Klay Thompson turned back the clock with six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 23 points, Cooper Flagg went for a season-best 35 points and the Dallas Mavericks held off the host Los Angeles Clippers, 114-110, on Saturday night.
Resting Anthony Davis on the second night of a back-to-back, the Mavericks trailed 103-101 after a John Collins 3-pointer for the Clippers with 2:22 to go.
But Thompson, playing in his hometown, capped a 17-point final period with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining, Flagg dropped in three sets of two lead-extending free throws in the last 1:20 and the Mavericks kept the Clippers at arm’s length en route to snapping a three-game losing streak.
In a game in which neither team led by more than 10, the Clippers found themselves down 87-83 after a Thompson 3-pointer in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
The game then became a duel between Thompson and Kawhi Leonard, with Thompson connecting on four 3-pointers among his 17 points in the final 12 minutes, while Leonard countered with a three-point play, a jumper and four additional free throws over the final 10:40.
Thompson’s 20-point night was just his second of the season. He had contributed just 10 points to a 129-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers when the Mavericks tipped off a two-night stay in Southern California on Friday.
Flagg’s 35 points were six more than his previous high. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft hit 13 of his 22 shots and nine of his 11 free throw attempts while also finding time for a team-high-tying eight rebounds.
Naji Marshall added 18 points, Brandon Williams 14 to go with a team-high seven assists and Dwight Powell six steals to complement nine points and five rebounds for the Mavericks, who reversed an earlier double-overtime home loss to Los Angeles.
Leonard had a team-high 30 points and James Harden 29 for the Clippers, who lost for the second time at home in two nights, having fallen to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Harden completed a double-double with a game-high 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Ivica Zubac had a double-double of his own with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Collins chipped in with 21 points and three blocks for the Clippers, who dropped their fourth straight.
Cooper Flagg highlights vs. Clippers
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
