The Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 on April 5, 2026, at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Los Angeles entered at 50-27 while chasing a top-three Western Conference seed. Dallas entered at 24-53 and had lost 14 straight home games.

The Lakers played without Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart. Those absences removed two leading scorers and another experienced guard. Dallas was also missing Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, and Caleb Martin.

The Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Match Player Stats show how Dallas controlled the game despite losing the rebounding battle. The Mavericks made six more three-pointers and committed five fewer turnovers. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 45 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. [1][2]

Match Overview

Dallas led for almost the entire game and built a 22-point advantage during the second quarter. Los Angeles reduced the gap several times but never tied the score after the opening minutes. The result ended Dallas’ long home losing streak. It also dropped Los Angeles into a tie with Denver. [2][4]

Pre-Match Context

Los Angeles had already secured a playoff berth and the Pacific Division title. The Lakers were still competing for Western Conference seeding. They had recently won 13 of 14 games before losing at Oklahoma City.

That Oklahoma City game changed the Lakers’ available rotation. Dončić suffered a left hamstring strain. Reaves sustained a left oblique muscle strain. Both were ruled out for the remaining regular-season schedule.

Smart also missed the Dallas game with a right ankle contusion. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia entered the starting five. Kobe Bufkin and Nick Smith Jr. received limited bench minutes.

Dallas had been eliminated from postseason contention. The Mavericks were developing their younger players while managing several long-term injuries. Flagg entered after scoring 51 points against Orlando two days earlier.

Irving remained unavailable following left knee surgery. Lively was recovering from right foot surgery. Martin also missed the game because of a right plantar fascia strain. [3][4]

Quarter by Quarter Score

Dallas won three quarters, including a 41-point opening period. Los Angeles took the second and fourth quarters but could not erase the early deficit.

Quarter by Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Dallas opened with two early Los Angeles turnovers and attacked before the Lakers could organize defensively. Flagg scored 19 first-quarter points. His early shooting helped Dallas establish a 14-7 advantage.

Los Angeles briefly led 3-2 after Rui Hachimura’s three-pointer. Dallas regained control through Flagg, Max Christie, and Naji Marshall. Klay Thompson made a three-pointer with one second remaining. Dallas finished the period ahead 41-30. [2]

Second Quarter

The Mavericks extended their advantage to 58-36 during the second quarter. Brandon Williams scored in transition, while Khris Middleton added a three-pointer. Daniel Gafford also created second-chance points.

LeBron James then led the Lakers’ response. He scored 16 points during the quarter. Los Angeles closed the half with a 25-9 scoring run after falling behind by 22.

Kennard made a late three-pointer before James completed a three-point play. Dallas entered halftime with a reduced 67-61 lead. [2]

Third Quarter

Los Angeles scored first after halftime and reduced the margin to four. James later finished an alley-oop from Kennard, making the score 72-70.

P.J. Washington immediately answered with a three-pointer. Dallas then rebuilt its lead through Flagg, Williams, and its perimeter shooting.

The Mavericks scored 40 points during the quarter. Los Angeles scored 36 but ended the period behind 107-97. A late Williams layup restored a double-digit margin. [2]

Fourth Quarter

Jaxson Hayes opened the fourth with a putback. Flagg answered with a three-point play before Williams scored another layup. Dallas moved ahead 112-99.

The Lakers reduced the deficit to 121-116 with 4:22 remaining. Washington responded with a three-pointer on Dallas’ next possession.

Flagg added a turnaround jumper, while Marvin Bagley III finished a late alley-oop. Los Angeles continued scoring during the final minute. Dallas protected the lead through free throws and closed the game 134-128. [2]

Team Stats Comparison

Both teams shot above 51 percent from the field. Dallas created its advantage from three-point range and through stronger possession control.

Los Angeles collected more rebounds and recorded more assists. However, Dallas generated additional steals, blocks, and three-point makes.

Key Numbers That Decided the Game

The numbers show that Dallas converted its perimeter opportunities while limiting empty possessions.

• Dallas made 14 three-pointers, while Los Angeles made eight.
• The Mavericks shot 43.8 percent from beyond the arc.
• Dallas committed seven turnovers compared with Los Angeles’ 12.
• The Mavericks recorded 11 steals and five blocked shots.
• Dallas’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 46-35.
• Los Angeles won total rebounds 58-43 but still lost by six points.

Full Box Score: Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles produced balanced scoring despite missing its leading backcourt players. James controlled most primary playmaking duties. Hachimura scored efficiently, while Kennard recorded his first career triple-double.

