RSS Mavericks Team Notes

[Dallas Mavericks]

Stats Rundown: 4 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ ugly 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies

The Dallas Mavericks (5-13) lost what might go down as the ugliest NBA basketball game of the year on Saturday, 102-96, to the Memphis Grizzlies (6-11) at American Airlines Center. Crimes against the game were perpetrated as two bad teams tried their best to get out of the other’s way.

Dallas shot just 35-0f-91 (38.5%) from the field in the unsightly loss. Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington combined to hit just 11-of-32 from the field the night after they combined for 53 points in the Mavericks’ 118-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 20 points and eight rebounds in the win. Washington left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent back injury as Dallas wilted down the stretch.

Read at your own peril, Mavs fans. Here are four stats that stood out in the Mavericks’ latest chapter in a season of sadness.

4-of-5: First-quarter 3-point shooting from Brandon Williams and Klay Thompson​

Don’t look now, Mavs fans, but this team is creeping closer and closer to the middle of the NBA pack in 3-point shooting over the last eight games. After donning the cement shoes and jumping into the 3-point lake to start the year, to the tune of a league-worst 29.5% shooting clip through the season’s first 11 games, Dallas has turned a corner from distance of late. That’s right, folks, your Mavericks have been downright average from 3-point land lately. Their 35.9% shooting clip from distance over the last eight games (97-of-270), which would put the Mavs right in the meaty middle of the NBA 3-point curve if it held over the course of the season, has truly been a sight to behold.

Brandon Williams sank both his first two looks from 3-point range early in Saturday’s game, then Klay Thompson chimed in with two more before the first quarter was out, to continue that trend against the Grizzlies. The pair combined to hit four of their five first-quarter 3-point attempts, a welcome sight after Dallas had been unable to hit the broad side of a barn earlier this year.

Williams, playing on his 25th birthday, led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter, as the Mavs took a 22-21 lead after one. It’s still not beautiful team basketball, but hey — we’ll take any pleasantly surprising signs of life from this team we can get at this point.

Thompson missed his third attempt before canning two more longballs early in the second quarter. His fourth of the game came with 8:21 left in the first half and put the Mavericks up 32-27.

1-of-6: Cooper Flagg first-half shooting​

While Williams and Thompson shot 6-for-8 from 3-point land in the first half, the rest of the Mavericks’ offense was at a predictable standstill. It’s not that Cooper Flagg’s 1-of-6 field goal shooting in the half was the cause of the stagnation — it was more of a symptom of it. Coming off his career-high scoring night (29 points) on Friday, the Mavericks seemed to forget about Flagg for long stretches on the second night of the back-to-back set against the Grizzlies.

When the ball moves through Flagg, good things happen for this team. He’s a playmaker on a team otherwise devoid of dependable playmakers. How do you expect the young man to find a rhythm if the ball doesn’t find him for three, four or five minutes at a time? Let the kid set a screen or two and see what comes of it, maybe?

P.J. Washington, who added 24 points and nine rebounds in Friday’s win, got off to a sluggish start as well on Saturday. Washington made just one of his first eight field goal attempts before erupting for eight points in a two-minute stretch late in the second quarter and missed all four of his 3-point attempts in the first half.

Finally, the Mavs were able to limit the turnovers to six in Saturday’s first half. Finally, they outshot someone from 3-point range as a team. But even still, the first half devolved into a rock fight as both the Mavericks and the Grizzlies struggled to complete possessions with made buckets. As ugly as it looked at times, Dallas held a 47-43 lead at the break with a real chance to win back-to-back games for the first time this year staring the Mavs in the face.

Flagg didn’t fare much better in the second half, either, ending the night with 12 points and seven rebounds on 4-of-15 shooting.

23-11: Memphis’ advantage on the offensive glass​

Memphis controlled the third quarter as the wheels fell off for the Mavericks on offense out of halftime. Dallas shot just 9-of-25 (36%) from the field in the third, which ground to a near halt during Caleb Martin’s five minutes on the floor. Just a rugged, rugged watch on the second night of the back-to-back set.

Memphis wasn’t much better, but the difference was on the offensive glass. The Grizzlies outscored the Mavericks 23-7 on second-chance points through three quarters by beating them up on the offensive glass, 20-8.

Both teams were thin in the frontcourt, as Zach Edey and Santi Aldama were the only two bigs available for Memphis once Jock Landale went out with an injury toward the end of the first half. The Mavs, of course, were without both Anthony Davis (calf) and Dereck Lively II (knee/rest). In an otherwise borderline unwatchable game, Memphis at least brought a little energy underneath when shots went up, resulting in just enough extra possessions to maintain a slim 76-73 lead going into the fourth quarter. Thompson’s last-second turaround 3-pointer in the right corner as time expired made it a one-possession affair at the end of three.

The Grizzlies ended the night with a 23-11 advantage on the offensive glass and outscored Dallas 29-12 in second-chance points in the win.

22: Thompson’s season-high scoring night​

After knocking down that last-second turnaround 3-ball at the third-quarter buzzer, Thompson knocked down his sixth of the night, this time from the left corner, with 3:22 left in the game to tie the game, 92-92. That shot game Thompson a new season-high scoring mark of 19 points behind his 6-of-12 effort from 3-point land.

The rest of the Dallas Mavericks combined to shoot just 7-of-24 from distance to that point. Thompson’s big night from beyond the arc just wasn’t enough to lift the team out of the offensive funk, and with 20 seconds to play, the Mavs’ offense broke down one last time off a frantic inbound play, leaving Thompson with the ball in his hands at the logo with just two seconds left on the shot clock.

The very long shot came up very short, a fitting end to a frustrating night among frustrating nights. Dallas limped into the locker room with a brutal 102-96 loss.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...stats-cooper-flagg-klay-thompson-santi-aldama

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

SB Reacts: Who will the Dallas Mavericks trade, if anyone?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Mavericks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Results with thoughts will come out Friday, so you have a long time to vote and comment.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/general/52863/sb-reacts-who-will-the-dallas-mavericks-trade-if-anyone

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 things to watch as the Mavericks visit the Heat

Norman Powell has helped steady the Heat’s attack through injuries.

The Dallas Mavericks (5-13) kick off a four-game road trip with a 6:30 CST tip against the Miami Heat (11-6) Monday at the Kaseya Center. Miami returns home riding a four-game win streak after beating Philadelphia Sunday 127-117, in a game it never trailed. Dallas dropped two of the three games comprising its most recent homestand, splitting a pair of nail biters against the Knicks and Pelicans before falling flat Saturday against Memphis, 102-96.

The Heat lead the NBA in scoring with 124.8 points per game, also topping the league in pace and assists with 30.6 per game, and the team’s three-point percentage has been top-five most of the year (currently .385). Six Heat regulars shoot better than .365 from deep, led by Simone Fontecchio’s .435 mark. Miami shoots many more times than its opponents, a troubling prospect for a Mavericks team that has made a habit of handing out extra possessions via turnovers. Even when Dallas surrendered only ten giveaways Saturday, the Grizzlies racked up 23 offensive boards. To keep up with the Heat, the Mavericks will have to shoot better than their 35-of-91 showing against the Grizzlies, and would benefit if the hot three-point shooting of guards Brandon Williams and Klay Thompson proved contagious. The pair combined to make eight of 16 from long distance Saturday, a rare bright spot for the Mavericks offensively.

