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Mavs rout Thunder 120-96 behind Flagg's 26 points

Dallas improves to 3-2 with a dominant home victory over Oklahoma City, who falls to 4-1 after a fourth-quarter collapse.

Demarcus Fields· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

October 29, 20261 min read

Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NBAFinal
Oklahoma City Thunder96
Dallas Mavericks120

October 28, 2026

A Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals Victory

The Dallas Mavericks secured a decisive 120-96 home win against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The game’s defining moment arrived in the final period when Dallas outscored the visitors 30-15, turning a manageable lead into a commanding 24-point victory at the American Airlines Center.

First Half Remains Tight

Dallas opened with slight momentum, taking a 33-30 lead after the first quarter. The Mavericks extended their advantage slightly in the second period, winning the quarter 32-29 to enter halftime with a nine-point cushion (65-56). Both teams traded baskets efficiently through the first two periods, but Oklahoma City struggled to maintain the offensive tempo established earlier in the contest.

Third Quarter Momentum Shifts

The Thunder attempted to rally in the third quarter, winning the period 22-19. However, Dallas responded with key scoring runs to maintain control. By the end of the third, the Mavericks held a 94-81 lead. Cooper Flagg contributed significantly to the offensive effort, finishing with 26 points and 8 assists. Daniel Gafford controlled the glass for Dallas, grabbing 11 rebounds.

Oklahoma City Collapses in Final Period

Oklahoma City’s defense fractured in the fourth quarter. The Thunder were held to just 15 points in the final 12 minutes while Dallas poured in 30. Ajay Mitchell led all scorers with 29 points, including crucial third-quarter baskets, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Jared McCain dished out 4 assists for Oklahoma City, and Isaiah Hartenstein secured 14 rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Thunder could not stop Dallas’s balanced attack in the closing minutes.

Final Records

With this result, the Dallas Mavericks improve their record to 3-2. The Oklahoma City Thunder drop to 4-1. The game drew an attendance of 18,111 fans to the American Airlines Center.

Sources

ESPN

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Demarcus Fields· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

Demarcus Fields covers Celina Bobcats athletics and high school and area sports.

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