The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as Cooper Flagg led the winners with 26 points and eight assists. Dallas won every quarter at American Airlines Center, turning a six-point halftime advantage into a comfortable victory behind superior three-point production and a strong second half.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Mavericks Establish a Narrow Edge
Dallas opened with a 33-30 advantage. Oklahoma City kept the opening period competitive, but the Mavericks put together the first of four quarters in which they outscored the visitors.
Second Quarter: Dallas Extends Its Halftime Lead
The Mavericks added another three points to their advantage by winning the second quarter 32-29. Dallas entered halftime ahead 65-59, with Oklahoma City still within reach after scoring 59 first-half points.
Third Quarter: Separation After the Break
Dallas outscored Oklahoma City 29-22 in the third, stretching its lead to 94-81. The Thunder’s scoring declined for the third consecutive quarter, while the Mavericks maintained enough offensive production to build a double-digit cushion.
Fourth Quarter: Mavericks Complete the Win
The Mavericks finished with a 26-15 fourth quarter to secure the 24-point victory. Dallas outscored Oklahoma City 55-37 after halftime, holding the Thunder to just 15 points in the final period.
Key Performers
- Cooper Flagg, Dallas: Delivered 26 points and eight assists, leading the Mavericks in both categories.
- Daniel Gafford, Dallas: Collected a team-high 11 rebounds as the Mavericks finished with a 49-43 rebounding advantage.
- Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City: Led all scorers with 29 points, providing the Thunder’s highest individual scoring total.
- Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City: Led both teams with 14 rebounds.
- Jared McCain, Oklahoma City: Paced the Thunder with four assists.
NerdSports Stat: Dallas outscored Oklahoma City by 33 points from three-point range—nine more than its overall margin of victory.
Game Analysis
Three-point production provided the clearest separation. Dallas made 16 of 45 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 35.6%. Oklahoma City finished 5-for-32, or 15.6%. That difference gave the Mavericks 48 points from threes compared with just 15 for the Thunder.
Dallas also held an advantage in overall efficiency, shooting 47.4% from the field to Oklahoma City’s 41.4%. The Mavericks recorded 30 assists on 46 made field goals, while the Thunder finished with 17 assists on 36 baskets. Flagg’s eight assists were central to that team-wide production.
Oklahoma City had the better free-throw return, making 19 of 23 attempts compared with Dallas’ 12 of 15. But that seven-point advantage could not offset the difference from long range or the Thunder’s reduced scoring after halftime.
With attention surrounding Flagg’s partnership with Kyrie Irving, this performance offered a clear example of Flagg’s scoring and playmaking value. He led Dallas in both areas as the Mavericks paired steady offense with a second half in which Oklahoma City managed only 37 points.
What the Result Means and What’s Next
Dallas improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 at home, while Oklahoma City took its first loss to fall to 4-1 overall and 1-1 on the road. The Mavericks next host the Houston Rockets on Friday, October 30, at 5:00 p.m. PDT. The Thunder next host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, November 2, at 4:00 p.m. PST.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96 on October 28, 2026.
Ajay Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points. His individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.
After the win, the Dallas Mavericks sit at 3-2 in the Western Conference. Their exact conference position was not provided.
Cooper Flagg was the standout performer for Dallas with 26 points and eight assists, leading the Mavericks in both categories during the 120-96 victory.