Hayes led the bench with 23 points from ten field-goal attempts. The Lakers received only seven combined points from their other reserve players. [2]

Lakers Basic Player Stats

Lakers Shooting and Plus-Minus

Lakers Defensive and Possession Stats

Full Box Score: Dallas Mavericks

Dallas placed six players in double figures. Flagg accounted for nearly one-third of the Mavericks’ total scoring. Marshall and Williams combined for 12 assists while supporting the primary offense.

Washington scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime. Thompson supplied three three-pointers from the bench. Gafford recorded two steals, two blocks, and a game-high plus-19. [2]

Mavericks Basic Player Stats

Mavericks Shooting and Plus-Minus

Mavericks Defensive and Possession Stats

Game Leaders and Top Performers

Cooper Flagg

Flagg scored 19 points during the opening quarter and kept Dallas ahead throughout the game. He reached the free-throw line 17 times and converted 15 attempts.

His nine assists were Dallas’ highest total. He also contributed two steals and one block. Flagg finished with a plus-11 rating.

LeBron James

James handled the Lakers’ scoring and playmaking responsibilities. He scored 16 points during the second quarter and helped reduce a 22-point deficit.

James finished one rebound short of a triple-double. He created 15 assists and committed four turnovers across 38 minutes.

Luke Kennard

Kennard recorded the first triple-double of his NBA career. He also established a career high with 16 rebounds.

Kennard played 41 minutes and made all four free-throw attempts. His plus-eight rating was the Lakers’ highest figure.

Jaxson Hayes

Hayes scored 23 points from the bench. He made eight of ten field-goal attempts and seven of eight free throws.

He provided interior scoring after Ayton played only 19 minutes. Hayes also collected three offensive rebounds. [2]

Starting Lineups

Both teams adjusted their normal lineups because of injuries. Los Angeles started Kennard and LaRavia alongside James, Hachimura, and Ayton.

Dallas used Flagg with Marshall, Washington, Christie, and Gafford. Klay Thompson continued in a reserve role.

Injury Report

The official afternoon injury report confirmed three unavailable Lakers. Dallas listed three established rotation players as out.

Vanderbilt was cleared after earlier calf soreness. Bagley and Poulakidas were listed as probable and both played. Moussa Cisse and Tyler Smith remained questionable but did not appear. [3]

Season Series and Head-to-Head Results

Los Angeles won the 2025-26 regular-season series 3-1. Dallas avoided a series sweep by winning the final meeting.

The Lakers won both games in Los Angeles and split the two meetings in Dallas. This table covers every regular-season matchup between the teams that season. [5]

Western Conference Standings

The Lakers remained in the top four despite the loss. They were tied with Denver at 50-28 immediately after the game.

Dallas stood 12th in the Western Conference. The Mavericks had already been eliminated from postseason qualification. [2][6]

Broadcast and Stream Information

The game received national coverage in the United States. NBC carried the television broadcast, while Peacock provided streaming access.

The scheduled start was 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. That converted to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time and 6:30 p.m. Central Time. [2][7]

Conclusion

Dallas ended its home losing streak by controlling the three-point line and protecting possession. Flagg drove the offense from the opening quarter.

Los Angeles stayed competitive despite losing its two primary backcourt scorers. James and Kennard handled expanded playmaking roles throughout the game.

The result tightened the Lakers’ Western Conference seeding race. Los Angeles next hosted Oklahoma City. Dallas travelled to face the Los Angeles Clippers.

For more match updates, read: Knicks vs Detroit Pistons match player stats

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Lakers versus Dallas Mavericks game?

The Dallas Mavericks won 134-128 on April 5, 2026. Dallas improved to 25-53, while Los Angeles fell to 50-28.

What were Cooper Flagg’s statistics against the Lakers?

Flagg finished with 45 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. He shot 14-of-27 and made 15 of 17 free throws.

What were LeBron James’ statistics against Dallas?

James recorded 30 points, nine rebounds, and 15 assists. He shot 12-of-22 while playing 38 minutes for Los Angeles.

Why did Luka Dončić miss the Mavericks game?

Dončić missed the game because of a left hamstring strain. The injury also ruled him out for the remaining regular-season games.

Did Luke Kennard record a triple-double?

Yes. Kennard registered 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was the first triple-double of his professional NBA career.

Who won the 2025-26 Lakers-Mavericks season series?

The Lakers won the season series 3-1. Los Angeles won the first three meetings before Dallas took the final matchup.

Where was the Lakers-Mavericks game broadcast?

NBC televised the game nationally in the United States. Peacock carried the official streaming coverage for the scheduled 7:30 p.m. Eastern start.