Celtics Stay Locked In, Handle Mavericks 110-100 Behind Big Nights from Brown and Pritchard
DALLAS - It wasn’t the easiest night to focus for the Boston Celtics. Just hours before tipoff, the locker room was hit with the emotional gut punch that Anfernee Simons - a well-liked and highly productive piece of their rotation - had been dealt to the Chicago Bulls.
The mood was subdued. But on the floor?
The Celtics didn’t miss a beat.
Boston shook off the pregame turbulence and delivered a composed, resilient performance on the road, taking down the Dallas Mavericks 110-100 at American Airlines Center. It was a game that showcased the Celtics’ depth, toughness, and ability to adapt - even when the roster and rotations are in flux.
Jaylen Brown shouldered the load like a true All-Star, dropping 33 points and pulling down 11 boards in a performance that was equal parts power and poise. He got to his spots, attacked mismatches, and made sure the Celtics never lost control after grabbing the lead early.
But the real X-factor? Payton Pritchard.
Moved to a bench role for the first time all season, Pritchard didn’t sulk - he responded with one of his best games of the year. The sparkplug guard poured in 26 points and dished out 7 assists, bringing energy, shot-making, and tempo every time he checked in.
Whether he was pushing the pace in transition or knocking down timely threes, Pritchard was a difference-maker.
Boston took control of the game with just under three minutes left in the first quarter and never looked back, maintaining the lead for the final 37 minutes and change. That’s no small feat against a Mavericks team that featured a standout performance from Cooper Flagg - the Maine native and former Celtics fan making his debut against the team he grew up rooting for. Flagg’s effort was impressive, but Boston’s collective execution proved too much for Dallas to overcome.
This win doesn’t just go in the column - it says something about the Celtics’ mentality. Even with the emotional weight of losing a teammate, and even with players adjusting to new roles on the fly, they stayed locked in.
They didn’t just survive the night. They controlled it.
And if this group continues to respond to adversity like that, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.