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Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100

Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100 | iNFOnews.ca
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum blows a kiss to fans after making a 3-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-100 on Friday night in Jayson Tatum’s first game in almost 10 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon.

Tatum had 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds and seven assists in a rust-filled 27 minutes. He played in five- and six-minute spurts in his first game since suffering the injury in during Game 4 of Boston’s Eastern Conference semifinal loss to New York in May.

Derrick White added 20 points to help Boston win for the fourth time in five games. Dallas has lost six straight.

No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, a Maine native playing his first game in TD Garden, had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Dallas. Klay Thompson finished with 19 points, and Naji Marshall had13 points.

Tatum missed his first six shots, including three 3-pointers. But he continued to look for his teammates and actively screening to initiate the offense.

The Celtics have 19 games remaining in the regular season, including 11 at TD Garden to try to ramp up Tatum for the playoffs.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100 | iNFOnews.ca
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a shot over Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100 | iNFOnews.ca
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100 | iNFOnews.ca
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) paases by Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Jayson Tatum scores 15 points in return from Achilles surgery, Celtics beat Mavericks 120-100 | iNFOnews.ca
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a 3-point shot against Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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The Associated Press

Kyle Hightower

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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