October 15, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV – The Dallas Mavericks found their rhythm late Wednesday night, pulling away from the Los Angeles Lakers for a convincing 121–94 preseason victory at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. What began as a sluggish, uneven contest turned into a commanding showcase for Dallas’s size, balance, and depth — though not without cause for concern about the team’s offensive cohesion.

Head coach Jason Kidd once again rolled out his massive starting lineup, featuring rookie phenom Cooper Flagg at point guard alongside Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. The Lakers, resting LeBron James and Anthony Davis, appeared unfazed early, storming ahead behind red-hot shooting from Gabe Vincent, who buried five three-pointers in the opening minutes.

Dallas trailed by double digits before D’Angelo Russell, Naji Marshall, and Max Christie provided a needed spark off the bench, closing the deficit to four by the end of the first quarter with Los Angeles up 36–32.

Lakers Control Early, Mavericks Stumble Through Second Quarter

The second quarter exposed Dallas’s offensive inconsistency. Poor shooting and disjointed spacing stifled ball movement, and even with the size advantage, the Mavericks struggled to capitalize in the paint. The Lakers, despite playing mostly reserves, looked more cohesive.

Dallas’s only offensive life came from transition bursts and free throws. The Mavericks shot under 40% from the field in the first half and just 25% from beyond the arc, entering halftime down 66–53.

“We were stagnant,” Kidd said postgame. “Our defense wasn’t feeding our offense, and the ball movement wasn’t there. But I liked how we responded.”

Flagg Sparks Comeback, Lively Finishes the Job

Rookie Cooper Flagg, who had a quiet first half, ignited the turnaround early in the third. His energy, rebounding, and defensive presence helped Dallas chip away at the deficit. Flagg finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, once again showing flashes of two-way versatility.

Dallas’s defense began to tighten, forcing turnovers and converting on the break. Veteran shooters Thompson and Washington hit timely shots, and Lively began to impose his will inside. By the end of the third, Dallas had clawed back within two, 86–84.

The Mavericks’ breakthrough came early in the fourth when Lively scored on back-to-back jump hooks to give Dallas its first lead of the night. Kidd kept his rotation players on the floor longer than usual for a preseason game, hoping to simulate a regular-season finish — and it paid off.

When Kidd finally went to the bench, Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy closed the show. Hardy poured in nine quick points, and the Mavericks defense suffocated Los Angeles, holding the Lakers to just eight points in the quarter. Dallas ended the game on a 37–8 run, turning a nail-biter into a rout.

Key Takeaways: Progress and Puzzles

The Mavericks leave Las Vegas with more answers than questions — but not all of them positive. Dallas’s offense remains a work in progress. The heavy reliance on dribble hand-offs and midrange sets continues to limit spacing, and the team shot just 28% from three-point range despite quality looks.

“We’ve got to hit shots,” said Thompson, who finished with 15 points. “We’re getting open looks, we just have to start making them. Once that happens, everything else opens up.”

Defensively, however, the Mavericks are beginning to show their potential. They forced 17 turnovers, held the Lakers to 39% shooting, and dominated the boards 54–39.

Flagg’s development as a primary ball-handler remains the biggest storyline. The 19-year-old No. 1 overall pick continues to play beyond his years, but the Mavericks’ reliance on his all-around impact underscores how essential his growth will be to the team’s long-term success.

Final Thoughts

Preseason or not, this game offered a glimpse into what Dallas could be — powerful, deep, and disruptive when engaged — and what they still must fix to contend in the West.

“This team has a high ceiling,” Kidd said. “We’re learning how to play together, and nights like this show the progress.”

If Wednesday’s 121–94 win is any indication, the Mavericks are beginning to find their form — but there’s still work to do before those lessons translate into regular-season success.