Dallas Mavericks survived Detroit Pistons by just one possession but two of them still managed a double digit in plus/minus – Naji Marshall and Cooper Flagg. They were also the top scorers for the team but their best contribution was not exactly on the scoresheet.
Mavs win over the hot Pistons, 116-114, despite their big man Anthony Davis feeling a bit under the weather. Marshall and Flagg provided the best defense while their star is not 100 percent, recording a combined +32. Flagg led everyone in scoring with 23 points while Marshall added 16.
They survived the almost triple double (29-10-9) recorded by Cade Cunningham. They also had a bit of help after Ausar Thompson was ejected.
Marshall was all praises for their rookie after the game and while at it, he produced one of the best quotes to be dropped ever in NBA.
“Coop is really amazing at basketball. He’s a dog, on both ends of the floor and every game somebody guards them with their best defender and he just goes out and proves that he’s a No. 1 pick…Pledge allegiance to the Flagg, man.”
Other writers and fans made sure to single that out.
Naji Marshall: “Pledge allegiance to the Flagg, man.” https://t.co/fzY9cmL0Se
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) December 19, 2025
Naji Marshall was asked about Cooper Flagg’s competitiveness.
He raved about the first overall pick and ended it with “pledge allegencd to the Flagg.” pic.twitter.com/MHcqT1w15C
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) December 19, 2025
Naji Marshall after Cooper Flagg’s performance tonight:
“Pledge allegiance to the Flagg, man.”
(via @BannedMacMahon) pic.twitter.com/tsGBy3Z78n
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) December 19, 2025
Naji Marshall was asked about Cooper Flagg’s competitiveness:
“Coop is really amazing at basketball. He’s a dog on both ends of the floor…Pledge allegiance to the Flagg.”
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) December 19, 2025
Naji Marshall loves defending with Cooper Flagg
Flagg is a future star while Marshall is a role player at best. The latter still fulfills the job he is not expected to do.
This is why Marshall is in awe of the 2025 first pick.
Naji Marshall on going to war with Cooper Flagg defensively:
“It’s easy. Just knowing a guy out there got my back…I can take a possession off a player and he can guard em or vice versa. It makes it easy and makes it fun.” pic.twitter.com/AkjNyfgk9U
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) December 19, 2025
Marshall, who hasn’t missed a game this season, really could have used that assistance from Flagg as like Davis, he was not feeling well during the game revealing that he also had a flu.
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