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3 musings as the Mavericks lose their preseason dress rehearsal, 135-111, to the Atlanta Hawks

The Dallas Mavericks wrapped up their preseason campaign with a 135-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, falling short in their final tune-up before the regular season. Atlanta’s offense was led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who delivered a polished 25-point performance in just 27 minutes of play, while Cooper Flagg anchored Dallas with 26 points and 12 rebounds despite the defeat.

Early foul trouble and a sluggish start from Dallas—including a rare miss from Kyrie Irving on free throw—allowed the Hawks to build a commanding lead, with CJ McCollum’s early three-pointers setting the tone. The Mavericks’ defense struggled to contain Atlanta’s perimeter shooting, particularly in the second quarter, where Dallas managed just one of 10 three-point attempts while the Hawks extended their lead to 73-54 at halftime.

Dallas fought back in the second half, cutting the deficit to 14 points at one stretch, but Atlanta’s relentless offensive execution—highlighted by back-to-back threes—reasserted control. Flagg’s standout play, including a highlight-reel dunk, showcased his growing confidence, though both he and Irving exited early in the fourth quarter to preserve their energy for the season ahead.

With both teams prioritizing player health, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum as the regular season approaches.

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