Dallas Mavericks NBA Portland Trail Blazers

‘We Found a Way to Win’: Dallas Mavericks Outlast Portland Trail Blazers In Overtime Behind Late Execution, Seven Double-Figure Scorers

Grant AfsethNovember 16, 2025November 16, 2025no comment

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks opened a demanding five-games-in-seven-days stretch with their most resilient win of the season, outlasting the Portland Trail Blazers 138–133 in overtime on Sunday night. Dallas improved to 4–10 overall and 3–8 in clutch games, snapping a three-game losing streak and earning its first Western Conference victory of the season.

The Mavericks needed every bit of composure to get there. Portland opened the game with a 37-point first quarter, capitalizing on seven Dallas turnovers and overwhelming the Mavericks on the offensive glass. Shaedon Sharpe attacked relentlessly on his way to 36 points, while Donovan Clingan’s activity inside — including seven offensive rebounds — repeatedly extended possessions and fueled the Trail Blazers’ early control.

Dallas trailed 37–29 after one despite Daniel Gafford’s early efficiency in the paint. Deni Avdija (29 points, seven assists) and Jerami Grant (26 points) continued to apply pressure throughout the first half, helping Portland maintain a 61–57 lead at halftime.

Dallas steadied itself in the second quarter through Brandon Williams’ tempo and Max Christie’s shotmaking. Williams’ willingness to attack downhill created openings that helped the Mavericks stay within striking range, while Christie delivered three first-half threes on his way to 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, trimming the deficit to four by the break.

The momentum shifted in the third quarter when Cooper Flagg began to find his places on the floor. After attempting only three shots before halftime, the rookie scored 10 points in the third frame, using patience and size to get into the paint and generate better looks. Even with his surge, Portland entered the fourth quarter holding a 91–85 lead, buoyed by Sharpe’s scoring bursts and Avdija’s steady control of the offense.

Dallas finally broke through in the fourth. The Mavericks tightened their half-court defense, reduced turnovers, and attacked the interior with purpose, producing a 33-point quarter that included some of their most timely plays of the season. P.J. Washington drilled a top-of-the-key three as the shot clock expired to briefly give Dallas a late lead, and Christie followed with a corner three that helped send the game into overtime.

Dallas controlled the extra period from the opening possession. The Mavericks shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, all two-pointers, and outscored Portland 20–15, leaning on Gafford’s interior finishing, Flagg’s playmaking and Klay Thompson’s floor spacing to close the game out.

Dereck Lively II added rim protection with two blocks in 12 minutes before fouling out, while Naji Marshall (nine points, nine rebounds) and D’Angelo Russell (12 points, seven assists) supplied crucial bench support. Dallas finished with seven players in double figures and shot 51% from the field and 44% from three, overcoming Portland’s 22 offensive rebounds and 32 second-chance points.

Cooper Flagg Shows Poise After Halftime Talk From Daniel Gafford

Cooper Flagg’s night began with visible frustration. He took only three shots in the first half and had difficulty finding offensive rhythm as Portland’s early physicality disrupted his timing. During the halftime break, veteran center Daniel Gafford approached him with a message meant to reset the rookie’s mindset.

“He was frustrated at halftime,” Gafford said while reflecting on the importance of steadying his teammate. “I told him to slow down — it’ll come to him. The game finds you.”

Flagg said that conversation helped him regroup before the third quarter began.

“He told me to keep my head up,” Flagg said. “It wasn’t a great first half. He gave me confidence and told me to be aggressive.”

The rookie responded by taking over the second half, scoring 19 of his 21 points after intermission and finishing with eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks. His biggest play came in overtime, when he jumped for a defensive rebound over Shaedon Sharpe and immediately threw a full-court outlet to P.J. Washington for a momentum-shifting dunk.

“We love to turn defense into offense,” Flagg said when describing the sequence. “We get a steal or rebound, and I saw him running. Made a heads-up play and threw it down there.”

As he reflected on his approach in critical moments, Flagg pointed to simple reads that came with experience. Portland closed the game with a small ball unit while Clingan sat on the bench — creating chances for Flagg to use his size getting downhill and in the post.

“Late in games, you have to get in the paint,” he said. “They didn’t have shot-blocking on the floor, so we used our size.”

Gafford said Flagg’s growing voice is becoming just as important as his production.

“When he talks it’s contagious,” Gafford said. “He made big plays, got stops.”

Brandon Williams’ Pace Helps Shape the Offense

With Kyrie Irving, Danté Exum and Ryan Nembhard still unavailable, Brandon Williams once again had to shoulder primary playmaking duties. The second-year guard responded with 15 points and six assists, providing downhill pressure that helped Dallas find early offense.

Jason Kidd said after the game that Williams’ speed fundamentally shifts Dallas’ attack.

“Speed,” Kidd said, expanding on what Williams brings to the lineup. “He’s learning the game and learning on the fly how to set the table for others. The speed he brings keeps our pace high. The pick-and-roll with him and Cooper Flagg at the end is something we need to look at more.”

Flagg said that growing partnership is becoming increasingly important in late-game situations.

