The Dallas Mavericks were again within a possession of flipping the result, again had the ball late, and again walked off the floor with a narrow loss — this time falling 111-107 to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at Toyota Center as injuries, missed chances, and mounting frustration continued to define their recent stretch.

Dallas erased multiple double-digit deficits, tied the game in the final minute, and had two late opportunities through Cooper Flagg to force overtime or take the lead. Neither fell. The result was the Mavericks’ fourth straight loss, despite another heavy-lift performance from their rookie cornerstone.

Another One-Possession Finish Slips Away Late

The Mavericks appeared to be climbing out of danger when Cooper Flagg attacked the lane for a finish and Naji Marshall followed with a jumper to tie the game at 107 with just over a minute remaining.

That tie was short-lived.

Alperen Şengün answered with a driving layup over Max Christie with 28.6 seconds left, and after Dallas missed on the other end, Tari Eason secured the rebound and dunked with 14.4 seconds remaining to push Houston back up four.

Flagg’s final look — a contested pull-up 3 — bounced off the rim, ending the night.

For the second consecutive game, Flagg had a chance late to tie or decide the outcome. For the second consecutive game, the Mavericks were left searching for a different ending.

Cooper Flagg Follows Historic Night With Another Heavy Load

Two nights after setting the NBA record for points by a teenager with a 49-point performance against Charlotte, Flagg delivered again — finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

It marked his fifth 30-point game of the season and made him the first teenager in NBA history with consecutive 30-point double-doubles, according to ESPN. He scored at all three levels, handled ball pressure late, and once again became the focal point of Dallas’ offense as the rotation thinned.

Before the game, Jason Kidd acknowledged the reality facing his team.

“We can’t expect Cooper to have 49 tonight,” Kidd said. “But he’s built to keep attacking and help us win.”

Flagg did exactly that, but his final two attempts — a driving layup with roughly 25 seconds remaining and the last 3-point shot — did not fall.

“I thought I beat him off the first step,” Flagg said. “I thought I had him beat, so I tried to hold my line, hold the angle, and take the contact going to the rim. Just trying to finish the play.”

Late Whistle and Postgame Frustration Take Center Stage

Kidd’s frustration with the officiating was immediate and pointed, centering on Flagg’s missed layup attempt that could have tied the game at 109.

“I saw a foul,” Kidd said. “Sean (Wright), Simone (Jelks) and Jason (Goldberg) were awful tonight. It’s unacceptable. It’s a foul and he needs to be at the free-throw line. Does he make both? That’s up to the player.”

Kidd later expanded on the issue, emphasizing consistency rather than complaint.

“We fight. We’re going to play, not complain,” Kidd said. “But at some point, it’s gotta be a review. He drives the ball. He gets slapped. It’s a foul. If it was the other way, it would be a foul. Just being consistent — and tonight the referees were not consistent.”

Flagg acknowledged contact on the play but echoed a more measured perspective.

“I definitely felt some contact,” Flagg said. “But at the end of the day, you never really rest on getting an and-one or getting a call. It is what it is.”

When asked about Kidd’s vocal defense of him, Flagg pointed to trust.

“Just trust,” Flagg said. “I feel like J-Kidd has a lot of trust in me and I have a lot of trust in him. We’re just building that relationship. I feel that we gotta continue to grow our bond and that’s just him having my back.”

Fourth-Quarter Rally Reflects Pattern

Dallas trailed by as many as 13 late in the third quarter after a Josh Okogie 3-pointer. The Mavericks responded with a 13-5 run to close the period, cutting the deficit to 87-82 entering the fourth.

Early in the final quarter, Klay Thompson knocked down consecutive 3-pointers to halt Houston’s momentum and trim the margin to eight. Later, with Dallas down 10, Flagg scored all six points in a 6-2 run to pull the Mavericks within 103-97 with 3½ minutes remaining.

After Kevin Durant hit a jumper to restore Houston’s cushion, Dallas again responded — scoring six straight points to cut the lead to 105-103 with two minutes left before the final sequence unfolded.

It was the latest example of Dallas fighting back, but not breaking through.

Injuries Continue to Stretch the Dallas Mavericks

Dallas’ uphill climb steepened when Brandon Williams exited in the second quarter with a right lower leg contusion after colliding with Reed Sheppard. Williams had scored all 13 of his points in the opening quarter, providing an immediate spark off the bench.

P.J. Washington later left in the third quarter with a head contusion, further thinning the rotation.

“The one thing that’s been consistent is injuries,” Kidd said. “We’ve been hit with a lot of injuries and unfortunately, it’s weighing and stretching guys. It’s next man up mentality and the guys have responded in a positive way.”

Kidd did not provide postgame updates on either player.

Daniel Gafford said the team continues to focus on the long view despite the accumulation of close losses.

“It’s a bit rough, for sure,” Gafford said. “Of course the frustration is there, but I think we’re taking the right approach mentally. Throughout the process of these close games, we’re learning different things we can do to prevent this in the long run.”

Jason Kidd Bristles at Criticism of Cooper Flagg’s Role

Postgame discussion also turned to national criticism surrounding Kidd’s usage of Flagg, including extended on-ball responsibilities and early-season point guard duties.

Kidd dismissed it forcefully.

“Criticism?” Kidd said. “That’s your opinion. You guys write that bullshit. I’ve done this. I’ve played this game. I’ve played it at a very high level and I know what the fuck I’m doing.

“I don’t give a fuck what you guys write because you guys have never played the game. I have built players so I know what the fuck I’m doing. To take criticism, it only makes me better because if I wasn’t doing it right, you guys wouldn’t be poking holes at what I’ve done.”

What the Loss Says About the Dallas Mavericks Right Now

Dallas fell to 19-30 and dropped a season-high-tying fourth straight loss after previously winning four in a row. The Mavericks held Kevin Durant to 13 points, fought through injuries, and again had the game within reach late — but were unable to convert.

Houston, led by Amen Thompson’s 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, split the season series 2-2 and improved to 21-1 when holding opponents under 110 points.

For Dallas, the night reinforced both the promise and the problem. Flagg continues to deliver historic production. The Mavericks continue to compete deep into games. The final step — closing — remains elusive.

The Mavericks return home to host Boston on Tuesday night. The Rockets travel to Indiana on Monday.

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