Knicks Edge Mavericks 113-111 After Wild Ending in Dallas/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Mavericks dropped a nail-biter to the New York Knicks, 113-111, after Brandon Williams’ game-tying layup was nullified by a controversial offensive foul. The Knicks escaped despite late free throw struggles. Jalen Brunson returned to lead New York with 28 points in the tight road win.
In a game that came down to a chaotic and contentious final possession, the Dallas Mavericks saw a potential game-tying layup erased by a late offensive foul call, falling 113-111 to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
With 0.7 seconds remaining and the Mavericks down by two, Brandon Williams drove coast-to-coast and completed a seemingly clean layup past Knicks guard Landry Shamet. The crowd erupted as the ball dropped through the net, appearing to send the game to overtime. But moments later, the celebration turned into confusion and frustration as officials called Williams for an offensive foul, ruling he made illegal contact with Shamet on the way to the basket.
The call negated the bucket, and with no time left to recover, the Mavericks were left stunned. Williams, who finished with nine points on 2-of-11 shooting, stood in disbelief as the Knicks secured the win.
Knicks Escape Despite Free Throw Struggles
The Knicks nearly let the game slip away due to poor free throw shooting in the final moments. They missed five of six free throws in the last 22 seconds, giving Dallas every opportunity to steal the game. P.J. Washington sank a pair to pull the Mavericks within one with six seconds left, and after Jalen Brunson split two free throws, the door was open for Dallas.
Brunson, playing his first game back after missing a week due to an ankle injury, led the Knicks with 28 points and five assists, shooting 11-of-23 from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Hart came off the bench to contribute 16 points and 10 boards.
With the win, New York improved to 9-5 on the season and has now won two of its last three games. They continue their five-game road trip Saturday in Orlando against the Magic.
Flagg Absent, Mavs Still Struggle in Close Games
Dallas was without No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flaggwho missed the game due to illness. His absence was felt as the Mavericks struggled once again to close out a tightly contested matchup. It was their fifth loss in six games, and four of those losses have come by single digits, highlighting ongoing late-game execution issues.
D’Angelo Russell led the Mavericks with 23 points and seven assists, while Naji Marshall added 23 points off the bench. The team now sits at 4-12 on the season and faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly.
Dallas will try to regroup on Friday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans, hoping to snap their current slide and potentially welcome Flagg back to the lineup.
Controversy Overshadows Otherwise Thrilling Finish
While both teams battled throughout, the night’s defining moment was unquestionably the controversial offensive foul on Williams. Replays showed minimal contact as he maneuvered around Shamet, leading to debate among fans and analysts alike.
The call adds another chapter to the Mavericks’ recent string of heartbreaking finishes. With expectations high following the selection of Flagg and the arrival of veterans like Russell and Washington, the team has yet to find its rhythm—and frustration is clearly beginning to show.
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