As more time passes since the NBA’s full schedule release for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, the more hidden gems emerge from the Boston Celtics’ schedule. We all knew that games against the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks would be worth circling on the calendar before the full slate was even shared.
One of the other games that Celtics fans should look forward to, at least from a “let’s get tickets to that one” standpoint is the Nov. 15 matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. The Sunday 6 p.m. tip-off will mark the second time that 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg takes the parquet against his favorite childhood team.
When Dallas drafted the Maine native last June, Celtics fans were, first and foremost a little jealous, but also excited to see one of their own making such big waves in the basketball world. A year ago, the Mar. 6 matchup became a huge draw when the league announced last season’s schedule.
New Englanders were going to pack TD Garden to see Flagg for the first time as a pro, regardless of what the stakes that night would be. Nobody knew what to expect from the Cs anyway. They’d just lost a significant chunk of their championship core with Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet all heading to new homes.
So, when the date actually rolled around and the Celtics were good and Jayson Tatum was making his long-awaited return from the torn Achilles he’d suffered in the 2025 playoffs, the buzz around Causeway street had an NBA Finals level feel.
Seriously. I covered that game and there was more media at TD Garden than I’ve ever seen.
All eyes will be on Flagg this time
It’s safe to say, the focus wasn’t on the kid who grew up watching VHS tapes of the 1986 Celtics. This time around, you’d have to imagine all of the attention will be on Flagg -- who has two more years left on his rookie deal, by the way.
It’d be shocking if the Mavs didn’t look him down with a max rookie extension before then, but you never know. Maybe Cooper is scheming about taking the qualifying offer and then signing in Boston after his fifth NBA season.
I know we’re all thinking about it, that’s for sure.
Even though the attention wasn’t on him back in March. The atmosphere was a tremendous selling point on a future with the Cs -- if he’d even need that. Every single one of Flagg’s trips to TD Garden will present the Celtics’ fanbase with a chance to try and lure the young star away from Dallas.
Everyone be nice to him. Remind him of how great the Northeast is. It’s about the long game.
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