How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Faces Anthony Davis And Cooper Flagg (Oct. 27, 2025)
The Dallas Mavericks cap their first back-to-back of the season Monday night as they welcome the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to American Airlines Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on KFAA-29 and MavsTV Stream.
After opening the season with two losses, Dallas (1–2) responded with its most complete performance yet in Sunday’s 139–129 win over Toronto. The Mavericks shot 58.8% from the field, recorded 32 assists, and had seven players score in double figures. Anthony Davis led the way with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie Cooper Flagg ignited the crowd with multiple highlight plays — including a ferocious fast-break dunk over Sandro Mamukelashvili.
“It was electrifying,” Davis said. “We knew as he was coming down that he was going to dunk it. It was great — great for him, great for the fans, great for our team. It brought energy.”
The defending champion Thunder (3–0) arrive behind reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has started the season averaging 40 points per game. He’s already logged a 55-point outing against the Pacers, and Oklahoma City has shown no signs of slowing after last year’s Finals run. Monday marks the Mavericks’ toughest early test, followed by a Wednesday matchup against the team OKC defeated in June — the Indiana Pacers.
How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Date: Monday, Oct. 27
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX
TV: KFAA-29 (Local), MavsTV Stream
Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)
Tickets: Mavs.com
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report
- Brandon Williams: Questionable (Personal Reasons)
- Daniel Gafford: Doubtful (Right Ankle Sprain)
- Dereck Lively II: Doubtful (Right Knee Contusion)
- Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee Surgery)
- Danté Exum: Out (Right Knee Injury Management)
Gafford continues to progress from his ankle sprain, while Lively could miss his first game of the season after sustaining a right knee contusion. Jason Kidd noted Sunday that Gafford is trending in the right direction, but both centers’ availability will be determined closer to tipoff.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
- Jalen Williams: Out (Wrist)
- Isaiah Joe: Out (Knee)
- Alex Caruso: Out (Concussion)
- Nikola Topic: Out (Knee)
- Chet Holmgren: Available (Back)
Dallas Mavericks Building Rhythm on Both Ends
Sunday’s win served as a glimpse of what Dallas hopes to sustain: balance between offensive fluidity and defensive consistency. Davis credited the team’s improved ball movement, which has been a focus since the opener.
“Just moving the basketball, making the right plays,” Davis said. “Each game we’re getting better. We’ve been trusting our offense and trusting the ball — it’s going to find the open guy. We took our time and made plays for each other. That’s something we’ll have to keep doing, especially tomorrow with how OKC plays defense.”
Jason Kidd echoed that message, highlighting the Mavericks’ attention to detail after a sloppy start. “We were active, we played fast, and we took care of the ball,” Kidd said. “Only one turnover in the third after 12 in the first half — that’s growth.”
Cooper Flagg’s Impact Growing Early
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, continues to impress with his two-way play and poise under pressure. He finished with 22 points and 29 minutes of high-energy basketball against Toronto, showing flashes of what makes him special.
“We just played our game,” Flagg said. “We relied on our defense to create easy looks. That really got us going — playing fast, making our rotations, and doing what we do defensively.”
His teammates have taken notice. D’Angelo Russell called Flagg’s short bursts of takeover play his “special power,” saying, “He’s relentless. His motor’s nonstop on both ends. When he’s doing that and making shots, it’s just a cherry on top.”
Davis, meanwhile, praised the 18-year-old’s humility and willingness to learn.
“He asks a ton of questions — not just to me, but to all the guys,” Davis said. “He watches film, studies the game, and he’s only going to keep getting better.”
Bench Energy and Veteran Leadership
D’Angelo Russell played a pivotal role off the bench with 24 points, six assists, and three steals — his best performance since joining Dallas. His composure helped settle the offense when Toronto pressed defensively.
“True professional,” Davis said. “He’s been in this league long enough, never wavered, stayed with the team, stayed locked in, and came in to make plays for us today. He definitely changed the game.”
Russell downplayed his individual success, pointing instead to the team’s collective energy. “We were just tired of losing,” he said. “Everyone contributed. We came in ready, and it showed.”
With the Thunder in town, Dallas will need that same depth and discipline to keep pace. Oklahoma City thrives in transition and punishes turnovers — an area Davis said remains the team’s “Achilles’ heel.”
“We’ll watch some film tomorrow,” Davis said after the game. “But the way we played — with energy, ball movement, and defensive focus — we’ve got to keep that. OKC feeds off turnovers, so we can’t give them those opportunities.”
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