Cooper Flagg posts double-double as Mavs stun Cavs
Rookie Cooper Flagg scored 27 points and dished out 10 assists, and Naji Marshall scored 25 points and as the visiting Dallas Mavericks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-120 on Sunday afternoon, splitting their home-and-home set.
P.J. Washington Jr. collected 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who built a 111-90 lead in the fourth quarter and won for just the second time in their last 11 games. Rookie John Poulakidis scored his first 10 points in the NBA.
Donovan Mitchell had 26 points and 11 assists for the Cavaliers. Max Strus scored 24 and made 6-of-7 3-point attempts in his season debut following left foot surgery, and Evan Mobley posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Cleveland had defeated the Mavericks seven straight times, including a 138-105 victory in Dallas on Friday. The Cavaliers are fourth in the Eastern Conference -- two games ahead of the streaking Orlando Magic -- but are 5-6 since Feb. 22.
Poulakidas, a rookie from Yale, signed a two-way contract on March 1 and appeared in his second game. He scored eight points in the third, when the Mavericks scored 40 and took a 100-86 lead.
Flagg also had six rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes.
Marshall had 16 points in the first half, allowing the Mavericks to carry a 60-59 edge into the break. Washington racked up 14 points, six rebounds and five steals, while Strus produced 16 points in 12 minutes and Mobley added 13.
Washington, who missed the previous game with left ankle soreness, came out flying in the first with nine points as Dallas built a 26-16 advantage. Mitchell, Strus and Dean Wade had nine apiece for Cleveland, which trailed 35-31 after 12 minutes.
It was Strus' first action since the East semifinals against the Indiana Pacers on May 11, 2025.
Dallas knocked down 15 of 30 shots from behind the arc, while Cleveland countered with a 16-of-41 effort (39%). The Mavs held an advantage at the free throw line, converting 23-of-27 (85.2%), while the Cavs misfired on seven of 21 attempts (66.7%).
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (right knee tendinitis) missed his fifth game in a row and swingman Sam Merrill (left hamstring tightness) was inactive for the second straight. Small forward Jaylon Tyson (left ankle soreness) was hurt Thursday in Dallas.
Center Daniel Gafford (illness) and shooting guard Klay Thompson (rest) did not play for the Mavericks.