The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 101–94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on October 28, 2025. For the Mavericks, the night was defined by frustration and missed chances, but for rookie forward Cooper Flagg, it was a personal low point in his young NBA career.
Playing in his first back-to-back set as a professional, Flagg endured the toughest game of his season so far. He scored just two points on one-for-nine shooting from the field, adding only two rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes of action. The night began on a worrying note as Flagg appeared to tweak his left shoulder on the opening possession. The injury visibly affected his rhythm, limiting his shooting motion and confidence throughout the game.
Despite his usual energy and defensive hustle, Flagg’s offensive touch never arrived. He missed all three of his attempts from three-point range and scored his only basket on a contested floater late in the first half. As the Mavericks mounted a late comeback in the fourth quarter, head coach Jason Kidd opted to leave the rookie on the bench for much of the closing stretch. He finished the game with a team-worst plus/minus of minus twenty, an uncharacteristic outing for a player who has already shown flashes of future stardom.
The Mavericks’ loss dropped their record to one win and three losses, while the Thunder improved to four and zero, maintaining their place atop the Western Conference standings. Oklahoma City’s dominance inside made the difference. The defending champions controlled the paint, outscoring Dallas sixty-eight to thirty-six, and won the rebounding battle fifty-five to thirty-six. Their physicality and relentless transition game proved too much for a Dallas team still searching for early-season chemistry.
After the game, Jason Kidd spoke about Flagg’s performance and the visible discomfort he played through. “He’s a little banged up, but he’s a tough kid,” Kidd said. “He wanted to stay out there and compete. That’s what you love about him.” The rookie’s effort was never in question, but the pain in his shoulder was evident with every missed shot and grimace.
Flagg addressed reporters briefly, acknowledging the injury but remaining upbeat about his recovery. He confirmed that he would undergo an MRI on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage but said he was hopeful about playing in the team’s next game against the Indiana Pacers. “It’s sore, but I’ll be fine,” he said. “I just need to see how it feels tomorrow.”
For the Mavericks, the defeat highlighted the growing pains that come with integrating young talent into a competitive roster. The team showed flashes of brilliance during their fourth-quarter rally, but inconsistency and poor shooting plagued them all night. Dallas will need to find ways to ease the scoring burden on their rookies while addressing defensive lapses that have cost them close games early in the season.
For the Thunder, the story remains one of momentum and cohesion. Their balanced attack and interior dominance once again carried them to victory, extending a strong start that has reinforced their status as championship contenders.
As for Cooper Flagg, the game will likely serve as a reminder of the physical and mental grind of an NBA season. Every rookie hits a wall, and this was his first real collision with it. How he responds will reveal much about the character and resilience that made him one of basketball’s most anticipated prospects. The Mavericks will be hoping that his shoulder heals quickly—and that the lessons from this tough night fuel his return to form when he steps back onto the court in Indianapolis.
