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.

Jayson Tatum joined elite company, becoming one of seven players in NBA history to score 13,000 career points before turning 27.

Half of the 2024-25 season has passed, and the Boston Celtics are holding onto the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The defending champs are in town to test both Los Angeles home teams.

Derrick White was huge with his 16 points in the third quarter as the Celtics return to Boston after a 3-1 road trip.

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.

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

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.

The Celtics finished their road trip 3-1 after knocking off the Mavericks on Saturday night behind a big third quarter from Derrick White.

The Celtics end their four-game road trip on a high note with a 122-107 win in a Finals rematch vs. a shorthanded Mavs team. Jayson Tatum: 24 points, 6 rebounds, Jaylen Brown: 22

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.

Coming off a season-worst loss in LA, the Celtics dominated Saturday’s NBA Finals rematch, routing the Mavericks 122-107.