The Heat’s impressive record is even more surprising considering that the team has yet to be joined by All-Star shooting guard Tyler Herro, who underwent ankle surgery in September. His return is expected this week, possibly against the Mavericks Monday for a Miami club that played the day before. While the Heat have fired on all cylinders with their current lineup, Herro’s skillset promises to make things even tougher on opposing defenses by adding to the team’s already stellar wing play from Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins.

Wing stop​

Powell, brought aboard this offseason to share Herro’s and Wiggins’ scoring burdens, has proven himself capable of being the focal point of an offense after years of finding meaningful touches for himself while sharing the rock with multiple Hall of Famers as a Clipper and Raptor. With a deep bag of moves and a .456 three-point percentage, Powell is a true three-level scoring threat; four if you count getting to the line, where he nails over 90% on 6.4 attempts per game.

Point guard Davion Mitchell is having the best season of his career in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s motion-style offense, finding shots for himself and the Heat’s skilled cutters. The undersized guard can penetrate and pass, or pull up from midrange and long range. Big bodied shooting guard Pelle Larsson has kept Herro’s spot in the starting lineup warm with double digit scoring. Slashing guard Jaime Jacquez Jr. helped the team get off to a hot start without Herro but has cooled considerably as defenses have adjusted to him, backing off the .207 three-point shooter until he nears the basket, where he remains a dangerous finisher. He made 10 of 12 shots against Philadelphia Sunday.

Big challenges​

Bam Adebayo, back from missing six games with a big toe sprain suffered against the Nuggets Nov. 5, pitched in 18 points and 13 rebounds against the 76ers. Second year center Kel’el Ware, who as a rookie was thought of as a gifted prospect in need of developing, stepped up during Adebayo’s absence, scoring in the teens in the last four contests of that stretch. Ware played a complete game against the Bulls Friday, scoring 20 while disrupting passing lanes, holding his own defensively on the perimeter, and affecting many more shots than his one block would indicate. When the two big men share the floor, Ware’s presence down low allows Adebayo to play further from the basket, where he often operates on the wings and above the break, attempting 5.6 threes per game and making 37.5 percent of them.

That synergy has earned Ware increased playing time, some of which seems to have come at the expense of Nikola Jović, now in his fourth year after entering the league as a gifted prospect in need of developing. After battling his way back from a hand injury last season, Jović has begun 2025-26 in a considerable rut, shooting .406 from the field and .294 from deep. One rare highlight and tantalizing sign of his talents was his spectacular inbounds lob to a dashing Wiggins for the game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds in double overtime against the Cavs November 10.

Up front, the Mavericks got pushed around against Memphis as Dereck Lively II sat on the second night of a back to back set. Dallas did not have the size to solve the problem of Grizzlies center Zach Edey on either end, while power forward Santi Aldama poured in 20 points. The night before, Pelicans frontcourt mates Zion Williamson and Derik Queen combined for 42 points against a Mavericks lineup with Lively and Daniel Gafford active. The springy Ware, who regularly beat his Philly counterparts to second chance shots on the way to eight offensive rebounds, will make for a tough matchup.

The road ahead​

The Heat have fattened its winning record by beating teams with worse records; Spoelstra-coached groups have historically taken care of business without playing down to the level of its opponents. The Mavericks can expect a well prepared, energetic team that runs the wind out of opponents, gets back on defense quickly, and takes care of the ball, but one that played a matinee game Sunday and has lost a lot of starter games to injury. The Heat take smart shots, and work hard to create them. In Miami’s flow-based offense that de-emphasizes the need for a lead playmaker, Maverick fans can see an image of what could have been if head coach Jason Kidd’s early-season lineup experimentation had been successful.

Dallas can capitalize if it can drag this game into the mud, continuing its three-game trend of holding opponents to three-point percentages in the 20s (Minnesota managed just 31.5 percent the game before). Another way the Mavericks can help their cause is if more than a couple of their players get hot offensively. In addition to Lively, Gafford, Thompson, and Williams, Cooper Flagg and PJ Washington have had encouraging scoring performances lately as Flagg’s grasp of the offense continues to grow and Washington has increasingly taken the responsibility of leadership personally, taking and making some very gutsy shots during a difficult stretch for the team. The Mavericks get a long break after this game, then play three games in four nights starting with the Lakers Friday, Clippers Saturday, and Nuggets Dec. 1.

How to watch/listen​

Mavericks-Heat is on TV on Channel 29 KFAA or streaming on MAVSTV; radio broadcasts are on 97.1FM (English) and 99.1FM (español).

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ings-to-watch-as-the-mavericks-visit-the-heat

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Who should the Dallas Wings select with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?

For the second straight year, the Dallas Wings have won the WNBA Draft Lottery. After a league-worst 10-34 season and a combined 19-65 record over the past two years, the Wings entered the lottery with a whopping 42% chance at landing the No. 1 overall selection. Those odds won out, and Dallas has another chance to pair another franchise talent with Paige Bueckers, last year’s top pick.

Unlike 2024 and 2023, when Bueckers and Caitlin Clark were respectively drafted first overall, this year’s draft lacks a consensus, can’t-miss player. There are a handful of players mentioned in top prospect discussions, and Wings’ general manager Curt Miller will have a tough decision to make; the Wings can’t afford to bust this year.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the consensus top-five prospects, where their stock stands right now, and if they might be good options for Dallas with their pick. I’ll also include an early version of my 2026 WNBA Draft Board to provide an idea of how I’m evaluating this class at this stage.

Awa Fam — Big, Valencia (Spain)​

Though she might not be the biggest name, Awa Fam is the best prospect in this draft class. The 6’4” center is just 19 years old, and while her statistics in the Spanish league won’t wow anyone, it’s easy to see the vision when you watch her play.

Fam plays with a maturity far beyond her years on offense. She possesses incredible footwork in the post, tons of counters, and impressive creativity as a scorer. Her screening is advanced, as she’s able to use her strong base and length to open up space for ball handlers to operate. She knows when and where to roll, and her timing is impeccable. And Fam’s excellent screening opens up the best part of her offensive game: her playmaking.

There haven’t been many center prospects who can pass the ball like Awa Fam. She has every pass in her bag: one-handed skip passes to the corner, bounce passes to other bigs in traffic, touch passes off the catch, whip passes to the wing out of a post-up. Her ambition can get her into a bit of trouble with turnovers, but I’m confident that can be reined in. Imagine Paige Bueckers, one of the most efficient pick-and-roll ball handlers ever, operating with a screener and passer like Awa Fam. It’s a match made in heaven.

Defensively, Fam is currently more of a concept than a reality. That, coupled with her age, is why she’s struggled to earn consistent minutes for Valencia. For someone of her size, with a plus wingspan and good athleticism, Fam hasn’t functioned well as a rim protector. To me, this is a problem with her motor, which tends to come and go. So much of defense is about effort, and Fam could stand to give some more of it consistently. But I have faith that she’ll figure this out. She has too many tools not to be an impact defender.

The Wings are desperate for good bigs, as the last two seasons have been absolutely dire in the frontcourt. Though Fam isn’t a perfect prospect, she’s unquestionably their best option. She and Bueckers would form a nightmarish duo for opposing teams. Fam’s stock is rising, as ESPN’s latest mock draft has her going No. 1 overall.

