The Dallas Mavericks, staring down a 13-point deficit late in the first half of a back-to-back, defied what looked like a guaranteed schedule loss Monday night, battling past the Indiana Pacers 125-122. This wasn’t just any win, either. It was the Mavs’ third straight, pushing them to a surprising 7-4 record, marking the first time they’ve been three games over .500 since March 1, 2025. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were the undeniable architects of the comeback, absolutely torching the Pacers for a combined 78 points.
Flagg’s Historic Second-Half Explosion
Cooper Flagg wasn’t just good against the Pacers, he was in another universe, especially in the second half. This 19-year-old phenom dropped a season-high 43 points, with a mind-blowing 30 of those coming *after* halftime. He went off for 14 points on perfect 6-of-6 shooting in the third quarter, then tacked on another 16 in the fourth. The kid finished 16-of-25 from the field, splashed 3-of-6 from downtown, and was flawless 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. On top of that, he snagged 10 rebounds, dished out six assists, swiped three steals, and even got a block, locking up his fourth straight double-double.
Think about this: Flagg just became only the second teenager in NBA history to rack up at least 40 points, 10 boards, and five assists in a game. The only other player? Kevin Durant, who put up 42 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in his final game as a rookie with Seattle back in 2008. But StatMuse throws in those three steals, and Flagg becomes the *first* teenager ever to hit a 40-10-5-3 line. This was also his fifth career 40-point game, which is as many as LeBron James (three) and Anthony Edwards (two) have combined. His 14th career 30-point game moves him to second all-time for players under 20, trailing only James, and his seventh 35-point game ties him with James for most by a teenager. And get this: Flagg doesn’t even turn 20 until December 21st! Mavericks head coach Dusty May wasn’t shy about praising Flagg’s complete scoring package either. May noted, “He gets to the rim. I think him almost being a left-handed player in the paint certainly helps. He’s a great left-footed jumper, left-handed finisher. Then he’s able to square in the air from 15, 17 feet.”
The Mavs’ Unexpected Surge is Real
Remember where this Mavericks franchise was not that long ago? After the Luka Doncic trade, a devastating ACL injury to Kyrie Irving, a brutal 26-56 season, and back-to-back years missing the playoffs, things looked bleak. Oddsmakers pegged their win total at a mere 34.5 before the season even started. Coming out of an opening stretch against teams like Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City, a lot of folks probably expected the Mavs to be scrambling just to stay afloat by mid-November. But nope, that’s not what’s happening.
Instead, this team is stacking wins. Cooper Flagg, in just his second year, is already looking like an MVP candidate. And Kyrie Irving? He’s finally looking like his old, pre-ACL injury self. The best part? The way these Mavs are winning feels sustainable. This isn’t just a fluke. They are clicking, and it’s awesome to watch.
What a turnaround for Dallas! This isn’t just a win, it’s a massive statement. With Flagg lighting up the record books and Irving back to his dominant self, the Mavericks are silencing the doubters and making some serious noise in the league. They are three games over .500 for the first time in well over a year, and that alone should have their fans buzzing. This early season run is giving them a real foundation to build on. Can they keep this momentum going? All signs point to yes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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