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How To Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cooper Flagg Leads Injury-Plagued Squad In Tough Road Matchup (Nov. 17, 2025)

Grant AfsethNovember 17, 2025November 17, 2025no comment

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks head to Minneapolis on Monday night for a challenging second night of a back-to-back, taking on a Minnesota Timberwolves team that has averaged 52.5 wins over the past two seasons and continues to sit near the top of the Western Conference standings. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST at Target Center.

Dallas (4–10) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 138–133 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday behind 21-point performances from Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington. Minnesota (8–5) has won six of its last eight but is coming off a 123–112 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

The Mavericks have lost seven of their last ten meetings against Minnesota, including five of the last seven overall, but won their lone trip to Target Center last season.

How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Monday, Nov. 17
Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Location: Target Center — Minneapolis, MN
TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream
Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
Live Stats: NBA.com
Social Media Updates: @GrantAfseth

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report

Out

Anthony Davis: Out (Left Calf Strain)
Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Knee Injury Management)
Daniel Gafford: Out (Right Ankle Injury Management)
Ryan Nembhard: Out (Left Knee Sprain)
Danté Exum: Out (Right Knee Injury Management)
Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee Surgery)

Available

Cooper Flagg: Available (Right Thumb Sprain)

Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report

Out

Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out (Left Fifth Metatarsal Bone Bruise)

Two-Way

Javon Freeman-Liberty: Out (Two-Way)
A.J. Zikarsky: Out (Two-Way)

Available

Donte DiVincenzo: Available (Face Mask)

Cooper Flagg Continues to Find His Stride

Cooper Flagg turned in one of the most composed halves of his young career on Sunday, scoring 19 of his 21 points after halftime. After a quiet first half (two points on 1-of-3 shooting), Flagg repeatedly attacked the paint and delivered two go-ahead buckets in overtime.

“It’s not always going to be perfect, it’s not always going to be pretty, but I think (I was) just finding some better spots,” Flagg said. “I credit my teammates for getting me the ball in some good spots and I was just able to go out there and make some plays.”

Jason Kidd praised Flagg’s patience and decision-making, noting his growth in manipulating defenses and generating offense in close-game situations.

P.J. Washington’s Shooting Surge Lifts Dallas

P.J. Washington returned from a left shoulder injury and immediately swung the game, finishing with 21 points and seven rebounds while shooting 5-of-7 from three. Dallas has now made at least 15 threes in two of its last three games after doing so just once in its first 11.

“I’m super excited to be back out there with my guys,” Washington said. “(The shoulder is) just a little sore, but I’m going to be all right.”

His late-shot-clock three with 4:28 left gave the Mavericks a 108–106 lead in regulation — a momentum-changing moment in a game they had trailed by 12.

Daniel Gafford’s Impact Before Injury

Before being ruled out against Minnesota, Daniel Gafford had quietly been rounding into form after missing the opening five games of the season. He averaged 13 points and 7.8 rebounds during the Mavs’ four-game homestand and posted a season-high 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks on Sunday.

Gafford’s halftime conversation with Flagg also sparked the rookie’s turnaround.

“He was frustrated at halftime,” Gafford said. “I talked to him. He felt like he wasn’t involved. I told him to slow down — it’ll come to him.”

Minnesota’s High-Level Duo Leading the Way

Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle continue to drive Minnesota’s offense, averaging 27.3 and 25.5 points per game, respectively. Both scored 26 in Saturday’s loss to Denver, while Naz Reid added 19 points in extended center minutes.

Jaden McDaniels is averaging 17.7 points and shooting 50% from three, providing the floor spacing Minnesota relies on around Edwards’ downhill gravity.

What’s at Stake

The Mavericks enter one of their most difficult scheduling stretches of the season — five games in seven days — and must open it without all three centers and their top two ball-handlers. With Anthony Davis at least another week away, Dallas faces a significant test in defending one of the NBA’s most physical teams on the road.

Minnesota looks to solidify its place among the Western Conference’s top-four teams and rebound from Saturday’s loss to Denver.

Up Next

Dallas returns home Wednesday to begin a three-game homestand, beginning with Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.

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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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