By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:34 EST, 12 December 2025 | Updated: 23:34 EST, 12 December 2025
DALLAS (AP) - Anthony Davis scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half to go with 14 rebounds and three blocks, and Cooper Flagg had 22 points and eight assists as the Dallas Mavericks rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 119-111 on Friday night.
The Mavericks (10-16) have won five of their last six games and two straight at home for the first time this season. Naji Marshall scored 17 points.
Michael Porter Jr. had 34 to lead the Nets (6-18), who had won three of four following a 3-16 start. Porter has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games for the first time in his seven-year NBA career.
Brooklyn rookie Danny Wolf added 17 points, 12 in the second half. Nic Claxton had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mavericks outscored the Nets 66-44 in the paint despite Davis playing center instead of power forward with Dallas missing pivotmen Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford because of injuries.
The Nets shot a season-best 43.6% from behind the arc, hitting 17 of 39. Porter was 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) leaps to the basket to dunk after getting past Brooklyn Nets guard Terance Mann (14) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Mavericks outscored the Nets 29-19 in the fourth quarter, with Brooklyn shooting 28.6% in the period - including 2 of 9 from 3-point distance. With the score tied at 110 with three minutes left, Dallas´ Brandon Williams hit a second-chance 3 following Flagg´s rebound, and Davis followed with a floater following a turnover by Porter.
It was the Mavericks´ first game since Wednesday´s announcement that the oft-injured Lively will miss the remainder of the season following foot surgery. Gafford missed his third consecutive game because of a right ankle injury.
Nets: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Mavericks: At the Utah Jazz on Monday.
___
AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis dunks in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis (3) reacts to a foul call in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, center, works for a shot attempt against Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe, left, and Tyrese Martin (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) blocks a shot attempt by Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis takes a spill in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)