Cooper Flagg and the challenge that nearly broke him
The No. 1 overall pick responded with poise: he didn’t force shots, didn’t rush, and looked to impact the game in other ways.
In the first quarter, his presence was quiet but effective, contributing rebounds, defense, and a transition dunk that fired up the Mavericks.
The second quarter saw him miss two more shots, but Flagg stayed active, adding rebounds and a block that prevented Portland from extending its lead.
It’s coming together 🤞@Cooper_Flagg // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/xON8o2MnHM
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 17, 2025
The third quarter, however, changed the course of his night. After attempting just three shots in the entire first half, the rookie took five in the first five minutes of the period, hitting four and breathing life back into Dallas.
With 14 total points in that stretch, Flagg became the spark that transformed a disconnected team into a competitive one.
The rebirth of Cooper Flagg in overtime
The final moments of regulation put Cooper Flagg to the test. He alternated between brilliant plays, including a crucial block, and painful mistakes, such as missing the potential game-winner. But the story didn’t end there.
In overtime, Cooper Flagg reemerged as a decisive force. He scored four points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out an assist, but the most memorable plays came back-to-back.
A spinning hook shot for a 128–126 lead, followed by a rebound and full-court pass to PJ Washington that stretched the advantage to 132–129.
Dallas snapped its losing streak and improved to 4–10, fueled by Flagg 19 points in the second half.
