What looked like a frustrating night for the Mavericks flipped sharply after halftime. Anthony Davis took control on both ends, pouring in 20 of his 24 points after the break while cleaning the glass with 14 rebounds and protecting the rim with three blocks.
Rookie Cooper Flagg matched that impact with a poised, all-around performance, finishing with 22 points and eight assists as the Mavericks erased a second-half deficit to pull away from the Brooklyn Nets, 119-111, on Friday night.
The win marked Dallas’ fifth victory in its last six games and another sign of life for a team that has quietly steadied itself after a rocky start. Naji Marshall added 17 points, while Dallas dominated late, clamping down defensively and executing when the game tightened in the final minutes.
Are the Mavericks back on track? It might be possible and by diving into the key takeaways, we might have a solution.
Anthony Davis at Center Changed The Game
With Dereck Lively II officially done for the season and Daniel Gafford sidelined again, Dallas leaned fully into Anthony Davis as a small-ball center – and the results were decisive. The Mavericks won the paint battle 66-44 despite Brooklyn shooting 44% from three, a testament to Davis’ interior dominance.
He finished with 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting, 14 rebounds, five offensive boards, three steals, and two blocks, anchoring a defense that held Brooklyn to just 29 points in the fourth quarter. Dallas also outscored the Nets 29-19 in the final frame, with Davis scoring or assisting on key possessions down the stretch. Even with the Nets pulling down 43 rebounds, Davis’ presence tilted the physical battle, particularly in crunch time when Brooklyn struggled to finish inside.
Cooper Flagg Is Already Running The Offense
Flagg didn’t just score, he controlled the game. The rookie finished with 22 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting, added five rebounds, and dished out a game-high eight assists without committing a single turnover in 34 minutes.
Dallas racked up 33 assists as a team, and Flagg was the engine behind that ball movement, repeatedly collapsing the defense and finding shooters or cutters. His late-game composure stood out, including a crucial rebound that led to Brandon Williams’ second-chance three during the decisive run.
For a Mavericks team searching for consistency, Flagg’s ability to create offense while keeping the ball safe has become a stabilizing force – especially with Ryan Nembhard scoreless but still contributing five assists.
Dallas Is Winning With Defense And Balance
Brooklyn got a monster night from Michael Porter Jr., who poured in 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting and 6-of-10 from deep, yet Dallas never lost control. The Mavericks forced 17 turnovers, converted 24 fast-break points, and finished with advantages in steals (10-8) and blocks (8-5).
Off the bench, Brandon Williams posted a team-best +14 in 26 minutes, while Max Christie chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. Dallas shot 49% from the field and held Brooklyn to just 28.6% shooting in the fourth quarter, a sharp contrast from the Nets’ season-best night from three.
At 10-16, the Mavericks are still digging out of an early hole, but winning five of six while absorbing major frontcourt injuries suggests this group is finally finding its identity – one built on defensive pressure, ball movement, and timely execution late.
