Cooper Flagg Shines in Third Quarter, But Mavericks Fall Short Against Kings
The Dallas Mavericks faced off against the struggling Sacramento Kings on Saturday afternoon, searching for a much-needed victory on the road. With Anthony Davis sidelined due to a recent injury, all eyes were on rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, who was expected to be Dallas’ primary offensive weapon.
Kings Strike Early
From the opening tip, the Kings established their dominance. Sacramento swiftly jumped to an 11-point lead just over six minutes into the game, with Keon Ellis proving particularly lethal. He accounted for 11 of the Kings’ first 17 points, showcasing his ability to exploit the Mavericks’ defense. Despite a quick 9-0 run by Dallas that trimmed the lead to eight by the end of the first quarter, Sacramento continued to press, pushing their advantage to 17 points at one stage.
The second quarter saw a glimmer of hope for the Mavericks as Doug McDermott found his rhythm. His early back-to-back three-pointers helped the Kings re-establish a comfortable 16-point lead. As Russell Westbrook began to heat up, Sacramento extended their advantage to 18 points before halftime, entering the locker room with a score of 59-44.
Flagg’s Third-Quarter Surge
The third quarter belonged to Cooper Flagg, who finally displayed the talent that made him a highly touted prospect. Flagg erupted for 15 points in the period, shooting an impressive 5-of-6 from the field, including three three-pointers. This offensive burst brought the Mavericks within three points with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter.
However, a costly stretch for Dallas followed. Over the next four minutes, the Mavericks were outscored 17-2, a collapse that seemed to extinguish their hopes of a comeback. Jaden Hardy did manage to score five quick points, narrowing the gap to 11 by the end of the quarter, but the momentum had shifted back to Sacramento.
Final Moments and Missed Opportunities
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Kings rebuilt their lead to 16 points, only for Dallas to respond with back-to-back three-pointers from Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, pulling the Mavericks within 10. Yet, despite several opportunities, Dallas struggled to break through that 10-point barrier.
With under five minutes left and the Mavericks down by 11, Naji Marshall drove hard to the basket only to hit the floor without a foul call. Dwight Powell’s subsequent trip to the free-throw line resulted in two missed attempts, further compounding Dallas’ woes.
P.J. Washington provided a brief spark with a powerful dunk, but DeMar DeRozan quickly answered with an elbow jumper, extending the lead back to 12. Washington’s continued persistence was evident as he cut the lead to nine, but DeRozan’s two free throws effectively sealed the game for Sacramento.
The Mavericks ultimately fell to the Kings 113-107, a disappointing result for a team that had hoped to capitalize on a depleted opponent missing key players like Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray.
Reactions to the Loss
As the dust settles on this defeat, several questions loom over the Mavericks. Among the most pressing: Can P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg coexist effectively on the court? As the team reflects on this game, the search for answers will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the season.
