Flagg Leads Mavericks to 120-96 Victory Over Oklahoma City
Cooper Flagg scored 26 points as injuries to key Thunder guards forced a depleted roster to face a Dallas team that shot 16 three-pointers.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
Oklahoma City Thunder lost their first game of the NBA season Wednesday night, falling 120-96 to the Dallas Mavericks at home. The result ended a four-game winning streak and snapped a bid for a historic five-game opening. The Thunder had previously become the first team in league history to start three consecutive seasons 4-0, but a depleted roster and cold shooting proved too much to overcome against a surging Dallas squad.
Cooper Flagg anchored the Mavericks with 26 points and eight assists. P.J. Washington contributed 18 points, while Kyrie Irving scored 15. Irving made his first four shots in his return to the regular season since a torn ACL in March 2025, including three three-pointers. The Mavericks hit a season-high 16 three-pointers on 45 attempts, with 11 of those falling in the first half. Center Daniel Gafford also made the first three-pointer of his eight-year career.
The Thunder struggled from deep, making just five of 32 three-point attempts for a 15.6% success rate. That marked a season-low percentage for the team. Dallas took an early lead that grew to 12 points in the first half and reached 27 points in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks never trailed after the opening minutes, capitalizing on Oklahoma City’s defensive gaps.
Injuries have become a central issue for the Thunder this season. The team played without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the second straight game. Williams underwent surgery in New York on Wednesday for a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle, while Wallace is recovering from left shoulder labrum surgery. Both players suffered their injuries on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Chet Holmgren missed his second consecutive game with right knee patellar tendinitis, and Alex Caruso remained sidelined.
Coach Mark Daigneault turned to younger players to fill the void. Jaylin Williams defended Flagg, while rookie Josh Dix matched up against Irving. Ajay Mitchell provided offensive stability with 29 points, following a career-high 30-point performance against Phoenix on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points. Daigneault said the younger players are gaining valuable experience in larger roles.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys playing right now, guys playing different roles,” Daigneault said. “We have to invest in [them], and we’ll get better at it. They’ll improve as they get those reps.” He noted that Mitchell’s consistent work ethic and willingness to adapt have been evident since his arrival in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder led briefly in the first quarter but could not maintain their pace. Daigneault acknowledged that the team created opportunities but allowed the game to slip away. “It wasn’t our night,” he said. “We gave ourselves some chances, and then the game got away from us a little bit.”
Despite the absence of their star guards, the Thunder remain connected to the team. Daigneault said Williams and Wallace have communicated with their teammates to maintain focus and competitive energy. The Thunder now sit at 4-1, with the injured players expected to return in the coming weeks.
