The Dallas Mavericks received a big break when the NBA’s schedule-makers gifted them with five straight home games to start the 2025-26 season.
That’s where the grace stopped.
The Mavericks’ first set of back-to-back games included a visit from the Oklahoma City Thunder, which entered the first meeting of the season as one of four remaining undefeated teams.
After claiming their first win of the season one night before, the Mavericks suffered a heartbreaking 101-94 loss to the Thunder despite a valiant comeback effort.
Mavericks
Dallas trailed by as many as 22, but went on an electric 25-4 run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to one point following a floater by D’Angelo Russell.
The Mavericks trailed by three points with 33 seconds remaining when Russell missed a contested 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining on the shot clock. The ball grazed the front of the rim and Chet Holmgren grabbed the rebound until PJ Washington swiped the ball down, which went out of bounds off of the Mavericks forward’s foot. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd challenged the call, but was unsuccessful.
The game was placed out of reach one play later when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled and sent to the free throw line. His two freebies marked the end of the Mavericks’ hopes to upset the defending champions.
Oklahoma City has had its fair share of close games, with both of its first two games against Houston and Indiana needing double overtime to decide a winner.
Both teams were shorthanded, but Dallas was noticeably thinner, especially in the frontcourt. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford were sidelined with injuries, which prompted Jason Kidd to use a new starting lineup. Max Christie was the next man up, joining Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, Washington and Anthony Davis in the first unit.
However, the first play of the game had lasting ramifications as Flagg collided with Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, leading to discomfort in his left arm. Coming off the best game of his young career the night before, Flagg struggled with just two points, two rebounds and two steals. He favored his left arm throughout the first half and his only score was a contested floater over Chet Holmgren, Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams.
It was apparent that Flagg’s left arm was bothering him when he was spotted several times with his shoulder wrapped during timeouts in the second half.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.
LM Otero / AP
Aside from Flagg’s off night, the Mavericks were abysmal on both ends of the floor. They shot 37.9% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the arc and 72.7% from the stripe. Dallas made progress with its turnover issue, only coughing the ball up nine times. However, it couldn’t manufacture enough offense to compete with the Thunder until its 25-point fourth quarter.
Davis, who started at center, led the Mavericks with 26 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. He scored a transition layup as he was fouled that brought the Mavericks within three with 1:25 left. The play was sparked by Washington’s block on Gilgeous-Alexander.
PJ Washington blocked SGA’s floater, which led to a fast break and Davis got an and-one on the other end.
Smart play by Russell to bring the ball back out. pic.twitter.com/0s3Cvwmqpp
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) October 28, 2025
Washington added 15 points and tied a season-high nine rebounds. Christie performed well in his first start of the season with 14 points, knocking down 4 of 8 shots from beyond the arc.
Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 23 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Holmgren, who was initially listed as questionable with low back soreness, had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. His viral moment occurred early in the third quarter when he pumpfaked PJ Washington into the air, drove to the basket and threw down a one-handed slam over Flagg with authority.
Hartenstein also took advantage of Dallas’ thin frontcourt and recorded a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Oklahoma City played without Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso, while the Mavericks were without Lively, Gafford, Brandon Williams, Dante Exum and Kyrie Irving.
The Mavericks will conclude their five-game homestand with a game against the defending Eastern Conference champions, as the Pacers visit American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
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