Mavericks Rout Thunder Behind Record 3-Point Shooting

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96 on Wednesday night.

Cooper Flagg finished with 26 points and eight assists, while P.J. Washington added 18 points for Dallas. Kyrie Irving scored 15 points, including 13 in the first half, during his first home regular-season game since suffering a torn ACL in March 2025. The Mavericks took a 12-point lead in the first half and extended their advantage to 27 points in the fourth quarter. This victory improved Dallas' record to 3-2, moving the team above .500 for the first time since joining the roster last fall.

Oklahoma City played its second game without key defenders due to injury. Jalen Williams missed time with a broken leg and dislocated ankle, while Cason Wallace sat out with a torn labrum. Chet Holmgren was absent with patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and Alex Caruso also missed the game due to a similar knee condition. Despite the absences, the Thunder entered with a 4-1 record.

The Mavericks dominated from outside the arc, hitting a season-best 16 three-pointers on 45 attempts. They made 11 of those shots in the first half alone. Daniel Gafford hit his first three-pointer in eight NBA seasons, marking the 2,384th shot of his career. The Thunder struggled from distance, going 5 for 32 for a season-worst 15.6% success rate.

First-year coach Dusty May secured his first home win in his second attempt. The Thunder, led by Ajay Mitchell's 29 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 21, will face the Houston Rockets on Friday and travel to Oklahoma City on Saturday. Dallas is also scheduled to play the Rockets on Friday.