Naji Marshall delivered a season-best performance, tying his highs with 30 points and nine assists as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Golden State Warriors 123–115 on Thursday night. The win marked a season-best fourth straight for Dallas and dropped Golden State to 0–2 since Jimmy Butler was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Stephen Curry led all scorers with 38 points, knocking down 8 of 15 shots from beyond the arc on a historic night. The Warriors’ star became the first player in NBA history to attempt 10,000 career 3-pointers and now sits at 4,222 makes on 10,007 attempts.
Dallas received major contributions throughout the lineup, including a strong showing from rookie Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall pick finished with 21 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in 30 minutes, exceeding his expected workload in just his second game back from a sprained left ankle. Max Christie also scored 21 points, Brandon Williams added 19 off the bench, and Dwight Powell chipped in 10 points and 12 rebounds. Klay Thompson hit two first-half 3-pointers for six points against his former team.
The game swung late in the fourth quarter after Draymond Green was assessed a flagrant foul while Golden State held a one-point lead. Green argued the call and was whistled for another foul less than a minute later, which was reviewed but ruled a common foul. He continued to argue as he went to the bench, and the Mavericks capitalized, ripping off an 11–0 run that began after the flagrant. Green eventually fouled out with 3:50 remaining.
Golden State was also dealt an injury blow when Jonathan Kuminga scored 10 points in nine minutes before exiting in the first half with left knee soreness after landing awkwardly while dribbling in transition. It was just Kuminga’s second game back after missing a month and falling out of coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, before Butler’s ACL injury opened the door for his return.
Up next:
The Warriors open a two-game set at Minnesota on Saturday, while the Mavericks stay home as Luka Dončić faces his former team when the Los Angeles Lakers visit Saturday night.
