Michael Porter Jr. delivered an impressive 34-point performance, equaling the record shared by Kevin Durant and James Harden for the longest streak of 33-point games in Nets history. Despite rookie Danny Wolf contributing 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds off the bench, the Brooklyn Nets were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, 119-111, in a game marked by 23 lead changes and 16 ties.
The Nets, who had secured victories in three of their last four games, saw their record fall to 6-18 with this loss. Nevertheless, the night was full of excitement, largely due to the debut of the league’s latest sensation.
Brooklyn faced off against Cooper Flagg for the first time this season. Flagg, a highly anticipated prospect and the 2025 No. 1 draft pick, had been the subject of much speculation among fans, many of whom were left pondering what might have been.
The game started with both teams displaying a fast-paced and efficient style of play. Porter was quick to establish his presence, scoring 11 points on three of his first four shots before exiting the court with 2:41 remaining in the quarter. Dallas stayed competitive, with Flagg matching Porter’s early momentum, scoring 12 points before leaving the game with just over 30 seconds left. Both teams shot 52% in the first quarter (13-for-25), but a late 7-0 run by Brooklyn gave the Nets a 33-32 lead heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, rookie Nolan Traore made his return to the NBA court, playing point guard for the first time since November 18 after a productive stint in the G League. Although he missed both of his shots and committed two fouls during his nine minutes on the floor, including a crucial stretch at the start of the fourth quarter in a two-point game, his inclusion was a testament to the trust he has earned from coach Jordi Fernández.
The competitiveness of the game persisted into the second quarter. Both Porter and Flagg continued to score effectively, while Tyrese Martin provided a spark off the bench for the Nets with 11 points. Aside from a 3-pointer by Wolf, Martin’s contribution was the bulk of Brooklyn’s bench scoring. On the other side, Dallas benefited from a combined 15 points from their bench players Max Christie, Dwight Powell, Brandon Williams, and Klay Thompson.
The Mavericks shot 57.9% in the quarter and turned five Brooklyn turnovers into seven points, building a four-point lead at halftime. Porter, continuing to build his All-Star case, scored 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting in the first half, his fifth time this season reaching 20 or more in a single half.
Noah Clowney picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, forcing Fernández to turn to Wolf, and Brooklyn didn’t lose any rhythm with him running alongside the starters. The No. 27 pick delivered again, posting six points, six rebounds and an assist in the period. Clowney returned with 3:27 left and closed the quarter with fellow bigs Wolf and Day’Ron Sharpe, and his steal and layup with two seconds remaining gave the Nets a 92-90 lead entering the fourth. Neither team led by more than five in the period.
After Dallas opened a five-point lead with 2:18 left, the Nets went scoreless until Wolf got to the line with 1:12 remaining and split his free throws to make it a four-point game. Porter then fouled P.J. Washington on the next defensive trip, and Washington converted both attempts to push the Mavericks’ lead back to six with 54.5 seconds left, matching their largest margin of the night.
Nic Claxton missed a bunny on Brooklyn’s next possession, and Terance Mann had to foul with the clock running down. Washington missed both free throws, giving the Nets another chance with 44.3 seconds left, but Mann air-balled a 3-pointer. Brooklyn still couldn’t capitalize after an untimely Dallas turnover, and that was the final opportunity they’d see.
Anthony Davis led Dallas with 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Flagg added 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
The Nets return to Barclays Center on Sunday to face the Milwaukee Bucks.
