Shorthanded Lakers dropped by 45-point outing from Cooper Flagg
The Lakers fall to the Mavericks in their first game without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves
Apr 5, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) grabs his leg against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at American Airlines Center. DALLAS — Before Sunday’s Easter Day matchup in Dallas, coach JJ Redick said their job is to extend the season so Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves can return. “Both those guys are going to try to come back,” Redick said on the duo's regular-season-ending injuries.
In their first game without the NBA’s top-scoring duo, the Lakers' offense was deficient and the energy was stagnant in their absence, falling to the Mavericks 134-128 on the road at the American Airlines Center. Rookie Cooper Flagg continued his sensational scoring run from Friday’s 51-point outing with a game-high 45 points against the Lakers. "Cooper's been in a zone over the last couple of games but has been playing consistent basketball all year," LeBron James said.
"It's great to see where he's at from early in the season to where he is today. " Flagg joined Allen Iverson as the first rookie to have back-to-back 40-point games since 1996-97. James finished one rebound shy of a triple-double with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds.
Because of their depleted backcourt, backup shooting guard Luke Kennard started at point guard in Dallas. He finished notching his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in a team-high 41 minutes. WHERE THEY STAND The Lakers dropped to 50-28 but remain No.