Washington Wizards Defeat the Dallas Mavericks 117-107 in Season Opener

Kyshawn George delivered a career-high 34 points to lead the Washington Wizards to their first win of the season, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 117-107 on the road Friday night. The Wizards recovered from an early 14-point deficit, powered by a strong bench performance and George’s efficient shooting, including 7-for-9 from three-point range and 11 rebounds. The Mavericks, still seeking their first victory of the season, dropped to 0-2 despite another big outing from Anthony Davis, who led Dallas with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Rookie Cooper Flagg showed improvement in his second game, finishing with 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds, but also committed five turnovers. Flagg sparked a late Mavericks rally, scoring nine consecutive points in the fourth quarter and helping cut a 17-point deficit down to four. However, a sequence of missed free throws and costly turnovers—including two by Flagg and a key mistake by Davis—prevented Dallas from completing the comeback. The Wizards’ bench, led by sixth overall pick Tre Johnson’s 17 points, played a significant role in shifting the game’s momentum. Johnson, returning to his home state of Texas, scored 10 of his points in the second quarter. Washington’s defense forced 21 Dallas turnovers, while the Wizards capitalized by shooting 44% from beyond the arc. P.J. Washington Jr. had 18 points and nine rebounds for Dallas, but his eight turnovers highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles with ball security. The win marks a milestone for Kyshawn George, who, according to Monumental Sports Network, is now the youngest player in franchise history to open a season with consecutive 20-point games. For Dallas, the absence of Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford continues to expose a lack of playmaking and offensive cohesion, issues that have persisted since the offseason trade sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Looking ahead, the Wizards host the Charlotte Hornets in their home opener on Sunday, while the Mavericks continue their homestand against the Toronto Raptors, searching for their first win of the season. For more details and analysis, visit the Wizards vs. Mavericks box score on ESPN and follow Washington Wizards on Twitter for updates.