Cooper Flagg accomplished an important feat early in his young NBA career following the Dallas Mavericks’ 139-129 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. In 29 minutes of action, Flagg delivered a solid performance, finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a block. He shot 8-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all 4 attempts. His efforts helped the Mavericks secure their first home win of the season. Not only that, but the rookie forward also earned the first victory of his NBA career—a promising sign for the former Duke star.
### How Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks Played Against the Raptors
The win marked a strong bounce-back for both Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks after previous losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. The game was tightly contested throughout the first half, with the Raptors holding a slim 66-64 lead at halftime.
It wasn’t until the third quarter that the Mavericks took control, outscoring Toronto 39-25 over those 12 minutes. That pivotal stretch allowed Dallas to build a comfortable lead, which they maintained en route to victory.
### Key Factors in the Win
Shot selection and free throws played a significant role in the outcome. The Mavericks excelled in both areas, making 58.8% of their total field-goal attempts and converting 29 free throws. The Raptors were solid but less efficient, shooting 49% from the field and making 18 free throws.
Dallas saw balanced scoring, with seven players reaching double-digit points, including Cooper Flagg. Anthony Davis led the way with an impressive stat line of 25 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks, shooting 11-of-14 from the floor. However, he faced some struggles at the free-throw line, going 3-of-8.
D’Angelo Russell added 24 points and six assists, while PJ Washington contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. Max Christie also scored 17 points along with two assists, and Naji Marshall chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. Klay Thompson finished with 10 points and four rebounds for Dallas.
### Looking Ahead
The Mavericks will return to action at home, hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET. With Cooper Flagg showing flashes of brilliance and the team building momentum, Dallas looks to continue their strong start to the season.
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