Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg drove the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-96 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivering a career‑high 8 assists while scoring 26 points in just over 33 minutes. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft now averages 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists through four games, showcasing improved playmaking after a recent 11‑assist outing in Miami. Flagg credited growing confidence, team trust and his ability to draw help defense, noting how Kyrie Irving’s gravity opens up the floor. Coach Dusty May praised Flagg’s unselfishness and rim attacks as key to the win.
Kyrie Irving powers the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first home game since returning from a torn ACL. Irving hits all four first‑quarter shots (three from downtown) and finishes with 15 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, posting a league‑best +26 plus‑minus. Rookie Cooper Flagg leads with 26 points and 8 assists, while Caleb Martin contributes 10 off the bench. The victory snaps the Thunder’s 4‑0 start, and Irving, on a minutes restriction, describes the night as “just another game on the schedule,” emphasizing rhythm and team chemistry.
Cooper Flagg leads the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, their first loss of the season, while praising bench star Zaccharie Risacher. Flagg posted 26 points, five rebounds and eight assists; PJ Washington added 18 and nine rebounds. Risacher contributed 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and six rebounds in 29 minutes, prompting Flagg to highlight his versatile impact and upside. The Mavericks, now 3-2, exercised Risacher’s fourth‑year option after acquiring him in a three‑team deal, and they host the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The Dallas Mavericks hand the Oklahoma City Thunder their first loss of the season, cruising to a 120-96 victory at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 29, 2026. Cooper Flagg powers Dallas with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, while Kyrie Irving contributes 15 points in his home debut. The Mavericks dominate every quarter, outscoring the Thunder 33-30, 32-29, 29-22, and 26-15, and lead by as many as 27. Oklahoma City struggles from deep, shooting just 5-of-32 on 3-pointers, and turns the ball over 14 times. Injuries sideline six Thunder players, including Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, while Dallas’ bench outpaces the Thunder 43-19.
The Dallas Mavericks hand the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder their first loss of the season, cruising to a 120‑96 victory on Oct. 28, 2026. Rookie Cooper Flagg leads with 26 points, five rebounds and a team‑high eight assists, earning an A‑ grade. Kyrie Irving contributes 15 points in 27 minutes (B), while P.J. Washington (A‑) adds 18 points and nine rebounds. Daniel Gafford posts 11 rebounds and two blocks (A‑), and Zaccharie Risacher scores 13 on efficient shooting (A). Injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace leave the Thunder depleted, but the Mavs execute their game plan on both ends, shooting 35.6% from three.
Mavericks coach Dusty May hails rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher’s ‘defensive masterpiece’ in a 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 28. Risacher logged eight steals and eight blocks, tying for the NBA’s second‑most combined defensive plays, despite modest shooting (3‑of‑17 from three). Averaging 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, two steals and two blocks in his first four games, the 21‑year‑old’s motor earned him the nickname “cyborg.” Dallas exercised his fourth‑year option, guaranteeing $17.4 million for 2027‑28, signaling confidence in his growth as his offensive game develops.
The Dallas Mavericks crushed the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96 on Oct. 28, improving to 3-2 while the Thunder fell to 4-1. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 points, and the team outshot OKC from deep, making 16 of 45 threes versus the Thunder’s 5 of 32. Dallas also tallied 30 assists on 46 makes with just nine turnovers, highlighting Dusty May’s ball‑movement focus. Bench veteran Caleb Martin sparked a rebound, scoring 10 points in 14 minutes. The win underscores the Mavericks’ balanced attack and depth as they target a championship run.
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-112, improving to 3-2 and moving above .500 for the first time since rookie Cooper Flagg arrived. Flagg led Dallas with 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds, prompting head coach Dusty May to liken his ball‑handling and paint‑penetration to Kyrie Irving on X. Irving returned from an ACL injury, adding 15 points and four assists, while PJ Washington posted 18 and nine. The Thunder were shorthanded, missing Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso, and will try to rebound against Houston.
