The Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) held off a late rally by the Dallas Mavericks, securing a 101-94 victory on Monday night [1, 5]. The Mavericks, playing the second night of a back-to-back, fell short despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback [5, 7]. The game also marked a challenging night for Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who sustained a shoulder injury and saw limited action in crunch time [4, 7].
Key Moments
The Thunder maintained control for most of the game, but the Mavericks mounted a significant comeback in the fourth quarter, fueled by a 25-4 run [7]. However, Oklahoma City managed to stem the tide and secure the win [1]. A key moment came in the third quarter when Chet Holmgren posterized Flagg, delivering a "welcome-to-the-NBA" moment for the rookie [4]. The Mavericks ultimately couldn't overcome their inconsistent play and the Thunder's strong performance [7].
Flagg's Impact
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, had a difficult outing [2, 7]. He injured his left shoulder on the opening possession and was later benched during crucial moments of the game [4]. Flagg’s struggles were apparent, leading to him being described as "flat" [7]. This performance stood in stark contrast to his previous game against the Toronto Raptors, where he scored 22 points and had a highlight-reel dunk [9, 14]. Mavericks coach defended Flagg amidst his inconsistent start to the season [15, 16]. Despite the loss, Mavericks fans continue to show their support for Flagg, even incorporating his name into the national anthem [3].
TL;DR
- The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks 101-94, remaining undefeated on the season [1, 8].
- Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg injured his shoulder early in the game and was benched during crunch time [4].
- The Mavericks mounted a late comeback but ultimately fell short against the defending NBA Champion Thunder [5, 8].
- The Dallas Mavericks will retire Mark Aguirre's No. 24 jersey on January 29, 2026 [10, 11].