Cooper Flagg, Mavs Criticized by NBA Fans Despite Win vs. Wizards to End Losing Streak
Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks edged the one-win Washington Wizards 111–105 on the road Saturday night, rallying in the fourth quarter for a comeback win.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Dallas as they look to build momentum despite sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings at 3-7.
Flagg finished with 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, shooting 40 percent from the field while setting the tone on both ends.
Naji Marshall led the charge for the Mavericks with 30 points and eight rebounds, providing a key spark offensively, while P.J. Washington added 14 points, including two clutch baskets down the stretch to secure the win.
Washington's CJ McCollum led the Wizards with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, but his performance wasn't enough to stop Dallas' late push.
Despite the victory, Flagg and the Mavericks faced criticism for narrowly escaping against a one-win Washington team in the final minutes of Saturday's game.
In a tightly contested matchup, Dallas' Marshall led the way with 17 points, while Cooper Flagg added four as the Mavericks took a narrow 57–53 lead into halftime.
The Wizards battled back to grab a slim four-point advantage entering the final quarter, led by Cam Whitmore's 19 points through three frames as both teams traded momentum throughout.
With the game on the line in the final minute and a half, Dallas' Washington hit two key baskets and clutch free throws to pull ahead and seal the win.
The Mavericks will open a four-game homestand Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
