Dallas Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. delivered a memorable performance against the Utah Jazz on Friday, quickly winning over Mavs fans with his impressive effort in the team’s victory. His outstanding display also earned recognition from head coach Dusty May. However, it was Cooper Flagg’s distinctive assessment of Johnson’s performance that arguably attracted the most attention.
During the postgame press conference, Flagg made sure to highlight his rookie teammate’s contribution.
“Yeah, I thought Rez was amazing,” Flagg said. “You know, Rez. Nah, but I think it was just his effort crashing every single time.”
Flagg then pointed to Johnson’s 10 offensive rebounds, sharing how much determination and hard work it took to repeatedly create additional opportunities for Dallas.
“Only 10 offensive rebounds. I mean, that doesn’t happen without incredible effort. I mean, he was playing both sides of the ball at a really high level. So, you know, I think when he’s in that mode, it’s gonna make us a lot better.”
Johnson was arguably one of Dallas’ biggest contributors against Utah. The rookie forward registered his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 17 rebounds in just under 24 minutes. His 10 offensive rebounds were particularly valuable, giving the Mavericks additional opportunities and helping them dominate the glass.
Meanwhile, Flagg led the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while P.J. Washington finished with a team-high 26 points.
Despite landing on the injury report, Kyrie Irving played the game and added 14 points and three steals, helping the Mavericks improve to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in NBA Cup group play. The victory also ended Dallas’ two-game losing streak.
With the victory, Dallas improved its position in NBA Cup Group A and gained some momentum after its recent struggles. The Mavericks will look to carry that confidence into their next matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
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