Olivia Miles — Point Guard, TCU​

For much of last year’s cycle, it looked like Miles (then at Notre Dame) would declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft. Miles was projected as a top-three pick then, and that hasn’t changed for this season. The 5’10” point guard is one of the most dynamic playmakers in college basketball history, representing a tantalizing option at the top of this draft.

After standout freshman and sophomore seasons at Notre Dame, Miles tore her ACL and missed her entire junior year. When she returned in 2024, there was one big question: can she shoot the basketball at all? Miles’ passing, driving, and finishing were all superb, but she couldn’t throw a rock into the ocean.

Well, last year, Miles responded to those questions in a big way, shooting 41.6% on 5.3 three-point attempts per game. She was great off the catch and off the dribble, and she actually attempted more of the latter. It didn’t look like Miles had changed much with her mechanics, but the shots went in.

So far this year for TCU, Miles is 7-23 from three (30.4%). It’s a small sample, and I think her improvement as a shooter is real, even if she’s not the 40% marksman she showed a season ago. She’ll shoot enough to keep defenses honest, which will open up the other parts of her incredible offensive game. Miles is the most creative and ambitious creator in basketball. Her court vision, processing, and live-dribble passing are all remarkable. Miles has been criticized for trying to make the “highlight” pass too often, but that’s not a real concern to me. When she’s not dishing the rock, she’s getting to the rim and finishing at a high level. Her driving ability is one of her strongest attributes.

Miles’ detractors will point to her defense as a massive red flag, and they’d have some points there. To put it lightly, Miles will take some plays off on that end. Apart from not giving consistent effort, she tends to get flattened on screens and lost off-ball. She has the quickness, basketball IQ, and strength to be a solid point-of-attack defender, but she really needs to work on the margins and try harder.

Though the Wings already have a generational point guard in Paige Bueckers, Miles would fit nicely next to her. It’s never a bad thing to have more high-level creators, and Bueckers has the best off-ball skills in the WNBA. This duo would have a ton of synergy, and Bueckers could help cover some of Miles’ defensive deficiencies, too. If Dallas decides to go this route, Wings fans should be excited about the pairing.

Lauren Betts — Big, UCLA​

Lauren Betts represents something of an ideological watershed for prospect evaluators. If you acknowledge that the WNBA is a Bigs league and are impressed with Betts’ impressive scoring and rim-protecting, you’re likely slotting her in as the top prospect in this draft. But if you value where the league is heading in terms of playstyle, you’ll be wary of spending on a lottery pick on Lauren Betts.

Make no mistake, the 6’7” Betts has dominated college basketball since transferring to UCLA as a sophomore in 2023. She is an incredible post scorer who does an excellent job sealing her defender and using her size and touch to get buckets. She’s also a great passer who can find cutters and shooters from the post and hit them in stride, though she does struggle with turnovers, especially when doubled.

On defense, Betts is a generational rim protector. She is awesome in drop coverage with great timing and instincts. When opposing players get to the basket against her, she is a human eraser. Betts averaged 2.9 blocks per game last year, and her mere presence in the paint often discourages drivers completely.

The issue with Betts is that she’s a bit of a one-trick pony. When she’s not posting up or scoring off deep seals, what does she do? The answer is mostly nothing. Lauren Betts is allergic to setting ball screens. UCLA coach Cori Close doesn’t ask her to do it, and Betts doesn’t want to. When she does set a rare screen, she looks uncomfortable doing so, and it doesn’t create much space for the ball handler. She doesn’t roll to the basket or look to score or create after screening. Oftentimes, she’ll set a screen and immediately pivot into a post-up afterwards. In a WNBA increasingly driven by pick-and-roll play, it’s tough to imagine Betts thriving. She is also a complete non-shooter.

And defensively, Betts’ size and slower footspeed prevent her from playing multiple ball-screen coverages. Though laterally quick for her size, Betts isn’t comfortable hedging or switching. She can only defend at a high level in drop coverage. And while that’s not a terrible thing, it definitely holds her back and puts her a tier behind a big like Awa Fam, especially when you factor in Betts’ offensive limitations.

Betts has a relatively safe floor due to her size and skill. That said, it would be a disaster if the Wings drafted her over some of these other prospects. There are too many red flags here, too many issues that are incongruent with winning basketball in the modern age. If I were Curt Miller, I would steer clear at all costs.

Flau’jae Johnson — Wing, Louisiana State​

Johnson has been a two-way force throughout her career at LSU, and it’s hard to envision a world where she doesn’t become a great player at the WNBA level. Listed at 5’10”, Johnson herself insists that she’s closer to 6-feet. While that’s not plus-size on the wing, Johnson makes up for that by being one of the best athletes in college basketball.

The sell for Johnson starts with her ability to function as a “3&D” player— she can guard the other team’s best scorer and knock down open threes with ease. If that were all she brought to the table, it would give her a solid floor as a pro. But Johnson has a lot more to her game. Her handle is elite, allowing her to break down defenses and get to her spots. When she gets there, her midrange pull-up is automatic. If the Wings drafted Johnson, she and Paige Bueckers would set records with that shot.

Johnson’s athleticism and handle help her blow by defenders and get into the paint, but she’s not the most adept at finishing at the basket. Her touch around the basket isn’t great, with virtually no left hand to speak of. But those are improvable areas, and Johnson still puts pressure on the defense any time she has the ball. The bigger issue on offense is Johnson’s processing of the game. She doesn’t see the floor all that well, limiting her upside as a playmaker. While Johnson’s passing is solid, she is often late with reads or doesn’t see them at all. She’s flashed some improvement here early this season, posting a nearly 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. But LSU has played all six of its games against comically inferior competition, so pretty much all of that can be taken with a grain of salt. Johnson could also stand to take and make more pull-up threes; as great a shooter as she is, that hasn’t been in her bag. (Sound familiar?)

Defensively, I have no concerns with Johnson. She’ll be able to guard one through three effectively in the W, and I’d wager that she makes All-Defense teams someday. Her motor, athleticism, and instincts are too good. Johnson has the Dawg Factor in spades, and she plays with a flair and tenacity that fans love. Pairing Johnson with Bueckers would do so much for the team’s aura that I almost don’t even care about the basketball fit, though the two complement each other well. The only downside here would be that Johnson’s lack of playmaking wouldn’t suit Bueckers’ off-ball brilliance all that well. Even so, Dallas could do a lot worse.

Azzi Fudd — Shooting Guard, Connecticut​

The discourse surrounding Azzi Fudd as a prospect is mind-numbing, and there is a lot of disingenuousness about who she is as a player and what that means for her WNBA prospects. Some people argue that she should be the clear-cut No. 1 pick in this draft, while others dismiss her as one-dimensional, inflated by the UConn system and her proximity to Paige Bueckers.

The actual evaluation of Azzi Fudd is pretty simple. For starters, she’s one of the greatest shooters in basketball history. Her form is picture perfect, with a lightning-quick release. Fudd can shoot off movement and screens, and she has an excellent pull-up middy to attack closeouts with. When she gets to the rim, she finishes at a high rate with both hands.

In addition to the shooting, Fudd plays hard and always knows where to be. She’s an incredible cutter and relocator, and she’s good at finding teammates when the defense zeroes in on her. Her high basketball IQ and floor game make her a plus offensive player in any system.

The issue with Fudd is that she cannot break down the defense off the bounce whatsoever. She cannot create her own shot outside of attacking closeouts. She does not get to the rim or free-throw line. Fudd’s mediocre athleticism and footspeed prevent her from doing these things, and improvement in these areas looks unlikely. And that’s okay! Fudd’s shooting and ancillary skills mitigate those self-creation concerns.

