Key Takeaways:
- Flagg delivered 26 points and eight assists in Dallas’ 120-96 victory over Oklahoma City Thunder
- OKC were without Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso due to injuries
- Both Dallas and Oklahoma City will play the Houston Rockets next – Dallas at home on Friday, Oklahoma City on the road on Saturday
Match Overview
In a commanding display at home, the Dallas Mavericks secured their first win under new head coach Dusty May, defeating the depleted Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96. Cooper Flagg led the charge with 26 points and eight assists, while P.J. Washington added 18 points as Dallas improved to 3-2, moving above .500 for the first time since Flagg joined last autumn.
Kyrie Irving, appearing in his first home regular-season match since 3 March 2025 after recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, notched 15 points. Irving, who missed Dallas’ home opener the previous week due to load management, made an immediate impact by hitting his initial four shots, including three from beyond the arc in the first half.
MAVS WIN!!!!!!
@Chase // #MFFL https://t.co/lb935P6DvQ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 29, 2026
Thunder Hampered by Absences
Oklahoma City’s offensive effort was spearheaded by Ajay Mitchell, who scored 29 points, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributing 21. However, the Thunder lineup suffered greatly with the notable absences of Jalen Williams (broken leg and dislocated ankle), Cason Wallace (torn labrum), Chet Holmgren (patellar tendinitis in the right knee), and Alex Caruso (patellar tendinitis), who also missed Monday’s win over Phoenix.
Three-Point Shooting and Key Statistics
The Mavericks delivered a season-best performance from behind the arc, converting 16 out of 45 three-point attempts, including 11 in the first half. Conversely, the Thunder recorded season lows by making only 5 of their 32 shots from three-point range, a mere 15.6 percent, marking the lowest marks for a Dallas opponent throughout the current campaign.
The game also witnessed a milestone for Dallas centre Daniel Gafford, who made the first three-pointer of his NBA career on his 2,384th attempt. Gafford had previously attempted just one three-pointer, on 29 March 2022 with Washington, before converting in this match.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | 3-Point Makes/Attempts | Notable Absentees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | 120 | Cooper Flagg (26) | 16/45 | None |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 96 | Ajay Mitchell (29) | 5/32 | Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso |
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks will remain at home on Friday to take on the Houston Rockets, while the Thunder are set to visit Houston on Saturday as they look to recover after their first defeat of the season.
