Brandon Williams’ clutch three-pointer secures a thrilling comeback win, snapping the Mavericks' road losing streak and igniting their offense.
SACRAMENTO — The Dallas Mavericks walked off the floor Tuesday night knowing they had finally flipped a narrative that had followed them for weeks away from home.
Brandon Williams knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer with 33.9 seconds remaining, and the Dallas Mavericks survived a frantic finish to beat the Sacramento Kings 100-98 at Golden 1 Center, snapping a seven-game road losing streak and securing their second straight victory.
Dallas trailed 98-97 when Williams drilled the decisive shot from the right wing, a moment that capped a comeback fueled by improved defense, rebounding, and late-game composure. The Mavericks improved to 14-23 and opened a three-game road trip on a positive note after beating Houston at home on Saturday.
Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 20 points while also contributing eight rebounds and six assists. He drew defensive pressure on the possession that led to Williams’ three and made the read that sealed the game.
“I threw it to him with confidence that he would shoot the ball,” Flagg said. “He was open. He’s in the gym a ton working, getting ready for that moment. He was ready for it.”
Williams finished with 18 points off the bench, delivering his biggest NBA moment to date after Dallas spent most of the night trying to dig out of an early hole. Naji Marshall added 15 points, all in the second half, while Daniel Gafford grabbed 13 rebounds to anchor the Mavericks on the glass.
The Kings had multiple opportunities to answer Williams’ shot but came up empty. Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook each missed three-point attempts before DeMar DeRozan’s last-second try bounced away, sealing Sacramento’s sixth consecutive loss.
DeRozan led the Kings with 21 points, while Zach LaVine scored 20 in his return after missing nine games with a left ankle sprain. Maxime Reynaud chipped in 14 points for Sacramento, which fell to 8-29 and owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference. The Kings’ last win came Dec. 27 — also against Dallas.
The Mavericks leaned heavily on Anthony Davis inside. Davis finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks, helping Dallas control the paint and survive a night when outside shooting was inconsistent. The Mavericks outworked Sacramento on the boards and generated key second-chance opportunities that kept them within striking distance.
“AD brings so many different things,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “The back down, mid-range jumper, he stretches the floor vertically, and he can shoot the three-ball. There’s a lot of things that he brings that helps a guy like Cooper.”
Dallas trailed 58-46 at halftime after struggling to slow Sacramento’s guards in transition and committing costly turnovers. However, the Mavericks steadily chipped away in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 78-76 entering the fourth. Over the final two quarters, Dallas outscored Sacramento by 14 points, a stretch defined by sharper ball movement and more physical defense.
“In that third quarter we started to play together,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought in the second half we played Mavs basketball.”
Sacramento was shorthanded without forward Keegan Murray, who suffered a left ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to Milwaukee and is expected to be reevaluated in three to four weeks. Murray also missed time earlier this season with a thumb injury, further complicating an already difficult stretch for the Kings.
Despite shooting just 40.6 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three, Dallas found a way to grind out a road win — something Kidd acknowledged afterward.
“We didn’t play our best, but we found a way to win a close game,” Kidd said. “It’s ugly, but wins are hard to get in this league.”
Dallas now heads to Utah for a Thursday night matchup carrying momentum that had been elusive away from home. For one night in Sacramento, effort, execution, and a timely shot were enough.