Once labeled a bad defender, Fudd has made great strides on that end. She competes hard, and her 5’11” frame helps her hold her own across the perimeter. Fudd doesn’t get lost off-ball, she’s good at executing scheme, and she communicates. That said, the lack of athleticism will hold her back at the next level. Fudd won’t be a bad defender, but it’s hard to envision her ever being a plus one.

Azzi Fudd, provided she stays healthy, will have a long and successful career in the WNBA. She will be a positive contributor to many good teams. I don’t think she’ll be a star, but not many draft picks become those. Fudd is often compared to Kayla McBride, which makes sense given the prolific shooting. But McBride has always had more on-ball juice and got to the line way more than Fudd as a prospect. I view Fudd much more as a supercharged Allie Quigley, which would be an amazing player. And while I’m high on Fudd’s WNBA career, I think there are better options for the Wings to choose from with the No. 1 overall pick.

Here’s a look at an early version of my 2026 WNBA Draft Board as it stands right now:

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...aft-with-the-no-1-pick-in-the-2026-wnba-draft

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades – Recapping the Mavericks vs. the Heat

The Dallas Mavericks played their last game before breaking for Thanksgiving, losing to the Miami Heat by a final score of 106-102. Although the once-venomous rivalry between these two teams has waned some, losing to Miami to fall even further below .500 is a sour note the Mavs will look to rectify on Friday when they take on their former teammate Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Let’s get to the grades!

Brandon Williams: C​

12 PTS / 2 REB / 5 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN​

Williams struggled with his shot for a few games, got red hot for a game, then regressed once again tonight. Still, he seems to bring tenacity and savvy play, even when the shot isn’t there. Williams had a great poke away that turned into a fast break in the third quarter, a byproduct of his smarts and quick hands. The intangibles aren’t enough to make up for the combination of poor shooting at volume (4-for-13) and the amount of turnovers he committed (three), even with a decent assist total in limited minutes.

Max Christie: B+​

15 PTS / 5 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 30 MIN​

Christie has been a steadying presence of late, and tonight was no different. He didn’t necessarily blow your mind if you were watching, but had a great shooting night (5-for-9 from the floor with 3-for-5 from beyond the arc). A completely unforced turnover — stepping out of bounds on a drive — really hurt the Mavs’ cause in the closing minutes, but he had a very solid game overall.

Cooper Flagg: C+​

12 PTS / 7 REB / 3 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 34 MIN​

Flagg had a rough night shooting and was generally quiet throughout. He did a fair bit of everything else, but had the worst plus/minus of the starters and turned the ball over three times. A few nice plays in the fourth quarter help his grade a bit, but this was a relatively mundane outing for the rookie phenom.

P.J. Washington: A-​

27 PTS / 8 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 34 MIN​

Washington was the best Maverick by far against the Heat. He did everything the team asked him to. He hit his shots from the outside, had a few great rotations on defense to get some weak-side blocks, took care of the ball — you name it. He did miss two 3-point attempts in the waning minutes, but I’m not holding that against him too much relative to the fact he was the primary reason the Mavs were in the game at that point anyway. Washington’s terrible inbound pass for a turnover in the final minute left a smear on an otherwise great game.

Daniel Gafford: B-​

11 PTS / 11 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 28 MIN​

Gafford was a mixed bag. He looked bad in the early going, then started putting together a solid game. His stats are the stuff of a very good Gafford outing, but his grade gets walloped by how much he was outplayed on the other end by Kel’el Ware. Granted, he didn’t match up against Ware every play, but Ware had a massive game on the other end. Gafford fouled a bit too much again, especially in the first half, but took care of the ball and was active on the offensive glass (four).

Klay Thompson: C​

13 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN​

Coming off his season high in scoring on Saturday night, Thompson couldn’t put up a repeat performance. As has been the case frequently this season, he could not find his shot. He showed quick hands on defense, but it just wasn’t there for him tonight, even though he caught a rhythm in the fourth quarter for a bit.

Andrew Nembhard: N/A​

2 PTS / 3 REB / 8 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 17 MIN​

Nembhard got some burn at the expense of D’Angelo Russell, who had nothing going once again. Nembhard didn’t shoot well, nor did he get quite enough playing time to adequately grade, but he makes the list for his assist total. Given his limited playing time and the fact hardly any Maverick could shoot for much of the game , it was an impressive lesson that he can run an offense. He led the team in assists despite playing under 17 minutes. You decide if that’s a credit to him, or an indictment to the team at large.

Final Thoughts​

With Dallas having a little break heading into Thanksgiving (they don’t play again until Friday), the hope was they would have left it all out on the floor and brought maximum effort. While they weren’t necessarily apathetic, they looked a bit flat too often. Their shooting was flat out horrendous and there were too many instances where Miami would beat Dallas to a rebound or the Mavs would be too slow to close out on Heat threes. Miami shot poorly from beyond the arc, but grabbed offensive rebounds off errant 3-point attempts and capitalized on poor rotations by the Mavs for drives to the basket.

To their credit, Dallas stuck with it and were tied in the final minute after trailing by as many as 13 to the highest scoring team in the NBA (who, in fairness, were without Normal Powell and only just welcoming back Tyler Herro). Having done so much to claw back, an unforced turnover on Max Christie stepping out of bounds and a horrific inbounds pass to the wrong team are things that simply can’t happen if you expect to win. The Mavs also held the Heat to a disastrous 5-for-27 from beyond the arc, yet somehow couldn’t bring it home despite outscoring Miami by 21 from distance. In the end, Monday’s game was winnable — the Mavs just did all they could to lose for too much of the game.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...miami-heat-cooper-flagg-106-102-pj-washington

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Grading the Mavericks: The expectation for this year can no longer be winning

The Mavericks were 1-3 this past week and fell to 14th place in the West. They lost a heartbreaker to New York (113-111), won a thriller against New Orleans (118-115), then lost an uninspiring effort against Memphis (102-96) and an ugly contest to Miami (106-102). P.J. Washington led the team in scoring over the last week with 18 points per game. Anthony Davis (calf), Kyrie Irving (knee), and Dante Exum (knee) all remained out, with Dante Exum undergoing season-ending knee surgery. Dereck Lively only played in two of the team’s four games due to an ongoing battle with his knee and what they’re listing as foot soreness.

Grade: C​

It’s hard to figure out what to make of this team. They play hard enough to keep themselves in games but when the game clock is winding down, you do not feel any confidence that they’re going to pull out a win. They have no go-to guy, although Cooper Flagg has been exceptional in crunch time. He is third among all NBA players in total clutch points (40), and 26th in clutch points per game (3.1). That Dallas plays so many clutch games (15 now) certainly helps with the total, but it is still noteworthy for an 18-year-old to be among the league’s best in one of the more indicative statistics.

This is the fifth consecutive week that Dallas has only recorded one win. At 5-14, it is time to adjust expectations and grade differently going forward. If Anthony Davis does not play Friday, it will officially be a full calendar month between appearances for him, and Kyrie Irving has not been given any update to his return timetable either. The Mavericks are bad, and that is okay. The only first-round pick they have of their own until 2031 is the next draft (2026). Cooper Flagg is supposed to be a freshman in college right now. Taking a year to learn and get reps is fine. Nico Harrison’s vision is officially dead, and Dallas should pivot to a more future-centric approach. Things are going to be ugly for a little while, and there is not much Dallas can do about that. Playing hard and providing entertaining basketball while focusing on playing the younger guys should be the goal of the final 63 games.

