The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks have a storied rivalry highlighted by their clash in the 2024 NBA Finals where the Celtics clinched their 18th championship in a 4-1 series victory. In the 2024-25 NBA regular season, these teams faced off twice, delivering thrilling games that showcased elite talent and strategic depth. Fans searching for Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks match player stats are eager for detailed insights into individual performances, team dynamics, and key moments from these matchups. This provides a comprehensive breakdown of player stats from their January 25, 2025, and February 6, 2025, games, drawing from sources like nba.com, espn.com, sportskeeda.com, mavsmoneyball.com, and patriotledger.com. Aimed at basketball enthusiasts analysts and bettors.
The Celtics, with a 64-18 record in the 2023-24 season, entered 2024-25 as defending champions, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Mavericks, finishing 50-32 as the Western Conference’s fifth seed in 2023-24, underwent a seismic roster change with Luka Dončić’s trade to the Lakers on February 1, 2025, for Anthony Davis (en.wikipedia.org). These games, one before and one after the trade, highlight evolving team dynamics. Below, we analyze player performances, key stats, and strategic insights from both encounters, supplemented by historical context from the 2024 Finals.
Table of Contents
Game 1: January 25, 2025 – Celtics Triumph in Dallas
Game Overview
On January 25, 2025, the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, in a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals (sportskeeda.com). The Celtics showcased their offensive balance, with all starters scoring at least 17 points, while the Mavericks, despite a strong start, struggled with injuries and turnovers. This game occurred before the Dončić trade, with Dallas still relying on their star guard.
Celtics Player Stats
The Celtics’ starting lineup dominated, led by Jayson Tatum, who scored 24 points (8-for-22 shooting), grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished 3 assists. Derrick White was a standout with 23 points (including efficient three-point shooting), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, earning praise for his 21-point third quarter (sportskeeda.com). Jaylen Brown contributed 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, showcasing his two-way prowess. Kristaps Porzingis, facing his former team, added 18 points and 4 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday rounded out the starters with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists (taylorcsnow, X). Boston’s bench was less impactful, but Payton Pritchard added energy with 7 points off the bench.
Boston shot 33.3% from three (8-for-24) at halftime and finished with only five turnovers, a testament to their ball security (sportskeeda.com). Their third-quarter surge, fueled by White’s 16 points, ballooned the lead to 25, securing a 96-76 advantage entering the fourth (mavsmoneyball.com).
Mavericks Player Stats
Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 22 points (11-for-23 shooting, 47.8%), 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, but struggled against Boston’s defense (sportskeeda.com). Luka Dončić, still with the Mavericks, recorded a near-triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, though his efficiency was hampered by Boston’s physical defense. Daniel Gafford was a bright spot, grabbing 15 rebounds and scoring 19 points, while Quentin Grimes added 20 points off the bench (mavsmoneyball.com). P.J. Washington contributed 14 points but missed key three-point attempts.
Dallas started strong with a 13-4 run, leading 29-25 after the first quarter, but faltered in the second, scoring only 20 points to Boston’s 34 (sportskeeda.com). The Mavericks committed 13 turnovers, with Boston capitalizing for 21 points off turnovers. Their three-point shooting was abysmal, attempting only 22 threes (well below their 35-per-game average), with Klay Thompson taking just three attempts (mavsmoneyball.com).
Key Insights
Boston’s low turnover rate (five) and balanced scoring overwhelmed Dallas, who couldn’t sustain their early momentum. The Mavericks’ lack of three-point volume was a strategic misstep against a Celtics team that controlled the paint and transition (mavsmoneyball.com). Injuries also played a role, with Maxi Kleber exiting in the third quarter with a sprained ankle (sportskeeda.com). This game highlighted Boston’s depth and Dallas’ reliance on Dončić and Irving before the trade.
Game 2: February 6, 2025 – Mavericks Upset Celtics in Boston
Game Overview
On February 6, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunning 127-120 upset over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, despite being 12.5-point underdogs (mavsmoneyball.com). This game, post-Dončić trade, saw Dallas lean on new acquisition Anthony Davis (questionable but played) and a revitalized supporting cast. The Celtics, coming off a 21-point loss to the Lakers, were healthy but couldn’t match Dallas’ shooting efficiency (espn.com).
Mavericks Player Stats
Klay Thompson led Dallas with 25 points, including clutch three-point shooting, stepping up as a primary scorer in Dončić’s absence (espn.com). Daniel Gafford dominated the glass with 15 rebounds and added 12 points, anchoring the paint. Kyrie Irving, despite a 7-for-17 shooting night, contributed 18 points and 5 assists, though his struggles in Boston continued (mavsmoneyball.com). Quentin Grimes added 16 points off the bench, and Spencer Dinwiddie provided 14 points and playmaking. Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington each scored 12 points, rounding out a balanced attack (sofascore.com).
Dallas shot an impressive 56% from the field, including 61% at halftime, and capitalized on transition opportunities, running off misses and seven first-half turnovers forced from Boston (mavsmoneyball.com). Their 15 assists compared to Boston’s 33 showed a less fluid offense, but their shooting efficiency and hustle secured the win.
Celtics Player Stats
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, but his 10-for-22 shooting reflected Dallas’ defensive pressure (nba.com). Jaylen Brown scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Derrick White added 20 points and 5 assists. Kristaps Porzingis, limited by Dallas’ interior defense, managed 15 points and 4 rebounds. Jrue Holiday contributed 14 points and 8 assists but couldn’t replicate his Finals impact (sofascore.com). Payton Pritchard, off the bench, scored 10 points but struggled defensively.
