Cooper Flagg turned in a career-best performance but it was not enough as the Dallas Mavericks slipped to defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks hit back to win 116-114 on Monday, with the Mavs dropping to 3-8 for the season.

While Dallas fans directed their anger at the organisation's leadership, particularly general manager Nico Harrison, Flagg – the number one overall pick in this year's NBA draft – enjoyed his best showing for the Mavs.

Flagg finished on 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while he also gave Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo a tough battle. He matched LeBron James as the youngest player in NBA history to score over 25 points in a game.

"All I can do is keep working, keep showing up, keep getting in the gym, trusting the reps, trusting the work, getting with the coaches, watching film, and just continue to be confident," Flagg said, as quoted by ESPN.

"I know who I am and what I'm capable of. So, it's just one of those things where you just have to kind of brush it off and do the best you can. Looking forward to the next day."

Of Flagg's tussle with Antetokounmpo, Mavs teammate Klay Thompson enthused: "That was incredible.

"You kidding me? That's a Defensive Player of the Year, MVP. Fearless.

"I love that Cooper did that. I love that. He's not afraid of the moment. It's going to pay off huge dividends down the road."

Nothing but respect between Giannis and Cooper. pic.twitter.com/dAWNiUBAlV

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 11, 2025

As for the jeers and chants directed at Harrison, the Mavs players insisted they did not let it get to them.

P.J. Washington said: "Everybody has an opinion, so everybody's entitled to that. I mean, it is what it is.

"At the end of the day, we just got to come out here and do our job - and that's to be professional, play basketball and try to win each and every night. It is what it is at this point. Just got to keep moving forward."

Thompson added: "You've got to focus. You've got to give the fans something to be proud of. I think our effort was incredible tonight, the last couple games. So, fans will be fans. Can only control what you can control, so they're going to do what they do, but it's important for us to just stay the course."