NEW YORK — The Dallas Mavericks turned Madison Square Garden into a quiet building early Monday night, riding a blistering first half to a 114-97 win over the New York Knicks.
Max Christie led the way with a season-best 26 points, while rookie Cooper Flagg scored 18 in his first professional appearance at MSG. Dallas, despite being shorthanded, controlled the game from the opening minutes and never looked back, earning its third straight victory.
The Mavericks jumped out quickly and kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter, stretching the lead to 30 before halftime. New York struggled to find a rhythm, and frustration set in as boos echoed through the arena with the Knicks trailing 75-47 at the break.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, added seven rebounds after returning from a brief ankle injury absence. Naji Marshall provided a strong spark off the bench with 18 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds for New York, while Jalen Brunson also scored 22 in his return from an ankle injury. The loss was New York’s fourth in a row and ninth in its last 11 games after a strong start to the season.
Up next: Dallas returns home to host Golden State on Thursday.
