Max Christies Eight Threes Power Mavericks Past Knicks At MSG

On an electric Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Madison Square Garden, the Dallas Mavericks delivered a performance that left New York Knicks fans in disbelief and their own bench celebrating a statement win. The Mavericks, despite missing five rotation players including key contributors PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, rolled into the world’s most famous arena and handed the Knicks a 114-97 defeat on January 19, 2026. The loss marked New York’s largest home halftime deficit since 2015 and sent a restless MSG crowd into a chorus of boos before the second half had even begun.

But let’s not bury the lead—this night belonged to Max Christie. The fourth-year guard put on a 3-point shooting clinic, finishing with a career-high 26 points and draining eight of his ten attempts from deep. Christie’s shooting set the tone early and often, and by the time he knocked down his seventh triple with more than 10 minutes left in the third quarter, the Knicks faithful had seen enough. The boos rained down as Dallas extended its lead to an eye-popping 75-47 at halftime, a margin that would have seemed unthinkable just weeks ago.

“I had no idea, but I’ll get more opportunities at that,” Christie said with a grin after learning he had tied the Mavericks’ franchise record for most 3-pointers made at MSG. He fell just shy of the team’s all-time single-game record of 10, a mark shared by Tim Hardaway Jr., Wesley Matthews, and George McCloud, but his performance was enough to etch his name in the history books. Prior to Monday, Christie’s best effort from beyond the arc was five makes in a game—this time, he blew past that, further cementing what’s been his best shooting season as a pro. He’s now connecting on 45.9% of his 3-point attempts, going 101-for-220 so far this year.

While Christie’s shooting stole the spotlight, the night was also significant for Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 draft pick making his professional debut at Madison Square Garden. Flagg, who’d missed the previous two games with a sprained left ankle, showed no signs of rust. He poured in 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists in just under 28 minutes of action. “It’s incredible,” Flagg said after the game. “It’s a great environment. They have really great fans. It’s always such a unique environment in here. It was great. I thought we played a really good game.”

Flagg wasted no time getting comfortable in the Garden, scoring the Mavericks’ first seven points of the second quarter and helping spark a 13-0 Dallas run that ballooned the lead to 51-31. He connected on his first four shots, including a smooth turnaround jumper and a confident 3-pointer from the top of the key. Flagg’s transition layup midway through the second quarter pushed the lead to 18, prompting Knicks coach Mike Brown to call a desperate timeout. The rookie’s energy was contagious, and his early scoring surge helped the Mavericks seize control.

But it wasn’t just the veterans and high draft picks making noise for Dallas. The Mavericks saw four rookies make their pro debuts at MSG, including two-way players Moussa Cisse, Ryan Nembhard, and Miles Kelly. Cisse was particularly impressive, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in a performance that showcased his athleticism and rim protection. Nembhard added four points, three assists, and five rebounds, further highlighting the Mavericks’ depth even with a depleted rotation.

Naji Marshall also stepped up in a big way, tallying 19 points and eight rebounds, while providing crucial support on both ends of the floor. His nine consecutive points late in the second quarter helped Dallas extend its lead to 72-43, just before Christie’s sixth 3-pointer of the half sent the crowd into another round of jeers.

For the Knicks, the night was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite welcoming back Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart from ankle injuries, New York couldn’t find its rhythm. Brunson led the team with 22 points and six assists, earning his second straight All-Star starter nod, but his efforts weren’t enough to stem the tide. Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 22 points and 18 rebounds, and Mitchell Robinson contributed 12 points and 15 boards. Yet, the Knicks’ offense sputtered, particularly from beyond the arc—New York missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter and never recovered.

The Knicks, who entered the game having lost eight of their previous 11, now find themselves in a deeper slump with their ninth defeat in that stretch. The MSG crowd, known for its passion and high expectations, didn’t hesitate to voice its displeasure as the team fell behind by 30 points in the first half. Coach Mike Brown, in his first season at the helm, had his full roster at his disposal but couldn’t find an answer for Dallas’ relentless pace and outside shooting.

The game’s physicality also flared up in the second quarter when Towns was called for a flagrant foul after kicking Dwight Powell while attempting a shot, adding to the Knicks’ mounting frustrations. Despite the setback, Dallas never took its foot off the gas, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the second half and cruising to its third consecutive victory.

After the game, Christie was asked about the possibility of participating in the NBA’s 3-Point Contest during the upcoming All-Star Weekend. “That’d be super cool,” he said. “Something I definitely wouldn’t turn down. Something that would be a dream come true for me and if I get the nod, that would be amazing. If not, I’m still grateful for the season I’m having so far.”

Looking ahead, the Mavericks will host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday before another marquee matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers later in the week. With momentum firmly on their side and young players stepping up in big moments, Dallas appears poised for a strong push as the season heats up.

The Knicks, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. With the season slipping and the fans growing restless, the pressure is on for Mike Brown and his squad to find answers fast.

On a night when the spotlight was supposed to shine on the Knicks’ homecoming stars and the next generation of talent, it was Max Christie and the shorthanded Mavericks who seized the moment—and left the Garden crowd with plenty to think about as the NBA season barrels forward.