Dusty May has his first win as an NBA coach. His Dallas Mavericks had to earn it, though, as they lost star Cooper Flagg to a shoulder injury halfway through their game against the Indiana Pacers. But despite falling off in the second half, the Mavs were able to hold on for the 121-105 win, spoiling Tyrese Haliburton's first home game back from his Achilles injury.
To celebrate May's milestone win, the Mavs gave their coach a mop bucket bath as he entered the locker room.
May was all smiles as his Mavs players doused him with water. And afterwards, he dapped up Max Christie and Kyrie Irving before delivering a rousing post-game speech.
Things got chippy when Aaron Nesmith committed the hard foul that led to Flagg's injury. But the Mavs were able to withstand the heightened emotions to get the big win on the road.
With Flagg knocked out, Kyrie Irving was instrumental in leading the Mavs to victory in Indiana. Irving finished with a team-high 24 points in just 25 minutes of action. Meanwhile, PJ Washington added a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double in Flagg's absence.
With the first win out of the way, May will now look forward to his home debut against the San Antonio Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back. May said post-game that Flagg will be evaluated in the coming days, so it seems Flagg will not be available to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Naji Marshall, who had 15 points and six assists against the Pacers off the bench, will likely take Flagg's spot in the starting lineup.