The Dallas Mavericks will hand out a Cooper Flagg Rookie‑of‑the‑Year bobblehead at three home games—Nov. 18 vs. the Warriors, Nov. 30 vs. the Celtics and Dec. 2 vs. the Magic—for fans who buy ticket packages through a special page. The bobblehead features Flagg in his Mavericks uniform with his rookie stats (21 pts, 6.7 reb, 4.5 ast) and may be signed. Each purchase caps at four tickets per game; the bobbleheads are pick‑up only at the arena. The Nov. 18 game also marks “Nellie Night” honoring late coach Don Nelson, with a $25,000 donation to the Humane Society. Flagg, the 2025‑26 Rookie of the Year, posted 21 points per game in 70 contests, joining Jason Kidd and Luka Dončić as Mavericks ROTY winners.
The Milwaukee Bucks (1-6) travel to TD Garden to chase their first road win against a 5-2 Boston Celtics squad. Both teams struggled to close out recent games, with the Bucks dropping a close contest in Minnesota and the Celtics falling to the Rockets after a fourth‑quarter slowdown. Boston returns Paul George but rests Jayson Tatum, while Devin Carter is out for Boston with illness and Payton Pritchard is questionable. The Bucks, who rank fourth in pace, will look to dominate the offensive glass—especially with Kel’el Ware’s presence—while Jericho Sims, who impressed in limited minutes, could be a key factor. A win hinges on Milwaukee’s faster tempo and rebounding against Boston’s solid half‑court play.
The latest CelticsMailbag tackles the buzz around Mitchell Robinson’s early-season slump, questioning if he’s “washed” after a sub‑par start. Readers also get hot takes on Derrick White’s trade value, with arguments for and against moving him before a possible decline, and a debate over whether to shift minutes from Grant Garza to rookie Chris Cenac. The author urges patience for Robinson’s fit, while highlighting the thin margin on White’s athleticism and the strategic roster tweaks the Celtics could make as the season unfolds.
After the Rockets' 119-98 win over Boston, Kevin Durant snapped at reporter Varun Shankar for questioning his low shooting volume, sparking a heated exchange. Former teammate DeMarcus Cousins defended Durant on Gil’s Arena, saying the criticism shows a lack of understanding of team dynamics. Durant logged just 12 points on six shots, far below his usual attempts, as the Rockets rely on other scorers like Alperen Şengün (26 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (30 points). The article revisits Durant’s reduced field‑goal attempts this season—averaging 12.25 per game, the lowest since his rookie year—and highlights the controversy over his role as a decoy versus a primary scorer.
After a playoff exit, Celtics GM Brad Stevens vowed to improve rim impact, prompting offseason moves that are already paying off. Boston jumped from last‑place (22) to 13th in attempts inside 5 feet, posting 28.3 touches per game in early November, though their 63% finish rate sits 17th. Adding offensive rebounder Mitchell Robinson and swapping Paul George for Jaylen Brown has boosted paint activity, with Jayson Tatum now averaging 10.2 free‑throw attempts and 28 team attempts per game. Recent back‑to‑back games show the Celtics thrive when Tatum is on the floor, hitting 70% inside the arc, but struggle without his presence, highlighting both progress and remaining gaps.
The Celtics’ season hinges on Derrick White and Payton Pritchard delivering better offense. White, acquired in 2022, is averaging just 11.1 points, 4.9 assists and shooting 32% from three, while Pritchard, a 2020 pick, posts 13.4 points, 3.4 assists and a 31% three‑point rate. With limited point‑guard depth—Scheierman is a wing, Conley is 40, and Devin Carter is sidelined with mono—the duo must step up. Pritchard’s shot attempts have dropped to 10.3 per game (7.8 without the Bulls games), yielding only 7.2 points, and White’s three‑point percentage has fallen from a career 39% to 33% this season. Their slump threatens Boston’s playoff aspirations, making their improvement a must‑watch storyline.
During the Rockets’ November 4 clash with the Boston Celtics, a courtside fan named Sami urged Kevin Durant to keep shooting despite double teams. Durant snapped back, telling him to watch his workout videos on YouTube, then promptly hit a basket for the fan. The veteran logged only six attempts, making five, as Boston’s defense clogged his lanes, forcing Houston to rely on Alperen Sengun, who posted a 26‑point, 10‑assist, 7‑rebound line. Post‑game, Durant brushed media questions about his low shot volume, emphasizing the win. The brief fan‑star exchange went viral, highlighting Durant’s confidence and the team’s adaptive offense.
