Naji Marshall’s Clutch 3-Pointer Lifts Mavericks Over Pelicans 118-115 in NBA Cup
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunning 118-115 comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas — and it all came down to one shot. With 30.7 seconds left and his team trailing by one, Naji Marshall, the former Pelican who signed with Dallas last summer, drained a cold-blooded three-pointer from the left wing, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It wasn’t just a game-winner. It was personal. And it snapped a brutal losing streak just when the Mavericks needed it most.
A Comeback Forged in the Third Quarter
The Pelicans looked unstoppable early. They carved up Dallas’ defense in the first half, outscoring the Mavericks 63-49 at halftime. Trey Murphy III was on fire with 17 points by halftime, and rookie Derik Queen was orchestrating like a veteran, dishing out 8 assists before the break. Dallas looked lost. Fans whispered about another collapse. But then came the third quarter — the kind that changes seasons.The Mavericks didn’t just improve. They exploded. A 36-22 run in the third, fueled by relentless drives and crisp ball movement, flipped the game on its head. Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old rookie, poured in 18 points in the period alone, finishing with a career-high 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. His range, his poise — it’s the kind of stuff scouts dream about. P.J. Washington Jr. added 24 points and five threes, while Max Christie — who signed his extension just months ago — calmly sank two free throws with 10.9 seconds left to put Dallas ahead 116-115.
Marshall’s Moment: A Shot That Cut Both Ways
Marshall spent four seasons in New Orleans. He knows the locker room. He knows the pressure. He knows the frustration. And now, he’s wearing Dallas’ jersey — and he just hit the dagger against his old team. "It felt good to hit that shot," he said postgame, "but I’m just focused on helping my team win. We needed this one badly." There was no celebration. No taunting. Just a nod to the bench and a hand on his heart. The Pelicans’ bench? Silent. Disbelieving.The final sequence was pure chaos. After Marshall’s three, the Pelicans had one last chance. They ran a play for rookie center Derik Queen, who’d just posted a career-high 11 assists. But with defenders closing in, his three-point attempt rimmed out. Then another. Then another. Three straight misses in the final 12 seconds. The ball never found its mark. The crowd roared. The Mavericks held their breath.
The Pelicans’ Descent: A Franchise in Freefall
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a continuation of a nightmare. The Pelicans are now 0-3 in the NBA Cup and 0-4 under interim head coach James Borrego. Their overall record? 2-14. Eight straight losses. And they’re 0-7 on the road. Their three-point shooting? A disastrous 2-of-15 (.118) — the worst in the league over the past month. They’re averaging 10 threes per game this season. That’s not a strategy. That’s a prayer.Zion Williamson, back from a hamstring injury, looked sharp with 22 points. But he was isolated too often. The offense stagnated. The ball didn’t move. And when the game was on the line, the shots didn’t fall. Borrego summed it up: "We had our chances down the stretch but couldn’t execute when it mattered most. This is becoming a pattern for us."
What This Means for Both Teams
For Dallas, this win was about more than record books. At 5-12 overall, they’re still under .500. But Flagg’s emergence, Christie’s clutch gene, and Marshall’s leadership are signs of something building. Coach Jason Kidd said it plainly: "Cooper Flagg continues to show why he’s one of the most promising young players in the league. His ability to score in multiple ways is special."For New Orleans? The clock is ticking. The roster has talent — Queen’s 11 assists prove that. Murphy’s scoring is elite. But without consistent shooting, discipline, or defense, they’re a team without a compass. They’re now tied for the worst record in the Western Conference. And their next game — against the Houston Rockets on Sunday — feels less like a chance to recover and more like a test of morale.
What’s Next?
The Mavericks head to Oklahoma City on Monday to face the Thunder. They’ll need to build on this momentum — especially if they want to sneak into the NBA Cup knockout round. The Pelicans, meanwhile, travel to Houston on Sunday, trying to avoid their ninth straight loss — a franchise record in NBA Cup play.The NBA Cup, now in its third season, is supposed to be a spark. For Dallas, it might be. For New Orleans? It’s becoming a mirror — reflecting everything they’re doing wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Naji Marshall’s performance impact the game beyond the final shot?
Marshall’s 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists weren’t just stat-padding — he was the emotional engine for Dallas’ third-quarter surge. His defensive intensity on Trey Murphy III in the final minutes disrupted New Orleans’ rhythm, and his familiarity with the Pelicans’ schemes allowed him to anticipate passes and rotations. That insight, combined with his clutch shooting, made him the X-factor in a game where every possession counted.
Why has the Pelicans’ three-point shooting collapsed so badly?
The Pelicans are shooting just 27.3% from deep this season — well below the NBA average of 35.4%. Their reliance on catch-and-shoot attempts without ball movement has left shooters isolated. In this game, they went 2-of-15, with none of their makes coming from their top three shooters. The lack of penetration from Zion Williamson and Derik Queen’s limited playmaking under pressure have starved the perimeter, turning open looks into contested heaves.
What’s the significance of Cooper Flagg’s career-high 29 points?
Flagg, the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, is now the youngest Maverick to record a 29-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist game since Dirk Nowitzki in 1998. His ability to score in the post, pull up from mid-range, and hit corner threes makes him a matchup nightmare. His performance signals Dallas’ long-term future may not rely on veteran signings — but on developing elite young talent like him.
How does this loss affect the Pelicans’ playoff chances?
With a 2-14 record and the NBA’s worst road record, New Orleans is now mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Even if they win their final 66 games — which is impossible — they’d still need a historic turnaround. The focus now shifts to securing a high draft pick. The longer this losing streak continues, the more likely they’ll land a top-three selection in 2026 — potentially a franchise-altering opportunity.
Why did the Mavericks’ bench contribute so little compared to the Pelicans’?
Dallas’ starters played 88% of the minutes — the highest percentage in the league this season. While the Pelicans’ bench outscored Dallas 34-20, the Mavericks’ strategy was to ride their stars: Flagg, Christie, Washington, and Marshall. With a thin roster and injury concerns, coach Jason Kidd prioritized continuity over rotation depth. It’s risky — but when your starters play like they did Friday, it pays off.
What’s the history between the Mavericks and Pelicans in the NBA Cup?
This was their first meeting in the NBA Cup. Historically, Dallas holds a slight edge in head-to-head matchups, winning 11 of the last 17 games dating back to 2018. But New Orleans has dominated in the last two seasons, winning both matchups in 2023-24. Friday’s result breaks that trend — and may signal a shift in momentum as the Mavericks rebuild around young talent while the Pelicans struggle to find consistency.
- Nov, 23 2025
- Xander Whittaker
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Written by Xander Whittaker
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