The Dallas Mavericks ended a historic home losing streak Sunday night behind another dominant performance from rookie Cooper Flagg.
Flagg scored 45 points as Dallas defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 at American Airlines Center, snapping the Mavericks’ 14-game home skid, their longest at the arena since it opened in 2001.
The No. 1 overall pick also recorded nine assists and eight rebounds in 39 minutes while shooting 14-of-27 from the field and 15-of-17 from the free-throw line.
The performance marked Flagg’s second consecutive 40-point game and came just two nights after the 19-year-old scored 51 points. That outing made him the first teenager in NBA history with a 50-point game.
With Sunday’s performance, Flagg became the first rookie to record back-to-back games of at least 40 points since Allen Iverson during the 1996-97 season.
Dallas built its offense around Flagg early and created a large cushion before halftime. The Mavericks led by as many as 22 points before the Lakers mounted a push late in the second quarter.
Los Angeles responded behind LeBron James, who finished with 30 points and 15 assists in 39 minutes. The 41-year-old forward scored 16 points in the second quarter to help cut the deficit to six by halftime.
James sparked the rally with two dunks before the break, and the Lakers closed within 72-70 early in the third quarter after a transition alley-oop from Luke Kennard.
The Lakers never moved ahead after that sequence, as Dallas regained control through its offensive balance and efficient shooting.
The Mavericks shot 52% from the field and 44% from 3-point range while scoring 28 points at the free-throw line.
P.J. Washington added 15 points and six rebounds, including 13 points in the second half. Naji Marshall finished with 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Dallas also received key contributions from the bench. Brandon Williams scored 13 points and Klay Thompson added 11 while hitting three 3-pointers.
The Lakers produced strong numbers offensively despite missing key scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who were both ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after injuries suffered Thursday against Oklahoma City.
Doncic, the league’s scoring leader, is sidelined with a left hamstring strain. Reaves, the Lakers’ second-leading scorer, is recovering from a left oblique strain.
Kennard delivered his first career triple-double with 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and 11 assists. Rui Hachimura added 21 points and Jarred Vanderbilt scored 23 points off the bench.
Los Angeles shot 52% from the field and recorded 36 assists but could not erase the early deficit.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 50-28, leaving them tied with Denver for third place in the Western Conference standings entering the final week of the regular season.
Dallas improved to 25-53 with the victory.
The Lakers return home Tuesday to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Mavericks travel to play the Los Angeles Clippers.
