Mobley erupts for 29, while Flagg and Nembhard make Mavericks history in a high-scoring loss to the Cavaliers.
DALLAS — Evan Mobley tied his season high with 29 points in just 23 minutes as the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Dallas Mavericks 138-105 on Friday night at American Airlines Center. These two teams began a home-and-home series that concludes on Sunday at Rocket Arena.
Mobley already had 16 points in the first quarter and scored 23 by halftime. It was the second-highest scoring half of his career. He shot 12-of-15 from the field and totaled seven rebounds. This was the fifth time this season he has recorded at least 25 points and five rebounds in the same game. Cleveland shot 61.5% from the field, the 10th-highest single-game field-goal percentage in franchise history and the first time the Cavaliers have reached that mark since March 21, 1996. They went 18 for 38 (47%) from 3-point range.
Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, including 12 in a dominant 41-point third quarter that put the game out of reach. James Harden added 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the Cavaliers.
Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 25 points, four rebounds, and five assists. He surpassed Kobe Bryant for the sixth-most 20-point games by a teenager in NBA history with 25 such performances.
Flagg recorded his 20th career game with 20-plus points on 50% shooting or better, the fourth-most by any teenager in NBA history. Only LeBron James (30), Carmelo Anthony (25), and Kevin Durant (23) have more.
Flagg extended his streak to six consecutive games with at least 10 points and five assists — the second-longest such stretch of his career behind a nine-game run earlier this season. He joined James, Luka Dončić, and Kyrie Irving as the only teenagers in league history with multiple such streaks of at least six games.
Flagg continues to feel more like himself after missing eight straight games over a three-week span due to a left midfoot sprain. He recorded his first game with at least 20 points since returning to the lineup.
"I thought I played with better pace tonight," he said. "I had been a little sped up recently, so it was about getting back to a better pace, drawing contact, getting to the line, getting comfortable."
Ryan Nembhard was a bright spot for the Mavericks. He finished with nine assists and one turnover. He and Flagg each recorded five or more assists in the same game for the ninth time this season, setting a new franchise record for the most such games by a Mavericks rookie duo. The previous record was held by Jalen Brunson and Dončić with eight.
"He just gives the ball a lot of energy," Flagg said of Nembhard. "When he's out there, I feel like everybody's playing with a little more pep in their step."
Nembhard, who recently had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal, is focused on the opportunity ahead.
"I'm just excited to be with these guys full time and excited for whatever the future may hold," he said.
Naji Marshall pulled off a bounce-back game with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Marshall recorded his 34th game with 15 or more points this season. It's the most he's had in a season, with his previous most being 29 in the 2024-25 season.
Dwight Powell appeared in his 750th game with the Mavericks, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to do so. He finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his 25th career double-double. Brandon Williams added 12 points for a career-best 13th consecutive game in double figures.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd credited the Cavaliers' physicality from the opening tip as a pivotal factor.
"We talked about Mobley being really good. We talked about how we had to be physical with him, and we weren't," Kidd said.
The Cavaliers finished with 72 points in the paint. Whether it was Donovan Mitchell or James Harden attacking downhill to score directly or to find teammates like Mobley, Dallas was unable to get consistent stops.
"They started out killing us in the paint, and that led to a lot of easy spray-out threes," he said. "We've just got to take pride on that end of the floor and give more presence."
The Mavericks and Cavaliers play against each other again on Sunday at Rocket Arena to end the home-and-home series. Dallas has a lot to clean up.