Mavericks look for Cooper Flagg's hot play to continue vs. Nuggets
The Dallas Mavericks haven't piled up many wins so far this season, but Cooper Flagg's performance is a reason for optimism.
They take that optimism into Denver on Monday night when they play the Denver Nuggets.
Flagg, the first overall pick in June's draft, had back-to-back historic games over the weekend and is averaging 16.7 points in his first 20 NBA games. On Friday night, he had 11 assists in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the most ever by an 18-year-old, and Saturday night he became the youngest player to score 35 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
LeBron James is the only other 18-year-old to score 35 points in an NBA game and he was five days older than Flagg when he did it in his rookie season.
The Mavericks are 2 1/2 games out of playoff position and dealing with several injuries, less than two years since reaching the NBA Finals. Flagg's start to his career has been a positive in a tough season.
"Cooper's upside is limitless," teammate Klay Thompson said after Saturday night's 114-110 win. "He has every tool to be great. Sometimes I can't believe he should be a freshman in college."
Dallas beat the Clippers without Anthony Davis (left calf injury management) and P.J. Washington. Davis returned to the lineup Friday night after missing a month but Washington could miss time after suffering a sprained right ankle in pregame warmups on Saturday night.
Davis is averaging 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in six games this season, and Washington is third on the team, scoring 16 points a game. Davis is probable for Monday's game while Washington is questionable.
The Mavericks can win consecutive games for the first time this season and extend Denver's home losing streak to four games. The Nuggets began their home schedule with six straight wins, but have dropped the last three to Chicago, Sacramento and San Antonio.
The loss to the Spurs on Friday night knocked Denver out of the NBA Cup. The Nuggets rebounded to win at Phoenix on Saturday night behind a near triple-double by Nikola Jokic (26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds). It was the second straight game Jokic, who leads the NBA in rebounds (12.4) and assists (10.9) fell a rebound short of a triple-double.
He is seventh in scoring at 28.9 points a game.
Jamal Murray (24 ppg) is second on the team in scoring, but the team's third-leading scorer, Aaron Gordon, is out with a right hamstring strain. Spencer Jones has moved into the starting lineup and produced 16 points and nine rebounds -- both career-highs -- in the 130-112 win over the Suns.
"The more he plays, the more he feels the minutes of having to guard and rebound like he's doing right now, which is his main responsibility, I think the shooting will follow," coach David Adelman said postgame.
The Nuggets won Saturday night despite committing 17 turnovers for the second straight game. Those turnovers turned into 53 points over the two games, but they tightened up their defense after giving up 139 points to San Antonio.
"We've got to grow up and compete defensively," Adelman said.
--Field Level Media
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:27 |  | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 20-33 |
| 3:27 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 3:27 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 3:27 |  | Brandon Williams shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 3:30 | | Jamal Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 3:34 | | Anthony Davis misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:46 | | +2 | Jamal Murray makes two point driving dunk | 20-32 |
| 4:02 | | +3 | Anthony Davis makes three point jump shot (Caleb Martin assists) | 20-30 |
| 4:13 | | +2 | Tim Hardaway Jr. makes two point cutting layup (Nikola Jokic assists) | 17-30 |
| 4:28 | | +3 | Max Christie makes three point jump shot (Brandon Williams assists) | 17-28 |
| 4:48 | | Caleb Martin defensive rebound | ||
| 4:48 | | Peyton Watson misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:52 | | Spencer Jones offensive rebound | ||
| 4:54 | | Peyton Watson misses two point running layup | ||
| 5:00 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 5:03 | | Anthony Davis misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 5:17 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point driving layup (Tim Hardaway Jr. assists) | 14-28 |
| 5:33 | | +2 | Brandon Williams makes two point driving finger roll layup | 14-26 |
| 5:44 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 12-26 |
| 5:44 | | Caleb Martin shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 5:44 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point floating jump shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 12-25 |
| 5:53 | | +1 | Cooper Flagg makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 12-23 |
| 5:53 | | Cameron Johnson shooting foul (Cooper Flagg draws the foul) | ||
| 5:53 | | +2 | Cooper Flagg makes two point layup (Brandon Williams assists) | 11-23 |
| 6:01 | | Jamal Murray turnover (bad pass) (Anthony Davis steals) | ||
| 6:16 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point tip dunk | 9-23 |
| 6:17 | | Anthony Davis offensive rebound | ||
| 6:21 | | Brandon Williams misses two point driving layup | ||
| 6:35 | | +2 | Spencer Jones makes two point driving floating jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 7-23 |
| 6:49 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 6:53 | | Cooper Flagg misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 6:53 | | Spencer Jones shooting foul (Cooper Flagg draws the foul) | ||
| 6:53 | | +2 | Cooper Flagg makes two point driving floating jump shot (Anthony Davis assists) | 7-21 |
| 7:00 | | +1 | Anthony Davis makes technical free throw 1 of 1 | 5-21 |
| 7:00 | | Nuggets technical foul (Defensive three second) | ||
| 7:07 | | Spencer Jones personal foul (Ryan Nembhard draws the foul) | ||
| 7:14 | | +2 | Spencer Jones makes two point reverse layup (Nikola Jokic assists) | 4-21 |
| 7:22 | | Cameron Johnson defensive rebound | ||
| 7:25 | | Max Christie misses two point stepback jump shot | ||
| 7:51 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point cutting layup (Jamal Murray assists) | 4-19 |
