Mavericks Falter Late Despite Flagg’s Fireworks in Loss to Rockets
HOUSTON - The Dallas Mavericks had the game right where they wanted it - within reach, momentum swinging their way, and Cooper Flagg once again playing like a rising star with no ceiling. But when it came time to close, the Mavericks couldn’t finish the job.
Despite another electric performance from the 19-year-old phenom and a late-game push that had Houston on the ropes, Dallas came up short in a 111-107 loss to the Rockets on Saturday night. It was a game that came down to execution in the final moments, and once again, the Mavericks found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
Flagg poured in 34 points, grabbed 12 boards, and dished out five assists - a line that would headline most nights in the league. It followed his 49-point explosion on Thursday and made him the first teenager in NBA history to post back-to-back 30-point double-doubles. But as has been the case more than once this season, his brilliance wasn’t enough to overcome Dallas’ late-game struggles.
With under two minutes to play, the Mavericks erased a four-point deficit thanks to a pair of clutch buckets from Flagg and Naji Marshall, knotting the game at 107 with 47 seconds left. That would be the last time Dallas saw the ball go through the hoop.
Houston answered with a composed final push. Alperen Sengun slipped past the defense for a go-ahead layup with 28.6 seconds to go, and after Flagg missed a heavily contested shot in the lane on the next possession, Tari Eason slammed the door shut - literally - with a fast-break dunk that put the Rockets up by four with just 14.4 seconds left. Flagg had one more look from deep, but it rimmed out, sealing the Mavericks’ fourth straight loss.
The frustration was palpable. Head coach Jason Kidd didn’t hide his feelings postgame, especially when asked about the no-call on Flagg’s late drive.
“I saw a foul,” Kidd said. “It’s unacceptable.
It’s a foul and he needs to be at the free throw line. Just being consistent - tonight the referees were not consistent.”
Flagg, for his part, took the high road. “I definitely felt some contact, but at the end of the day, the refs are the ones making the calls,” he said. “It is what it is.”
But the missed whistle wasn’t the only thing that hurt Dallas. The Mavericks were already playing short-handed, and the rotation got even thinner as the night went on.
Brandon Williams, who came out hot with 13 first-quarter points, left in the second quarter with a right lower leg contusion and didn’t return. Later, P.J.
Washington exited with a head contusion, leaving Kidd to juggle lineups and lean heavily on his young core.
“The one thing that’s been consistent is injuries,” Kidd said. “It’s next-man-up mentality, and the guys have responded.”
That response included a fourth-quarter spark from Klay Thompson, who drilled back-to-back threes to cut into what had been an 11-point Houston lead. Then Flagg took over again, scoring six straight to bring Dallas within six, and eventually helping tie the game.
But Houston, to their credit, stayed poised. Amen Thompson was everywhere, finishing with 21 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. He controlled the tempo, found open teammates, and delivered the exclamation point - an alley-oop dunk with just under two minutes to go that gave the Rockets a cushion they wouldn’t give up.
Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 points, and Sengun posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Rockets moved the ball with purpose, racking up 33 assists to just six turnovers - a clean, efficient night that helped them overcome some cold shooting stretches.
For Dallas, this was another chapter in a season that’s been defined by razor-thin margins. The Mavericks have now dropped four straight after previously winning four in a row. And while Flagg continues to shine - not just as a scorer, but as a player who makes winning plays - the team around him is still learning how to close out games.
“We’re learning,” Kidd said. “A lot of close games. We’ll be better as we go forward.”
There’s no question the Mavericks are building something. Flagg is already proving he belongs in the conversation with the league’s best young stars. But if Dallas wants to turn that potential into playoff wins, they’ll need to start turning these close losses into statement finishes.