Flagg Leads Mavericks to 130-120 Triumph Over Cavaliers, Ending Seven-Game Skid

Key Takeaways:

• Dallas Mavericks secured a 130-120 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon
• Cooper Flagg contributed 27 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, marking his 12th game this season with at least 27 points
• Max Strus made his season debut for Cleveland after missing 67 games, scoring 24 points

Match Recap and Game Flow

The Dallas Mavericks responded emphatically to their previous 33-point defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, clinching a 130-120 win in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon. The result ended a seven-game losing streak for the Mavericks against the Cavaliers and marked only their second victory in the last 11 fixtures.

During a tightly contested first half featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties, Dallas led 60-59 at the interval. The Mavericks opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run and extended their cushion to 78-67, courtesy of a Ryan Nembhard three-pointer with 7:20 remaining. Although Cleveland closed the gap to seven, Dallas delivered a decisive 10-2 burst late in the quarter to re-establish control. The Mavericks’ advantage widened to 21 points in the final period, and despite a late Cavaliers surge, Dallas maintained their composure to secure the win.

MAVS WIN!!!@Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/h6p7TPCmGH

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 15, 2026

Player Performance and Statistics

Cooper Flagg, picked first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, notched his 12th outing of at least 27 points this season, concluding with 27 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds on 10-for-17 shooting in 33 minutes. Naji Marshall provided key support with 25 points, while P.J. Washington posted a double-double, grabbing 20 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas. Rookie John Poulakidas, on a two-way contract signed on March 1, made his mark in his second NBA appearance with 10 points, including 8 points and 2 rebounds in the third quarter.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell led with 26 points. Max Strus, in his first game after missing 67 contests due to a broken left foot (a Jones fracture sustained during offseason training and surgically repaired on 26 August), made a notable season debut, tallying 24 points. The Cavaliers were hindered by 16 turnovers that led to 25 points for Dallas.

Looking Ahead

The Dallas Mavericks are scheduled to visit New Orleans on Monday, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to take on Milwaukee on Tuesday.