‘Just Composure’: Dallas Mavericks Close With Authority To Beat Golden State Warriors As Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg Lead Fourth-Quarter Surge

The Dallas Mavericks spent months living on the wrong side of tight finishes, absorbing the kind of late-game lessons that only accumulate through repetition: a missed rotation that turns into a corner three, a hurried pass that becomes a runout, a forced shot that fuels a fast break the other way.

On Thursday night at American Airlines Center, those lessons showed up as composure.

Dallas entered the fourth quarter trailing by two, watched Stephen Curry threaten to steal the game with another deep-shooting eruption, and then responded with its most authoritative closing stretch of the season — a 39–26 fourth-quarter blitz that lifted the Mavericks past the Golden State Warriors, 123–115.

The win pushed Dallas to 19-26, kept its home record trending upward at 14-11, and extended its streak to four consecutive victories — the longest run of the year. For Golden State, the loss dropped the Warriors to 25-21 and 8-14 on the road.

Afterward, head coach Jason Kidd didn’t reduce the finish to any single play call or matchup. He described a mindset that held even as Curry heated up.

“Just composure. Taking care of the ball, but defensively understanding Steph can get going — and he got going — but I thought the group kept its composure when he went on a little mini run there on the defensive end,” Kidd said. “And then on the offensive end, I thought we did a good job of executing and sharing the ball. Christie was great again tonight. Naji was really, really good tonight too. So those two kept us together down the stretch, but it’s a great team win against a very good team.”

That “great team win” was built on a steady accumulation of winning possessions — rebounds that turned into transition, extra shots created through hustle, and enough spacing to allow Naji Marshall and Max Christie to repeatedly find daylight. Dallas finished with a 54–35 rebounding advantage, won second-chance points 24–5, and generated a 27–17 edge in fast-break points, the kind of margins that can survive even Curry’s most dangerous nights.

Stephen Curry Comes Out Firing, Dallas Mavericks Answer With Paint Pressure

The first twelve minutes set the tone: Golden State’s offense stretched the floor to its limits, and Dallas responded by leaning into the paint.

Curry opened the game with early rhythm. He hit a deep three at the 8:34 mark, then another at 7:36, then another at 6:56 — three long-range strikes in a span of just under two minutes that quickly forced the Mavericks into extended coverage above the arc. Even with Dallas tracking him tightly off the ball, Curry’s release and range demanded constant attention.

Dallas, meanwhile, started building the foundation that would decide the night later: rebounds and rim pressure.

Dwight Powell set the early physical tone with work on the boards, and Cooper Flagg announced himself with the Mavericks’ first bucket — a running layup at 10:59 after he drove through contact and earned a free throw. Marshall began probing the middle with turnarounds and floaters, while Christie’s early three at 6:24 (set up by Marshall) gave Dallas a jolt and forced Golden State to respect the perimeter.

The game turned choppy midway through the quarter — turnovers on both sides, quick runouts, and a constant tug-of-war between Golden State’s spacing and Dallas’ interior punch. Golden State ended the quarter with a late Horford three (1:28) and a Podziemski finish at the rim (1:00), taking a 27–24 lead after one.

It looked like the kind of night where Curry might force Dallas into a shooting contest — and for long stretches, that’s exactly what happened.

Dallas Mavericks’ Depth Shows, Cooper Flagg’s Rebounding Ignites the Arena

The second quarter is where Dallas started to look like the stronger, more physical team.

Kidd’s rotation produced energy immediately: Klay Thompson checked in and drilled a three at 11:11, then followed with another made jumper at 8:16. Brandon Williams came on attacking downhill, and Ryan Nembhard provided pace and early ball pressure that helped Dallas keep possessions alive.

But the defining thread of the quarter belonged to Flagg.

Even on a minutes restriction, the rookie played like a magnet for missed shots. He created extra possessions with effort rebounds, then used those same plays to trigger Dallas’ transition game.

That activity culminated in one of the game’s signature moments: Flagg tracked a Klay Thompson miss and exploded for a putback slam, a play that wasn’t just a highlight — it was a message about what Dallas was willing to do to win possessions.

Flagg later described it with a grin.

“I thought it was great. You know, it was a great miss by Klay,” Flagg said. “I wish everybody would miss like that. But yeah, it was good. Just being in the right spot and going up strong.”