Straight A’s: Max Christie​

Christie is earning straight A’s once again, as he continues to be Mr. Consistency. He’s given Dallas 16 points on 55% shooting during this stretch, and he easily had the best 3-point shooting mark, at 52 percent. The guy plays hard on defense, provides spacing, and makes the shots the team asks him to. There’s not much to say, as there wasn’t the last time he got A’s, other than Christie is just a winning player.

Currently Failing: Dereck Lively’s Body​

Lively has now played in just 98 of the potential 193 contests (54 percent) he was eligible for in his young career. I am not going to say his career is in jeopardy because he very well could find the right formula for his body, and things may turn around. However, at this point, his ability to be a serious part of a growing team and, one day, a contender must be questioned. If you look at just this season, Lively played 50 minutes in three games, finished the third game with seemingly no issues, and was placed on the injury report following the win against Toronto. The injury was labeled a knee contusion and caused him to miss the next nine games. He came back, played 55 total minutes over four games (seven days), and has now missed the last two with what’s now called “right foot injury management.”

Lively’s game is not conducive to staying on the floor. He is high-flying, seven feet tall, and gets beaten up in the lane due to his slight frame. Plenty of players can turn their health around with the right staff and the correct game plan. But Lively’s knees and ankles are not getting sturdier. Having these issues at such a young age, and with such a big body, is a tough thing to reconcile. When he is on the floor, he is a fantastic player. But each time he gets hurt, it takes time for him to become that guy again. And until he can stay on the floor for long periods at a time, it’s hard to project him as a winning piece in the long term.

Extra Credit: Teamwork​

Dallas had five guys who scored 13 or more points per game in the last four games, and seven guys who scored in double figures. With Dallas being such a top-heavy team in years past, it is an interesting switch-up not to know who the guy will be on any given night. We have had Brandon Williams moments and Klay Thompson moments and everything in between. For a team that needs to know who will be here going forward and who won’t, this play style makes it easy to see what guys have.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...-no-longer-winning-dereck-lively-max-christie

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Injury updates on Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis

The Dallas Mavericks experienced an absurd string of injuries throughout the 2024-2025 season, spending much of the offseason cleaning up the damage in preparation for a fresh start. Sadly, that fresh start has yet to really take form.

Dereck Lively experienced a foot injury last season from which he nearly returned, before a last-minute MRI safely took him out of action and spared him a potentially much more severe injury. In July, he had surgery to clean up bone spurs and was set to roll into this season healthy. Anthony Davis had a similar trajectory, suffering an injury in his Mavericks debut from which he eventually returned in time to help the Mavs to a Play In appearance, then had an offseason surgery of his own for an unrelated detached retina.

Both players were set to kick off a new season with rookie phenom Cooper Flagg in a stacked frontcourt, but that has yet to materialize. Davis made it five games before incurring a calf injury that has kept him on the bench for 14 straight. Lively only made it three games before missing nine in a row. Since that streak, he returned for two games, sat one, played two more and then sat the last two largely due to load management… or maybe not. Marc Stein reported injury updates for both players today.

Anthony Davis​

Depending on whether or not you are on Team Tank or Team Win (or perhaps, Team Davis or Not Team Davis) will determine if you find this news to be positive. Davis is scheduled to practice on Wednesday in a bid to get back on the court.

The Mavericks' Anthony Davis is scheduled to practice Wednesday in a bid to be cleared for his first game action since Oct. 29.

Dallas plays the Lakers on Friday night in Los Angeles followed by the Clippers on Saturday.

"He's working to get back," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. pic.twitter.com/jOiIsHWCi9

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 25, 2025

If he is cleared, it will conveniently set him up to perhaps return as soon as this Friday when the Mavs play his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. There is every reason to believe Dallas will want as much firepower as it can get to offset the havoc Luka Doncic no doubt plans to rain on a team he once called his own.

Getting Davis and his double-double back on the floor is a good thing for Dallas. Yes, they are relatively dysfunctional with him. Yes, shipping him out for assets has its appeal. Yes, there is sound judgment in going all-in on the tank. However, this is still positive whichever way you cut it.

The Mavs having some measure of go-to player along with the blossoming Flagg will at least make the team a bit more entertaining, and with a 5-14 record, it’s unlikely Davis reverses the tank anyway. Beyond that, there is simply no way to maximize a potential return on Davis if he’s wearing street clothes. He needs to be on the court to showcase his talents and get teams interested, should the Mavs look to move him.

In short, if the Mavs are truly looking to make noise this year, the time is right now and they need Davis to do it. If the motivation is to move Davis for a true rebuild, they need him out there showing what he can do to get teams interested.

Dereck Lively​

The Lively news is much worse. Following the offseason foot surgery and an early season knee injury, it looked like Lively was going to find his form around load management sit-outs. However, that news has now taken a turn for the worse, as he is experiencing swelling in his foot and may miss extended time.

More from Dallas: It is feared that the Mavs face an extended injury absence for Dereck Lively II, @TheSteinLine has learned.

Held out Monday in Miami for right foot injury management, Lively has played in seven of 19 games after offseason foot surgery and a recent knee issue. https://t.co/yIPbWa7bQK

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 25, 2025

Lively is well aligned with the Cooper Flagg timeline and has shown a tremendous amount of promise early in his career. I have long been a defender that Lively is not injury prone, but more the victim of a poor training staff and a body that is still developing. That defense is becoming much more difficult to maintain.

Lively not being able to shake these lower body dings and dents is becoming immensely concerning. The Mavs have him on a cheap deal as a key piece to the future, but if he can’t stay on the court it will add to the serious problems the Mavs already have with their unbalanced roster predicated on two timelines. If Lively can’t get himself right, it will be a major blow to Dallas’ future.

I’m personally not a fan of trading Daniel Gafford, but if that is the team’s plan, it likely took a hit with this one. The vaunted front court lasted about a week, and if Lively is out for a stretch, Gafford’s value to the team skyrockets. Hopefully Lively gets healthy quickly, but if he doesn’t, it’s a hot mess for both him and the team.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...lively-anthony-davis-cooper-flagg-luka-doncic

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Heat Recap: Dallas can’t complete comeback in Miami, falls 106-102

The Dallas Mavericks (5-14) missed an opportunity on Monday when their comeback attempt came up just short against the Miami Heat (12-6), 106-102, at Kaseya Center. P.J. Washington led all scorers with 27 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the loss, while Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points and seven boards in his first game of the season after off-season ankle surgery.

The Mavericks came into the game at fifth in the NBA in pace (102.9 possessions per game), and the Heat came into the game in first (106.4), but the potential track meet devolved into a rock fight early on as both teams combined to start the game 0-of-10 from the field. Miami connected on its first field goal five minutes into the first, after missing eight in a row, when Davion Mitchell hit a floater in the lane to cut the Mavs’ lead to two and make it a 7-5 ballgame. The viewing audience continued to twiddle thumbs through most of the first quarter.

