Celtics Pull Away in Second Half to Defeat Shorthanded Mavericks: 'Nothing But Lessons to Take'

Mavericks fall 122-107 to Celtics as White's big third quarter and Boston’s shooting depth outpace shorthanded Dallas, now 5-12 since the game Luka Dončić injured his calf on Christmas Day.

Photo: Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS — In the first rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals, the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks (24-22) fell 122-107 against the Boston Celtics (32-14) to open a two-game homestand. The matchup didn’t have nearly the same anticipation as the Mavericks continued to play without Luka Dončić (left calf strain). Dallas is now 5-12 since Dončić suffered the injury on Christmas Day amid a stretch marred with other injuries to rotation players.

The Mavericks also were without Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), Naji Marshall (illness), and Dwight Powell (right hip strain) for the game against Boston. The situation worsened when Maxi Kleber suffered a right foot fracture, sidelining him without a clear timetable for his return. Dallas now only has Daniel Gafford available at the center position until Powell can return.

"It's tough, but you gotta keep going—just one step at a time,” Gafford said. “You see him go down like that, you don't know what's going on with it. But other than that, it's just next man up mentality, honestly."