8 points in the final quarter! Flagg scores 13, Davis posts 18 points and 9 rebounds as the Mavericks rally with a 21-0 run to defeat the Lakers

On October 16th Beijing time, the NBA preseason game featured the Mavericks versus the Lakers. After four quarters, the Mavericks won 121-94. Four Mavericks players scored in double digits: Davis had 18 points and 9 rebounds, Flagg contributed 13 points and 3 assists, Washington added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. For the Lakers, Hachimura scored 19 points, Hayes recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Vincent put up 22 points and 3 assists. Vanderbilt played 13 minutes before leaving due to injury.

The Mavericks started with Flagg, Klea, Washington, Davis, and Leavley; the Lakers' starting five were Hayes, Hachimura, Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Knecht. After Klea opened the scoring for Dallas, Vincent hit three consecutive three-pointers to give the Lakers the lead. Flagg drove aggressively to cut the deficit, but the Lakers kept pressing and quickly extended their lead to double digits. The Mavericks responded with a 9-0 run to narrow the gap to just one point, yet the Lakers answered with another small surge to maintain their advantage. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led 36-32.

In the second quarter, Vanderbilt attacked inside and shot from outside, while Hachimura hit a long-range three-pointer, helping the Lakers stretch their lead back into double digits. The Mavericks struggled from beyond the arc and had to rely on driving to the basket and free throws to score. Smith and Washington both made consecutive three-pointers, but Hachimura and Hayes continued to dominate inside, increasing the Lakers' lead. At halftime, the Lakers were ahead 66-53.

Starting the second half, the Lakers intensified their inside attacks. Hachimura and Hayes showed no fear against Davis, scoring repeatedly. The Mavericks regained their rhythm, scoring both inside and out, quickly closing the gap. With Flagg’s free throws and dunks, Dallas cut the deficit to just one point again. However, the Lakers faced more bad news beyond Dallas’s resurgence: Vanderbilt, who performed well in the first half, suffered a left quadriceps contusion and would not return for the remainder of the game. After three quarters, the Mavericks trailed the Lakers 84-86.

In the final quarter, the Mavericks went on a 7-0 run to take the lead from the Lakers. Knecht’s jump shot stopped the bleeding, but the Lakers’ offense remained sluggish. The Mavericks capitalized on the momentum, launching a 21-0 run to further extend their lead. The Lakers were unable to respond and ultimately lost 94-121 to the Mavericks, scoring only 8 points in the last quarter.