The Dallas Mavericks finally got on the board Sunday night, riding the energy of rookie Cooper Flagg to a 139-129 win over the Toronto Raptors, which marked their first victory of the season. The No. 1 overall pick delivered his most complete performance yet, scoring 22 points and punctuating a dominant third-quarter surge with a soaring one-handed dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet.
The moment captured exactly what Dallas had been missing in its early losses: a spark that lifted the entire team. Anthony Davis anchored the frontcourt with a steady 25-point, 10-rebound double-double, setting the tone on both ends as Dallas improved to 1-3 in its homestand. The Mavericks’ offense clicked in rhythm for the first time this year, balancing interior dominance with timely perimeter shooting while maintaining control of the tempo through much of the night.
D’Angelo Russell provided veteran composure off the bench, adding 24 points and six assists, while P.J. Washington’s clutch plays down the stretch, including a series of three-point plays and a dagger triple, kept Toronto from mounting a serious comeback. Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 33 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who battled to stay within reach but couldn’t withstand Dallas’ explosive third-quarter run.
The Raptors briefly threatened in the fourth, but Flagg’s poise and Washington’s late-game execution sealed it for Dallas, giving the Mavericks momentum heading into Monday’s back-to-back against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Let’s recap the key factors in the Mavs’ victory tonight.
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Cooper Flagg’s Breakout Spark Changed The Game’s Energy
For the first time this season, the Mavericks truly felt like Flagg’s team. The rookie phenom delivered 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, but his impact stretched far beyond the box score. His assertiveness in the third quarter, where he fueled a 13-0 Dallas run, ignited both the bench and the crowd.
The one-handed slam over Sandro Mamukelashvili was not only the game’s highlight but a sign that the top overall pick is already learning how to bring energy into a stadium. Flagg’s offensive composure was matched by his growing confidence off the ball. He attacked gaps in the Raptors’ defense, moved decisively in transition, and hit timely perimeter shots to silence Toronto’s late pushes.
When the Raptors threatened to close the gap in the fourth quarter, his clutch three-pointer reestablished control and reaffirmed his maturity beyond his years. For a Dallas team that had struggled to find rhythm in its first few outings, Flagg’s performance was extremely critical. If this was the breakthrough game the Mavericks needed, Flagg was the undeniable catalyst.
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Anthony Davis Anchored Both Ends Of The Floor
While Flagg delivered the highlights, Anthony Davis was the foundation. The veteran big man’s 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven combined defensive plays (three steals, two blocks, two deflections) provided the steady presence Dallas needed to withstand Toronto’s runs. His dominance in the paint was critical since Dallas outscored Toronto 70-58 inside, with Davis punishing mismatches and controlling the glass against Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes.
Defensively, Davis’ positioning disrupted Toronto’s rhythm. His rotations forced difficult mid-range shots, and his ability to contest without fouling allowed Dallas to sustain long defensive possessions without giving away free points. Davis was a force in the paint from the start and gave the Mavs breathing room every time.
The Mavericks’ early-season issues had often stemmed from lapses in interior defense and rebounding; on Sunday, Davis closed both gaps. His veteran control helped calm the younger players, and his efficient 11-of-14 shooting served as a model of offensive discipline beyond the defensive end.
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Bench Production And Balance Made The Difference
Depth was another major storyline in Dallas’ first win. The Mavericks’ bench outscored Toronto’s reserves 61-42, an area that swung the game’s momentum late in both halves. D’Angelo Russell was the engine of that second unit, dropping 24 points and six assists while orchestrating the offense with precision.
Max Christie (17 points) and Naji Marshall (12 points on perfect shooting) provided efficient scoring and hustle plays that gave Dallas an edge in energy and execution. That bench performance directly translated into a sustained offensive rhythm. When Flagg and Davis rested, Dallas didn’t lose pace; they attacked Toronto’s secondary defenders, drew fouls, and maintained the scoring balance that had been missing in previous losses.
The Mavericks also benefited from an active defensive group off the bench, collecting 12 steals and turning those into 22 fast-break points. Head coach Jason Kidd’s rotation finally clicked, giving Dallas the spacing, playmaking, and composure needed to close the game out. The Mavericks shot nearly 59% from the field and won the rebounding battle 49-43, both testaments to how well their lineups blended starters and reserves.
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Can The Mavericks Finally Get On Track?
Even if this was a major morale boost, Sunday’s victory could be a blueprint for how they can win consistently this season. With Cooper Flagg emerging as a dynamic playmaker, Anthony Davis providing two-way stability, and the bench delivering the scoring and energy necessary to sustain runs, Dallas now has multiple avenues to control games.
Suppose they can replicate this tonight’s execution. In that case, the Mavericks’ early struggles may quickly become a distant memory, turning a long-awaited first win into the foundation for a season of promise. It hasn’t been a pretty start to the season, with a blowout loss to the Spurs and a shocking defeat to the Wizards, but the Mavs are on the board, and they might be able to kick on and at least defeat the teams they should be beating.
