Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
In a thrilling encounter, rookie Cooper Flagg showcased his talent, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a narrow 118-115 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA Cup on Friday night. Flagg's standout performance saw him score a season-high 29 points, with 12 points coming in a crucial final quarter, reinforcing his status as a key player for Dallas. He also contributed seven rebounds and five assists.
The Mavericks desperately needed this win after having secured only two victories in their last 12 outings. Along with Flagg, PJ Washington's strong performance added 24 points, while Max Christie also impressed with a season-best 23 points. Jaden Hardy added 11 and Brandon Williams assisted effectively with 12 dishes, maintaining competitiveness even as the Pelicans took an early lead.
On the other side, Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 25 points, while Zion Williamson delivered a powerful performance, contributing 22 points. Jeremiah Fears added 21 points along with seven rebounds, and Derik Queen pitched in with 20 points and 11 assists. Nonetheless, New Orleans failed to break their eight-game losing streak, dropping to 0-3 in West Group B of the NBA Cup, whereas the Mavericks improved to 1-2.
The match's closing moments were intense, with Williamson executing a three-point play and two free throws to give the Pelicans a 115-111 lead with under two minutes left. Refusing to fold, Dallas saw Flagg sink a lucky bounce shot, followed by Naji Marshall making a crucial three-pointer to put the Mavericks ahead 116-115 with 31.7 seconds remaining.
In a final attempt to equalize, Murphy and Queen both missed three-pointers in the dying seconds. Washington secured a rebound, and as time expired, the Mavericks celebrated this vital win.
Shooting well from beyond the arc, Dallas sank 16 of 43 attempts. Washington and Christie matched with five each, ensuring the Mavericks kept their momentum despite initial struggles. Overall, they achieved a shooting percentage of 47.6%, compared to the Pelicans' 46.2% and a disappointing 25.9% from three-point range.
The game saw several shifts in momentum, with the Pelicans leading at halftime 63-49, thanks to Murphy’s scoring. However, the Mavericks surged in the third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 36-22, recovering the match and entering the final quarter tied at 85.
Dallas played without D'Angelo Russell, who was sidelined due to illness. New Orleans, too, faced challenges with players dealing with minor injuries.
This victory boosts Dallas' spirit as they navigate the NBA Cup, showcasing the evolving skills of rookie Cooper Flagg, whose pivotal performance was instrumental in their success.
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