“Brandon Williams has been incredible,” Flagg said. “High energy, so quick, uses his speed to get downhill and find guys. Our chemistry in the two-man game late in games has been really good.”

Washington echoed that Williams has filled a crucial role during this stretch of injuries.

“Really good,” Washington said. “Getting downhill, getting into the paint, making good decisions, finishing, kicking out, pushing pace. He has to keep playing that way.”

P.J. Washington Finds His Rhythm With Season-High Five Threes

P.J. Washington returned from a one-game absence due to a left shoulder strain and delivered his most productive offensive performance of the season. He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and a season-high five made threes, including the critical late-clock shot that momentarily put Dallas ahead in the fourth quarter.

Washington said the performance felt overdue.

“About time,” Washington said, reflecting on breaking out of his early-season slump. “I couldn’t hit the whole season. Felt good to see a couple go in. Just trying to be aggressive and shoot with confidence. I’ve worked on it. I’ll be better from there.”

Kidd said Washington needed a few possessions to find his rhythm but quickly settled into the game.

“Defensively, sometimes you’re out with an injury and you’re trying to get your rhythm back,” Kidd said. “He had some turnovers early, but he settled down, made some big shots, and took the challenge of guarding their best offensive player.”

Washington has also taken an active role in helping guide Flagg through matchups and late-game reads, something he said he embraces.

“Trying to read how guys play him and give him an overlook of who he’s guarding — strengths, weaknesses, where to force them,” Washington said. “He’s adjusting. He’ll be a phenomenal player. I’m trying to mentor him and give him everything I know.”

His two-handed dunk in overtime, coming off Flagg’s full-court pass, helped ignite the home crowd.

“Feels good,” Washington said. “We’re winning and getting the crowd involved. Helps us a lot.”

Daniel Gafford Dominates Overtime Despite Playing Hurt

Daniel Gafford delivered his most assertive performance of the season, recording 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 8-of-10 from the line. With Dereck Lively II fouling out, Gafford became Dallas’ primary interior anchor during the game’s most decisive minutes.

Reflecting on the team’s composure late, Gafford said the Mavericks stayed connected in ways they had failed to earlier in the season.

“I loved how we stayed calm and finished the game way better than in other close ones,” Gafford said. “Taking care of the ball, executing down the stretch. We had some lapses, but we learned from them on the fly.”

Gafford played through visible ankle discomfort, something he downplayed afterward.

“Yeah. Not the best, but I’m an Arkansas boy,” Gafford said. “We put it in mud, come back the next day, clean it off, rub some dirt on it, and we’re good.”

Kidd said Gafford’s halftime voice helped change the game’s trajectory.

“Daniel Gafford did everything for us tonight with his fight,” Kidd said. “He spoke up at halftime that he wasn’t going to let those offensive rebounds happen again.”

Gafford said the team’s rebounding adjustments required full commitment.

“Everybody was flying around,” Gafford said. “Perimeter guys crashed. Bodies everywhere. We adjusted the right way.”

Klay Thompson’s Shooting Gravity Unlocks the Offense

Klay Thompson finished with 19 points and five threes, but his impact extended far beyond shot-making. His movement and off-ball gravity opened driving lanes throughout the second half and overtime.

Gafford said Thompson’s presence changes the complexion of every possession.

“Teams overplay him because of his gravity,” Gafford said. “It opens things up. One of the best shooters in the world — you have to get the ball in his hands.”

Kidd said Dallas has leaned more into actions designed to free Thompson through screens and dribble-handoff sequences.

“Looking for him and setting screens,” Kidd said. “Playing dribble handoffs, turning them down. The trust he has to come back and get it. We have to keep leaning into it because he’s playing at a high level.”

Washington said Thompson’s presence tilted Portland’s defense all night.

“He has so much gravity,” Washington said. “Putting him in actions makes defenses react and opens everything up.”

Anthony Davis’ Return Delayed; Kidd Details the Plan

Before the game, Jason Kidd confirmed that Anthony Davis will miss another 7–10 days as he recovers from a left calf strain. Davis has now missed 31 of 47 possible games since joining Dallas and watched Sunday’s win from the bench while wearing a Green Bay Packers Jordan Love jersey.

Kidd said Davis is eager to return but must clear medical checkpoints.

“He wants to play,” Kidd said. “He’s doing everything to get back. Looking at his appointment yesterday and seeing that it’s going to take another seven to ten days… he wants to be out there to help us.”

The continued absence has accelerated Flagg’s defensive growth, something Kidd said the team embraces.

“For Cooper, I don’t think it changes,” Kidd said. “It just gives him the ability to go against the best defender — whether it’s a wing or a big. He’s grown in those situations.”

Kidd added that Dallas’ late-game challenges are part of a learning curve the team must navigate regardless of who is available.

“You gotta go through it,” Kidd said. “When you fail, you go back and look at film. Can you stack the right play? That’s the name of the game.”

Dallas Mavericks Face Quick Turnaround

The Mavericks travel immediately to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Monday night, completing their back-to-back as their stretch of five games in seven days continues.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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