Boston’s 33 assists showcased their ball movement, but they allowed 21 points off seven turnovers, a rare lapse (mavsmoneyball.com). Their three-point shooting was solid (12-for-30, 40%), but Dallas’ outlier 56% field-goal percentage proved insurmountable (espn.com).
Key Insights
Dallas’ victory was a testament to their post-trade resilience, with Thompson and Gafford stepping up and Anthony Davis (stats not fully detailed due to questionable status) providing a defensive anchor (patriotledger.com). The Mavericks’ transition game and high shooting percentage exploited Boston’s fatigue after a grueling road trip (sportskeeda.com). For the Celtics, the loss exposed defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in transition, despite their offensive fluidity (mavsmoneyball.com).
Historical Context: 2024 NBA Finals
The 2024 NBA Finals set the stage for these regular-season clashes. Boston defeated Dallas 4-1, with Jaylen Brown earning Finals MVP (20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists per game) (en.wikipedia.org). Key performances included:
- Game 1 (June 6, 2024): Celtics 107-89, with Porzingis scoring 20 points off the bench and Tatum adding 16 points, 11 rebounds (taylorcsnow, X).
- Game 2 (June 9, 2024): Celtics 105-98, led by Holiday’s 26 points and 11 rebounds; Dončić had a triple-double (32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) (foxsports.com).
- Game 4 (June 14, 2024): Mavericks’ 122-84 blowout, the third-largest in Finals history, with Dončić scoring 29 points (en.wikipedia.org).
- Game 5 (June 17, 2024): Celtics 106-88, clinching the title, with Tatum’s 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists (taylorcsnow, X).
Boston’s dominance in the Finals (2-0 regular-season sweep in 2023-24) carried into 2024-25, but Dallas’ February upset showed their potential post-trade (landofbasketball.com).
Strategic Analysis and Player Impact
Celtics’ Strengths
Boston’s success stems from their balanced starting lineup, with Tatum (23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds per game) and Brown (32.1% from three) as offensive cornerstones (patriotledger.com). White’s two-way play and Holiday’s playmaking (7 assists per game in Finals) provide versatility (en.wikipedia.org). Porzingis, despite injury concerns, remains a matchup nightmare. Their low turnover rate (5 in January game) and assist-heavy offense (33 in February) reflect coach Joe Mazzulla’s system (mavsmoneyball.com).
Mavericks’ Evolution
Pre-trade, Dallas leaned on Dončić (triple-double threat) and Irving (24.5 points, 41.1% from three) (patriotledger.com). Post-trade, Anthony Davis bolsters their defense, while Thompson (25 points in February) and Gafford (15 rebounds in both games) fill gaps (espn.com). However, their inconsistent three-point volume (22 attempts in January) and turnover issues (13 in January) remain weaknesses (mavsmoneyball.com).
Head-to-Head Trends
The Celtics lead the all-time regular-season series 47-41, with a 22-26 record against Dallas since 2004 (landofbasketball.com, aiscore.com). In 2024-25, they split the series 1-1 (statmuse.com). Boston’s three-point shooting and ball security contrast with Dallas’ reliance on star-driven offense and transition (sofascore.com).
For Fans and Bettors
For fans, tracking Tatum and Irving’s performances is key, as their scoring duels often dictate game flow (sportskeeda.com). Bettors should note Boston’s 60% against-the-spread win rate in their last five games versus Dallas’ 40% (aiscore.com). Dallas’ transition scoring (21 points off turnovers in February) makes them dangerous as underdogs (mavsmoneyball.com). Check nba.com for box scores and sofascore.com for live stats to stay updated.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks delivered two compelling matchups in the 2024-25 season, with the January 25, 2025, game showcasing Boston’s depth (122-107 win) and the February 6, 2025, game highlighting Dallas’ post-trade resilience (127-120 upset) (sportskeeda.com, espn.com). Standout performances from Jayson Tatum (24-28 points), Derrick White (20-23 points), and Klay Thompson (25 points in February) defined these games, while Daniel Gafford’s rebounding (15 in both) and Kyrie Irving’s scoring (18-22 points) kept Dallas competitive (mavsmoneyball.com). The Dončić-Davis trade reshaped Dallas’ identity, making their February victory a statement (en.wikipedia.org). For fans and analysts, these games underscore Boston’s championship pedigree and Dallas’ adaptability. As the 2025 playoffs loom, tracking these teams’ evolving rosters and stats on nba.com or espn.com will be crucial for predicting future clashes in this storied rivalry.
FAQS
Who were the top performers in the Boston Celtics’ 122-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, 2025?
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Derrick White added 23 points, including 16 in the third quarter. For the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, and Luka Dončić had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, but Dallas struggled with 13 turnovers (sportskeeda.com, taylorcsnow, X).
How did Klay Thompson impact the Mavericks’ 127-120 upset over the Celtics on February 6, 2025?
Klay Thompson was pivotal in Dallas’ post-Luka Dončić trade victory, scoring 25 points with clutch three-point shooting. His performance, alongside Daniel Gafford’s 15 rebounds and 12 points, helped Dallas shoot 56% from the field to overcome Boston’s 33 assists (mavsmoneyball.com, espn.com).
What role did turnovers play in the Celtics vs. Mavericks games in the 2024-25 season?
In the January 25 game, Boston’s five turnovers compared to Dallas’ 13 led to 21 points off turnovers for the Celtics, securing their 122-107 win. In the February 6 upset (127-120), Dallas forced seven Boston turnovers, scoring 21 points off them, flipping the script (sportskeeda.com, mavsmoneyball.com).