Game Overview
On February 3, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, the Boston Celtics faced the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, navigating a frenetic atmosphere just ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Earlier that day, the Celtics orchestrated a trade that sent guard Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center Nikola Vučević. This unexpected move left Boston without Simons, its top bench scorer, due to personal reasons, and consequently required swift adjustments as the game approached.
Player Highlights
In the wake of Simons’ absence, forward Luka Garza stepped up impressively, bringing newfound confidence to his shooting game. He made a notable impact off the bench, playing 20 minutes and scoring 16 points with a perfect shooting record from beyond the arc, hitting all four of his three-point attempts. Garza’s performance was pivotal in the Celtics’ 110-100 victory, marking a career high in three-pointers made during a single game.
“That’s generally where you get most of your shots off the pick-and-pop… I’ve grown more confident in it, and my teammates trust me,” Garza explained to reporters, reflecting on his shooting success.
His adeptness at creating space via the pick-and-pop technique allowed him to exploit scoring opportunities against the Mavericks’ defense effectively. The Celtics relied heavily on Garza’s shooting spread to counteract Dallas’ defensive focus on their leading scorers, including Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. By recognizing that he was often overlooked as a perimeter threat, Garza took advantage of the resulting defensive lapses, contributing not just points but also four crucial offensive rebounds, two steals, an assist, and a block to reinforce his role on the team.
Coaching and Strategy
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Garza’s versatility during the game, highlighting his ability to adapt and provide critical offensive support.
“Luka gives us advantages in different ways… He forced 2-on-1s and created open looks that were integral to our execution,” Mazzulla noted.
Faced with the challenge of reshaping the starting lineup after the trade, Mazzulla substituted Payton Pritchard to the sixth-man role, promoting Baylor Scheierman to the starting five. Despite this alteration, the Celtics maintained their identity and principles, which they had emphasized throughout the season.
Team Dynamics
Brown emphasized the importance of focusing on the details, which can often be the difference between success and failure in such tightly contested matchups.
“If we don’t come to play… we’ll lose games that we’re supposed to win. Those film sessions we have — it’s like a classroom,” he explained, underscoring the commitment to improvement and team cohesion.
As Garza continues to develop as a versatile player capable of stepping up when needed, the Celtics demonstrated resilience against a formidable Mavericks team led by rookie Cooper Flagg, who scored 36 points. The adjustments made by Boston, combined with Garza’s confident performance, proved significant in securing the win and keeping their playoff ambitions alive.
