Payton Pritchard came off the bench for the first time this season for Tuesday’s game. Baylor Scheierman was a starter in his place. With Simons unavailable after the trade, it was clear the Celtics wanted another ball-handler off the bench. Mazzulla explained the decision to have Pritchard as a reserve after the victory over the Mavericks.

Jaylen Brown was brilliant. Payton Pritchard moved to the bench and was amazing. Cooper Flagg was incredible for Dallas, but the Celtics got another big bench contribution to get the win in Dallas.

Recent reports indicate that the Dallas Mavericks are exploring trade options for their star guard following a surprising rotation shake-up.

The Dallas Mavericks don’t want to trade Naji Marshall or Max Christie, but they are still exploring moves involving Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Naji Marshall could be on the move in the next few days.

The chatter on the move has a lot of people talking.

Dallas’ big man appeared to aggravate his lingering ankle injury again in the second quarter of the Mavs’ game against the Celtics. When playing defense, Gafford’s right leg bumped into a Celtics player and it caused his right ankle to turn awkwardly. He went down immediately and was grabbing at his ankle.