Dallas consistently made Golden State work for finishes. It wasn’t a perfect defensive quarter — Curry still found lanes to attack and the Warriors still generated looks — but Dallas’ ability to get stops and then finish possessions with rebounds began tilting the math.

By halftime, the Mavericks had flipped the game, leading 55–50. The scoreboard margin mattered, but so did the underlying feel: Dallas was winning the effort areas and making Golden State defend second and third actions.

Kidd tied that to Flagg’s rebounding impact and how it fuels Dallas’ pace.

“I thought he was good in New York and he was good here again on a minute restriction,” Kidd said. “He was trying to get his rhythm back, but I thought he was good. We were teasing him about his free throws, but again, he started off rebounding the ball for us. When he does that, it starts our break and we can get out and run.”

Golden State Warriors Turn the Game With a 39-Point Burst

Golden State’s response after halftime was immediate and forceful.

The Warriors poured in 39 points in the third quarter — their highest-scoring quarter of the game — as Curry reasserted control and Dallas briefly lost its footing.

The Mavericks had moments where their offense stalled, and Golden State took advantage by running after misses and attacking before Dallas’ defense could set. Curry splashed a step-back three at 5:05 to tie the game, then another deep pull at 2:42, and another at 2:14 as the Warriors mounted sustained pressure.

Dallas fought back through Marshall’s poise. He continued to get to the middle of the floor, threading floaters and finding angles that neutralized help defenders. But as the quarter progressed, the Warriors’ perimeter shot-making — from Curry, from De’Anthony Melton, from the supporting cast — began to flip the game.

By the end of the third, Golden State had edged ahead 89–84, and Dallas entered the fourth facing another test: could it match the Warriors’ shot-making without sacrificing its identity?

Dallas Mavericks’ Composure Turns the Game Into a Statement

The final twelve minutes are where the Mavericks looked most like a team that trusts what it’s doing.

Dallas started the quarter with a jolt: Christie hit a quick two, then Flagg nailed a three at 10:48. The Mavericks chipped away until Christie tied the game 96–96 with a three at 8:26 — the building starting to hum again, the possession battle continuing to tilt toward Dallas.

From there, the Mavericks’ closing sequence became a blend of execution, physicality, and free throws — with Marshall at the center.

He hit a three at 7:20 to push Dallas ahead. He continued to pressure the rim, forcing defensive rotations and drawing fouls. Powell’s finishes and free throws piled on. Nembhard hit a step-back three at 7:50 that pushed Dallas in front and kept Golden State from fully regaining control.

Then came the hinge point of the game — the moment where the emotional temperature rose and Dallas kept its hands steady.

Midway through the fourth, Draymond Green was whistled for a flagrant foul, which set off a prolonged argument with officials and disrupted Golden State’s rhythm. Less than a minute later, another foul by Green was reviewed but not assessed as flagrant. Green continued to plead his case and later fouled out with 3:50 remaining.

Dallas took that turbulence and converted it into points.

The Mavericks ignited an 11–0 run, turning a tight game into a cushion. Marshall scored at the rim. Powell cashed in at the line. Christie added free throws. Flagg cleaned up a miss. Every possession became a small step toward separation.

When Golden State tried to answer, Dallas didn’t sprint into shots — it stayed inside itself.

With 2:24 remaining, the Mavericks delivered the back-breaking possession: Flagg drove and kicked, and P.J. Washington buried a three to extend the lead to 121–109. That basket wasn’t just the biggest shot of the night — it was a product of the ball movement Kidd kept referencing.

“I thought we did a good job of executing and sharing the ball,” Kidd said.

Dallas closed it out at the line, sealing the 123–115 win and completing the 39–26 fourth quarter that reshaped the game.

Naji Marshall’s Emotional Peak and the Meaning of the Moment

Marshall’s final stat line — 30 points, nine assists, seven rebounds — reflected both dominance and control. But it was his fourth-quarter emotion that captured what the win meant.

At one point during the closing stretch, he screamed toward the crowd, a release of tension built over months of close losses and injury disruption.

