The Dallas Mavericks bring a three-game winning streak into Minneapolis on Thursday, and the team looks sharper than ever. Cooper Flagg has found his rhythm from deep, hitting six of his last eleven shots from beyond the arc. This surge comes right after the young forward dropped a season-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. Kyrie Irving also stepped up with 35 points in that same game, proving he can carry the load when needed. For the first time since March 1, 2025, the team now sits three games over .500 after sweeping a three-game homestand.
Minnesota cannot rely on resting its way to a win, even without Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves have won four straight games and five of their last six contests since Edwards went down for arthroscopic knee surgery on October 29th. They spread the ball to different scorers after his absence. With 18.1 points per game, Ayo Dosunmu has excelled as a starter, while LaMelo Ball averages 18 points and six assists per game. Jaden McDaniels is also hitting career-best numbers at 17 points per contest. According to Mavs Moneyball, the Wolves have won four of those five games by double digits without their franchise star.
The Matchup at the Four
Dallas will test the Timberwolves’ defense with a physical forward who knows how to use his size. Cooper Flagg averages 24 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7 assists, and he has recorded four straight double-doubles. The Mavericks run many of their plays through him to exploit mismatches near the basket. Minnesota has struggled in the past to guard aggressive power forwards who drive to the rim, and Flagg fits that mold perfectly. On the defensive end, Flagg will likely be guarded by Jonathan Kuminga. Per Canis Hoopus, Kuminga has had success providing resistance to similar players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson this season.
Streaks on the Line
The two teams with winning momentum meet Thursday night. The Mavericks have not beaten the Timberwolves in a long time, but the roster looks different now. Dallas beat Indiana 125-122, outscoring the Pacers 35-29 in the final period. The Wolves have had three full days of rest to prepare for this challenge after their last game on Sunday. Dallas plays its next game at Target Center in Minneapolis on Thursday at 7:00 PM CT.
