Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg, Celtics, Mavericks
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Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks shake hands after the Celtics defeat the Mavericks 120-100 at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The return of Jayson Tatum carried meaning far beyond the box score.
After missing nearly 10 months recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, the Boston Celtics star made his long-awaited comeback in a 120–100 win over the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden.
The moment also marked the first NBA matchup between Tatum and Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg — a player who has long considered the Celtics star one of his biggest basketball influences.
After the final buzzer, the two met near midcourt and shared a brief embrace. Flagg later revealed the message Tatum gave him following the game.
“He just told me to keep going,” Flagg said. “He’s been a mentor for me through my journey from Duke to now. Someone I’ve been able to talk to and get advice from.”
For Flagg, the exchange capped a night that carried deep personal significance.
Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Delivers Double-Double in Return
Tatum’s comeback performance reflected both rust and his all-around impact.
Playing in carefully managed five- and six-minute stretches, he finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes.
He missed his first six shots, including three attempts from beyond the arc, before settling into the flow of the game.
Despite the early struggles, Tatum helped facilitate Boston’s offense with passing, screening and rebounding while easing back into game action.
The performance marked his first appearance since suffering the Achilles injury during Boston’s playoff series against the New York Knicks last May.
His return came in less than 300 days, making it one of the fastest Achilles recoveries in modern NBA history.
Cooper Flagg Reflects on Facing His Basketball Idol
For Flagg, sharing the court with Tatum represented a full-circle moment.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft grew up in Maine watching Tatum rise from college star at Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball to NBA All-Star.
“It’s incredible,” Flagg said. “There are so many levels to it.”
“He’s someone I idolized growing up. Watched him go through levels and ranks. Watched him at Duke. Kind of followed in his footsteps.”
The connection between the two players began years earlier when Flagg attended Tatum’s JT Elite basketball camp, an invitation-only event featuring some of the top high school prospects in the country.
Tatum later recalled his first impression of the young forward.
“The first impression I had of Coop was just how hard he played, how he competed,” Tatum said on the New Heights podcast hosted by Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce.
“In high school, it’s rare to see a guy who wants to guard the other team’s best player, block every shot, rebound.”
Emotional Night at TD Garden for Maine Native
The game also carried special meaning for Flagg because of the location.
Playing at TD Garden placed the rookie just a few hours from his hometown in Maine, and hundreds of fans from across New England traveled to Boston to watch him play.
Flagg received a loud ovation during pregame introductions as the crowd recognized the local connection.
“I tried to take a moment to take a deep breath and take it all in,” Flagg said. “It’s a dream come true just being out there on that court.”
The rookie finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, battling through soreness in his left foot.
Celtics Continue Building Momentum With Tatum Back
While the night carried emotional significance for both players, it also represented an important step for Boston.
The Celtics improved their grip on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings with their 42nd win in 63 games while reintegrating their franchise star.
For Tatum, the focus now shifts to regaining rhythm and conditioning after nearly a year away from game action.
For Flagg, the night served as another milestone in his rookie season and a reminder that the player he once studied growing up is now a competitor on the NBA stage.
But the advice he received afterward remains simple.
“Keep going.”