“Yeah, man, it’s been a long season. You know, we played a lot of close games, so like you said, just to come out on top of this one, man, it’s an unbelievable feeling,” Marshall said. “You know, my emotions went wild for a second… I’m just passionate about the win, about the team, about the fans who rock with us. So that’s really just what it was.”

He framed the four-game streak as growth — particularly for a roster that has leaned on young players and new roles.

“I think we’re just growing… we’ve been at a disadvantage basically without players… it’s a lot of young guys out there… so they’re just learning on the move,” Marshall said. “And for them to pick it up and just get better and better like that — unbelievable feeling to see. So just proud of my guys.”

His floater has become a defining weapon — and he knows it’s no longer a secret.

“Um, yeah, it’s kind of getting too much recognition. I feel like people are starting to figure me out a little bit, so I need people to calm down, just let it be what it’s going to be,” he said. “But it’s just a testimony to the work — just putting in the work and trusting my work out there and just going with what feels comfortable.”

Marshall credited conditioning as his biggest step this season — not just physically, but mentally.

“I think my conditioning… I’m able to play at full speed longer,” he said. “A lot of people, when they get tired, they don’t think as much — they turn their brain off and stuff. So I think it’s really helping me just stay locked in the game, defensively, and being able to run in transition.”

And he made sure Powell’s professionalism didn’t go unnoticed.

“And shout out to DP, bro. He comes in and plays hard. Sometimes he might not play, sometimes he might — you gotta shout out guys like that, bro. True professional,” Marshall said. “I really love, love, love playing on the floor with DP… he’s always there for me on defense and offense… he’s a great guy in the locker room.”

Max Christie’s Expansion and the Confidence to Be Uncomfortable

Christie’s 21 points didn’t just come from makes. They came from a shift in identity — from selective shooter to aggressive perimeter engine.

Kidd has been vocal about wanting Christie to fire with confidence, and after back-to-back games with double-digit three-point attempts, he leaned into the moment.

“Looks good. Looks really good,” Kidd said. “When you look at the way he shoots it and his ability to drive it, he’s playing at a high level. We’ve asked him to do this, and he’s responded by doing it at a high level. I think he enjoys the challenge.”

Christie explained that the change has required him to embrace discomfort and accept that misses can be part of the process.

“Yeah, it’s been good. I think tonight for me it’s really about getting uncomfortable, to be honest,” Christie said. “There are some shots I’ve been taking this year that I probably wouldn’t have taken before — pulling up off the dribble, isolation threes, stuff like that.”

“It can be uncomfortable at times, but that’s how you get better,” he continued. “I might miss a couple, but down the road, getting that experience and continuing to put myself in those positions is going to help.”

He expanded on Kidd’s message about failure as a path to growth.

“Things aren’t going to be perfect, and failure can be part of success a lot of the time,” Christie said. “But the most important part isn’t the outcome — it’s the fact that I’m taking the shots. Eventually, the outcome will follow.”

Being around elite shooters — and facing Curry — has reinforced that mindset.

“Being around Klay… playing against Steph tonight, you see them take shots that are good shots to them because of who they are as players,” Christie said. “That’s something I aspire to get to as well — just getting more comfortable.”

He credited Marshall for being the steady constant in Dallas’ night-to-night identity.

“Naji is Mr. Consistent for us. He shows up every single game and has been the same guy all year,” Christie said. “He brings his energy and intensity on both sides of the ball, and he’s such a vital part of our team.”

And he praised Powell’s efficiency in the starting group.

“Dwight’s been great… 12 rebounds tonight, three offensive rebounds, zero turnovers,” Christie said. “He just does all the right things for us… he does things that impact winning. Plus-22 tonight. He’s super fun to play with and super fun to be around in the locker room.”

Cooper Flagg’s Standout Performance

For Flagg, the opponent mattered. Growing up watching the Warriors’ dynasty made Thursday’s matchup feel different.

“Yeah, obviously the Warriors are a team that I grew up watching a lot… watching the dynasty they built, watching Steph and everything he’s done in this league — it’s kind of surreal,” Flagg said. “But it’s a dream come true… I’m living a dream, honestly.”

His rebounding, though, was the most impactful part of his night — and he explained it as both effort and awareness.

“Yeah, I mean, I think part of rebounding is obviously just effort — going and being a presence down there,” Flagg said. “But part of it is also sometimes the ball just bounces your way and you get some good bounces.”

