NBA Notes: Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Hawks, Trae Young, Magic

Mavericks

Jason Kidd joked that the Mavericks’ coaching staff “burned the tape” after their season-opening loss to the Spurs.

But as Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News wrote, the same problems reappeared Friday night.

Turnovers. Disjointed offense. And another loss.

Dallas fell 117-107 to Washington after watching an early 14-point lead crumble into frustration. The Mavericks scored 35 in the first quarter, then just 17 in the second.

From there, it spiraled. The Wizards hit 15-of-36 from deep and turned 21 Dallas turnovers into 21 points.

Anthony Davis led the Mavs with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists, though he also committed five turnovers.

P.J. Washington added 18 points and nine boards, but coughed it up eight times.

Rookie Cooper Flagg gave Dallas a lift late, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and flashing the poise that made him the No. 1 pick.

The Mavericks are 0-2 and already searching for rhythm. Their offense has looked disconnected, and while Flagg’s showing was a bright spot, the learning curve is steep.

Hawks

Down multiple starters and coming off a rough opener, the Hawks found a little fight in Orlando.

They outlasted the Magic 111-107 behind Trae Young’s 25 points and six assists and a spark from the bench.

Atlanta played without Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and Kristaps Porziņģis (illness) but got big minutes from Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who scored 19.

Mouhamed Gueye was a standout, putting up 13 points and eight boards while frustrating Paolo Banchero on defense.

After trailing by double digits in the third quarter, the Hawks clawed back behind Young’s late-game orchestration. He hit clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal Atlanta’s first win.

Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. told Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel that any Magic issues are “an easy fix.” His reasoning? Their willingness to communicate.

“Because we all want to win,” Carter said. “We’re all able to have those conversations with one another, constructive criticism. And we just keep it moving.”

Head coach Jamahl Mosley wasn’t as upbeat. When asked about the team’s composure, he paused for eight seconds before answering, per Beede.

“There were moments that we got together,” Mosley said. “And then there were moments that we could be better. That’s the truth.”