Cooper Flagg torched the net for 26 points and dished out eight assists as the Dallas Mavericks beat the injury-depleted Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96 on Wednesday night. The Mavericks, now 3-2 on the season, moved over .500 for the first time since Flagg joined the squad last fall, a serious statement early in the campaign.
Mavs Go Off From Downtown While OKC Can’t Find The Bucket
Dallas started strong, leading by 12 points in the first half and pushing that advantage to a massive 27 points in the fourth quarter. Their offense was absolutely cooking, especially from beyond the arc. The Mavericks sank a season-best 16 3-pointers on 45 attempts, with 11 of those bombs dropping in the first half alone. P.J. Washington chipped in with 18 points, but the whole team was clicking. Even center Daniel Gafford got in on the action, hitting his first 3-pointer in eight NBA seasons, a wild moment on his 2,384th career shot. This was also the first home victory for first-year Mavericks coach Dusty May, so you know that locker room was buzzing.
Meanwhile, the Thunder could not buy a bucket from deep, finishing with a season-low 5 of 32 behind the arc for a miserable 15.6%. That was also the lowest 3-point percentage any Mavericks opponent has posted this season, which tells you everything about Dallas’ defensive effort and OKC’s struggles. Ajay Mitchell did drop 29 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 21 for the Thunder, but it was not enough to overcome the Mavericks’ hot shooting and their own significant challenges.
Kyrie’s Big Return Meets The Thunder’s Injury Crisis
This game marked Kyrie Irving’s first home regular-season appearance since March 3, 2025, after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. He showed up big, scoring 15 points, with 13 of those coming in the first half where he hit his first four shots, including three behind the arc. Irving had sat out Dallas’ home opener last week on the second half of a back-to-back, so getting him back and playing like that is huge for Dallas.
But for the Thunder, the story is all about who was not on the court. Oklahoma City was playing its second game without Jalen Williams, who is sidelined with a broken leg and dislocated ankle, and Cason Wallace, out with a torn labrum. To make matters worse, it was also their second game without Chet Holgren, battling patellar tendinitis in his right knee. And if that was not enough, Alex Caruso also sat out with patellar tendinitis, an injury that kept him out of their Monday home win over Phoenix. The Thunder are now 4-1, but you have to wonder how long they can keep it up with such a depleted roster.
What’s Next On The Schedule
Both teams are set to face the Houston Rockets next. The Mavericks will host them at home on Friday, looking to keep their momentum rolling. The Thunder will hit the road to take on the Rockets on Saturday, where they will desperately try to find a way to win despite their ever-growing injury list.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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