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The Miami Heat remain winless after dropping a 113-109 contest to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Despite a triple-double performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat suffered their fourth consecutive loss to start the season.
Late Game Heroics by Cooper Flagg
The Mavericks held a 111-109 advantage with under 30 seconds remaining when Andrew Wiggins attempted a potential go-ahead shot that was blocked by Cooper Flagg. Flagg then secured the victory on the opposite end by converting a layup to extend the Dallas lead to four points with only 10 seconds left on the clock.
Antetokounmpo delivered a stat-stuffing triple-double that featured multiple highlight plays, including a powerful poster dunk over Daniel Gafford. However, Antetokounmpo’s stellar effort fell short as his supporting cast contributed very little to the offense.
Standout Performances from Dallas
Cooper Flagg continued his impressive start to his second NBA season by showcasing strong passing skills and defensive impact. The 19-year-old is demonstrating a more complete game in his sophomore campaign, presenting an encouraging sign for the Mavericks.
Kyrie Irving, who continues working his way back into game shape after missing the entire 2025-26 season, also delivered a solid contribution in the winning effort for Dallas.
Miami’s Early Struggles
It remains unclear what has gone wrong for the Heat in the early stages of the season. Entering the year with championship aspirations, the team has instead resembled a lottery squad through their opening matchups.
While these early struggles may simply be opening-game hurdles that will be resolved as the season progresses, beginning the campaign with an 0-4 record presents a concerning start for the franchise.
