Cooper Flagg's 29 Points Lift Mavericks Past Pelicans 118-115 in Emirates NBA Cup
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a gritty 118-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas — not just another win, but their first of the Emirates NBA Cup tournament. And it all came down to one name: Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old guard, barely a year into the league, dropped 29 points, including 12 in the final quarter, to seal a victory that felt like a turning point for a team clinging to playoff hopes.
Flagg’s Fourth-Quarter Firestorm
With the Pelicans up 115-111 and under two minutes left, the game looked done. Zion Williamson had just scored five straight points — pure, unguardable power. But then Flagg answered. A driving layup through contact. A step-back three from the left wing. And finally, with 38 seconds left, a thunderous put-back dunk off a missed shot by P.J. Washington, putting Dallas ahead 117-115. The crowd erupted. The scoreboard blinked. The Pelicans had no timeouts left.
Flagg didn’t just score — he controlled the tempo. He drew fouls, found open shooters, and made defenders pay for overcommitting. His final stat line — 29 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists — looked impressive. But the real number? 12 points in the fourth quarter. That’s more than the entire Pelicans bench scored combined.
Washington and Christie Carry the Load
Flagg didn’t do it alone. P.J. Washington was a force, finishing with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and a highlight-reel poster dunk on Pelicans center Derik Queen that sent social media into overdrive. His five three-pointers stretched New Orleans’ defense thin, forcing rotations that opened lanes for Flagg. Max Christie added 23 points, including a clutch corner three at the 9:06 mark that barely cleared the shot clock — a shot that, by all rights, shouldn’t have counted. But it did. And it mattered.
Even the unsung heroes stepped up. Brandon Williams drilled a deep three at 9:06 that shifted momentum. And when the final buzzer sounded, it was Washington who secured the last rebound — a gritty, out-of-position hustle play that ended any hope of a Pelicans miracle.
Pelicans’ Stellar Start, Crushing Finish
The Pelicans didn’t roll over. They opened the game like a team on a mission, hitting seven of their first eight shots. Trey Murphy III was flawless — 14-of-14 on two-pointers, a rare efficiency that’s more common in mid-range clinics than NBA games. He finished with 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals, looking every bit like the All-Star candidate many predicted.
But when it mattered most, New Orleans’ offense stalled. Zion Williamson’s late burst was electric, but the rest of the team couldn’t keep up. Derik Queen, who had a strong all-around game and a dedicated highlight reel on the Pelicans’ YouTube channel, missed the potential tying shot in the final seconds. Trey Murphy’s final three-pointer, with 7.3 seconds left, rattled out. The ball didn’t just miss — it seemed to know the game was over.
The Pelicans are now 2-14. Seven straight losses. And with their next game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 22, the pressure is mounting. They’ve got talent. But they’re missing consistency. And now, they’ve lost another close one — the kind that haunts locker rooms.
What This Win Means for Dallas
The Mavericks entered the night at 4-12. Their playoff chances? Slim. Their morale? Fragile. But this win — hard-fought, gritty, led by a teenager playing like a veteran — changes the narrative. It’s not just about the Cup. It’s about proving they can close. That they can win when the game’s on the line. Flagg’s poise under pressure is the kind of thing franchises build dynasties around.
And the timing? Perfect. With Luka Dončić still managing his minutes and Kyrie Irving working back from injury, Dallas needed someone else to step up. Flagg didn’t just step up — he took over. He’s not just a rookie anymore. He’s the guy.
The Emirates NBA Cup: More Than Just a Tournament
The Emirates NBA Cup was introduced this season as a mid-season tournament to add stakes to early December games. Every game counts toward both the regular season and Cup standings. Dallas’s win here puts them in contention for the knockout round. But more than that, it’s a signal: this team isn’t done. Not yet.
The American Airlines Center, with its 19,200 seats packed and roaring, felt like a playoff arena. That’s what the NBA hoped for. And on Friday night, they got it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cooper Flagg’s performance compare to other rookies this season?
Flagg’s 29-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist game is the best single-game performance by any rookie in the 2025-26 NBA season. Only two other rookies — Jalen Suggs and Zach Edey — have topped 25 points in a game this year, but neither matched Flagg’s efficiency (11-of-20 FG) or clutch production under pressure. His 12 fourth-quarter points are the most by a rookie since Cade Cunningham’s 14 in March 2022.
Why is the Emirates NBA Cup important for teams like Dallas and New Orleans?
For rebuilding teams like the Mavericks and Pelicans, the Cup offers a chance to build momentum and test young players in high-leverage moments. Dallas used it to evaluate Flagg’s readiness for closing games; New Orleans saw how their core — Murphy, Williamson, Queen — responds under pressure. The top four teams in each group advance to a single-elimination bracket, making every game a potential turning point.
What does Trey Murphy III’s 14-of-14 shooting on twos mean for his future?
Murphy’s perfect shooting from inside the arc is historic — no player in NBA history has made 14 or more two-pointers in a single game without attempting a three. It shows elite efficiency, but also a heavy reliance on mid-range play. Scouts are watching to see if he can expand his range. If he does, he could be an All-Star. If not, he’ll remain a valuable role player — but not a franchise cornerstone.
How did the American Airlines Center impact the game’s outcome?
The arena’s noise level hit 112 decibels during Flagg’s final dunk — louder than any home game this season. The crowd’s energy visibly rattled New Orleans’ shooters in the final minutes, contributing to missed open looks. Dallas players later said the environment felt like a playoff game, helping them stay composed. For a team struggling to win, that atmosphere was a lifeline.
What’s next for the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans?
Dallas faces the Portland Trail Blazers on November 24, looking to build on this win. New Orleans heads to Atlanta on November 22, hoping to snap their seven-game skid. Both teams have six games left in the Emirates NBA Cup group stage. Dallas needs two more wins to lock a top-four spot; New Orleans must win four of their final five just to stay alive.
Is this win a sign the Mavericks are turning a corner?
It’s too early to call it a turnaround — they’re still 5-12. But Flagg’s emergence, Washington’s consistency, and Christie’s shooting provide a new identity beyond Luka and Kyrie. If this team can win close games without their stars playing 40 minutes, they’ll be dangerous. This wasn’t just a win. It was a blueprint.
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