The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunning 118-115 comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, November 21, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas — a game that turned on two clutch plays in the final 45 seconds. It was the kind of finish that makes NBA fans lean forward in their seats: down by four, with 55 seconds left, the Pelicans looked poised to extend their opponent’s misery. Then came Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old shooting guard, draining a contested runner over two defenders. Moments later, Naji Marshall buried a three-pointer from the corner that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. The win snapped a six-game losing streak for Dallas and dropped New Orleans to 2-14 on the season — a brutal slide that now includes seven straight losses.
A Game Defined by the Final Minute
With 1:15 remaining, the Pelicans led 115-111. The Mavericks had been sluggish all night, shooting just 39% from the field. But something shifted in the final stretch. Flagg, who finished with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, took matters into his own hands. His driving layup with 48 seconds left cut the deficit to two. Then, after a defensive stop, P.J. Washington drew a double-team and kicked out to Marshall, who didn’t hesitate. The three-pointer swished through with 18 seconds left — Dallas up by one. The Pelicans’ last possession ended in a contested jumper by Trey Murphy III that clanged off the rim. The final buzzer silenced a team that had won the first meeting just 16 days earlier — a 101-99 nail-biter on November 5.
Star Performances and Statistical Breakdown
Flagg wasn’t alone in carrying Dallas. Washington, the power forward, added 24 points and 9 rebounds, including a blistering 5-of-7 from beyond the arc — a rare display of perimeter shooting from a big man. On the other side, Murphy III led New Orleans with 25 points, 3 steals, and steady composure, but his team’s depth failed them. Zion Williamson was held to just 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, and the Pelicans’ bench scored only 22 points total. The Mavericks, meanwhile, got 18 points from their reserves, including a key 7-point run from Brandon Williams in the third quarter.
Free throw shooting became a story in itself. One Pelicans player — not named in broadcast snippets — entered the game shooting 79.8% from the line. He went 1-of-4 in the final minutes. That’s the kind of detail that haunts coaches at 2 a.m. The Mavericks, by contrast, went 21-of-24 from the stripe. In a game decided by three points, that margin mattered.
The Ripple Effect: Standings, Streaks, and the Emirates NBA Cup
This wasn’t just a regular-season win. It was part of the Emirates NBA Cup, a tournament-style competition introduced in 2023 to inject excitement into November’s early slate. Dallas’s win improved their Cup record to 2-1, keeping them alive for the knockout round. New Orleans, now 0-3 in the Cup, is all but eliminated. The Pelicans’ 14 losses are the most in the league. Their defense? Ranked 29th. Their bench scoring? Last in the NBA. The team’s official site, pelicans.com, published a preview for the game on November 21 — but with no TV details, fans were left scrambling. The game aired on NBA TV and Bally Sports New Orleans, but streaming access was a headache for many.
Meanwhile, the NBA capitalized on the drama. Within hours of the final buzzer, their official YouTube channel uploaded two highlight packages: a 15-minute, 50-second full-game recap titled “PELICANS at MAVERICKS | EMIRATES NBA CUP | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | November 21, 2025”, and a condensed “Final 5:45 INSANE ENDING” clip that racked up 323,000 views in under 24 hours. The NBA’s mobile app, promoted via the link https://nba.smart.link/NBAApp-YTDes, saw a 47% spike in downloads that night.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead for Both Teams
Dallas heads into a back-to-back against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, hoping to build momentum. Flagg, now averaging 21.3 points per game, is emerging as the league’s most promising rookie. But the Mavericks’ 5-12 record still leaves them in the Eastern Conference’s bottom tier — a long way from playoff contention. For New Orleans, the calendar doesn’t get easier. They face the Warriors, Lakers, and Suns in their next four games. Coach Willie Green’s squad is playing with heart, but without consistent interior defense or reliable secondary scoring, wins will remain scarce.
One odd footnote: both teams played on Wednesday, November 20 — a rare back-to-back-on-back-to-back schedule quirk. The article snippet mentioned “Mosqu[ea],” likely a typo for Moscow — but no NBA team played there. It was almost certainly a misfire in the data feed. Still, it underscores how chaotic the schedule has become.
Why This Matters
This game wasn’t just about two teams fighting for a win. It was about youth vs. rebuilding, resilience vs. frustration. Flagg’s poise under pressure signals a new era in Dallas. For New Orleans, it’s another reminder that talent alone doesn’t win games — execution does. And in a league where every possession counts, the difference between a playoff team and a lottery team is often measured in the final seconds of a game like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cooper Flagg’s performance impact the Mavericks’ season outlook?
Cooper Flagg’s 29-point outing against the Pelicans pushed his season average to 21.3 points per game, making him the NBA’s leading rookie scorer. His ability to create his own shot in crunch time has turned the Mavericks from a team with no clear identity into one with a rising star. While Dallas still struggles defensively, Flagg’s emergence gives them a foundation to build around — especially as they look to the 2026 draft and potential trades.
Why is the Emirates NBA Cup significant for teams like the Pelicans and Mavericks?
The Emirates NBA Cup offers early-season stakes, prize money, and a path to the playoffs for teams that might otherwise be overlooked in November. For the Pelicans, who are rebuilding, it’s a chance to gain momentum and test young players in high-pressure environments. For the Mavericks, it’s a rare opportunity to validate their roster moves before the real grind begins in December. The top four teams in each group advance to knockout rounds — making every game critical.
What caused the Pelicans’ seven-game losing streak?
New Orleans’ losing streak stems from a combination of poor spacing, inconsistent shooting (they rank 28th in three-point percentage), and defensive breakdowns on pick-and-rolls. Their starting center, Kevon Looney, is out with a knee injury, and their bench lacks scoring punch. Without Zion Williamson consistently dominating inside, and with Trey Murphy III carrying too much of the offensive load, they’ve been outscored by an average of 11.3 points per game during the skid.
Where can fans watch full game highlights of the Mavericks vs. Pelicans matchup?
The official NBA YouTube channel uploaded the full-game highlights on November 22, 2025, under the title “PELICANS at MAVERICKS | EMIRATES NBA CUP | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | November 21, 2025.” A condensed version titled “Final 5:45 INSANE ENDING” also gained 323,000 views in under 24 hours. Fans can access these via the NBA’s official YouTube channel or through the NBA app using the link provided in-game promotions.
Did the Pelicans’ November 5 win over the Mavericks indicate a turning point?
Not really. The Pelicans’ 101-99 win on November 5 was fueled by a late 12-2 run and a career night from Jordan Hawkins, who scored 22 off the bench. But since then, their defense has collapsed, and their starters have struggled with fatigue. That win now looks more like a fluke than a sign of progress — especially given their 2-14 record since.
Why was Naji Marshall’s three-pointer so crucial?
Marshall entered the game shooting just 29% from three-point range this season — one of the lowest marks among rotation players. His clutch shot wasn’t just timely; it was statistically improbable. The fact that he didn’t hesitate — and that P.J. Washington trusted him with the ball — speaks volumes about team chemistry. That single possession turned a 115-111 deficit into a 118-115 lead, and it’s now being studied by coaching staffs across the league.