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Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg pointed to poor organization and defensive breakdowns following Wednesday’s 18-point loss to the Houston Rockets. The defeat marked a disappointing beginning to the Mavericks’ new season under head coach Dusty May.
Flagg acknowledged that Dallas struggled to respond once Houston built momentum, especially as the Rockets pushed the pace.
“We got stagnant,” Flagg said, according to Mike Curtis.
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“They obviously went on a run, and we just didn’t have any answers to be more organized.”
The second-year forward also highlighted the Mavericks’ inability to recover defensively during Houston’s decisive stretch.
“We weren’t getting back in transition,” Flagg admitted.
He added that several players departed from their usual habits as the game slipped away.
“People were doing things that they don’t normally do & it really showed.”
Flagg’s assessment suggested that Dallas’ problems extended beyond missed shots or individual performances. Instead, the Mavericks struggled to maintain their offensive structure and let Houston capitalize on mistakes.
Those issues proved costly against a Rockets team featuring Kevin Durant, who delivered an emphatic dunk over Flagg during the contest.
The play involving Durant and Flagg provided another memorable moment in Houston’s opening-night victory. For Dallas, the result raises immediate questions about execution and consistency under its new coaching staff.
Flagg’s comments also reflected the importance of staying disciplined when opponents build momentum.
The Mavericks must now address their transition defense and offensive decision-making before their next matchup.
Their season-opening defeat demonstrated how quickly a competitive game can unravel when communication and organization break down.
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