Klay Thompson ran back the clock with six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 23 points, Cooper Flagg scored a season-high 35 points and the Dallas Mavericks held off the Los Angeles Clippers 114-110 on Saturday night.
Resting Anthony Davis on the second night of a row, the Mavericks trailed 103-101 after a John Collins 3-pointer for the Clippers with 2:22 remaining.
But Thompson, playing in his hometown, capped a final 17-point period with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:52 to play, Flagg lost in three sets of two lead-extending free throws in the final 1:20 and the Mavericks kept the Clippers at arm’s length en route to ending a three-game losing streak.
In a game where neither team led by more than 10, the Clippers found themselves trailing 87-83 after a 3-point basket by Thompson in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
The game then turned into a duel between Thompson and Kawhi Leonard, with Thompson connecting on four 3-pointers among his 17 points in the final 12 minutes, while Leonard countered with a three-point play, a jumper and four more free throws over the final 10:40.
Thompson’s 20-point night was only his second of the season. He had contributed just 10 points to a 129-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers when the Mavericks announced a two-night trip to Southern California on Friday.
Flagg’s 35 points were six more than his previous record. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft made 13 of 22 shots and nine of 11 free throw attempts while also finding time to tie eight rebounds.
Naji Marshall added 18 points, Brandon Williams 14 to go with seven assists and Dwight Powell six steals to complement nine points and five rebounds for the Mavericks, who overturned a double-overtime home loss to Los Angeles.
Leonard had a team-high 30 points and James Harden 29 for the Clippers, who lost for the second time at home in two nights after falling to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Harden had a double-double with 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Ivica Zubac had a double-double of her own with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Collins contributed 21 points and three blocks for the Clippers, who lost their fourth straight game.
–Field media/Reuters