The Celtics aim for a fifth straight home win on Nov. 4 as they host the 1‑6 Bucks at TD Garden (7:30 PM ET, NBCSN). Boston sits third in the East (5‑2) behind Philadelphia and Detroit, while Milwaukee languishes 14th (1‑6) after a roster overhaul that swapped Giannis for Tyler Herro and others. Celtics star Jayson Tatum is listed as questionable (rest) alongside Payton Pritchard (shoulder), with Devin Carter out sick. Expected lineups feature Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta for Boston, and Braydon Burries, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma and Miles Turner for Milwaukee. Both teams have recent success against each other, making the matchup a key early‑season test.
Paul George is thriving with the Celtics, but the Philadelphia 76ers should ignore the hype.
In years past, the Boston Celtics could survive when those two struggled, but nights like last night against the Houston Rockets prove they are essential to the Celtics' success.
After the Houston Rockets' 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics, Kevin Durant fended off a reporter who questioned his low shooting volume. Former NBA center DeMarcus Cousins stepped in, calling the query "dumbass" and defending Durant’s role as a decoy who drew defensive attention to benefit teammates like Jabari Smith Jr. Cousins argued that the focus on individual stats missed the bigger picture of team success, especially in a game where Durant posted just 12 points on eight shots. The exchange highlights ongoing tension between players and media over how contributions are evaluated.
Jaylen Brown claims the 76ers belong to Tyrese Maxey. Is the former Celtics star taking a subtle jab at Jayson Tatum, or has he simply changed his tune?
Jayson Tatum looks like an MVP when Mitchell Robinson sits, but their combined net rating is alarming. Here is what the numbers say about Boston's lineup issue.
Payton Pritchard needs to contribute a lot more on the court than he has so far this season for the Boston Celtics.
After many immediately declared trading for him a mistake, Paul George has proven he is anything but for the Boston Celtics. Because of how useful he has been, it's hard to see how or why they would trade him.
The Celtics may enter Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks without both Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard. Tatum, who’s averaging 27 points, 7.9 assists and 6 rebounds, is listed as questionable with rest, while Pritchard is doubtful after a right‑shoulder contusion. If Tatum sits, Baylor Scheierman could start, with Walsh or Hauser as backups; Pritchard’s absence would open minutes for Mike Conley or Ron Harper Jr. Boston sits 5‑2, while Milwaukee struggles at 1‑6 in the post‑Giannis era. The matchup tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden.
Mitchell Robinson's struggles are reaching a tipping point in Boston. Here is why Joe Mazzulla must give Luka Garza the backup center minutes.
In time, the Celtics will get the version of Mitchell Robinson they envisioned. Meanwhile, Neemias Queta is building on last year's breakout season.
The Boston Celtics clearly missed having Paul George during their loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
Jaylen Brown understands who the Philadelphia 76ers need him to be, and it's not Tyrese Maxey.
After the Houston Rockets’ 109-93 win over Boston on Nov. 3, 2026, Kevin Durant—averaging over 20 points early this season—snapped when a Houston Chronicle reporter asked about his low shot volume (six attempts) despite the victory. Durant accused the reporter of singling him out, then clarified that his mere presence forces defensive attention, opening opportunities for teammates like Jabari Smith Jr. He finished with 12 points in 33 minutes. The exchange highlights Durant’s sensitivity to criticism and his impact beyond scoring.
The Boston Celtics see their five‑game winning streak snapped by a 109‑93 defeat to the Houston Rockets in Houston, with shooting woes and injuries to Payton Pritchard and Mitchell Robinson highlighted. Despite the loss, Jayson Tatum earns his 14th Eastern Conference Player of the Week award and edges toward the franchise scoring record. The roundup links dozens of related stories – from Marcus Smart’s viral celebration and his recent move to the Rockets, to coach Joe Mazzulla’s use of AI, and debates over making Pritchard a starter. The post aggregates the latest Celtics headlines, stats, and analysis from November 2‑3, 2026.
The Celtics’ five‑game winning streak ends with a 109‑93 loss to the Houston Rockets in Houston, highlighted by former Celtic Marcus Smart celebrating a key play against his old team. Boston struggled with shooting and injuries, missing Payton Pritchard’s production and dealing with Mitchell Robinson’s early‑season woes. Jayson Tatum earns his 14th Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor despite the defeat, while coach Joe Mazzulla reveals his use of AI in game planning. The loss sparks debate over Pritchard’s role and the team’s defensive identity moving forward.
Paul George's ability to accentuate the Celtics' best player and lead Boston when Tatum's off the floor is where he's needed most.
The Houston Rockets surge to the top of The Athletic’s new NBA power rankings after opening the season 7‑1, including wins over the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Coach Ime Udoka’s squad boasts a league‑best offensive rating of 121.2 and solid depth, featuring starters Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün, with key contributions from Marcus Smart and Clint Capela. While defensive rim protection remains a question, the Rockets’ revamped “stand‑around” offense and emerging talent have made them the most exciting team in the league so far.