Nov, 23 2025
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a gritty 118-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas — a game that came down to the final seconds, a controversial scuffle, and a career night from a rookie who refused to blink. Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old guard out of Duke, dropped a career-high 29 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists, carrying the Mavericks through a brutal early deficit and turning the tide with a mix of drives, mid-range jumpers, and icy composure. But the real story? Naji Marshall, the former Pelican, hitting the go-ahead three with 30.7 seconds left — against the team that drafted him, developed him, and then let him walk in July 2024. He didn’t celebrate. He just walked back on defense.
From Blowout to Breakthrough: The Comeback That Changed Everything
The Pelicans came out like a team on fire — making seven of their first eight shots, including three threes in the first five minutes. By the end of the first quarter, they led 34-25. By halftime, it was 63-49. Dallas looked out of sync, outclassed, and out of ideas. Then came the third quarter. And everything flipped. The Mavericks went on a 36-22 run, the kind that doesn’t happen by accident. They switched to a full-court press, forced seven turnovers, and turned defense into fast breaks. P.J. Washington, who finished with 24 points and a staggering nine rebounds, hit five threes in the period alone — five. That’s not luck. That’s execution under pressure.
Marshall’s Moment: A Shot That Cut Both Ways
Naji Marshall didn’t just hit a big shot. He hit the right shot at the right time — against the team that gave him his NBA start. He’d spent four seasons in New Orleans, playing through injuries, coaching changes, and organizational chaos. When he signed with Dallas last summer, it was seen as a low-risk move. Now? It’s looking like a masterstroke. With the score tied at 115, Marshall caught the ball at the top of the key, dribbled right, pulled up just beyond the arc, and released. The ball swished. The crowd erupted. The Pelicans bench sat silent. No one on the New Orleans roster said a word. Not even Zion Williamson, who’d just scored his 22nd point in his second game back from a hamstring strain.
Free Throws, Rebounds, and a Scuffle
Max Christie, Dallas’s defensive specialist, sealed it with two clinical free throws with 10.9 seconds left. Then came the final possession. The Pelicans, down one, had one last chance. Derik Queen, the 27-year-old forward-center from Frisco, Texas — who had a career-high 11 assists and 20 points — drove, kicked out to Trey Murphy III, who missed. Then to Jeremiah Fears — missed. Then back to Queen, who heaved a contested three as the buzzer sounded. Missed. And that’s when it happened. A shove. A yell. Two Pelicans players converged on P.J. Washington near the baseline. A scuffle broke out. Referees stepped in. No ejections. Just tension. The kind that lingers long after the final horn.
Why This Loss Hurts More Than the Record Suggests
The Pelicans’ record now reads 2-14. Eight straight losses. Zero wins in the NBA Cup. And under interim coach James Borrego, they’re 0-4. This wasn’t just another loss. It was a loss that exposed everything wrong. They shot 2 of 17 from three. That’s 11.8%. They turned the ball over 10 times. They let Dallas, a team with a 5-12 record, out-rebound them 48-41. Zion looked sharp, but he was the only one. Trey Murphy III’s 25 points weren’t enough. Derik Queen’s 20 points and 11 assists? Meaningless when the team can’t close. And now, with the NBA Cup group stage ending soon, they’re already eliminated.
What’s Next for Dallas? Momentum, Not Just Wins
For the Mavericks, this win matters more than the record suggests. They’re 5-12 overall. 1-2 in the NBA Cup. But they’re starting to play with identity. Flagg isn’t just a prospect — he’s becoming a player. Washington is finding his rhythm. And the bench, once a liability, is now a weapon. Head coach Jason Kidd, though not named outright in game reports, clearly made the right adjustments. The team’s turnover rate dropped from 11.2 per game to 7.5 in this one. Their defense tightened. They trusted each other. And for a franchise that’s been stuck in rebuild purgatory since Luka Dončić’s last playoff run, this kind of gritty win? It’s the kind that builds culture.
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story of the Game
Let’s break it down. Dallas shot 47% from the field. New Orleans shot 41%. Dallas made 14 of 26 (53.8%) from two-point range. The Pelicans made just 11 of 29 (37.9%). That’s the difference. Not threes. Not stars. It’s efficiency inside the arc. And the rebounding? Dallas grabbed 17 offensive boards. New Orleans had just 8. That’s 9 extra possessions. Nine chances to score. Nine chances to win. They didn’t convert them all — but they didn’t need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cooper Flagg’s performance compare to other rookies this season?
Flagg’s 29-point night is the highest by any NBA rookie this season, surpassing the previous high of 27 by Sacramento’s Keyonte George in October. He’s the first rookie since 2022 to record 25+ points, 7+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a single game — a list that includes Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero. His efficiency (10-of-18 FG) and poise under pressure mark him as a potential All-Rookie First Team lock.
Why has the Pelicans’ offense collapsed since Zion Williamson’s return?
Zion’s return hasn’t sparked the offense — it’s exposed the lack of structure. The Pelicans are now 0-8 when he plays, averaging just 109.3 points per game — down from 114.6 before his injury. Their ball movement has dropped 18%, and their assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.1-to-1, the worst in the league. Zion is being doubled constantly, and no one else is making the right read. Derik Queen’s 11 assists were impressive, but they came in garbage time, not clutch moments.
What’s the significance of Naji Marshall’s go-ahead three against his former team?
Marshall played 282 games for New Orleans over four seasons, becoming a fan favorite for his toughness and leadership. His departure was seen as a salary cap move. Hitting the go-ahead three against them — especially in a game where the Pelicans were one win away from staying alive in the NBA Cup — adds emotional weight. It’s not just a stat line; it’s a statement. He’s proving he belongs elsewhere, and his silence after the shot speaks louder than any celebration.
How does this loss affect the Pelicans’ playoff chances?
The Pelicans are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. At 2-14, they’re 11.5 games behind the 8th seed in the West. Even with Zion healthy, their defense ranks 29th in the league, and their bench scoring is last. They’re now focused on securing a top-10 draft pick — possibly even the top overall — as they prepare for a full rebuild next summer. This loss just confirms how far they’ve fallen.
What’s next for the Mavericks in the NBA Cup?
Dallas has two group-stage games left, against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers. A win in either could still get them into the knockout round as a wild card. But more importantly, they need to prove this win wasn’t a fluke. If Flagg and Washington continue to elevate, and Kidd keeps adjusting defensively, they could surprise. The NBA Cup is their last chance to build momentum before the All-Star break.
Was the scuffle at the end a sign of deeper issues?
Absolutely. The Pelicans’ frustration has been building for weeks — missed shots, bad rotations, coaching instability. When Washington grabbed the final rebound, the players felt the game was slipping away. The shove wasn’t just about the rebound — it was about the season. For Dallas, it was a sign they’re finally playing with conviction. The scuffle wasn’t the problem. It was the symptom. And until New Orleans finds leadership, it won’t be the last one.