Cooper Flagg posted a career-high 29 points with seven rebounds and five assists, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 118-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at American Airlines Center. Naji Marshall hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.7 seconds left against his former team to seal the win.
Max Christie contributed 23 points, tying a career high, while P.J. Washington Jr. added 24 points and five 3-pointers, helping Dallas overcome an early deficit. Brandon Williams matched a career high with 12 assists, orchestrating the Mavericks’ offense efficiently.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 25 points, followed by Zion Williamson’s 22 in his second game back after missing eight with a hamstring strain. Jeremiah Fears added 21 points, and Derik Queen recorded 20 points and a career-high 11 assists.
Dallas trailed by nine early but surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 36-22 to take control. The game remained close in the final minutes until Marshall’s late 3-pointer put the Mavericks ahead 116-115.
New Orleans had multiple chances to reclaim the lead but missed three consecutive 3-point attempts in the closing seconds, the last by Queen with four seconds remaining. The final sequence included a rebound by P.J. Washington Jr. and a scuffle following the buzzer.
Dallas improved to 5-12 overall and 1-2 in NBA Cup play, winning two of its last three home games after a 2-7 start at American Airlines Center. The Pelicans fell to 2-14 and 0-3 in the tournament, losing their eighth straight game under interim coach James Borrego.
The Mavericks host Memphis on Saturday, while New Orleans hosts Atlanta.
