Klay Thompson’s Ocean Reset Sparks Vintage Fourth-Quarter Surge in Mavericks Win
There are moments in a long NBA season when experience matters most-not just the kind you gain from playoff runs and championship banners, but the kind that tells you how to listen to your body, reset your mind, and find your rhythm when everything feels off. On Saturday night in Los Angeles, Klay Thompson reminded us why that experience is still invaluable.
At 35, Thompson woke up sore and mentally drained after a tough loss to the Lakers the night before. Back-to-backs are never easy, especially this deep into a career.
It felt like the kind of night to sit one out. But for Thompson, the Pacific Ocean has always been more than a backdrop-it’s been therapy.
So he took his boat out, dove into the water, and let the sea do what it’s always done for him: clear the mind and recharge the spirit.
By tipoff against the Clippers, Thompson had flipped the switch.
And the Mavericks were glad he did.
Fourth-Quarter Firestorm
Thompson dropped 17 of his 23 points in a scorching fourth quarter, drilling six of his ten attempts from beyond the arc and helping Dallas snap a three-game skid with a 114-110 win at Intuit Dome. It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the timing. Every three felt like a gut punch to the Clippers’ momentum, each one a reminder of how dangerous Thompson still is when he finds his rhythm.
“Any time you touch the earth it gives you energy,” Thompson said postgame. “I went to my boat and got out in the sea.”
That energy showed up when Dallas needed it most. With the Mavericks short-handed and looking for stability, Thompson’s poise and shot-making steadied the ship. His 26 minutes were a masterclass in knowing when to take over-not forcing the game, but letting it come to him and delivering when it mattered most.
“I know I’m sore, but this is when your character is revealed,” Thompson said. “I don’t have much basketball left in me… Every night out there is really a blessing.”
That perspective? It’s not just talk. It’s the kind of veteran leadership that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet but can change the course of a season.
Cooper Flagg’s Coming-Out Party
While Thompson closed the game, Cooper Flagg opened eyes.
The 18-year-old rookie put together a performance that will be remembered for a long time-35 points against a Clippers defense that threw everything at him. Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, physicality, pressure-it didn’t matter. Flagg kept attacking, hitting tough jumpers, finishing through contact, and sealing the win with six clutch free throws in the final 80 seconds.
He became the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 in a game, but it was how he did it that stood out. Confident, composed, and unfazed by the moment.
“To do that against incredible defenders… is very impressive,” Thompson said afterward.
Flagg’s performance was more than a breakout-it was a statement. With P.J.
Washington sidelined after a pregame ankle sprain, the Mavericks needed someone to step up. Flagg didn’t just fill the gap-he took over stretches of the game like a veteran, not a teenager.
Denver Up Next: A Test of Momentum
Now, the Mavericks head to Denver to wrap up their road trip, facing a Nuggets team that’s starting to find its groove.
Denver has won four of its last six, and their 130-112 win over the Suns on Saturday was a reminder of just how lethal they can be when everything clicks. Nikola Jokić was his usual brilliant self-26 points, nine boards, 10 assists-and Jamal Murray played the perfect complement, scoring 24 and controlling the tempo. Former Maverick Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 and hit seven threes, stretching Phoenix’s defense all night.
The Nuggets shot a blistering 58% from the field and from deep, showcasing the kind of offensive balance that makes them so tough to beat-especially at Ball Arena.
Injury Report: Both Teams Banged Up
The Mavericks are still navigating a long list of injuries. Klay Thompson is listed as probable with an illness, while P.J.
Washington (ankle) and Brandon Williams (adductor) are questionable. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II remain out with ankle and foot issues, respectively.
Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum are still sidelined following surgeries.
For Denver, Nikola Jokić is probable with a left wrist sprain. Bruce Brown is questionable due to illness, and Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Julian Strawther are all ruled out.
Final Stop on the Road Trip
Saturday’s win didn’t solve all of Dallas’ problems, but it did something just as important-it changed the tone.
Thompson’s fourth-quarter takeover reminded the Mavericks what veteran leadership looks like in crunch time. Flagg’s fearless performance showed just how quickly he’s adapting to the league. And despite a patchwork lineup, the team found a way to win.
Now they head into Denver with a little more belief, a little more rhythm, and a chance to close the road trip on a high note.
Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST at Ball Arena. If Saturday was any indication, this Mavericks team still has plenty of fight left.