Dallas turned the ball over five times in the game’s first six minutes, giving the Heat their first opportunities to sprint out in transition. Cooper Flagg and Cormac Karl “Max” Christie had two early turnovers apiece to help Miami’s struggling shooters find their rhythm in the open floor. Kel’el (not Kal-El) Ware hit Miami’s first 3-pointer of the game eight minutes into the first quarter to give the Heat a 14-10 lead. Jaime Jaquez Jr. hooked home his first shot attempt two possessions later, forcing Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd into the team’s first timeout, trailing 18-10.

Washington and Brandon Williams steadied the ship for the Mavs to start the second quarter by getting to the bucket instead of settling for the jumpers that weren’t falling early on. But as soon as the Mavericks started to settle from the perimeter, Miami shot back in front. Bam Adebayo posted Washington up for a fading bucket with 8:35 left in the first half that gave the Heat back the lead at 30-29 and forced Kidd to take a second timeout. Later in the second, Ware hit his second 3-ball to give the Heat a 35-32 led, then scored on a 3-point play inside the next time down to extend Miami’s lead to six, up 38-32. He led all scorers with 15 points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in the first half, aided by Daniel Gafford’s absence on the floor after he picked up his third foul early in the second quarter.

Miami took a 52-44 lead into halftime, and the start of the third quarter was delayed due to a problem with one of the Kaseya Center rims, which required a leveling adjustment. Once things got started, Adebayo and Cooper Flagg exchanged buckets inside before Herro nailed a long, fading jumper to give the Heat their largest lead of the game, 56-46. The Mavs kept the game close with some timely shooting from Christie and Washington, who both knocked down rhythm 3-pointers after the Mavs shot just 5-of-21 from distance in the first half. Meanwhile, Miami made just three of the Heat’s first 19 3-point attempts to prevent them from getting too far out in front. Ware hit his third of the game from the right corner to put the Heat in front 70-61 with 6:29 left in the third.

Washington scored 10 points in the third to lead the Mavericks back from the brink of the blowout that was brewing. Miami’s continued ineptitude from beyond the arc didn’t hurt, either, as the Heat took an 80-72 into the fourth.

Klay Thompson nailed his third and fourth from deep to start the fourth to trim the Heat lead to 85-82 with 8:43 to play. Cooper Flagg took a long rebound down the floor in transition before finding Christie for a slam that made it 91-86, then Christie knocked down a corner 3-pointer with 6:46 left to bring the Mavs within two, down 91-89.

Washington’s third 3-pointer of the game came with five minutes to play on Ryan Nembhard’s seventh assist of the game and had the Mavericks within one, down just 95-94. The next time down, Daniel Gafford jammed one down Ware’s throat to tie the game at 96. All of a sudden, what had been a plodding, loathsome affair for three quarters came to life in Miami.

Flagg drove through the teeth of the Miami defense with 2:45 left in the game to pull the Mavs to within two, down 100-98, but Ware crushed home a vicious alley-oop slam from Mitchell on the other end to give the Heat some stretch-time breathing room.

With the Mavs trailing 102-100 and 1:15 left to play, Flagg took matters into his own hands once again, after a long night of being ignored on the offensive end. He drained a pair of free throws to tie the game with 1:05 left. But Washington threw an inbound pass right to Adebayo with 49 seconds left in the game, and Herro scored on a floater off the turnover to make Dallas pay.

Yet another slow start​

Dallas began the game 3-of-14 from the field, fueling the Heat’s early 13-3 run to take control after their own sluggish start on offense. Miami attacked in waves, while Dallas sputtered throughout the first quarter. Jaquez especially seems to be thriving in his role off the bench in the revamped Miami offense, while nobody in particular seems to be responding well to the Mavericks’ newly installed Flow offense.

The Mavs had to kick it up a notch to come away from the first quarter shooting just 32% from the field. Despite it all, Washington canned his first 3-point attempt of the game at the first-quarter buzzer to bring Dallas back to within 20-19 at the end of one. Dallas came into the game 28th in first-quarter scoring this year, at 27.4 points per game. The Mavericks’ defense held Miami to its lowest scoring first quarter of the year on just 8-of-26 (30.8%) shooting to help offset their own offensive lethargy, but Dallas also turned the ball over seven times in the opening frame.

Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ best option on offense, shot the ball just twice in the first quarter.

Turnovers killed the Mavs’ momentum​

The Mavs turned the ball over 11 times in the first half — a tale as old as the 2025-26 basketball season. Flagg, Williams and D’Angelo Russell, who came back on Monday after missing the team’s last two games with an illness, combined for seven of them.

After a slower-than-expected first quarter, the Heat started to run off the Mavericks’ turnovers in the second. Miami scored 11 points on the fast break in the second quarter and led the Mavs 15-4 in transition scoring at halftime. All of a sudden, the Heat were seeing the ball go in the basket, but the Mavericks were still stuck in the mud. Dallas shot just 10-of-28 (35.7%) in the second quarter and just 16-of-47 (34%) for the half.

Herro’s back​

The Mavs stemmed the tide of turnovers midway through the second quarter, but for much of the first half, their struggles were once again compounded by poor perimeter shooting. After a brief flurry where it looked like the Mavs may find their touch from the perimeter, Naji Marshall air-balled a 3-pointer midway through the third before Herro nailed a fadeaway jumper in the corner and drove to the hoop the next time down to extend Miami’s lead to 13, up 76-63.

Herro started his first game of the season, coming off ankle surgery this summer, by going 9-of-13 from the floor and grabbing three steals as the Heat finally started to build a lead late in the third. Herro’s teardrop in the lane with 5:50 left in the game gave the Heat a 93-89 lead after Dallas’ late run and put Herro at 20 points for the game.

He would end up hitting the eventual game-winner five minutes later off Washington’s errant pass on an inbound play.

Battle of the Bricks​

Dallas shot 38-of-98 for the game (38%) and just 12-of-40 (30%) from 3-point land in the loss, and it took a hot-shooting fourth quarter to get to just south of respectable. Not to be outdone, the Heat went just 5-of-27 (18.5%) from deep in the win.

What got Miami over the very lumpy hump was their production in the paint. They outscored the Mavs 64-52 on the interior and neutralized the usually dependable Dallas bench with Jaquez & Co. to the tune of a 28-25 advantage from the Miami reserve unit.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...er-flagg-tyler-herro-kelel-ware-pj-washington

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks at Heat Preview and Injury Update: And now for something different

The Dallas Mavericks (5-13) visit the Miami Heat (11-6) on Monday to start off their week. Dallas has just one road win and are coming off a loss at home to the Memphis Grizzlies. Miami has lost just one game at home and they’re riding a four game win streak.

Here’s the main things you need to know before the game kicks off.

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Memphis Grizzlies
• WHAT: A rare (for the Mavs) road game
• WHERE: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
• WHEN: 6:30 p.m. CST
• HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass, and also Playback with Kirk

The Dallas injury report is annoying again. Anthony Davis is improved to doubtful, which is a step in the right direction. But Dereck Lively is out again with a foot injury. Brandon Williams is questionable with back issues, as is Ryan Nembhard (but I haven’t mentioned him in a while, he doesn’t really matter to the rotation). That must mean D’Angelo Russell is better from whatever illness he had.

The Heat are missing Nikola Jovic, Norm Powell, Terry Rozier, and Andrew Wiggins for various reasons. Tyler Herro is questionable.

If you haven’t visited the site, this one on the Heat offense is worth your time before the game. There’s a number of other posts too, including on the Wings with them winning the NBA lottery again.

