SAN FRANCISCO — Rookie Cooper Flagg made the moment look easy. The result didn’t follow.
Flagg scored 27 points with six rebounds and five assists in his Christmas Day debut, but the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t close late in a 126–116 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
Dallas hung in despite losing center Anthony Davis to groin spasms in the second quarter. Brandon Williams kept the Mavericks afloat with 26 points off the bench, and Flagg repeatedly answered Golden State runs to keep the game within reach.
Stephen Curry had 23 points and buried a key 3-pointer in the final four minutes to put the Warriors in control. Jimmy Butler finished just shy of a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Klay Thompson, facing his former team, received a warm ovation when he entered in the first quarter. Al Horford returned from injury and hit four early 3-pointers to help Golden State build its cushion.
Dallas’ comeback bid stalled in the final minutes as the Warriors’ defense tightened and Curry closed it out.
Up next: The Mavericks visit Sacramento on Saturday.
