Mavericks Beat Pacers 125-122 as Flagg Scores 43 in Dallas

Cooper Flagg scored 43 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 125-122 at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Monday night. Kyrie Irving added 35 points for Dallas. The game was decided in the last 26 seconds, after Indiana had led by 10 points at halftime.

Flagg fills the box score

Flagg played 38 minutes 52 seconds and shot 16 of 25 from the field. He made 3 of 6 shots from three point range and all 8 of his free throws. He finished with 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to go with his 43 points, the highest total on either team.

Irving shot 11 of 18 from the field and 7 of 10 from three point range. He added 4 assists in 38 minutes 20 seconds. The game was Irving's first back to back of the year, and he closed it at the free throw line.

P.J. Washington had 13 points and 9 rebounds for Dallas. Santi Aldama scored 10 points off the bench.

Siakam carries Indiana early

Pascal Siakam scored 26 points in the first half, the highest scoring half of his time with the Pacers. He shot 8 of 9 from the field in the half. Siakam finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.

Indiana won the first quarter 31-26 and the second quarter 35-30 to lead 66-56 at halftime. The Pacers' biggest lead of the night was 13 points.

Aaron Nesmith scored 18 points for Indiana. Ivica Zubac had 16 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 14, and Andrew Nembhard had 12 points and 12 assists.

Dallas comes back after halftime

Dallas won the third quarter 34-27 to cut the Indiana lead to 93-90. The Mavericks then won the fourth quarter 35-29. Dallas outrebounded Indiana 57 to 40 on the night, and its biggest lead was 8 points.

The last minute settled it. Flagg hit a pull up jumper with 26 seconds left to put Dallas ahead 123-119. Nesmith answered with a three pointer with 20 seconds left to make it 123-122. Irving then made two free throws with 18 seconds left for 125-122, and Nembhard turned the ball over as time expired.

Records and absences

Dallas improved to 7-4 with the win. Indiana fell to 3-8. Dusty May coached Dallas and Rick Carlisle coached Indiana. Morez Johnson Jr. was inactive for Dallas with a leg injury, and Tyrese Haliburton was inactive for Indiana.