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The Dallas Mavericks (3‑2) crush the Oklahoma City Thunder (4‑1) 120‑96 on Oct. 28, 2026. Cooper Flagg leads Dallas with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Kyrie Irving adds timely three‑pointers; together they post 41 points, seven boards and 12 assists. The Thunder’s top scorer, Ajay Mitchell, pours in a game‑high 29. Dallas builds a 65‑59 halftime lead and stretches it to 24 points by the fourth, aided by strong paint play (44‑42) and a 17‑0 fast‑break surge. Despite shooting under 50% overall and 36% from three, the Mavericks win on defensive grit, second‑chance points (18‑7) and balanced contributions from the whole roster.
With Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander shouldering the offense, the Thunder now rely on veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein to do more than rebound. Injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren leave Oklahoma City short on scoring, ball‑handling and defense, so Hartenstein’s passing, screen‑setting and mid‑court play become crucial for creating extra possessions. The team entered the Dallas game 4‑0, but sustaining that streak will hinge on Hartenstein facilitating cuts, finding open teammates and finishing opportunities, easing the load on their MVP‑caliber star.
Mavericks coach Dusty May hails rookie Walter Clayton Jr. as “cold‑blooded” after the Florida star posted a breakout 15‑point, 6‑of‑7 shooting performance in Dallas’ 113‑109 win over the Miami Heat on Oct. 28. Clayton’s efficiency — including 2‑for‑2 from beyond the arc, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a key block on Bobby Portis Jr. — helped the team outscore Miami by 22 points while he was on the floor, and he added 7 points in the fourth quarter. Signed to a two‑way deal on Oct. 21, the 18th‑overall pick from the 2025 draft quickly proved his poise, prompting May to trust him in big moments as Dallas (2‑2) prepares to host the Thunder.
Mavericks coach Dusty May praises rookie Cooper Flagg’s “football‑safety” instincts on both ends of the floor. After returning from a shoulder injury, Flagg logged 29 points, 11 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks in a 113‑109 win over Miami, prompting May to tailor the team’s defensive rotations around his off‑ball awareness. May highlights Flagg’s unselfish passing, court vision, and ability to turn steals into fast‑break opportunities, forecasting 15‑ to 20‑assist games as Dallas finds its rhythm. The 19‑year‑old, 2025 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year, leads a 2‑2 Mavericks squad hosting the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
Mavericks coach Dusty May praises rookie big man Zaccharie Risacher for his relentless defense, noting his "cyborg" stamina as the team exercises his $17.4 million fourth‑year option for 2027‑28. In four games, Risacher averages 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks, tying for the NBA’s second‑most combined steals and blocks. After a debut record‑setting five steals, he recorded 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in a 113‑109 win over Miami, despite shooting 2‑of‑13. Teammate Cooper Flagg says Risacher’s defensive impact adds 15‑20 points per game. Dallas (2‑2) now faces the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says Kyrie Irving is not only back on the floor—averaging 19.0 points in three games after his ACL repair—but also mentoring the team’s young talent. Irving, cleared to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder, helped rookie Morez Johnson Jr. (6 points in 15 minutes vs. Miami) recover from a missed pass with calm, constructive coaching. Teammates note his meticulous preparation sets a league‑wide standard, while Irving and Cooper Flagg combined for 17 of Dallas’ 31 assists in the 113‑109 win over the Heat. The Mavericks (2‑2) look to extend their bounce‑back against the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
Dallas Mavericks host unbeaten Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. CT, despite the Thunder missing Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. Oklahoma City (4‑0, league‑low 100.8 p.p.g.) also lists Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber out, with Ajay Mitchell questionable after a 30‑point night vs. Phoenix. MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander continues to average 27.3 points. Mavericks coach Dusty May expects the Thunder’s “fight DNA” to persist, noting the depth that helped them win the 2025 title and reach last season’s conference finals. Dallas (2‑2) enters a three‑game homestand with Kyrie Irving and Caleb Martin healthy, but without Naji Marshall and several bench pieces.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) host the Dallas Mavericks (2-2) on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at 9:30 PM ET in Dallas. Catch the game on ESPN or ESPN Deportes, or stream it live via Fubo (free trial available). The Thunder, fresh off a 125‑114 win over Phoenix, rely on Ajay Mitchell’s 30‑point breakout and Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s 26, despite injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso. The Mavericks, coming off a 113‑109 victory over Miami, count on Cooper Flagg’s 29 points and Kyrie Irving’s return. Both teams aim to extend their early‑season momentum.
