Three takeaways from Warriors’ Christmas Day win over Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Golden State used the Christmas Day spotlight to remind the league it still understands big stages, outlasting the Mavericks and highly touted rookie Cooper Flagg in a showcase that blended present urgency with a glimpse of the NBA’s future. Here are three key takeaways from the Warriors’ win.
First, the Warriors’ offensive identity looks increasingly settled. The ball movement that once defined their dynasty resurfaced with purpose, featuring layered actions, quick decisions, and a balanced shot profile. Rather than leaning entirely on high-volume isolation or deep threes, Golden State mixed screening, cutting, and secondary playmaking to keep Dallas rotating. That style matters in a Western Conference crowded with heliocentric offenses; when the Warriors are at their best, the system elevates role players and prevents defenses from simply loading up on one star.
Second, their defensive versatility still travels. Golden State showed a willingness to toggle between coverages, mixing on-ball pressure with timely help and switching. The priority was to shrink driving lanes and force Dallas into tougher reads, and the Warriors largely succeeded by trusting their communication and length. For a team that has occasionally struggled to sustain defensive focus, this performance suggested that when engaged, they can still string together playoff-caliber stretches on that end.
Third, Cooper Flagg’s presence underscored how quickly the league’s next wave is arriving. Even in a loss, the young forward’s composure, activity, and two-way potential were evident. Golden State treated him like a real threat, sending varied defenders and physicality his way. That respect is telling. For Dallas, integrating Flagg alongside established stars will be a season-long project, but the outlines of a long-term cornerstone are clear. From a league-wide perspective, seeing a storied veteran core share the floor with a hyped rookie on Christmas felt symbolic: the NBA is firmly in a transition era, where established powers are trying to squeeze out one more run while new headliners rapidly gain ground.
First, the Warriors’ offensive identity looks increasingly settled. The ball movement that once defined their dynasty resurfaced with purpose, featuring layered actions, quick decisions, and a balanced shot profile. Rather than leaning entirely on high-volume isolation or deep threes, Golden State mixed screening, cutting, and secondary playmaking to keep Dallas rotating. That style matters in a Western Conference crowded with heliocentric offenses; when the Warriors are at their best, the system elevates role players and prevents defenses from simply loading up on one star.
Second, their defensive versatility still travels. Golden State showed a willingness to toggle between coverages, mixing on-ball pressure with timely help and switching. The priority was to shrink driving lanes and force Dallas into tougher reads, and the Warriors largely succeeded by trusting their communication and length. For a team that has occasionally struggled to sustain defensive focus, this performance suggested that when engaged, they can still string together playoff-caliber stretches on that end.
Third, Cooper Flagg’s presence underscored how quickly the league’s next wave is arriving. Even in a loss, the young forward’s composure, activity, and two-way potential were evident. Golden State treated him like a real threat, sending varied defenders and physicality his way. That respect is telling. For Dallas, integrating Flagg alongside established stars will be a season-long project, but the outlines of a long-term cornerstone are clear. From a league-wide perspective, seeing a storied veteran core share the floor with a hyped rookie on Christmas felt symbolic: the NBA is firmly in a transition era, where established powers are trying to squeeze out one more run while new headliners rapidly gain ground.
