Rookie Cooper Flagg's electrifying dunk ignited a decisive surge, powering the Dallas Mavericks to their first season win over the Toronto Raptors.
DALLAS — Cooper Flagg delivered the defining moment of his young career Sunday night, hammering home a one-handed dunk that ignited a decisive third-quarter surge and lifted the Dallas Mavericks (1-2) to their first victory of the season.
The 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick scored 22 points without a turnover, fueling a 13-0 run that broke open a tight game and sent Dallas past the Toronto Raptors (1-2) 139-129 at American Airlines Center.
Anthony Davis anchored the effort with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, while D’Angelo Russell added 24 points and six assists off the bench as Dallas shot 58% and totaled 32 assists. The win snapped a two-game skid to open the year and set the stage for a back-to-back against defending champion Oklahoma City on Monday.
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 33 points and 11 rebounds, continuing his early-season dominance, but the Mavericks’ depth and efficiency proved too much. Dallas had seven double-figure scorers and a season-high 61 bench points.
The night’s turning point came midway through the third quarter. With Dallas clinging to a narrow lead, Flagg started the run with a layup and finished it with the play of the night — a soaring dunk over Sandro Mamukelashvili off a transition feed from Russell. The rookie punctuated it with a free throw that pushed the margin to double digits and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
“It was electrifying,” Davis said with a smile afterward. “We knew as he was coming down that he was going to dunk it. It was great — great for him, great for the fans, great for our team. It brought energy.”
Flagg, who also hit a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to halt a Raptors rally, said the sequence captured how the Mavericks want to play.
“That’s how we want to play — fast and with pace,” Flagg said. “The transition opened up, and I just went up and made a play.”
Jason Kidd praised his team’s response after a rocky first half marked by 12 turnovers. Dallas committed just one in the third quarter while outscoring Toronto 41-31 in the frame.
“Great response,” Kidd said. “There was carryover from what we emphasized. Scoring over 30 in every quarter and putting up 139 is a great way to respond. We were active, we played fast, and we took care of the ball.”
Russell’s playmaking steadied the offense in the second half after his minutes had been limited in earlier games.
“He’s been in this league long enough, never wavered, stayed with the team, stayed locked in,” Davis said. “He definitely changed the game. He was an X-factor, a game-changer tonight.”
Russell credited his teammates for fueling his own rhythm.
“We were just tired of losing,” Russell said. “Everyone contributed. We came in ready, and it showed. Seeing one go in always helps — it got me comfortable again.”
The Mavericks complemented their offensive balance with a disruptive defense that produced 12 steals — their third straight game with at least 10. That stretch matches a feat Dallas last achieved in 2020.
Kidd said the defensive activity was the spark behind the offensive explosion.
“Getting stops and rebounding let us run,” he said. “We knew Toronto would press, so we focused on executing under pressure. The pace was great, and we were able to play our style.”
P.J. Washington added 17 points and seven rebounds, including a series of late three-point plays that kept the Raptors at bay. Max Christie matched him with 17 points, continuing his streak of three straight games with multiple made threes. Naji Marshall contributed 12 points on perfect shooting.
The Mavericks close their five-game homestand later this week after hosting Oklahoma City and Indiana, with a chance to build on the first glimpse of what their retooled roster can be when rhythm and trust align.