Ryan Rollins Unleashed: 24-Point Outburst Snaps Bucks’ Skid vs Mavs
Ryan Rollins Unleashed: 24-Point Outburst Snaps Bucks’ Skid vs Mavs
The Milwaukee Bucks finally found their footing on Tuesday night, snapping a frustrating four-game losing streak with a convincing 123-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The catalyst for the win was Ryan Rollins, who delivered a career-best performance with 24 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Starting in place of the injured stars, Rollins played with an aggressive pace, constantly attacking the rim and finding open shooters as the Bucks blew the game open in the second half.
Milwaukee (30-45) utilized a balanced attack to overwhelm the Mavericks. Kyle Kuzma provided veteran stability with 20 points, while Myles Turner anchored the defense with 10 points and several key blocks. The Bucks’ shooters were locked in, hitting 11 of their first 22 three-point attempts in the second half. By the middle of the fourth quarter, the lead had ballooned to over 30 points, allowing coach Doc Rivers to rest his primary rotation players early.
Cooper Flagg’s Rookie Growing Pains
The Dallas Mavericks’ primary focus remains the development of rookie phenom Cooper Flagg, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for his 12th double-double of the season. Despite the solid stat line, Flagg struggled with his efficiency, shooting just 6-of-19 from the floor. Milwaukee’s defense took a page out of the Timberwolves' playbook, throwing multiple taller, physical defenders at the 19-year-old to disrupt his rhythm. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd noted that these "learning experiences" against physical veteran teams are essential for Flagg's growth into a superstar.
Dallas Dealing with Heavy Absences
The Mavericks were severely shorthanded, entering the game without Kyrie Irving (knee), Klay Thompson (rest), and P.J. Washington (illness). The situation worsened when starting center Daniel Gafford left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder stinger. In their absence, Brandon Williams stepped up to score 18 points, but the lack of experienced playmaking was evident as Dallas struggled to keep up with Milwaukee’s ball movement. As the Mavs (24-52) look toward a high draft pick in 2026, the remaining games serve as a testing ground for their young rotation players.
