{"id":697223,"date":"2026-04-04T04:39:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T04:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/697223\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T04:39:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T04:39:34","slug":"magic-blow-past-mavericks-despite-cooper-flaggs-career-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/697223\/","title":{"rendered":"Magic blow past Mavericks despite Cooper Flagg’s career night"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite a torrid surge from Cooper Flagg<\/a> late, the Orlando Magic outlasted the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> with a 138-127 win. What were a few of our takeaways?! Let’s examine! <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRussell Lansford-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Magic picked up a much-needed road win, even against a struggling Mavericks squad that had lost 16 of its previous 19.<\/p>\n

They don’t accomplish that feat without Wendell Carter Jr.<\/p>\n

While Cooper Flagg eclipsed his previous career high (more on that later), Carter wasn’t that far from his own. He dominated the frontcourt battle between Daniel Gafford<\/a> and Dwight Powell, scoring 28 points — one off from tying his career high — on 8-of-16 shooting and 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. <\/p>\n

He didn’t grab many rebounds (6), but that didn’t matter. He was superb, giving the Magic a huge boost in the scoring column with fierce aggression.<\/p>\n

Cooper did not raise the white Flagg:<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJerome Miron-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Despite trailing as much as 30, Cooper Flagg single-handedly made the game a little more interesting. The only thing that was stopping the rookie sensation was the clock hitting triple zeroes.<\/p>\n

Isn’t it crazy that he just turned 19-years-old just a few months ago?! Double that number, plus add an extra 13 points, and that’s what Cooper Flagg finished with in the Magic’s 11-point win.<\/p>\n

Flagg was outstanding, especially in the fourth quarter post-Jason Kidd ejection. Flagg’s 51 points marked a new career high, coming on 19-of-30 shooting and 6-of-9 from 3-point range. His 50 points was the first 50-point game from a rookie since former nine-year veteran Brandon Jennings dropped 55 in November of 2009.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t enough, but it sure was a spectacle to watch.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBall movement popped for Magic:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJerome Miron-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

It felt like the Magic had a little extra pep in their step.<\/p>\n

The ball movement — and the player movement — were flowing beautifully. Orlando finished with 35 assists, their most since Jan. 28, on 47 made baskets. They did a good job generating paint touches and exploiting those advantages — whether it was in the halfcourt or in transition — with knocking down open looks.<\/p>\n

I’m not expecting this to carry over at this point of the season, but it was enjoyable to watch.<\/p>\n

Franz Wagner shakes off a little more rust:<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJerome Miron-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

It’s fun watching Franz hoop again. Sue me!<\/p>\n

He shook off a little more rust in 17 minutes, scoring 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Wagner’s shooting is still hit-and-miss, but it was fun watching him navigate the Mavericks’ interior in their 11-point win.<\/p>\n

More Orlando Magic OnSi Stories:<\/p>\n

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