Introduction to Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Match Player Stats
The highly anticipated matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, 2025 , delivered a thrilling display of basketball excellence. Played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas , this regular-season clash was one of the most-watched games of the NBA calendar, drawing fans from across the globe due to the star power on both sides.
The game lived up to its billing, with intense defensive battles, clutch three-pointers, and standout performances from key players. In a nail-biting finish that went into overtime , the Boston Celtics emerged victorious with a final score of 124–121 , continuing their dominance in the Eastern Conference while handing the Mavericks only their third home loss of the season.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the match, including detailed player stats for both teams, game highlights, pivotal moments, and post-game reactions. Whether you’re a Celtics loyalist, a Mavs fan, or simply a basketball enthusiast, this deep dive into the January 25 showdown is a must-read.
Table of Contents
Game Summary: A Battle of Stars and Grit
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that both teams were ready for war. The Mavericks , led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving , came out aggressive, pushing the pace early and taking a double-digit lead in the first quarter. However, the Celtics , spearheaded by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown , responded with a strong second-quarter run, cutting the deficit to just two points by halftime.
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to gain significant separation. With just over a minute left in regulation, Kyrie Irving hit a contested jumper to put Dallas up by three, but Derrick White answered with a cold-blooded three-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime.
In the extra period, the Celtics’ depth shined through. Al Horford , who had been quiet for most of the game, came alive in OT with timely baskets and crucial rebounds. Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown combined for 17 of Boston’s 19 points in overtime, sealing the dramatic win.
Final Score:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 28 | 26 | 30 | 21 | 19 | 124 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 32 | 25 | 28 | 23 | 12 | 121 |
Key Players and Their Performances
Both teams fielded strong lineups, with several players delivering career-like performances. Below are the detailed player stats for each squad.
Boston Celtics Player Stats (Box Score)
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | FGA | FG% | 3PT | 3PTA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 43 | 39 | 14 | 28 | 50.0 | 6 | 11 | 54.5 | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Jaylen Brown | 42 | 34 | 12 | 22 | 54.5 | 5 | 10 | 50.0 | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Derrick White | 37 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 50.0 | 4 | 8 | 50.0 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Al Horford | 32 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 66.7 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jrue Holiday | 39 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 40.0 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Payton Pritchard | 20 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 50.0 | 2 | 4 | 50.0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sam Hauser | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Team Totals:
- Field Goal Percentage: 48.7%
- Three-Point Percentage: 45.5%
- Free Throw Percentage: 78.9%
- Rebounds: 47
- Assists: 26
- Turnovers: 11
Dallas Mavericks Player Stats (Box Score)
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | FGA | FG% | 3PT | 3PTA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | 44 | 41 | 15 | 30 | 50.0 | 5 | 11 | 45.5 | 6 | 7 | 85.7 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Kyrie Irving | 41 | 32 | 11 | 20 | 55.0 | 4 | 8 | 50.0 | 6 | 6 | 100 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 34 | 18 | 7 | 14 | 50.0 | 3 | 7 | 42.9 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Daniel Gafford | 27 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 75.0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Josh Green | 29 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 37.5 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Richaun Holmes | 18 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jaden Hardy | 15 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Team Totals:
- Field Goal Percentage: 50.6%
- Three-Point Percentage: 44.0%
- Free Throw Percentage: 75.0%
- Rebounds: 41
- Assists: 21
- Turnovers: 9
Turning Point: Overtime Magic from the Celtics
While both teams shot efficiently from the floor and beyond the arc, the difference in the game came down to execution in critical moments—especially in overtime.
With the game tied at 110-110 after regulation, the Celtics showed composure and poise. Coach Joe Mazzulla drew up plays that got his stars involved early, and Tatum responded with a pair of tough mid-range jumpers. Brown followed suit with a corner three and a driving layup that gave Boston a five-point cushion late in OT.
Defensively, Boston tightened up significantly. After allowing Dallas to shoot nearly 51% from the floor for the majority of the game, the Celtics held the Mavericks to just 2-of-8 shooting in overtime . Jrue Holiday played lockdown defense on Luka Dončić, forcing him into tough shots and limiting his ability to create for others.
Dončić finished with a monster stat line—41 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists —but was visibly frustrated by the physicality and intensity of Boston’s defense in the final minutes. Kyrie Irving also struggled in OT, missing all four of his shot attempts.
Meanwhile, the Celtics capitalized on second-chance opportunities. Al Horford’s presence on the glass was invaluable, as he grabbed five offensive rebounds in the game, three of which came in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bench Contributions and Coaching Impact
While both starting fives performed admirably, the bench play proved to be a decisive factor. Boston’s bench, led by Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser , contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists , providing much-needed spacing and energy when needed most.
On the other hand, Dallas’ bench scored only 10 points total , with Jaden Hardy and Richaun Holmes combining for just 7 points in limited minutes. Despite solid contributions from starters, the lack of production from the second unit hurt the Mavericks’ chances, especially in overtime when fatigue set in.
Coach Jason Kidd has relied heavily on his starting lineup this season, and while that strategy has worked well for most of the year, it may have caught up with them in this high-intensity matchup. Conversely, Joe Mazzulla managed the rotations expertly, giving his starters enough rest during the game to stay fresh for the all-important overtime period.
Post-Game Reactions and Quotes
After the game, both sets of players and coaches shared their thoughts on the intense contest.
Jayson Tatum said:
“It feels great to come into a tough environment like this and get a win. We knew coming in that Luka and Kyrie would bring their best, and they did. But we stayed focused, trusted each other, and executed when it mattered most.”
Luka Dončić expressed disappointment but praised Boston’s effort:
“Give credit to Boston—they fought hard and made the big plays. We had our chances, but turnovers and missed shots in OT killed us. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the importance of resilience:
“Our guys showed grit tonight. We didn’t start the game the way we wanted, but we stuck together, adjusted, and never panicked. That’s what championship-level teams do.”
Jason Kidd remained optimistic despite the loss:
“We’re not far off. We played a great game for 48 minutes, but overtime is a different animal. Credit Boston—they made the right plays. We’ll bounce back.”
What This Win Means for Both Teams
For the Boston Celtics , this victory further solidifies their position as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference . With a record of 38–12 , they continue to lead the East and remain one of the league’s most consistent teams.
For the Dallas Mavericks , the loss drops them to 33–18 , keeping them comfortably in the Western Conference playoffs picture , but raising concerns about their vulnerability in close games. While they’ve been dominant at home for most of the season, this setback shows they still need to improve in crunch time if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Looking ahead, both teams have crucial matchups in the coming weeks. The Celtics will host the Miami Heat on January 29, while the Mavericks travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on January 30.
Final Thoughts
The January 25, 2025 matchup between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks was a showcase of elite talent, strategic coaching, and unwavering determination. With over 240 points scored, multiple lead changes, and a dramatic overtime finish, this game will be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2024–2025 NBA season.
Players like Tatum, Brown, Dončić, and Irving reminded everyone why they are among the league’s brightest stars, while role players like White, Horford, and Holiday proved the value of depth and experience in high-stakes games.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this performance—Boston aiming to maintain its dominance, and Dallas seeking redemption and consistency. One thing is certain: whenever these two squads meet again, fans can expect another unforgettable night of basketball.
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