Coming off one of the best games of his young career, Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks face a different type of challenge when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
In Dallas’ four-point victory over Miami on Monday, Flagg tied his career high with 11 assists and set a career best with five steals to go along with 29 points.
“That’s one thing about Coop, the ball comes out of his hands at the right time,” Mavericks coach Dusty May said. “If we get to where we’re really finding a rhythm offensively, he’s going to have some 15-20 assist games. There’s no question.”
Flagg might not need to reach those lofty numbers against a short-handed Thunder team, but Dallas figures to need a strong performance from its young star against one of the league’s top defensive teams.
Oklahoma City swept all three games against Dallas last season. Flagg averaged just 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the two games he played against the Thunder. All three figures were his lowest against any opponent during his rookie season.
The Thunder are coming off an emotional 125-114 home victory over Phoenix on Monday in their first game without starters Jalen Williams (fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle) and Cason Wallace (left shoulder).
Both players sustained their injuries in Sunday’s victory over the Clippers, with each facing an extended absence.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always sets the tone for Oklahoma City, but his leadership is under even greater scrutiny as the Thunder navigate the early stages of life without the injured starters.
“He’s amazing in every situation,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “But he’s amazing in this situation. His ability to empathize with his teammates and lead in the next competitive battle.”
Ajay Mitchell’s role expanded last season when Williams missed extended time, and the guard will be called upon again in his teammate’s absence.
Mitchell scored a career-high 30 points in Monday’s victory.
“Zoom out to his whole trajectory as a player, he was pretty functional and impactful even as a rookie player on a very good team,” Daigneault said of Mitchell. “… He’s kind of established that he’s a great player and that he’s got a really bright future.”
The Thunder will also be looking for greater contributions from rookies Aday Mara, Bennet Stirtz and Josh Dix.
“We don’t really have a choice,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Those guys are going to be thrown into the fire. Ultimately they’ll get better from those experiences. We’ll get better from those experiences.”
With Williams and Wallace potentially sidelined for the remainder of the season, Oklahoma City will need to find more ways to win despite having a less experienced roster than the one that finished with the NBA’s best record last season.
“We’re a no-excuse team,” Isaiah Hartenstein said. “Guys have to step up, and we trust everybody on the court.”
Center Chet Holmgren (right knee) will miss his second consecutive game for Oklahoma City, while guard Alex Caruso will also sit out after spraining his right ankle in Monday’s win.
The Thunder are just the second team in NBA history to open three consecutive seasons with four straight wins.
A victory Wednesday would make them the first team ever to win their first five games in three consecutive seasons.
Wednesday’s game begins a stretch in which Dallas will play six of seven games at home. For Oklahoma City, it marks the start of a stretch in which the Thunder will play eight of 10 games on the road.
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (left knee) is listed as questionable. Rookie guard Sergio De Larrea will miss the game after spraining his right knee in Monday’s victory.