“Coach Kidd has talked to me about it… about wanting me to be more active on the glass,” he added. “So just being aware of that, getting down there, helping out the bigs, and just trying to be more involved.”

He also identified what Christie’s aggression is doing for Dallas’ spacing.

“He’s obviously shooting the ball really well at a high level,” Flagg said. “But I think the biggest thing is that he’s taking more shots… When he’s aggressive and getting a lot of attempts up, it’s really good for us. It opens up the floor, and it helps everybody.”

Jason Kidd on Trust, Health, and Learning to Close

Kidd’s postgame comments weren’t only about one night. They were about a team learning how to play together amid constant fluctuation — and now learning how to close.

“We’re still learning, but yeah. On this journey, guys are starting to grow up a little bit — understanding what guys are going to do,” Kidd said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of in and out, and we’re working P.J. back into the fold. Hopefully we can be a little more consistent with our health.”

He returned to the most critical late-game equation: stops and shots.

“But it always comes down to getting a stop at the right time and then being able to make a big shot,” Kidd said.

He also emphasized what he liked about Christie’s defense on Curry — the ability to keep competing even when Curry hits the kind of shots only Curry hits.

“He did everything possible… There was one time Steph made a tough one, and I said, ‘That’s what he does,’” Kidd said. “I thought the effort of not getting disappointed when Steph scored was big… Then being able to do it on the other end, to play both ways, is extremely hard. Christie is doing that for us at a high level.”

Kidd was equally direct about what Powell’s recent stretch represents.

“When you look at a double-double — the last time he had that was 2023 — understanding he’s playing at a very high level,” Kidd said. “It’s a great example of being a pro… He never complains, and he plays the game the right way.”

Asked about Dallas being undefeated with Powell as a starter, Kidd didn’t hide his thinking.

“Yeah, let’s keep starting him. Why not? He deserves it. They all deserve it,” Kidd said. “That group that started tonight deserves to start, and they’ll probably start on Saturday.”

And on P.J. Washington moving to the bench after returning, Kidd made it sound as straightforward as possible.

“There was a short conversation… It was real simple,” Kidd said. “Not a long conversation. That’s what it was.”

What the Streak Feels Like — and What Comes Next

Dallas’ four-game run has carried a theme: it is increasingly comfortable playing together late. That’s not an accident, Christie said. It’s payoff.

“We just trusted the process from the very beginning… obviously it’s paying off for us now… We’re a lot more composed. We know where we’re going on the floor,” Christie said. “And that just comes with experience… a little bit of failure early in the season helped us have success now.”

Marshall agreed — and made it clear the Mavericks aren’t treating this as a finish line.

“Most definitely, but we’re definitely not satisfied,” Marshall said, referencing the way the wins feel after a 4–12 start. “We still have a long way to go and still have to get better… Never satisfied. We’re still hungry.”

He also gave voice to the relationship between the team and the building, crediting fans for staying engaged even when the early record was ugly.

“Like you said, we were 4–12 and every game was still sold out. They still show us love,” Marshall said. “So shout out to them — whether we win or lose, they’re in every game cheering us on.”

Now comes Saturday — and the most emotionally charged home game on the calendar, as Luka Dončić returns to Dallas with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Marshall didn’t hesitate to describe what that will feel like.

“Oh, I love playing against Luka. That’s my guy. I miss him dearly… I know it’s going to be loud, packed — everybody’s going to want to see Luka,” Marshall said. “To be able to share the floor with Luka again is truly a blessing… He’s my brother.”

He also made clear where he expects to be when Dallas draws up its defensive matchups.

“Oh, for sure. I love the challenge,” Marshall said. “I’m a dog, and I guard anybody. That’s just what it is.”

Dallas has four straight wins now. It has a closing blueprint that looks real. And it has a marquee moment arriving next — one that will test whether this stretch is simply a hot streak, or the beginning of a new version of the Mavericks’ season.

As Kidd said, the schedule isn’t waiting.

“It’s always important to win… it’s a long season… It’s a season of streaks, and right now we’re on the other side of that,” Kidd said. “We’ve got a very talented team coming in Saturday, so we have to be prepared.”

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