The Mavericks lost all three games they played last week but Cooper Flagg gave Dallas plenty of reason for optimism.
The No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft missed a Wednesday loss to the Timberwolves before exploding for 83 points over the next two games against the Hornets and Rockets. Flagg’s 49-point outing against Charlotte was special in many ways but his 34-point showing against Houston two nights later was just as impressive given the Rockets’ elite, physical defense. He nearly pulled a win out of his hat, too; Flagg drove into the lane with a chance to tie the game in the last 30 seconds but missed his layup attempt and the Hornets fell short, 111-107.
