The Dallas Mavericks just can’t catch a break right now. Honestly, if you’re looking for who won the Dallas Mavericks basketball game, the answer is the Denver Nuggets, who walked out of the American Airlines Center with a 118-109 victory on Wednesday night. But the final score doesn't even come close to telling the full story of what was a chaotic, frustrating, and kind of scary night for Mavs fans.
It’s one thing to lose a game. It’s another thing entirely to watch your future cornerstone limp to the locker room.
What happened to Cooper Flagg?
The biggest headline wasn't Jamal Murray's 33 points, though those were definitely a problem. It was Cooper Flagg. The rookie No. 1 overall pick—the guy everyone in Dallas is pinning their hopes on—sprained his left ankle with about six minutes left in the second quarter. He stepped on Peyton Watson's foot while trying to play defense, and you could immediately tell something was wrong. He tried to come back and play the last few minutes before halftime, but the medical staff wisely shut him down for the second half.
Basically, the Mavericks' depth is being tested in a way that feels almost cruel.
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Why the Denver Nuggets won the Dallas Mavericks basketball game
Denver didn’t just win because of injuries; they played like a team that knows exactly who they are. Jamal Murray was clinical. He finished with 33 points, hitting the big shots every single time Dallas threatened to make a real run. Aaron Gordon added 22, and Peyton Watson chipped in 18.
Dallas actually made it interesting. At one point, they were down by 23 points. Twenty-three.
But Naji Marshall (who had a career-best night with 24 points) and Brandon Williams (20 points) refused to go away. They cut that lead down to just five points early in the fourth quarter. The arena was finally waking up. Then, Tim Hardaway Jr.—yep, the former Maverick himself—hit a massive three-pointer to spark a 13-2 Nuggets run that effectively iced the game.
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A historically bad shooting night
If you want to know why Dallas couldn't finish the comeback, look at the three-point line. It was ugly. Like, historically bad. The Mavericks shot 14.7% from deep. That is 5-of-34. You aren't winning many NBA games in 2026 when you miss 29 threes.
- Jamal Murray: 33 points, 5 assists, absolute closer.
- Naji Marshall: 24 points, kept the Mavs alive.
- Brandon Williams: 20 points, a bright spot in a dark night.
- Aaron Gordon: 22 points, dominated the shorthanded Dallas frontcourt.
The injury report for Dallas is starting to look like a novel. Anthony Davis is out with a hand injury. Kyrie Irving is recovering from knee surgery. Dereck Lively II is gone for the season. And now, both Cooper Flagg and Daniel Gafford (who also left with an ankle issue) are up in the air.
Jason Kidd said it best after the game: "Character is going to be tested."
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The road ahead for Dallas
The Mavericks fell to 15-26 with this loss. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially since they have to turn right around and play the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
If you’re tracking the standings, Denver improved to 28-13, solidifying their spot as one of the best in the West. For Dallas, the focus shifts from the scoreboard to the training room. They need bodies back, and they need them fast.
Actionable Insights for Mavs Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Cooper Flagg’s status for the Utah game; ankle sprains are tricky, and with his history, they might be extra cautious.
- Watch the Bench: With the starters thin, guys like Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard are going to get heavy minutes. Their development is the silver lining here.
- Check the Betting Lines: If the Mavs are missing both Flagg and Gafford against Utah, expect the line to move significantly toward the Jazz, even if Utah is struggling.
The Mavericks are in a dogfight just to stay relevant this season, and while the Nuggets took the "W" tonight, the real battle is just beginning in the Dallas medical wing.