{"id":385094,"date":"2025-11-17T11:31:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T11:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/385094\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T11:31:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T11:31:16","slug":"cooper-flagg-mavericks-enjoy-rare-clutch-win-in-overtime-thriller-vs-blazers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/385094\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper Flagg, Mavericks enjoy rare clutch win in overtime thriller vs. Blazers"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2014 Late in yet another close game for the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg noticed something that made him sure he needed to drive the ball into the paint.<\/p>\n

Donovan Clingan, the Portland Trail Blazers\u2019 7-foot-2 center, subbed out at the 3:54 mark of the fourth quarter. With Clingan resting during crunch time, Flagg sensed opportunity. He scored at the 1:11 mark, again at the 3:07 mark in overtime and for the final time at the 1:56 mark in the extra period.<\/p>\n

All three baskets came off power drives to the rim.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey played a lot of the end of the game with their center on the bench \u2014 Donovan Clingan on the bench,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cIf they are not going to have shot blocking in the game, we (have) to use our size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Cooper Flagg said with Donovan Clingan on the bench late in the game, he made a point to get into the paint. Here were his final three baskets. pic.twitter.com\/RNqutkbCLW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christian Clark (@christianpclark) November 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Flagg scored 9 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Mavericks earned a 138-133 win against the Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center. The 18-year-old rookie delivered a standout all-around performance \u2014 stuffing the stat sheet with 21 points (9-of-16), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks \u2014 which allowed Dallas to beat a Western Conference opponent for the first time this season and bank a rare \u201cclutch\u201d win. Before Sunday, the Mavericks were just 2-8 in \u201cclutch\u201d games (having a score within 5 points in the final five minutes) this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooper delivered on both ends,\u201d Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. \u201cOffensively and defensively.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mavericks weren\u2019t supposed to have to rely on Flagg so much in his first year. But with Kyrie Irving, the team\u2019s best closer, working his way back from a torn ACL and Anthony Davis still sidelined for at least one more week with a left calf strain, Flagg has had to carry a heavy burden.<\/p>\n

On Nov. 5, Kidd drew up the last shot for Flagg in Dallas\u2019 game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Flagg misfired on a midrange jumper and was frustrated afterward, saying, \u201cThis is the most I\u2019ve lost since, I think, ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mavericks appeared to be in danger of enduring more disappointment Sunday. They trailed by 6 points going into the fourth quarter but staged a comeback thanks to P.J. Washington\u2019s timely 3-point shooting, Daniel Gafford\u2019s season-high 20 points and Flagg\u2019s late-game offense.<\/p>\n

The Mavericks took the lead for good with 1:39 left in overtime on a pair of Gafford free throws. On their next possession, Flagg threw the ball ahead to Washington for a transition dunk, which extended their lead to three.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we look to turn defense into offense,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cThat\u2019s the best thing for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flagg was quiet in the first two quarters. At halftime, he had 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting. During the break, Gafford said he spoke to the Mavericks\u2019 young star.<\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed he was frustrated at halftime,\u201d Gafford said. \u201cI talked to him a little bit. He said he felt like he wasn\u2019t involved. I said: \u2018Slow down a little bit. It will come to you. You ain\u2019t got to go rush the game. Sometimes the game will come to you.\u2019 That\u2019s exactly what it did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flagg scored 10 points in the third quarter. He made a 3 from the left wing, a midrange pull-up and two shots at the rim. One of the highlights was Flagg\u2019s interception of Deni Avdija\u2019s bounce pass, followed by Flagg weaving through the Trail Blazers defense for a lefty layup.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thrives in the open court,\u201d Kidd said. \u201cHe got into the open court more there in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kidd has great trust in Flagg, the NBA\u2019s youngest player. The Mavericks played through him heavily in the most important moments of Sunday\u2019s game. Flagg made three \u201cclutch\u201d buckets, which were critical to the Mavericks\u2019 (4-10) salvaging a four-game homestand with a win.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s comfortable in that situation,\u201d Kidd said. \u201cYou can see that. Playing a lot of close games, and he\u2019s delivered.\u201d<\/p>\n