DALLAS – Cooper Flagg recorded 26 points, eight assists, and five rebounds to propel the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-96 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as reported by TheScore. The commanding win improved Dallas to a 3-2 record and handed the short-handed Thunder their first loss of the 2026-27 NBA season, halting a four-game winning streak and snapping a 15-game October winning streak that stretched back to 2023.
Playing at home in front of a packed arena, the Mavericks seized control early and never relinquished it. Flagg, who had struggled against Oklahoma City during his rookie campaign, came out aggressive with 12 points in the opening quarter. Dallas maintained a 12-point advantage in the first half and extended their lead to as many as 27 points in the final period, pushing the franchise above the .500 threshold for the first time since Flagg joined the club.
A Decisive Run and Defensive Clampdown
Despite playing without three key starters due to injuries, the visiting Thunder kept the contest competitive through much of the first half. Oklahoma City erased a 12-point deficit down to just four late in the second quarter before Dallas entered halftime holding a 65-59 edge. However, the game decisively turned early in the third quarter when the Mavericks exploded on an 11-0 run.
That pivotal surge began with Flagg setting up Kyrie Irving for a floater and concluded with a pull-up jumper by Flagg himself. Field Level Media reported in an article hosted by GMA Network that Oklahoma City converted just 30 percent of their field goal attempts after halftime, managing a meager 37 points in the second half. Dallas tightened its defensive rotation, limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting and preventing the Thunder from establishing any offensive rhythm.
Long-Range Shooting and Milestone Moments
Beyond Flagg’s stellar offensive orchestration and zero turnovers across nearly 33 minutes of action, the Mavericks capitalized heavily from beyond the arc. Dallas sank a season-high 16 3-pointers out of 45 attempts, with 11 of those coming before intermission. The perimeter dominance included a rare milestone when center Daniel Gafford converted his first 3-pointer in eight NBA seasons on his 2,384th career attempt.
Supporting contributions came from across the roster as P.J. Washington added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kyrie Irving chipped in 15 points in his first home regular-season appearance since suffering a torn left ACL in March 2025. Caleb Martin also made his season debut following an injury absence, as eight different Mavericks finished scoring in double figures. Meanwhile, Ajay Mitchell led the depleted Thunder with 29 points following a career-high 30-point performance days prior, but Oklahoma City’s historically potent offense faltered without injured contributors Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso.
Upcoming Schedule
Following Wednesday’s encounter, both franchises face quick turnarounds against the Houston Rockets. The Mavericks return to home court to host Houston on Friday, while the Thunder travel to face the Rockets on Saturday.