Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis lead Mavericks past Pistons, 116-114 in overtime

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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Referee John Goble (10) issues a technical foul to Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) — Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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10:52 PM on Thursday, December 18

The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Anthony Davis added 15 points and the Dallas Mavericks recovered to beat the Detroit Pistons 116-114 in overtime Thursday night after blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead.

Flagg, who will turn 19 on Sunday, is averaging 25.4 points over his last eight games. The Mavericks (11-18) have won six of their last eight.

Cade Cunningham had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double this season for the East-leading Pistons (21-6), who have gone 6-4 following a 15-2 start. Jalen Duren had 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Davis’ alley-oop from Flagg put Dallas ahead 114-112 with 3:10 left in overtime. After Cunningham’s bank shot tied it with 1:49 remaining, Davis’ dunk with 1:32 accounted for the final points.

Cunningham’s floater with seven seconds left missed, leaving him 2 for 7 in overtime. Duren grabbed the rebound, missed a shot beneath the basket, and Davis grabbed the rebound with 0.9 seconds left.

The Pistons played without two starters much of the night. Ausar Thompson was ejected late in the first half after disputing a foul and making contact with official John Goble, and Duncan Robinson left after injuring a knee early in the third period.

Cunningham received a technical foul in the final minute of the first half, and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff got one as thee were leaving the court at halftime.

Davis, who missed Dallas' previous game with a left calf contusion, shot 7 for 18 from the floor after missing his first eight shots.

Detroit outscored Dallas 30-15 on second-chance points with 25 offensive rebounds. But the Pistons shot a season-worst 18.2% on 3-pointers (6 for 33).

Before the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said there’s still no schedule for the return of nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving following ACL surgery last March. “In another month, we’ll give you an update,” Kidd said.

Up next

Pistons: Host Charlotte on Saturday.

Mavericks: Visit Philadelphia on Saturday.

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