Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks
· National Basketball AssociationRyan Nembhard's 23 assists break coach Jason Kidd's rookie Mavs record in blowout of Bulls in finale
John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. Moussa Cisse had 17 points and 20 rebounds, which tied Roy Tarpley's rookie club record from 1986-87.
Flagg scored 10 points in 10 minutes before exiting with a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. The 19-year-old Rookie of the Year contender finished the season averaging 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.
Rob Dillingham scored 25 points for the Bulls, who head into an uncertain offseason looking for a new head of basketball operations and a decision on the future of coach Billy Donovan. CEO Michael Reinsdorf has said he wants Donovan to return.
Chicago (31-51) was already locked into the ninth-worst record going into the lottery. Dallas (26-56) started the day tied with Memphis for the sixth-worst record and ended it even with New Orleans for the seventh-worst mark. The Pelicans won the season series with the Mavericks.
Tyler Smith and AJ Johnson scored 20 points apiece for Dallas as both teams had eight players in double figures, including all nine who came off the bench.
Nembhard, who scored 15 points, set a franchise record for assists in a regulation game and fell two shy of Kidd's club mark of 25 in a two-overtime game in February 1996. Kidd's rookie record was 17 in 1994-95.
The Mavericks led 45-34 after their highest-scoring quarter of the season in the first and 80-56 following their most prolific half of the season.
Dwight Powell made the 12th start of what could be the last of 11-plus seasons with the Mavericks, finishing with seven points and 12 rebounds. The 34-year-old Canadian was a rookie when he was part of the trade that brought Rajon Rondo to Dallas from Boston during the 2014-15 season.
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 | ![]() |
End of Game | 128 - 149 |
| 4th 0.0 | ![]() |
End of the 4th Quarter | 128 - 149 |
| 4th 17.9 | ![]() |
Mac McClung makes driving layup (Lachlan Olbrich assists) | 128 - 149 |
| 4th 20.7 | ![]() |
AJ Johnson makes driving layup | 126 - 149 |
| 4th 34.4 | ![]() |
Mac McClung makes free throw 1 of 1 | 126 - 147 |
Statistics
CHI |
DAL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 52-106 | FG | 52-100 |
| 49 | Field Goal % | 52 |
| 10-38 | 3PT | 22-49 |
| 26 | Three Point % | 45 |
| 14-19 | FT | 23-27 |
| 74 | Free Throw % | 85 |
| 42 | Rebounds | 57 |
| 13 | Offensive Rebounds | 16 |
| 29 | Defensive Rebounds | 41 |
| 30 | Assists | 35 |
| 12 | Steals | 10 |
| 3 | Blocks | 5 |
| 13 | Turnovers | 18 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 18 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 1 |
| 11 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 19 |
| 19 | Fast Break Points | 24 |
| 78 | Points in Paint | 56 |
| 20 | Fouls | 24 |
| 2 | Largest Lead | 34 |
| 1 | Lead Change | 1 |
| 1 | Percent Led | 97 |
Dallas Mavericks Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Biberovic, F | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Jett Howard, G | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Dereck Lively II, C | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Santi Aldama, F | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
Chicago Bulls Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Tobe Awaka, F | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Isaac Okoro, F | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Zach Collins, F | Day-To-Day | Oct 16 |
| Nic Claxton, C | Day-To-Day | Oct 5 |
Game Information
Location: Dallas, TX
Attendance: 20,232 · Capacity:
2026-27 Southwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Memphis |
- | 1 | W2 | 0.75 | 3 |
New Orleans |
- | 1 | W2 | 0.75 | 3 |
Houston |
0.5 | 1 | W1 | 0.6666667 | 2 |
San Antonio |
1.5 | 3 | W2 | 0.4 | 2 |
Dallas |
2 | 3 | L2 | 0.25 | 1 |
NBA News
Knicks waive Bruce Brown, keep James Wiseman ahead of opener
The Knicks are waiving Bruce Brown and keeping James Wiseman on the roster as the team heads into its regular-season opener, sources told ESPN.
76ers, needing frontcourt help, convert 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall to two-way contract
The 76ers, dealing with injuries in the frontcourt, have converted center Tacko Fall to a two-way contract.
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa injures ankle during Wizards' preseason finale
First overall pick AJ Dybantsa exited the Wizards' preseason finale after injuring his ankle on an awkward landing and will undergo further evaluation.





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