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 first NBA meeting between former Duke stars Cooper Flagg and Jayson Tatum carried deeper meaning than a typical regular-season matchup.
For Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and rookie star for the Dallas Mavericks, facing Tatum was the realization of a long-standing basketball dream.
Tatum, the franchise cornerstone of the Boston Celtics, was one of the players Flagg studied most closely while developing his game growing up in Maine.
After Boston’s 120–100 victory over Dallas at TD Garden, Flagg revealed what Tatum told him following their first meeting on an NBA floor.
“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.”
The postgame moment highlighted the connection between the Celtics star and the Mavericks rookie, whose rise through the basketball ranks mirrored some of Tatum’s own path.
Cooper Flagg Says Jayson Tatum Was His Basketball Idol
For Flagg, sharing the court with Tatum represented a full-circle moment.
The rookie forward said the Celtics star was a player he “modeled” parts of his game after during his development.
“It’s incredible,” Flagg said after the game. “There are so many levels to it. (Tatum) is someone I idolized growing up.”
Flagg said he followed Tatum’s career closely as he climbed through the basketball ranks.
“Watched him go through levels and ranks. Watched him at Duke. Kind of followed in his footsteps,” Flagg said. “It’s really special just for me to have this experience tonight.”
That connection runs deeper than admiration from afar.
When Flagg was still in high school, he attended Tatum’s JT Elite basketball camp, an invitation-only event that gathers some of the top high school prospects in the country.
That was the first time Tatum saw the future No. 1 overall pick in person.
Jayson Tatum’s First Impression of Cooper Flagg
Tatum recalled being immediately impressed by Flagg’s competitiveness and defensive instincts.
“The first impression I had of Coop was just how hard he played, how he competed,” Tatum said during an appearance 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 and rebound.”
Those traits helped make Flagg one of the most coveted prospects in recent draft history.
When the Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery in 2025, they selected Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, adding the versatile forward to a franchise entering a new era.
Emotional Night at TD Garden for Maine Native Cooper Flagg
Friday’s game carried special significance for Flagg beyond the matchup with Tatum.
The game took place at TD Garden in Boston, the closest NBA arena to Flagg’s hometown in Maine.
Hundreds of fans from New England made the trip to watch the rookie play his first NBA game in the region.
Flagg received a loud ovation during pregame introductions as the crowd acknowledged the local connection.
“It’s a dream come true,” Flagg said. “Just being out there on that court. Competing and playing at a high level.”
“I tried to take a moment to take a deep breath and take it all in.”
Cooper Flagg Produces Strong All-Around Rookie Performance
Despite Dallas’ loss, Flagg delivered another strong performance during his rookie season.
He finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, playing through soreness in his left foot.
Flagg’s well-rounded play has been a defining feature of his rookie campaign.
Even with his jump shot still developing, he has quickly become one of the Mavericks’ most productive players.
The rookie currently leads Dallas in points, rebounds and assists, ranks second in steals and sits third on the team in blocks.
His versatility has allowed him to impact games across multiple areas despite Dallas’ struggles this season.
Mavericks Facing Difficult Stretch Despite Flagg’s Emergence
While Flagg’s individual growth has been encouraging, the Mavericks have endured a difficult stretch late in the season.
Dallas has lost six straight games and 16 of its last 18, leaving the team headed toward another high draft pick as it rebuilds around its young core.
“I just think we weren’t organized,” Flagg said. “Part of it is us still learning each other. And part of it was I wasn’t good enough.”
Despite the disappointing result, Flagg said the opportunity to share the court with one of his basketball idols made the night unforgettable.
After the final buzzer, Flagg and Tatum met near midcourt and embraced.
Flagg said he also shared his appreciation for Tatum’s return after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
“I told him it’s incredible what he’s able to do and how quickly he was able to come back,” Flagg said.
For the Mavericks rookie, the moment served as both a milestone and motivation — proof that the path he once watched from afar is now his own.