| 7:58 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 7:59 | | Anthony Davis misses two point driving hook shot | ||
| 8:18 | | Anthony Davis defensive goaltending violation | ||
| 8:18 | | +2 | Spencer Jones makes two point alley-oop layup (Nikola Jokic assists) | 4-17 |
| 8:24 | | Ryan Nembhard personal foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 8:24 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 8:24 | | Nikola Jokic misses two point tip layup | ||
| 8:24 | | Nikola Jokic offensive rebound | ||
| 8:26 | | Cameron Johnson misses three point running jump shot | ||
| 8:30 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 8:33 | | Peyton Watson blocks Cooper Flagg's two point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 8:52 | | Mavericks 60 second timeout | ||
| 8:54 | | +3 | Spencer Jones makes three point jump shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 4-15 |
| 8:57 | | Nuggets defensive rebound | ||
| 8:57 | | Anthony Davis misses two point driving layup | ||
| 9:05 | | Max Christie defensive rebound | ||
| 9:09 | | Jamal Murray misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 9:16 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 9:19 | | Ryan Nembhard misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 9:32 | | +3 | Spencer Jones makes three point jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 4-12 |
| 9:48 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point jump shot (Ryan Nembhard assists) | 4-9 |
| 10:03 | | +2 | Spencer Jones makes two point running reverse layup (Jamal Murray assists) | 2-9 |
| 10:09 | | Jamal Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 10:11 | | Cooper Flagg misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:30 | | +2 | Peyton Watson makes two point cutting dunk (Nikola Jokic assists) | 2-7 |
| 10:48 | | +2 | Anthony Davis makes two point driving hook shot | 2-5 |
| 11:02 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point floating jump shot (Peyton Watson assists) | 0-5 |
| 11:11 | | Cooper Flagg turnover (lost ball) (Cameron Johnson steals) | ||
| 11:28 | | +3 | Jamal Murray makes three point stepback jump shot | 0-3 |
| 11:33 | | Jamal Murray offensive rebound | ||
| 11:33 | | Nikola Jokic misses two point tip layup | ||
| 11:33 | | Nikola Jokic offensive rebound | ||
| 11:33 | | Jamal Murray misses two point running reverse layup | ||
| 11:41 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 11:43 | | Anthony Davis misses two point layup | ||
| 12:00 | | Anthony Davis vs. Nikola Jokic (Cooper Flagg gains possession) |
| Min. Per Game | ||
| Pts. Per Game | ||
| Ast. Per Game | ||
| Reb. Per Game | ||
| Field Goal % | ||
| Three Point % | ||
| Free Throw % |
| |
+ 1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 3:27 |
|
Nuggets offensive rebound | 3:27 |
|
Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | 3:27 |
|
Brandon Williams shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | 3:27 |
|
Jamal Murray defensive rebound | 3:30 |
|
Anthony Davis misses three point jump shot | 3:34 |
| |
+ 2 | Jamal Murray makes two point driving dunk | 3:46 |
| |
+ 3 | Anthony Davis makes three point jump shot (Caleb Martin assists) | 4:02 |
| |
+ 2 | Tim Hardaway Jr. makes two point cutting layup (Nikola Jokic assists) | 4:13 |
| |
+ 3 | Max Christie makes three point jump shot (Brandon Williams assists) | 4:28 |
|
Caleb Martin defensive rebound | 4:48 |
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points | 20 | 33 |
| Field Goals | 8-18 (44.4%) | 14-21 (66.7%) |
| 3-Pointers | 2-4 (50.0%) | 3-6 (50.0%) |
| Free Throws | 2-3 (66.7%) | 2-3 (66.7%) |
| Total Rebounds | 3 | 16 |
| Offensive | 1 | 4 |
| Defensive | 2 | 9 |
| Team | 0 | 3 |
| Assists | 5 | 12 |
| Steals | 1 | 1 |
| Blocks | 0 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Fouls | 3 | 3 |
| Technicals | 0 | 1 |
| On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| B. Williams | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| C. Martin | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 3 |
| N. Marshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -17 | 0 |
| On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| B. Williams | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| C. Martin | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 3 |
| N. Marshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -17 | 0 |
| On Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| D. Russell | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| M. Kelly | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| J. Hardy | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| M. Cisse | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 20 | 3 | 5 | 8/18 | 2/4 | 2/3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -9 | - |
| On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| N. Jokic | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 2/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | +13 | 30 |
| J. Murray | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2/4 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +13 | 15 |
| T. Hardaway Jr. | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| P. Watson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +13 | 5 |
| On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| N. Jokic | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 2/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | +13 | 30 |
| J. Murray | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2/4 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +13 | 15 |
| T. Hardaway Jr. | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| P. Watson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/3 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +13 | 5 |
| On Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| J. Valanciunas | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| T. Bates | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| D. Holmes II | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| C. Jones | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| J. Pickett | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| H. Tyson | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Z. Nnaji | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 33 | 13 | 12 | 14/21 | 3/6 | 2/3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | +41 | - |
