Tonight is a big night for the Boston Celtics, perhaps the biggest of the season.
For starters, Jayson Tatum may finally make his season debut for the Celtics. He's questionable to return from his Achilles injury today, potentially coming back for his first NBA game in 10 months.
On top of that, it's also a homecoming of sorts for Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and Maine native will play his first NBA game at TD Garden tonight.
Flagg, who grew up going to games in Boston as a Celtics fan, couldn't be more excited.
Maine native Cooper Flagg on playing at TD Garden in Boston for the first time:
“I’m excited. I know there’s going to be a lot of people showing up from Maine & showing support. I’m really excited just to be up there for the first time & play in that arena. It’s the only arena I… pic.twitter.com/lMG6hGvXqR
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) March 6, 2026
"I’m excited. I know there’s going to be a lot of people showing up from Maine & showing support," Flagg told reporters on Thursday. "I’m really excited just to be up there for the first time and play in that arena. It’s the only arena I went to as a little kid. I’m really excited to get an opportunity and I’m just blessed."
The 19-year-old will have plenty of family and friends in the stands tonight as he and the Mavericks take on Boston.
The two teams have opposite records and are going in opposite directions. The Celtics are 41-21 with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, while Dallas is a lottery team at 21-41. The Mavericks have lost five straight games and 15 of their last 17, whereas Boston is 12-3 over its last 15.
Flagg scored 18 points in his return from injury on Thursday and is averaging 20.3 points per game this season, so he'll try to put on a show tonight against his childhood heroes.
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