The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met in Dallas on Saturday for their first matchup since last season's NBA Finals. Dallas was missing many key pieces, including starters Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II, while Boston was wrapping up a four-game road trip.

DALLAS — Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White added 23, including Boston’s first 11 of the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics faced off against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night in a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals. It was the first time the two teams had met since then, and the Celtics were looking to pick up a win to close out their four-game road trip.

Jayson Tatum will spearhead the Boston Celtics' efforts to assert their dominance against the Dallas Mavericks heading into Saturday's game.

A video of the encounter made its way to social media. The postgame moment stood out, given that Tatum and Irving were teammates on the Celtics from 2017-19. During their time together, they led Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The two have remained close friends throughout their NBA days.

READ MORE: Three-point barrage carries Celtics over Mavericks in NBA Finals rematch, 122-107

Just ahead of Dallas Mavericks star wing Luka Doncic (who is unlikely to win the award based on his injury history so far this season) and just behind Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ranking feels about right for Tatum, who has certainly not been playing the best ball of his current campaign in recent weeks.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum just reached a new milestone in his NBA career, one that has him in an incredible group of all-time players.

Dallas Mavericks (24-21, seventh in the Western ... Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games. Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for ...

This afternoon, the Dallas Mavericks will host the defending NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics, in a game that tips at 4:30 CST at the American Airlines Center.

The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks will play at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, this evening, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. The defending NBA champions have the second seed in the Eastern Conference, only topped by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The New York Knicks trail behind the Celtics.