In a performance that can only be described as abysmal, the Boston Celtics suffered a devastating 127-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. The game was a microcosm of the team’s struggles all season, with moments of brilliance from individual players being overshadowed by an inexplicable lack of effort and discipline on defense. As the Celtics look to regroup and refocus, let’s take a closer look at the 3 studs and 3 duds from a night that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Jayson Tatum was the lone bright spot in a Celtics uniform, scoring a team-high 31 points on 11-20 shooting from the field. The 24-year-old forward was unstoppable at times, using his quickness and agility to blow past defenders and get to the rim. Tatum also showed a newfound willingness to attack the basket, drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line with ease. While the Celtics’ defeat was a crushing blow, Tatum’s performance served as a reminder that he’s one of the most talented players in the league.

Marcus Smart was a defensive menace all night, using his quickness and length to harass the Mavericks’ point guards and disrupt their offense. The Celtics’ All-Star guard also showed a surprising scoring touch, draining three 3-pointers and finishing with 24 points on 9-17 shooting from the field. While Smart’s performance was impressive, it was clear that he was often asked to single-handedly try to salvage a struggling Celtics defense.

Jaylen Brown was a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, using his athleticism and strength to score 27 points on 10-18 shooting from the field. The Celtics’ wing player was also a presence on the glass, grabbing 7 rebounds and showing a renewed commitment to playing with effort and energy. While Brown’s performance was encouraging, it was often overshadowed by the team’s ongoing struggles on defense.

**Dud 1: Kemba Walker (11 points, 3 assists, 4 turnovers)**

Kemba Walker’s season is quickly becoming a disaster, as the Celtics’ point guard continued to struggle with a combination of poor shooting and careless turnovers. Walker finished with just 11 points on 3-11 shooting from the field, and his 4 turnovers were a major factor in the Celtics’ demise. It’s clear that Walker needs to regain his confidence and composure if the Celtics are going to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Robert Williams was a non-factor on both ends of the court, struggling to make an impact in a game that the Celtics desperately needed him to contribute in. The Celtics’ big man finished with just 6 points on 2-8 shooting from the field, and his 2 blocks were not enough to overcome his lack of scoring punch. It’s clear that Williams needs to find a way to be more consistent and assertive if he’s going to become a reliable contributor for the Celtics.

**Dud 3: Daniel Theis (2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers)**

Daniel Theis was a liability on defense all night, getting caught out of position and struggling to contain the Mavericks’ big men. The Celtics’ backup center finished with just 2 points on 1-6 shooting from the field, and his 2 turnovers were a major factor in the Celtics’ collapse. It’s clear that Theis needs to find a way to be more focused and engaged on defense if he’s going to become a reliable contributor off the bench.

In the end, it was a night to forget for the Celtics, and one that will likely be remembered for all the wrong reasons. While the 3 studs from the game showed flashes of brilliance, the 3 duds were a major factor in the team’s defeat. As the Celtics look to regroup and refocus, they’ll need to find a way to balance their individual talent with a renewed commitment to team defense and discipline.