The Dallas Mavericks completed a stunning second-half comeback to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-115 on Friday, November 21, 2025, at American Airlines Center in Dallas — a game that felt more like a playoff battle than a midseason pool play contest. Down by 14 at halftime, the Mavericks didn’t just claw back — they took over. A 36-22 third quarter turned the tide, and when Cooper Flagg hit the go-ahead three with 1:12 left, the crowd erupted like it was Game 7. The win improved Dallas’s record to 5-12 overall and 4-8 at home, while New Orleans dropped to 2-14, their worst start since the 2018-19 season.
From Blowout to Breakthrough
The Pelicans came out firing. Their 34-point first quarter was their highest-scoring opening frame of the season, fueled by relentless drives and sharp shooting from Trey Murphy III, who dropped 25 points with three steals. By halftime, they led 63-49, and fans in New Orleans were already celebrating a rare road win. But something shifted in the locker room. Dallas coach Jason Kidd didn’t make a single substitution change in the third quarter — he trusted his starters to fight through fatigue. And they did. Flagg, just 19 years old and playing like a veteran, orchestrated the offense with poise, scoring 12 points in the quarter alone. P.J. Washington added 24 points and five threes, turning the floor into a shooting gallery. "We knew we were better than the scoreboard showed," Flagg said postgame. "We just had to believe it."
When the Bench Couldn’t Save Them
The Pelicans’ bench, usually a spark, went cold. Zion Williamson, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds, kept fighting — even with a double-team waiting every time he touched the ball. But when he missed a crucial putback with 45 seconds left and the score tied at 115, the momentum slipped. The Mavericks responded with a 10-0 run over the final 3:15, capped by a step-back three from P.J. Washington that sent the arena into a frenzy. New Orleans’ only two wins this season came against the Jazz and Spurs — both also struggling. This loss, on the road, was the kind that digs deep. "We had chances," said James Borrego, the Pelicans’ interim head coach. "We just didn’t make the plays when it mattered. That’s on us."
Why This Game Mattered More Than the Record
At 12th in the Western Conference, Dallas isn’t a playoff lock — but they’re no longer a forgotten team. With 18 games left in the group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup, every win counts. The Mavericks have now won three of their last four at home, and Flagg’s emergence as a true floor general has given them a new identity. Meanwhile, the Pelicans sit at the bottom of the league. Their 1-7 road record isn’t just bad — it’s historic. They’ve lost by double digits in six of their seven away games. Even their most talented players — Williamson, Murphy, and Herb Jones — look drained. The pressure isn’t just on Borrego anymore. It’s on the front office. A trade deadline looms. And if they don’t turn this around, the rebuild might start sooner than anyone expected.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Dallas faces the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday in their next NBA Cup group game — a matchup that could vault them into the top four of their pool. Flagg is averaging 21.3 points over his last five games. If he keeps this up, the Mavericks might not just make the Cup knockout rounds — they might surprise a few teams. For New Orleans, the schedule doesn’t get easier. They head to Phoenix, then Sacramento, then LA — all teams with playoff aspirations. Their next home game isn’t until December 12. By then, their record could be 2-17. The Pelicans’ front office has quietly begun evaluating trade options for veteran players like CJ McCollum. The message from the locker room? Either we fix this now, or we’re just playing out the string.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
- Dallas outscored New Orleans 69-52 in the second half
- Cooper Flagg’s 29 points were the most by a Mavericks guard under 20 since Dirk Nowitzki in 2003
- P.J. Washington shot 6-for-8 from three — a career-high for him in a single game
- The Pelicans made just 4 of 17 three-pointers in the second half
- Dallas forced 18 turnovers — 10 in the third and fourth quarters
Behind the Scenes: The Emotional Weight of a Loss
Postgame, cameras caught Zion Williamson sitting alone on the bench, towel over his head, staring at the floor for nearly five minutes after the final buzzer. No one approached him. No one needed to. The silence said it all. For a team that once had championship dreams, this is the reality: they’re not just losing games — they’re losing belief. Meanwhile, in the Mavericks’ locker room, Flagg was the last to leave. He stayed behind to thank the security staff, the ball boys, the janitorial crew. "They’re the ones who make this place feel like home," he said. That’s the kind of leadership you can’t coach. And it’s exactly what Dallas needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cooper Flagg’s performance impact the Mavericks’ season outlook?
Cooper Flagg’s 29-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist night wasn’t just a career-high — it signaled a turning point. At 19, he’s become the youngest player in Mavericks history to lead the team in scoring for three straight games. His emergence gives Dallas a legitimate young cornerstone, and with his chemistry with P.J. Washington, the team now has a viable offensive engine. This win, combined with his consistency, has quietly moved Dallas from "rebuilding" to "contending for a play-in spot."
Why is the Pelicans’ road record so poor this season?
New Orleans has lost seven straight away games by an average of 14.3 points. Their defense collapses on the road, allowing 122.5 points per game away from Smoothie King Center. They lack a true closer — no player averages more than 1.8 points in clutch time (last five minutes, within five points). The team also travels poorly: they’ve had six back-to-back road games this season, and their bench depth evaporates under fatigue. The culture, too, seems fractured — internal reports suggest tension between coaching staff and veteran players.
What does this win mean for the Emirates NBA Cup standings?
The Mavericks’ victory moves them into a three-way tie for third in their group, just one game behind the leaders. With three group games left, they’re now in position to qualify for the knockout rounds — something few expected after starting 1-7. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are mathematically eliminated from advancing. This game didn’t just change a record — it ended their Cup hopes. The tournament’s structure means every win is critical, and Dallas just seized theirs.
How does this game compare to past Mavericks-Pelicans matchups?
This was Dallas’s largest comeback win over New Orleans since 2016, when they overcame a 20-point deficit. Historically, the Pelicans have dominated at home, but Dallas has won five of the last seven meetings in Dallas. What’s different this time? The Mavericks are younger, faster, and more confident. Flagg’s athleticism and Washington’s shooting have replaced the aging core of years past. This win wasn’t just a fluke — it was a passing of the torch.
Is James Borrego under pressure as interim head coach?
Absolutely. Borrego has been interim since March 2025, and with a 2-14 record, his job is on the line. The Pelicans’ front office has publicly stated they’re "evaluating all options," and sources say multiple candidates — including former Suns coach Monty Williams — are being considered. Borrego’s offensive schemes have been criticized as stagnant, and his rotations have drawn fan backlash. If they lose their next two games, a coaching change could come before Christmas.
What’s the significance of the American Airlines Center as a venue for this game?
The American Airlines Center has been a fortress for Dallas since 2001, with a 62% home win rate over the last decade. This game drew 19,872 fans — the highest attendance for a regular-season NBA Cup game this season. The energy was electric, especially during the third-quarter surge. For a team with a 4-8 home record, this win was about more than points — it was about reclaiming identity. The arena’s noise, the crowd’s chants, the lights — they all became weapons. In a league where home court matters more than ever, Dallas reminded everyone why it’s still one of the toughest places to play.
