The Boston Celtics are rolling out a definitive starting lineup for their Sunday night showdown against the Dallas Mavericks, featuring Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta. This isn’t just a casual lineup announcement, it is the five that have led the Celtics to an impressive 10-2 record and a red-hot five-game winning streak.
Celtics Stars Leading the Charge
Jayson Tatum has been nothing short of spectacular so far this season, absolutely leading the charge for the Celtics. He’s averaging a dominant 26.3 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, setting the tone for their early-season success. Right behind him, Paul George has seamlessly integrated, stepping up as the team’s second-leading scorer with a solid 22 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per outing. These two are a force, and they are driving this Celtics squad.
But it is not just the big names. Derrick White has been an absolute ironman, starting every single game this season, and consistently contributing 12.8 points and 5.3 assists. Then there’s the story of Neemias Queta, who has officially broken into the starting five. After coming off the bench for the first five games, Queta has started the last seven, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds. His emergence has clearly been a key factor in their recent run.
Walsh’s Role and the Mavericks’ Struggles
Jordan Walsh rounds out the announced starting lineup, making his seventh start in 12 games. While he’s averaging 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16.2 minutes, it is interesting to note that even as a regular starter, his minutes are slightly lower than some key bench players like Sam Hauser (21 minutes) and Baylor Scheierman (20.8 minutes), who have mostly come off the bench. It shows the depth this Celtics team is working with, and how head coach Joe Mazzulla is mixing things up.
On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks are coming into this game a bit battered. They are without their star Kyrie Irving for this Sunday night matchup, a tough break on the second night of a back-to-back. The Mavericks will trot out Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, PJ Washington, Cooper Flagg, and Daniel Gafford to start. At 7-6, the Mavericks have dropped their last two games, including a Saturday night loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, so they’re definitely looking to stop the bleeding.
This Celtics team, with their 10-2 record and five consecutive wins, is looking sharp. They are playing at a high level, and with this announced starting five, they are ready to keep that momentum rolling. Catch the Celtics and Mavericks as they tip off at 6pm ET.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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