclusion.
Boston was more efficient from the field, dominated rebounding, generated more assists, created more defensive events, scored much more in the paint, and finished the game strongly.
Dallas’s three-point shooting was excellent, but it was not enough to overcome the broader statistical disadvantage.
This method is also useful for readers who want to understand a game rather than simply repeat its final score.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Final Assessment
The Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics match player stats from this contest show a game that became increasingly one-sided after halftime.
Dallas started well and even led 22-21 after the first quarter.
Boston then responded.
The Celtics scored 37 points in the second quarter, 32 in the third, and 30 in the fourth.
Their advantage was supported by strong team statistics rather than a single extraordinary scoring performance.
Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 24 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists.
Derrick White delivered 20 points along with four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Jayson Tatum’s return was statistically productive despite some shooting rust, as he finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
Neemias Queta controlled the glass with 15 rebounds and added 16 points.
Payton Pritchard provided 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Dallas was led by Klay Thompson’s 19 points and Cooper Flagg’s 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Max Christie offered excellent perimeter shooting, while Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams also provided useful offensive and all-around contributions.
But Boston’s balance was the decisive difference.
The Celtics won the overall shooting battle, the rebounding battle, the assist battle, the steals battle, the blocks battle, and the points-in-the-paint battle.
Dallas’s 40% three-point shooting was impressive, but it could not offset Boston’s 58-45 rebounding advantage and 52-30 edge in points in the paint.
The final 120-100 score therefore accurately reflects the broader statistical story.
Boston did not simply win because it made more shots. The Celtics controlled more parts of the game, maintained offensive balance, created additional possessions, defended the interior, and finished with greater intensity.
For anyone studying this matchup, the biggest lesson is that a box score should be read as a connected system. The leading scorers matter, but rebounds, assists, defensive plays, shooting volume, interior scoring, and fourth-quarter execution explain why the final result developed the way it did.
FAQs
Who led the Dallas Mavericks in scoring against the Boston Celtics?
Klay Thompson led Dallas with 19 points. He made five three-pointers on 11 attempts and finished with a plus/minus of -8.
Who led the Boston Celtics in scoring?
Jaylen Brown was Boston’s leading scorer with 24 points. He also recorded seven rebounds, seven assists, three offensive rebounds, and two steals.
What were Cooper Flagg’s stats against Boston?
Cooper Flagg recorded 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and one steal. He shot 7-for-23 from the field and finished with a plus/minus of -17.
What were Jayson Tatum’s stats in his return?
Jayson Tatum recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, along with one steal and two turnovers. He shot 6-for-16 from the field and finished at +20.
Which team won the rebounding battle?
Boston won the rebounding battle 58-45, giving the Celtics a 13-rebound advantage.
Why did Boston beat Dallas by 20 points?
Boston combined better overall field-goal shooting with a major rebounding advantage, more assists, stronger defensive activity, and a 52-30 advantage in points in the paint. The Celtics also outscored Dallas 62-47 in the second half.
Conclusion
The Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics match player stats provide a useful example of why basketball games cannot be explained by scoring alone.
Boston’s 120-100 victory was built through several connected advantages. The Celtics shot better overall, collected 13 more rebounds, recorded six more assists, generated more steals and blocks, and scored 22 more points in the paint.
Jaylen Brown was the leading scorer, while Derrick White delivered an efficient two-way performance. Jayson Tatum made an impressive all-around return, and Neemias Queta’s 15 rebounds helped Boston control the interior.
Dallas had strong individual moments. Klay Thompson’s 19 points and five made three-pointers stood out, while Cooper Flagg filled multiple statistical categories with 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Max Christie’s four-for-six three-point shooting was another positive.
Still, Boston’s greater balance ultimately decided the matchup.
The most important takeaway from the box score is that Dallas did not lose because it could not shoot from three. The Mavericks actually shot 40% from beyond the arc. They lost because Boston was better across the wider collection of possessions that determine a game: rebounds, interior scoring, overall field-goal efficiency, playmaking, defensive activity, and late-game execution.
That makes this matchup particularly useful for anyone studying player statistics. Individual numbers tell you what players accomplished, but team-level comparisons explain why those performances translated into a 20-point Boston victory.
