Dusty May didn’t need long to sum up what Cooper Flagg just did for the Dallas Mavericks.
After Flagg powered Dallas to a 125-122 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, May was left marveling at the 19-year-old’s latest takeover. The Mavericks needed the performance to keep their momentum rolling, and Flagg delivered in a big way during a night that pushed Dallas to a third straight win.
In 39 minutes, Flagg put up 43 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block. He knocked down 16 of 25 shots from the field, hit 3 of 6 from deep, and was perfect at the line, going 8 of 8. Afterward, May’s reaction said plenty about how quickly Flagg is becoming the face of this team’s rise.
“Thank goodness he’s on our team. It’s unbelievable that he’s a 19-year-old doing this,” May said.
The Mavericks got plenty more help around him, too. Kyrie Irving added 35 points and four assists, shooting 11 of 18 overall, 7 of 10 from three, and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line. PJ Washington chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds, Santi Aldama finished with 10 points and four rebounds, and Daniel Gafford contributed eight points and three assists.
Dallas is now 7-4 on the season and sits ninth in the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks are ahead of the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans, while trailing the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors.
Next up is a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with tip-off set for Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Cooper Flaggs Breakout Has Mavericks Fans Eyeing A Bigger Test
The Mavericks took control early against the Nets and never really let the game drift, with Cooper Flagg doing the heavy lifting in a performance that gave Dallas plenty to feel good about. Flagg kept the offense organized and aggressive, and the win came with a smoother look than the team has often had when trying to settle into its rotation.
Brooklyn never found much rhythm, especially after Noah Clowney ran into foul trouble and was out of the game in under eight minutes. Dallas also eased Max Christie back in after his injury return, a reminder that the Mavericks are still sorting out their pieces even as the results start to tilt their way. The bigger question now is how Flagg's growing role translates when the opposition is a little less forgiving. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Backcourt Problem Just Got Harder To Ignore
The Mavericks backcourt depth is getting tested in a way that makes every absence behind Kyrie Irving feel a little heavier. With backup point guard Sergio De Larrea out because of a right knee sprain, Dallas has had to lean more on its current reserve guards, and Walter Clayton Jr. has helped steady the rotation while the team tries to keep the position from becoming a nightly problem.
De Larrea has already missed six straight games, and the delay in his return only adds to the uncertainty around a group that was already thin. For a team trying to manage its guard minutes carefully, the longer this lingers the more the Mavericks have to rely on patchwork solutions, at least until there is clearer news on when he can get back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Guard Shakeup Is Creating An Early Rotation Battle
The Mavericks are still sorting out their backcourt mix after Max Christies recent shooting slump and the hip issue that has cut into his availability. In the meantime, Caleb Martin has slid into the starting shooting guard spot and given Dallas a steadier look on the wing, bringing defense and efficient shooting from deep while the coaching staff keeps testing different combinations early in the season.
Walter Clayton Jr. has also entered the conversation as a useful ball-moving option, giving the Mavericks another guard to consider as they evaluate roles and lineups. With Dusty May continuing to experiment, this has become more than a temporary patch job, it is an early rotation battle that could shape how the backcourt settles once the team gets deeper into the schedule. [Read more 🡒]