INDIANAPOLIS — Kyrie Irving scored 24 points, and the Dallas Mavericks earned their first victory of the season Friday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers 121-105 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Dallas built a 34-point halftime lead and held on after Indiana mounted a second-half comeback. The victory also gave first-year Mavericks coach Dusty May his first win with the team.
Irving made five 3-pointers to lead Dallas, while P.J. Washington finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Max Christie added 16 points, and Naji Marshall scored 15.
The Mavericks’ victory was tempered by an injury to Cooper Flagg, who left late in the first half with left shoulder soreness and did not return. Flagg finished with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in 17 minutes.
Flagg was injured when Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith fouled him from behind as he attempted a potential breakaway dunk. Nesmith received a flagrant foul, and a confrontation between players from both teams resulted in technical fouls.
Dallas took control early, closing the first quarter with a 42-23 advantage. The Mavericks extended their lead with a series of scoring runs in the second quarter, taking a 77-43 advantage into halftime.
Indiana responded after the break and gradually reduced the deficit, but Dallas maintained enough separation to secure the win.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 23 points, while Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 in his first home game since the 2025 NBA Finals.
The Mavericks will return home Saturday to face the San Antonio Spurs. Indiana will travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Sunday.
