The Boston Celtics (10-2) host the Dallas Mavericks (7-5) at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, at TD Garden.[1] In the Boston market, Celtics vs Mavericks is listed on NBC Sports Boston and on Peacock’s NBC Sports Boston add-on.[2] The Dallas broadcast is on KFAA-TV and MavsTV.[3]
Boston has won five straight. The streak includes a four-game road sweep that ended with a 98-93 comeback win at Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 11, after the Celtics trailed by 22 in the second quarter (our Celtics-Raptors recap).[4] The team says the trip’s plus-86 scoring differential was the best for a four-game road trip in franchise history.[4] The Celtics are 5-0 at home and lead the Atlantic Division.[3]
Celtics vs. Mavericks injury report
As of the NBA’s 12:45 p.m. ET injury report on Saturday, neither team had submitted its list for Sunday’s game.[5] Dallas did file one for its Saturday game at Cleveland. It listed Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Tarik Biberovic (right heel bursitis) and Sergio de Larrea (right knee sprain) as out, Max Christie (left ankle sprain) as doubtful and Morez Johnson Jr. (left shin/tibia contusion) as probable. Caleb Martin was listed as available with a right thumb splint.[5]
For Boston, Paul George was inactive with an illness for Wednesday’s win in Toronto, according to the NBA’s official box score.[6] ESPN lists him as day-to-day.[3] George scored 36 points in the Celtics’ 123-101 win at Philadelphia on Nov. 10 (our Celtics-76ers recap).
Back-to-backs on both benches
Dallas plays at Cleveland at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, so Sunday is the second night of a back-to-back for the Mavericks.[5][7] Boston has been off since Wednesday, but Sunday starts a back-to-back of its own: the Celtics host Orlando at 7 p.m. ET on Monday.[1] The Mavericks’ most recent game before Saturday was a 133-94 loss at Minnesota on Nov. 12, and they are 2-3 on the road.[7][3] Check the full Celtics schedule for the trip to Denver, Sacramento and Golden State that follows.
By the numbers: a plus-11.2 margin
Through 12 games, Boston has scored 1,371 points and allowed 1,237. That is 114.3 points per game against 103.1, an average margin of plus-11.2 (TBR calculations from official final scores).[3][6] Dallas has scored 1,358 and allowed 1,346, or 113.2 against 112.2, for a margin of plus-1.0.[7]
The Celtics’ two losses came on the road: 121-113 at Detroit in the opener and 109-93 at Houston on Nov. 2. Their five-game winning streak has come by a combined 93 points, or 18.6 per game, including a 119-80 win at Charlotte on Nov. 6 (TBR calculations).[3] Boston also beat Dallas in both meetings last season, 110-100 on Feb. 3 and 120-100 on March 6, 2026.[1]
| Team | Record | Points per game | Allowed per game | Leaders (ESPN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics | 10-2 (5-0 home) | 114.3 | 103.1 | Tatum 26.3 ppg, 7.5 apg; Queta 6.7 rpg |
| Mavericks | 7-5 (2-3 road) | 113.2 | 112.2 | Flagg 24.6 ppg, 6.5 apg; Washington 7.2 rpg |
Jayson Tatum leads Boston with 26.3 points and 7.5 assists per game, and Neemias Queta leads with 6.7 rebounds. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg averages 24.6 points and 6.5 assists, and P.J. Washington averages 7.2 rebounds.[3]
What to watch (TBR analysis)
- Fresh legs. Boston will have had three days off, while Dallas will be playing in a second city on consecutive nights.[5][7] That could favor the Celtics late in the game.
- Queta’s minutes. In Toronto, Boston was plus-27 with its starting center on the floor and minus-22 with him on the bench, according to the team.[4] He had 13 rebounds and three blocks.[6]
- Defending Flagg. Boston held Toronto to 55 points over the last three quarters Wednesday, and its starting five blocked 10 shots.[4] Dallas’ top scorer will be the main test for that defense.[3]
- Free throws. The Celtics went 24-for-28 from the line in Toronto, and Tatum went 10-for-12.[6]
Sources
- NBA.com (Boston Celtics): Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics, Nov. 15, 2026: game details
- Sports Media Watch: Boston Celtics TV Schedule 2026-27
- ESPN: Mavericks vs. Celtics (Nov 15, 2026) game page
- Boston Celtics (NBA.com): Keys to the Game: Celtics 98, Raptors 93
- NBA: Official Injury Report, Nov. 14, 2026, 12:45 p.m. ET
- NBA: Official Scorer’s Report: Celtics at Raptors, Nov. 11, 2026
- ESPN: Dallas Mavericks 2026-27 Schedule
About the reporter: Thomas Redfield covers sports for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.
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