‘Extra Little Something’: Cooper Flagg Says NBA Cup Gives Dallas Mavericks Extra Motivation After 2-0 Start In Group Play
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are 2-0 in West Group A of the NBA Cup. They beat the Utah Jazz 112-100 at American Airlines Center on Friday night, a week after opening group play with a 116-111 home win over the Houston Rockets.
Across the two Cup games, Dallas has outscored its opponents by 17 points. Point differential is among the tiebreakers in group play.
The Cup has given Dallas a little extra motivation, Cooper Flagg said, and the Mavericks have played with a little extra energy in both games.
“Obviously, I think with the Cup, it’s given you a little bit of that extra motivation, playing for extra little something,” Flagg said. “So I think just effort that we’ve shown, obviously in the Rockets game and then tonight, just coming out and playing with a little bit extra energy is, I think it’s been good.”
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks Pull Away In The Third Quarter
Against Houston on Oct. 30, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and Flagg had 33. Friday, P.J. Washington scored 22 of his 26 points in the first half, and the game was tied 57-57 at halftime.
Flagg scored 15 of his 21 points in the third quarter, and Dallas outscored Utah 32-19 in the period. He finished with 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Morez Johnson Jr., the ninth overall pick in June, had 13 points and 17 rebounds off the bench.
Flagg went first overall in 2025. He and Johnson will show up every night and compete at a high level, Flagg said.
“I think it’s something that stands out with us, and something that I think is really going to be key for us is just our effort,” Flagg explained. “I think we’re two guys that, obviously we’re talented, but it more comes down to the mentality and effort, and we’re gonna show up every night and play our hardest to win and compete at a really high level.”
“So I think that’s just something to expect, and that’s the standard we’re trying to set, and the culture we’re trying to build is just a high-level competing culture where we’re not just going through the motions,” Flagg added.
In the second half, Dallas came out with a different defensive tempo and competitive spirit, Flagg said. Utah committed 7 turnovers in the third quarter, and Dallas committed 1.
“I think definitely. I think that’s what went into it. A lot of the time, even if shots aren’t going in, you got to find ways to impact the game,” Flagg said. “So I thought as a team, second half we came out with a different defensive tempo and competitive spirit, and I think that led to a lot of easier ones for us.”
What Remains In West Group A
West Group A includes Dallas, Utah, Houston, the Denver Nuggets, and the Phoenix Suns. Each team plays the other four once in group play, which runs through Nov. 27.
Dallas has two group games left, against Denver and Phoenix. Utah fell to 0-1 in Cup play and 1-8 overall with its seventh straight loss.
The winner of each group and one wild card from each conference advance to the eight-team knockout round. The NBA Cup championship game is Dec. 11.
The win also snapped a two-game losing streak and moved Dallas to 5-4. The Mavericks host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at American Airlines Center, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