As you can tell below, you can join me in a room on Playback (embed below) during the game (though I may not be able to start it until halftime). Also consider joining Josh and I on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start around 10:15 pm. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!

new Playback.Embed("playback-embed", { room: "mavsmoneyball", style: { height: "100%", width: "100%" }, });

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...art-time-tv-stream-injury-report-how-to-watch

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Roundtable: What we’re thankful for

It’s been a slow week for us at Mavs Moneyball, after a ton of games in a row, three days off feels weird. But I had family stuff and the season’s so long it didn’t make sense to bully the staff into things. But I did have a couple of questions for them to answer, and answer they did.

Let’s be trope-y. What’s one thing you’re thank you’re thankful for (basketball adjacent but doesn’t need to be Mavs) and one basketball thing you’re looking forward to as we look ahead.

Matt: I’m grateful for the opportunity to write and vent about basketball. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a coping mechanism, and I’m thankful for all the gifts the last year has brought outside of the world of basketball fandom, because, god damn, it’s hard to conjure a single fucking basketball-related development that has been remotely positive for Mavs fans in the Year of Our Lord 20 and 25. Cooper Flagg is great, and he’s giving us moments, but his presence on the floor for the Mavs is more of a gift that will be realized in seasons to come. This is me, forgoing the opportunity to dance on Nico Harrison’s professional grave, and that, my friends, is progress and growth. I am looking forward to Trade Deadline SZN and the 2026 NBA Draft. Happy Thanksgiving, I guess.

Tyler: I would like to co-sign Matt.

Brent: his is the toughest calendar year in Mavs history to answer this question. Every answer I can think of makes me sound like a curmudgeon. Oh well.

I’m grateful for roughly a quarter century of relevance and contention. Not always championship-caliber teams (though that’s often been the case), but almost always interesting. If someone became a Mavericks fan after the turn of the century, they’ve experienced very little bleak basketball—until now.

As this 5–14 start takes shape, watching a team with experienced role players and a talented rookie lose so many clutch games… it’s hard not to feel like there’s a ceiling when you don’t have stars on the floor.

I’m not looking forward to years of irrelevance—but I lived through the ‘90s. And there’s something about extended hardship that can make you yearn for a playoff berth instead of taking it for granted.

We should have had many more years of relevancy before the next rebuild in the wilderness. But now? I look forward to the thoughtful, competent decisions of an experienced, sober brain trust (assuming they can find a GM worth their keep) to help this franchise climb out of the hole—and reach even half the heights Dallas enjoyed just a year and a half ago.

It’s all a damn shame.

Michael: The basketball/Mavs-adjacent thing I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving is the general perseverance surrounding the past year in Mavs Land. Yes, many fans have greatly curtailed their Mavs’ fandom, with some walking away from the team and the NBA entirely. That is their right and I personally don’t fault them for it whatsoever. Between what we witnessed and what has subsequently been reported, the Mavs had a veritable Grima Wormtongue in their midst, inciting a fall best described as high fantasy come to life. The primary through line during the tumultuous time? Both the staff at MMB and our readers. I’m legitimately thankful the MMB train kept rolling and that our readers continued to read and comment. Yes, we all do this for a variety of reasons, but one of those reasons is the community and interaction and I’m grateful this Tolkien-esque mess didn’t fully dislodge everything. I’m also thankful for what we get to look forward to, and that is the Cooper Flagg era. I have no idea what it could possibly look like or how long it will last, but landing the #1 pick is about the best possible thing that could happen after management self-inflicted an epic wound and I’m excited to have a player that will hopefully blossom into a superstar.

Mette: Despite Thanksgiving not being a thing in Denmark where I’m from (obviously), I’m thankful for the Mavs community. From the euros who still stick around, and the Dallas natives who are always engaged, it’s incredibly fulfilling and meaningful to be part of a community like that. We may disagree on a lot of things, but at least we have people to commiserate with. And remember that Finals run? That was an amazing time to be part of this community, as well. Because, you see, I don’t have a lot of people around who are NBA sickos. Basketball even is not really a thing here, outside my local club. So to talk to people (online) every day about basketball is a blessing in my life. To listen to Pod Maverick and Kirk’s fan reaction show after is like checking in with likeminded friends. It’s a huge blessing in my life that I will never take for granted.

Sudarshan: Well, Thanksgiving isn’t a thing here in India, and it might sound corny as hell, but I’m grateful for Mavs Moneyball and the extended community.

Having a space where you can discuss the games (as miserable as they are) with true sports sickos (In the best way) really helps me balance out all the other craziness in my life. While watching all these sports is great, it’s not fun if you don’t have a group of people who you can argue/banter/debate/discuss/commiserate/celebrate with at the end of the day.

I’m looking forward to the end of this miserable season and hopefully a completely new era of Mavericks basketball, free from politics, ignorance, stupidity and most importantly – Free from Nico Harrison.

Bryan: I am thankful for the 2007-2009 NBA drafts. In a media landscape filled with whinging about the “post-LeBron face of the league,” the old guard just underneath him has stepped in admirably in his early season absence to support Jokic, Giannis, SGA, Luka, Anthony Edwards and Wemby I the first look at a post-LeBron NBA. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden and even a washed and slightly dried Russell Westbrook have all turned in stellar performances to start this season and bolster teams of varying interest in the league. As Kevin Durant leads a dominant offense in Houston, Stephen Curry continues to break the brightest defensive minds in basketball, Westbrook rails against the loser stench blanketing Sacramento with every cell in his body and James Harden single-handedly staves off the assembly of a true Death Star in Oklahoma City one foul-grifting step-back at a time, appreciate the Uncs. Aging this gracefully isn’t normal.

As for what I am looking forward to, I would like to see trades. I want to see if NBA GMs will work to overcome their collective fear of the luxury tax aprons and actually make moves to either improve their basketball teams or fill their asset coffers. The time for standing pat in the mediocrity zone has passed. There is an 18-1 nuclear weapon being perfected in Oklahoma and if a team thinks a playoff victory over them is within reach, now is the time to reach for it with. They will only get better from here, so shoot for the stars and you may just reach the clouds this season. If the Mavericks happen to get a couple of first round picks as a result, hey that’ll be just fine with me.

Kirk: I have said this before and will again, but I am grateful for this community I found and got the chance to steward, both here at Mavs Moneyball and on Pod Maverick. When Dallas won the title in 2011, I was in Washington DC with my wife and dog. There was no one to celebrate with, no one to tell how much that title meant and why. After that season I got more involved on social media and found this place. Nearly 15 years later here we are. It’s not always easy to do this, but this place matters to me.

Basketball-wise, I am looking forward to seeing what Cooper Flagg can becomethis season. He develops at a startling rate and I think some fans have been spoiled by how good Luka Doncic was and is and are missing out on Flagg’s rate of development in a much different way. Luka was always so gifted on offense. Flagg is still discovering what he can become. It’s going to be really special and I encourage people to pay close attention. It’ll be worth it.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/general/53196/roundtable-what-were-thankful-for

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Three things to look for as the Mavericks head to Los Angeles to play the Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks (5-14) are in Los Angeles on Friday night for their first game in a West Coast swing as they play the Lakers (13-4). It will be Dallas’ first game since Monday and Los Angeles’ first game since Tuesday, meaning both teams will be fully rested and ready to go.

These two teams will be tied together until the end of time, from the Luka Doncic trade to the sweep that retired Phil Jackson in 2011. Friday will not be at the top of the list of their most important matchups, but every time they meet, it is a sight to see. The Lakers are punching down this time around, with second-place Los Angeles looking to avoid disaster against second-to-last-place Dallas.

