Dallas, October 25, 2025
News Summary
In a thrilling match at the American Airlines Center, the Washington Wizards defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-107. Tre Johnson marked his first NBA appearance in Dallas with 17 points off the bench, while Kyshawn George led the Wizards with a remarkable 34 points. The game featured a comeback by the Wizards after trailing by 14 points in the first quarter, showcasing their strong defensive strategy that forced 21 Mavericks turnovers. The victory highlights the Wizards’ potential this season, while the Mavericks must address their offensive challenges.
Dallas
The Washington Wizards defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-107 at the American Airlines Center in a game that marked Tre Johnson’s first appearance in Dallas as an NBA player. The Wizards overcame an early 14-point deficit and secured their first win of the season behind balanced scoring and defensive pressure that forced the Mavericks into 21 turnovers.
What happened
Tre Johnson played his first game at the American Airlines Center as an NBA player. During the game, Johnson scored 17 points on 13 shots off the bench, contributing to Washington’s comeback and eventual victory. The Wizards achieved their first win of the season with a final score of 117-107.
Earlier in the season, in his NBA debut, Johnson scored 16 points off the bench during the Wizards’ season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. That earlier performance followed a draft selection in which Washington selected him as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He became the first Wizards rookie in 31 years to score at least 15 points in his first game, doing so on November 6, 1992.
Key performances and game flow
The Wizards initially trailed by 14 points in the first quarter but rallied with sustained pressure defense and improved shot selection. Kyshawn George led the Wizards with a career-high 34 points and 11 rebounds, also contributing defensively with 3 blocks and 2 steals. Washington’s defense disrupted Dallas’ offense; the Mavericks had trouble handling the Wizards’ pressure defense and finished with 21 turnovers in the game.
Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg produced a notable second game performance, contributing 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds despite 5 turnovers. The contest featured several momentum shifts, with Dallas cutting the lead to as little as four points in the fourth quarter before Washington extended the margin following an off-ball foul that coincided with a Bub Carrington three-pointer, allowing the Wizards to push the lead back to nine.
Context on Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson is a Garland native and former Lake Highlands standout. He played three years at Lake Highlands before transferring to Link Academy and then committing to Texas. He was named the 2022-23 SportsDayHS boys basketball Player of the Year, leading Lake Highlands to its first state championship in 55 years. In his high school career, he averaged 21.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, hitting 84 three-pointers.
Tre Johnson, a Garland native and former Lake Highlands standout, played his first game at the American Airlines Center as an NBA player. He was excited to return home, but was focused on winning rather than nostalgia. He has previously visited the arena only a handful of times as a spectator. Johnson did not closely follow the Mavericks growing up but anticipated family and friends attending the game.
Wizards coach Brian Keefe praised Johnson’s work ethic and described him as a gym rat and a dedicated player. Johnson conveyed readiness to compete against any opponent, including Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 pick.
Implications for both teams
For Washington, the win showcased depth and a capacity to recover from early runs against solid opposition. Johnson’s instant impact off the bench and George’s career-high scoring created a combined lift for the roster. For Dallas, the game highlighted issues in ball security and the challenge of shaping an offensive identity without Kyrie Irving, who was absent for this contest. The performance opened discussions about the Mavericks’ struggles and the potential need for roster changes.
Game details at a glance
- Final score: Wizards 117, Mavericks 107
- Tre Johnson (WAS): 17 points on 13 shots off the bench
- Tre Johnson NBA debut: 16 points off the bench during the Wizards’ season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks
- Kyshawn George (WAS): Career-high 34 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals
- Mavericks turnovers: 21
- Cooper Flagg (DAL): 18 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 turnovers
FAQ
Did Tre Johnson play his first NBA game in Dallas?
Tre Johnson, a Garland native and former Lake Highlands standout, played his first game at the American Airlines Center as an NBA player.
How many points did Tre Johnson score in the Dallas game?
During the game, Johnson scored 17 points on 13 shots off the bench.
What was Tre Johnson’s performance in his NBA debut?
In his NBA debut, Johnson scored 16 points off the bench during the Wizards’ season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Where was Tre Johnson selected in the draft?
Washington selected him as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Did any Wizards rookie achieve a notable first-game scoring mark?
He became the first Wizards rookie in 31 years to score at least 15 points in his first game, doing so on November 6, 1992.
Who led the Wizards in scoring?
Kyshawn George led the Wizards with a career-high 34 points and 11 rebounds, also contributing defensively with 3 blocks and 2 steals.
How did the Mavericks handle Washington’s defense?
The Mavericks had trouble handling the Wizards’ pressure defense and finished with 21 turnovers in the game.
What was the final score of the game?
The Wizards achieved their first win of the season with a final score of 117-107.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Wizards 117 – Mavericks 107 |
| Tre Johnson (Dallas game) | 17 points on 13 shots off the bench |
| Tre Johnson (NBA debut) | 16 points off the bench during the Wizards’ season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks |
| Draft position | Washington selected him as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft |
| Leading scorer (Wizards) | Kyshawn George — 34 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals |
| Mavericks turnovers | 21 |
| Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) | 18 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 turnovers |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dallas News
- Wikipedia: Tre Johnson
- NBA Highlights
- Google Search: Washington Wizards vs Dallas Mavericks 2025
- Bullets Forever
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NBA
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Sports Illustrated
- Dallas Hoops Journal
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
