‘Thank goodness he’s on our team’: Cooper Flagg makes history, Dallas Mavericks keep stacking wins
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The Dallas Mavericks turned a late first-half deficit into a thrilling victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, securing their third consecutive win and climbing to a 7-4 start. Cooper Flagg delivered a historic performance, scoring a career-high 43 points—including 30 after halftime—while adding 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block, becoming just the second teenager in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a single game.
His 16-of-25 shooting, perfect free-throw line, and clutch scoring helped Dallas overcome a 13-point deficit, finishing with a 125-122 win. The Mavericks also moved three games over .500 for the first time since March 2025, marking a dramatic turnaround after a rough stretch that included a playoff miss and a 26-56 record last season.
Kyrie Irving contributed 35 points, returning to form after his ACL injury, as the duo led Dallas to a dominant second-half surge. Flagg’s explosive outing—his fifth 40-point game and seventh 35-point game—further cemented his MVP candidacy in just his second year, while the team’s resilience suggests a sustainable path forward.
