Dallas Mavericks Lose 123-121, But Cooper Flagg Scores 49
The Dallas Mavericks concluded a two-game homestand, ending with the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, also Hardwood Classic Night. But the Hornets edged the Mavericks 123-121 at the American Airlines Center.
Charlotte improved to 21-28, while Dallas fell to 19-29.
Mavs legends Dirk Nowitzki, Rolando Blackman, and Derek Harper, along with Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas, attended the historic game.
The Mavs retired Mark Aguirre’s No. 24 jersey to the rafters. Aguirre, now 66, played for the team from 1981-89 after the team took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. The first 5,000 fans received a Mark Aguirre bobblehead. All fans received a No. 24 tee shirt.
The Mavs Host UT Dallas College Night
The Mavs also hosted UT Dallas College Night. The University of Texas at Dallas’ alumni, students, family, friends, and fans showed school spirit for the Texas-Dallas Comets of the Lone Star Conference.
In case you missed it, Dallas suffered a 118-105 blowout by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the American Airlines Center on Wednesday. PJ Washington led the Mavs with 21 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 31 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Charlotte beat the Memphis Grizzlies 112-97 in the FedEx Forum on Wednesday. Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 26 points, one rebound, and three assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets Starters
Dallas’ starting lineup featured… Dallas ruled out Dante Exum (right knee surgery), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Anthony Davis (left finger sprain), and Naji Marshall (rest). Charlotte’s starting lineup featured LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabete.
Charlotte ruled out Mason Plumlee (right groin surgery), KJ Simpson (left hip strain), and Grant Williams (right knee injury management). Diabete, 23, entered the game with a career-high 19 rebounds, a 12th double-double of the season, and four consecutive games scoring in double figures.
Mavericks vs. Hornets Recap
The Mavericks and Hornets aren’t a traditional rivalry. However, Dallas and Charlotte’s history goes way back. Dallas has a 45-24 record against Charlotte in regular-season games. Dallas also had a 21-game winning streak against Charlotte from Feb. 3, 2000, to Nov. 3, 2012.
Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel met in the regular season for the first time on Thursday. Flagg, 19, and Knueppel, 20, lead NBA rookies in scoring with nearly identical averages of 18.8 and 18.6 points per game, respectively. Both players also won the first two NBA Rookie of the Month awards in their respective conferences.
The Mavs got off to a fast start to open the first quarter. PJ Washington hit an early three-pointer. However, Charlotte’s field goal, three-point range, and free throw shooting stifled Dallas. Kon Knueppel hit four three-pointers. Charlotte took a 33-20 lead to end the first.
Dallas Opens The Second Quarter
Dallas went on an 8-0 Run to open the second quarter. Cooper Flagg shone with a poster dunk before an and-1 in transition. Flagg’s pull-up three-pointer and inside-hand finish on a drive led to 16 points. Dallas cut the lead to one. Charlotte took a 59-58 lead into halftime.
Flagg, 19, led all players with 25 points in the first half, marking his most points in any half of his NBA career. Flagg’s previous high was 24 points in the first half at Utah on Dec. 15, 2025.
LaMelo Ball became the fifth player in NBA history to record 5,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 2,000 assists in his first 300 career games played, joining Magic Johnson, Walt Frazier, Oscar Robertson, and Luka Doncic.
Charlotte jumped out to a fast start in the third quarter. Charlotte re-established an 11-point lead, capitalizing on Dallas’ poor perimeter defense. Dallas picked up the pace, thanks to Cooper Flagg’s scoring clinic. The game was tied at 93 through three quarters.
Dallas took their first lead of the game, 100-96, in the fourth quarter.
Cooper Flagg excelled on both ends of the court. Caleb Martin recorded a season-high 11 rebounds. However, Flagg committed a foul with seven seconds left, which prompted the officials to call a controversial foul. Kon Knueppel made both free throws. Charlotte won 123-121 in regulation.
Next Steps
The Mavericks hit the road to take on the Houston Rockets in a “Battle of Texas” rivalry game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The Mavs have historically outperformed the Rockets, but the Rockets’ resilience calls for the Mavs to exploit the Rockets’ weaknesses.
The Hornets return home to open a two-game homestand, starting with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Hornets’ offensive capabilities can exploit the Spurs’ weaknesses, such as the lack of intensity on the glass.
