Dallas Mavs vs. Thunder Preseason Game
The Dallas Mavericks opened their 2025 preseason in style Monday night, cruising to a dominant 106–89 victory over the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The matchup, held inside Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, gave local fans a first look at Dallas’ revamped roster and a promising debut for rookie standout Cooper Flagg.
A Fast Start in “Funky Town”
Dallas wasted no time asserting control. Their frontcourt dominated early, attacking the paint and drawing consistent fouls to build momentum. The Mavericks went a perfect 11 for 11 from the free-throw line in the first quarter and controlled the boards on both ends. Oklahoma City, resting several key players including Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Chet Holmgren, struggled to generate rhythm against Dallas’ size and energy. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg stole the show in the second quarter. The 18-year-old poured in 10 points in less than three minutes, flashing a complete offensive package with aggressive drives, pull-up jumpers, and two smooth three-pointers. Behind his spark, Dallas closed the first half with a commanding 66 to 40 lead.
Depth, Defense, and Dominance
With the starters sitting most of the second half, the Mavericks’ bench extended the cushion. Center Mousa Cisse made his presence felt with three blocks, while Max Christie added timely buckets and strong defensive rotations. Even with Oklahoma City’s reserves making a brief fourth-quarter run, Dallas never relinquished control. The Mavericks outscored the Thunder 30 to 12 in the paint through the first half and finished with 11 total blocks, with eight different players getting in on the defensive action. That versatility and depth were key takeaways for head coach Jason Kidd, who has emphasized interior toughness and bench consistency heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
Standout Performances
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 14 points in limited minutes, showing confidence in midrange sets and transition play. Christie and D’Angelo Russell displayed early chemistry, connecting on several backdoor cuts and pick and roll reads. But the night clearly belonged to Cooper Flagg, whose preseason debut not only energized the crowd but hinted at a player ready to contribute right away. Meanwhile, the Thunder, still shaking off offseason rust, leaned on Jalen Williams and rookie Jaylin Tyson for scoring. Both flashed promise but struggled against Dallas’ rim protection.
What It Means for Dallas
For a preseason opener, this game revealed plenty about the Mavericks’ direction. The combination of size, defensive intensity, and balanced scoring suggested a deeper, more physical Dallas team than last season’s iteration. Even without Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks looked cohesive, confident, and far more disciplined at the line — an early sign of improvement from a key weakness in 2024–25. The Thunder’s loss carried little long-term consequence, given their stars rested. But it offered a useful test for their bench and developmental players against a team playing with structure and urgency.
Looking Ahead
Dallas will continue its preseason slate this week, rotating through lineups and giving young players extended minutes before the regular season tips off. If their debut performance in Fort Worth is any indication, the Mavericks appear poised to make a serious push in the Western Conference, built not just around star power but around emerging depth and defensive grit.
