Flagg scores 33 points, Davis adds 31 as Mavericks beat Nuggets 131-130

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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) brings the ball up the court during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dunks during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde) — Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) brings the ball up the court during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

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9:55 PM on Tuesday, December 23

The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg had 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Anthony Davis had 31 points and nine rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Denver Nuggets 131-130 on Tuesday night.

Flagg’s career-high fourth 3-pointer gave Dallas a 126-121 lead with 3:17 left, and he assisted on Naji Marshall’s left-corner 3 that put the Mavericks ahead 131-125 with 1:12 left.

The Nuggets, who trailed 50-29 early in the second quarter, got their first lead early in the fourth quarter and pulled within a point in the final minute, having a shot to win after forcing the Mavericks into a 24-second violation with 7.8 seconds left. However, Peyton Watson’s 3-point attempt from the left corner at the buzzer rimmed out.

The Mavericks snapped a two-game losing streak, during which they blew fourth-quarter leads, and have taken the first two games from the Nuggets this season. They won 131-121 at Denver on Dec. 1.

Jamal Murray had 31 points and 14 assists, and Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 14 assists for the Nuggets, who had an 11-game road winning streak snapped. Jokic, the NBA leader averaging 12.1 rebounds, had seven to match his season low.

Denver’s Tim Hardaway Jr., a former Maverick, matched season highs with 23 points and seven 3-pointers.

Both teams completed back-to-backs. The Nuggets won 135-112 over Utah at home on Monday while the Mavericks lost 119-113 at New Orleans.

The Nuggets took their first lead 106-103 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Flagg, who has four double-doubles but no triple-doubles, tied his career high for points in a quarter with 14 in the first – hitting all seven field-goal attempts, two from downtown.

Nuggets forward Cam Johnson left the game with an apparent knee injury early in the fourth quarter. Denver coach David Adelman said the extent of the injury won't be known until Johnson has an MRI.

Up next

Nuggets host Minnesota on Thursday, and Mavericks visit Golden State.

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