Cooper Flagg led the Dallas Mavericks to a 138-133 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. This gave the Mavericks a 4-10 record to start the 2025-26 NBA season. Flagg led the team with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 56.3% shooting.
Following the win, Dylan Harper‘s father, former NBA player Ron Harper, analyzed a play. The Blazers had the final possession in the fourth quarter when the score was tied at 118. Forward Deni Avdija had the ball and let the clock wind down until there were only two seconds left.
He tried to win the game with a stepback jumpshot from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for Avdija, his shot didn’t even hit the rim, sending the game to overtime. Following the contest, Harper had some harsh words about the last-second decision from the Israeli forward on X.
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“I’ve seen more low IQ in the game then ever if the game is tied or you down by 1 point why would you shoot a 3 for? @trailblazers @dallasmavs game? A low IQ players,” Harper posted on social media.
Avdija had a great game with 29 points on 50% shooting. He added six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. However, he couldn’t lead the Blazers to secure the win.
Most teams prioritize the 3-point shot. The Blazers are fifth in the league in attempts beyond the arc, averaging 41.8. However, Portland has only made 33.3% of its long-range shots, placing it at No. 26.
Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks, however, make 31.3% of their shots from deep. That comes from 34 attempts per game.
Cooper Flagg’s conversation with Daniel Gafford helped fuel the Mavericks to win over the Blazers
The Mavericks were down 61-57 at halftime. Cooper Flagg wasn’t aggressive in shooting the basketball and only had two points on 33.3% shooting. After the game, Flagg disclosed that he spoke with center Daniel Gafford, which helped him influence the outcome.
“He was just telling me to keep my head up. It wasn’t an incredible first half, but he was trying to help me get involved … Him just giving me confidence and telling me to be more aggressive … When your teammates have your back like that, it helps a lot,” the rookie forward said.
He also told the media how Gafford has served as a mentor to him in his first year in the league.
“Gafford has been huge for me. He’s just such a good guy off the court. Has a great personality, he’s a great person, he’s somebody that I know I can go talk to about anything.”
Gafford was also impactful for Cooper Flagg and the rest of the team. The big man had 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
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Edited by Reign Amurao