On this date in 2025, Dallas fell 94-101 to Oklahoma City on the way to a 26-56 finish. The rematch comes Wednesday with Dallas at 2-2, and the franchise's own history points to where this team's edge has to come from.
A Year Ago Tonight
Dallas lost 94-101 to Oklahoma City on October 27, 2025, early in a season that ended 26-56 with the league's 27th-ranked offense. The Thunder come back to Dallas on Wednesday on ESPN, 4-0 under Mark Daigneault. They are short-handed. Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber and Otega Oweh are listed out, and Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are day-to-day. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the list. Dallas gets a softer Thunder rotation than it faced a year ago, and this is the night to take advantage of it.
The 2010 Template
On this date in 2010, Dallas beat Charlotte 101-86 to open the season that ended with the 2011 championship, the franchise's only title. That team went as far as Dirk Nowitzki could carry it. This one runs through a 19-year-old. Cooper Flagg was cleared on October 27 after the left shoulder issue. At Miami he posted 29 points, 11 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks, scored 12 of Dallas' 30 in the final period and hit the driving layup that put Dallas up 113-109 with 10 seconds left. One October win guaranteed nothing in 2010 either. The lesson is that Dallas goes as far as its best player can drive it, and Flagg has shown he can carry that weight.
Tarpley's Heir On The Bench
Roy Tarpley won the Sixth Man Award in 1988, the year Dallas pushed the Lakers to seven games in the conference finals. Second-unit scoring has fueled the best Dallas teams before. Walter Clayton Jr. went 6-7 from the field for 15 points at Miami, was +22 in 17 minutes and played the last five minutes of the game. Mavs.com called it a homecoming breakout. He mattered because Kyrie Irving went 2-11 from deep. Dallas got 27 bench points with Lively, Aldama, Martin and Biberovic out until at least November 2. Against an Oklahoma City backcourt missing Wallace, a second ball handler who doesn't waste possessions is Dallas' best edge.
When do the Mavericks play the Thunder?
Dallas hosts Oklahoma City on Wednesday, October 28, on ESPN. The Mavericks are 2-2 and the Thunder are 4-0.
Is Cooper Flagg playing against the Thunder?
Flagg was cleared on October 27 after his left shoulder issue. He had 29 points and 11 assists in the 113-109 win at Miami.
