Flagg drives Mavericks past slumping Nets

Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks to their second win in as many meetings with the Nets in Dallas Monday night. AP Photo by Julio Cortez

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t get to show off fast-emerging rookie Egor Dёmin in Dallas on Monday night.

The Dallas Mavericks showcased first overall pick Cooper Flagg en route to handing our borough’s NBA franchise its fourth consecutive defeat.

Dёmin took the night off while Flagg burned Brooklyn with 27 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and a blocked shot, spearheading the Mavericks to a 113-105 victory over the slumping Nets before 18,632 fans at the American Airlines Center.

“He was exceptional,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández said of Flagg, who went 10-of-17 from the floor, 2-of-3 from 3-point range and buried 5-of-7 free throws in 35 scintillating minutes.

“You know, I’m sure (he’s) fun to watch for a lot of fans and, you know, the sky’s the limit for this kid.”

The same has been said lately of the 19-year-old Dёmin, selected eighth overall as the first of Brooklyn’s historic haul of five first-round picks in June.

However, the 6-foot-8 Russian was unable to go on back-to-back nights following Sunday’s defeat in Memphis as he continues to manage a plantar fasciitis issue.

The 19-year-old Flagg had no such problems.

The 6-foot-9 Duke alum buried two free throws, cruised in for an easy layup and canned a 3-pointer to help Dallas (11-26) surge to a 25-17 lead less than eight minutes into the game.

The Mavericks, who ended a two-game skid, ran out to a 32-23 lead after one quarter and never looked back. Even though the Nets (11-26) never stopped trying to reel them in.

“I think that we didn’t start the game … and you see it right there. It was our worst quarter,” Fernández lamented after Brooklyn fell to 1-6 in January following a rousing 7-4 run through December.

“You lose the first quarter by (nine), if my math is correct,” he added. “And then you end up losing by eight. So you got to keep focusing on how you want to start the game, how disciplined you want to be.”

The Nets also played without Cam Thomas, who took a rest as well after managing only nine points on 4-of-12 shooting in the 103-98 loss to the Grizzlies 24 hours earlier.

Michael Porter Jr. returned from a load management absence in Memphis by putting up a game-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including a blistering 6-of-10 effort from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. shoots a basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Michael Porter Jr. went 6-of-10 from 3-point range, but the rest of the Nets hit only three shots from beyond the arc during Monday’s loss in Dallas. AP Photo by Julio Cortez

Nets reserve center Day’Ron Sharpe had a double-double just 10 ½ minutes into his night off the bench, finishing with 14 points and 12 boards in 23 minutes.

None of it was enough on a night Brooklyn handed Dallas 22 points off turnovers and got outscored 22-8 on the fast break.

“It came down to fast break points … and we came in saying, last time they scored 30,” Fernández noted, referring back to the Nets’ 119-111 loss in Dallas on Dec. 12.

Flagg put up 22 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed five boards and added a blocked shot and a steal in that previous meeting while Dёmin was held to three points on 1-of-7 shooting with two turnovers.

Brooklyn’s rookie has displayed a desire to take and make big shots down the stretch of late. In the potential rematch, he had to sit and watch as Flagg threw down a slam and drilled a 24-footer that gave the Mavs a 112-102 cushion with 1:32 to play.

“Once again, we fought, gave ourselves a chance and we came up short,” said Fernández as the Nets fell to 0-2 on this three-game road trip, which concludes Wednesday night in New Orleans.

Naji Marshall scored 22 points and Klay Thompson added 18 on a season high-tying six 3-pointers for Dallas, which visit Barclays Center on Feb. 24, providing Brooklynites with their last opportunity to see Dёmin and Flagg go at it.

Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton had 13 points apiece and rookie Drake Powell added 10 for the Nets, who will try to avert their longest losing streak since an 0-7 start to this rebuilding year when they visit the Pelicans.

Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. ET.

The game will air locally on the YES Network.

Brooklyn Nets' Egor Demin (8) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Nets rookie Egor Dёmin will have to wait until Feb. 24 to get his third and final shot to square off against Dallas first-year star Cooper Flagg. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II

NOTHING BUT NET: Veteran forward Ziaire Williams also sat out Monday due to illness. … Despite Porter’s long-range heroics, the Nets went a dismal 9-of-37 from long range in Dallas. That means they hit 3-of-27 when Porter wasn’t taking 3-pointers. … Brooklyn won the rebounding battle against the Mavs, 43-37, including 13–9 off the offensive glass. Sharpe had seven of those caroms. “He was physical. He set good screens,” the second-year coach said of Sharpe. “It’s not just the points and rebounds. He did a lot of things for his teammates.” … After visiting New Orleans, the Nets will open a home-and-home with Chicago at Barclays on Friday night.