The Dallas Mavericks (2-2) face the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) in an ESPN primetime showdown at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. CST. Both squads grapple with extensive injury lists: Kyrie Irving and Caleb Martin are questionable for Dallas, while the Thunder miss stars Jalen Williams (out for the season), Chet Holmgren, and several others. With the Thunder’s rotation depleted, the Mavericks aim to snap Oklahoma’s perfect start despite missing Sergio De Larrea, Naji Marshall and others. The preview highlights the matchup’s stakes and links to deeper analysis and gambling content.
Thunder GM Sam Presti addresses the fallout from Jalen Williams' fractured fibula and Cason Wallace's dislocated ankle, saying the club will "respond" rather than rush a trade. He hints at using the Disabled Player Exception (about $14 million) to target a contract‑year player like Ty Jerome, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura or Herbert Jones, leveraging Oklahoma City’s cache of future first‑round picks. Meanwhile, the Thunder went 4–0 without the injured duo, with rookie Ajay Mitchell scoring a career‑high 30 in a 125‑114 win over Phoenix. Presti stresses internal growth and community resilience as the next step.
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is cleared to play against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night despite a right‑ankle sprain, coach Mark Daigneault announced. Mitchell, who logged a career‑high 30 points in a 125-114 win over Phoenix, has appeared in all four games this season. Oklahoma City, however, lists six players out, including Jalen Williams (fibula fracture) and Cason Wallace (shoulder labrum tear). The Thunder sit 4‑0 and could become the first team to start three straight seasons 5‑0 with a win. Dallas is 2‑2 after recent losses and a win over Miami. Tip‑off is 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The Oklahoma City Thunder confirm that forward Jalen Williams will miss the remainder of the 2026-27 regular season after successful surgery to repair a fractured left fibula and a dislocated ankle with ligament reconstruction. The injury occurred late in Sunday’s win over the Clippers, and Williams will be reassessed after the season, leaving his postseason availability uncertain. The Thunder also face the loss of Cason Wallace with a torn shoulder labrum, prompting Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain to step up alongside Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander as the team navigates roster gaps.
Kyrie Irving and Caleb Martin are cleared to play as the Dallas Mavericks host unbeaten Oklahoma City (4-0) on Oct. 29. Irving, back from a torn ACL, logged 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in Monday’s 113-109 win over Miami and coach Dusty May confirmed he’ll suit up despite a prior knee‑injury question. Marshall and rookie Sergio De Larrea miss the game—Marshall with illness and De Larrea nursing a right‑knee sprain—while Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberović and Dereck Lively II remain out. The matchup starts at 8:30 p.m. CT at the American Airlines Center, marking the first of a three‑game home stretch for Dallas (2‑2).
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The Oklahoma City Thunder confirm that forward Jalen Williams has had successful surgery to repair a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle, with ligament reconstruction completed. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's 112-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, and he will be re‑evaluated after the 2026‑27 regular season. With Williams sidelined and perimeter defender Cason Wallace out indefinitely due to a torn labrum, Oklahoma City relied on Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain, who started in Monday's victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Former Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe isn’t surprised that James Harden still performs at an All‑Star level in his 18th season. Keefe, who worked with Harden from Oklahoma City through Houston and Brooklyn, credits the guard’s daily work ethic, early‑night shooting routines, and high basketball IQ for his longevity. The Cavaliers, who recently signed Harden to a three‑year, $97 million guarantee, hope his dedication will keep him effective alongside Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley for at least three more seasons. Keefe emphasizes that Harden’s consistent elite play is no accident—it’s the result of relentless preparation since day one.