Celtics Bounce Back from Humbling Loss with Win Over Dallas

The Boston Celtics delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 2-0 in a highly anticipated Finals rematch, led by Jayson Tatum's 24 points

The Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, delivered a dominant performance against the Dallas Mavericks in a highly anticipated Finals rematch on Saturday. The Celtics' impressive display was led by Jayson Tatum, who scored 24 points, while Derrick White added 23 and Jaylen Brown contributed 22. This convincing win marked a strong bounce-back effort for the Celtics, who had suffered a humiliating 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their previous game.

The Celtics' starting lineup was in top form, with all five players scoring in double figures. Despite trailing by 10 points in the first quarter, the Celtics gradually asserted their dominance over the Mavericks, who were still missing their injured star player, Luka Doncic. The Mavericks have been struggling to find their footing since Doncic suffered a calf injury on Christmas Day, and their woes were further compounded by the loss of center Dereck Lively II to a broken ankle earlier in the week.

Got the W in Dallas ✅ pic.twitter.com/26cEM3UxaI

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 26, 2025

Kyrie Irving led the Dallas Mavericks with 22 points, but their sharpshooter, Klay Thompson, had a disappointing outing, scoring just six points on four attempts from the floor. In contrast, the Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis delivered a strong performance, scoring 18 points. Porzingis emphasized the importance of this win for the Celtics, saying, "We were a lion last season, and some games this year, we've looked like a house cat." He acknowledged that the team needs more performances like this to find consistency in their title repeat bid.

In another thrilling matchup, the Houston Rockets managed to hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers, securing a 135-131 win. This victory marked the Rockets' second win in four days over the Eastern Conference leaders, dropping the Cavs behind the Western Conference pacesetters, Oklahoma City, for the best record in the league. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the Rockets with 26 points apiece, while Amen Thompson posted an impressive triple-double, consisting of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Despite taking a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter, the Rockets saw their advantage evaporate as the Cavaliers tied the game up with 1:51 left to play.

In a nail-biting finish, the Rockets managed to regain their composure and secure the win. A crucial free-throw by Sengun restored the Rockets' lead, and Thompson threw down a dunk off a rebound of a Sengun miss. With less than a minute remaining and only a one-point lead, the Rockets found a way to hold on. Darius Garland scored 39 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 33 for Cleveland, but the Cavs suffered their third consecutive loss for the first time this season, dropping to 36-9.

😁 pic.twitter.com/5WqgyLLCzi

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 26, 2025

Lakers and Timberwolves Secure Key Wins

The Los Angeles Lakers outdueled the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, securing a 118-108 victory. Anthony Davis led the charge with 36 points and 13 rebounds, while LeBron James added 15 points and 12 assists. Andrew Wiggins top-scored for the Warriors with 20 points, but Stephen Curry had a quiet game, scoring just 13 points and going scoreless in the second half.

Add another one to the win column pic.twitter.com/UisSBZ10EH

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2025

In Minnesota, Anthony Edwards starred as the Timberwolves cruised to a 133-104 win over the Denver Nuggets. Edwards scored 34 points and handed out nine assists, including three three-pointers, to take his tally to 976 and surpass Karl-Anthony Towns for most three-pointers in Timberwolves history. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 25 points, while Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 11 assists, but saw his streak of consecutive triple-doubles end at five.

The NBA's Saturday slate kicked off in Paris, where Tyrese Haliburton's hot shooting fired the Indiana Pacers to a 136-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and their French star Victor Wembanyama. Haliburton poured in 16 points in the third quarter on his way to a 28-point haul, leading the Pacers to a dominant win at the Bercy Arena.

Harrison Barnes led the San Antonio Spurs with 25 points, while Victor Wembanyama added 20, but the team was unable to replicate their 140-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Paris on Thursday. Despite the loss, Wembanyama's return to Paris was a resounding success, as he cemented his status as a 21-year-old basketball sensation.

Wembanyama's week in Paris was a whirlwind of activity, as he attended a Champions League soccer match, walked the catwalk at an LVMH fashion show, and even opened basketball courts for local schoolchildren. The French superstar was visibly moved by the outpouring of support and admiration he received throughout the week. “I did my best to make this week special for my team, for my family, my friends, but people still found ways to surprise me, to make things feel like it mattered for them and I mattered for them,” Wembanyama said, reflecting on the experience. “It's priceless.”