Dallas erased a fourth-quarter deficit with a blistering 24–5 run, showcasing clutch shooting and late-game composure to secure a crucial victory.
DALLAS — With winter weather threatening to shut down the city, the Dallas Mavericks cranked up the heat instead, delivering their sharpest closing stretch of the season to outlast the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
Dallas erased a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit, stormed through a decisive 24–5 run, and pulled away for a 123–115 win at American Airlines Center. The victory extended the Mavericks’ winning streak to a season-best four games, lifted them to 19–26, and continued a recent trend of late-game composure that had eluded them earlier in the season.
The Mavericks were chasing the game for much of the night. Neither team led by more than six points through three quarters, and Golden State entered the final period ahead 96–89 after a 39-point third quarter fueled by Stephen Curry. Dallas, however, steadied itself when it mattered most.
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd framed the fourth-quarter turnaround as a reflection of growth rather than a single adjustment.
“Just composure. Taking care of the ball, but defensively understanding Steph can get going — and he got going — but I thought the group kept its composure when he went on a little mini run there on the defensive end,” Kidd said. “And then on the offensive end, I thought we did a good job of executing and sharing the ball. Christie was great again tonight. Naji was really, really good tonight too. So those two kept us together down the stretch, but it’s a great team win against a very good team.”
The Mavericks rediscovered their shooting touch after three uneven quarters, knocking down five of seven three-pointers in the fourth and converting 12 of 13 free throws. Max Christie and Naji Marshall led the charge, spacing the floor and punishing defensive rotations as Dallas surged ahead 113–101 with under five minutes remaining.
Christie finished with 21 points and repeatedly answered Golden State’s pressure with timely shot-making. Afterward, he reflected on how early-season struggles shaped the team’s confidence late in games.
“Yeah, yeah, for sure,” Christie said. “We just trusted the process from the very beginning. We were up here talking about that when we had those close games early in the season, and we were all saying to just trust the process and get that experience. Obviously it’s paying off for us now — in these close games and even late in games when teams are trapping and trying to force turnovers. We’re a lot more composed. We know where we’re going on the floor. And that just comes with experience. Obviously, a little bit of failure early in the season helped us have success now.”
Marshall delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, tying his season highs with 30 points and nine assists while adding seven rebounds. His downhill attacks, floaters in the lane, and emotional energy defined the Mavericks’ closing push.
“I think we’re just growing,” he said. “Just in general in life, I think people are really quick to criticize, but like you said, we’ve been at a disadvantage basically without players. It’s a lot of young guys out there, a lot of people who’ve been in the NBA for the first time, so they’re just learning on the move. And for them to pick it up and just get better and better like that — unbelievable feeling to see. So just proud of my guys.”
Dallas also benefited from strong interior work and balance across the lineup. Dwight Powell posted his first double-double since December 2023 with 10 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring a starting group that remains undefeated.
“Yeah, let’s keep starting him. Why not?” Kidd said. “He deserves it. They all deserve it. That group that started tonight deserves to start, and they’ll probably start on Saturday.”
Cooper Flagg continued his steady return from an ankle injury, recording 21 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in 30 minutes despite an expected minutes limit. His activity on the glass helped ignite Dallas’ transition game during the decisive run.
“Yeah, obviously the Warriors are a team that I grew up watching a lot,” Flagg said. “Watching the dynasty they built, watching Steph and everything he’s done in this league — it’s kind of surreal. But it’s a dream come true. I’ve said that a lot. This whole process for me is just a dream come true. I’m living a dream, honestly.”
Golden State received another vintage scoring display from Curry, who poured in 38 points and went 8 of 15 from three-point range. He scored 25 after halftime and added a historic footnote in the third quarter, becoming the first player in NBA history to attempt 10,000 three-pointers.
Even so, the Warriors could not withstand Dallas’ late surge. A flagrant foul call on Draymond Green midway through the fourth quarter sparked further momentum, and Green fouled out with 3:50 remaining as Dallas pushed the margin to double digits.
The Mavericks’ finish stood in sharp contrast to earlier moments in the season, when narrow losses piled up and late-game execution faltered. Kidd believes those experiences are now paying dividends.
“We’re still learning,” Kidd said. “But yeah, on this journey, guys are starting to grow up a little bit — understanding what guys are going to do. We’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of in and out, and we’re working P.J. back into the fold. Hopefully we can be a little bit consistent with our health.”
Dallas also overcame its own flaws Thursday, including 22 turnovers and uneven shooting through three quarters. The difference was what followed: defensive stops, calm decision-making, and timely shot-making.
With the win, the Mavericks moved within a half-game of Memphis for 11th in the Western Conference and improved to 8–1 in their last nine home meetings with Golden State. They will look to extend the streak Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers visit, weather permitting.
On a night defined by elite shot-making and late-game resolve, Dallas showed that its lessons from early failures may finally be taking hold.