The Lakers are very top-heavy. Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves complete a trio that carries their supporting cast night in and night out. They play a lot like Mavericks teams of the last few years, so if anyone knows how to guard them, it would be Dallas. The Mavericks are evenly balanced, although none of the pieces have much weight. They have the league’s worst offense and star power only in their rookie Cooper Flagg. It will be as weird or weirder a watch as the previous two matchups post-trade. Here are three things to watch for when the game tips off:

A contrast of style​

The Lakers play a heliocentric brand of basketball, for reasons both sad and obvious. Luka Doncic is manning a top-10 offense for the third time in four years, this time as a member of the Lakers. He is leading the league in usage and averaging a career-high 35.2 points. For all intents and purposes, Doncic is a one-man wrecking crew. And, unfortunately for Dallas, he is hyper-motivated.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, are led in scoring by Cooper Flagg, who is putting up just 15.9 points per game, nearly 20 points below Doncic’s mark. Dallas does not have an offensive engine like their former star, and they play a more team-focused brand of basketball. Seeing who wins out between the blazing sun that is Luka Doncic and the rag-tag team of misfits that Dallas possesses will be interesting to watch.

A possible return for Anthony Davis​

Davis has practiced this week in hopes of returning this weekend. Dallas has a game Saturday as well against the Clippers, but, like he said this week, we know which game he wants to play in. If Davis does return, it will be his first action since October 29 and the second time he has played the Lakers since being traded. He scored just 13 points against them in April.

Beat LA​

The Mavericks have not beaten the Lakers or the Clippers since Luka Doncic was traded. They are 0-5 since February against the two teams, and they get them both this weekend. At 5-14, things may seem bleak. But the Mavericks are just two games out of 10th place, and 4.5 games behind Golden State, who is in eighth and just lost Steph Curry for a week or two. If Dallas wants to turn their season around, they have to find a way, as the old chant goes, to “Beat LA”.

How to watch​

The game will tip at 9:00 p.m. CST on Prime Video.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ericks-head-to-los-angeles-to-play-the-lakers

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

MMBets Game of the Week: Luka’s Lakers looking loaded

After having been off since Monday night’s 106-102 loss to the Miami Heat, it’s time for the Dallas Mavericks to get back to work. Tonight, it’s the final group stage game in the NBA Cup, as the Mavericks travel to Los Angeles to face off against Luka Doncic and the Lakers. The Lakers ae sitting very nicely in the NBA Cup, with a 3-0 record and the chance to have a home game in the quarterfinals. The Mavericks are eliminated at 1-2, but as we know the result still counts in the regular season race.

How will Luka attack his former team? What does Anthony Davis have in store for his return? Who respects the NBA Cup? Let’s get into it.

Last week’s results​

Tyler: 0-3 (-$300)

David: 0-3 (-$300)

Squad ride: 1-0 (+$182)

Yes, we each whiffed on our own picks, but the power of teamwork is undefeated and that is what we will hang our hat on moving forward.

Overall​

Tyler: 8-8 (+$107)

David: 6-9 (-$220)

Overall: 14-17 (-$113)

Game intangibles​

Dallas Mavericks (5-14) vs Los Angeles Lakers (13-4)

Tipoff: 9p CT from the Cyrpto.com Arena in Los Angeles

How to watch: Prime Video

Game odds​

Provided by the Fanduel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Wager responsibly!​

Spread: Lakers -9.5

Over/Under: 231.5 points

Moneyline: The Mavericks are +315 to pull off the upset

Tyler’s picks​

Mavericks +9.5 (-110)

Game under 231.5 points (-108)

Luka Doncic to record a triple-double (+400)

Anthony Davis under 30.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)

There is no real reason that the Mavericks should keep this game close, but there also wasn’t much reason they would be able to stay attached to Miami, either. I do expect this game to be a grind though, so I will take the under. Luka to record a triple double at this value is outrageous. And finally, Anthony Davis returns on a minutes restriction, and I think we’ll see it be lower than you’d think.

David’s picks​

Luka Doncic over 33.5 points (-112)

Klay Thompson to make 3+ threes (+112)

Anthony Davis under 18.5 points (-112)

Austin Reaves to score 25+ points (+176)

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have an incredible matchup tonight. The Mavericks’ guards are atrocious defensively and if Cooper Flagg guards Doncic at all, the rookie will get worked. Klay will get his shots up in his hometown of Los Angeles and Anthony Davis is untrustworthy to be efficient after an extended absence. He had 13 points the last time these teams met in April.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...uel-betting-preview-luka-doncic-anthony-davis

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades: Recapping the Mavericks’ 129-119 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks (5-15) and the Los Angeles Lakers (14-4) treated fans to an unexpected barn burner on Friday at Crypto.com Arena, but Dallas didn’t have the firepower to keep up the pace down the stretch as the Lakers finally pulled away for the 129-119 win. Luka Dončić torched the Mavericks for 35 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, and Austin Reaves did him one better to finish with a game-high 38 points and eight boards.

Eight Mavericks scored in double figures as Dallas did everything they could to hang with one of the best teams in the Western Conference, but the Lakers outscored the Mavs 18-9 in the last 7:40 of the game to hand Dallas its fourth straight loss. The good news is that the Mavs played about as good a game as they have all season. The bad news is that the Mavs played about as good a game as they have all season, and still lost.

Let’s get to the individual marks.

Max Christie: C+​

13 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST — 27 MIN​

Cooper Flagg found Max Christie open in the right corner after a baseline drive-and-kick for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 5-5 early on. He gave his defender a convincing pump fake and side-stepped for another 3-ball, this time from the left corner, two minutes later. Christie’s mid-range jumper near the elbow gave Dallas a 50-49 lead as part of a 12-2 run late in the second quarter.

He hit his third 3-pointer of the first half from the left corner with 30 seconds left before the break to give Dallas its largest lead of the half, up 62-58, to match P.J. Washington as the team’s leading scorer to that point, with 11 points. The Mavs took a 62-60 lead into the break. He would score just two more points in the second half.

Cooper Flagg: A-​

13 PTS / 7 REB / 11 AST / 3 STL – 36 MIN​

Flagg got discarded by Deandre Ayton on his way to the rack early in the first quarter as the Lakers had little trouble getting to the rim to start the game. He went to the bench for a rest without attempting a shot, which is continued game plan malpractice on Mavs’ head coach Jason Kidd more than anything wrong with Flagg’s game. He eventually knocked down his first jumper of the game to pull the Mavs to within 23-21 late in the first.

He rose up and hit his first 3-ball of the game from way downtown near the top of the key with 2:13 left in the first half to give the Mavs a 57-55 lead. He shot the ball just five times in the first half, but made the most of his opportunities. Flagg charged into Dončić midway through the third after an offensive board, which immediately led to yet another bucket from Dončić on the other end to extend the LA lead to 84-77.

After getting just two shots in the third quarter, Flagg sealed James off on a baseline cut and scored inside to bring the Mavs to within 101-98 early in the fourth. While he wasn’t getting consistent shooting opportunities, he found open teammates all night and made the plays the game presented him with.

Anthony Davis: B+​

12 PTS / 5 REB / 5 AST / 3 BLK – 28 MIN​

Anthony Davis was a near non-factor in the first quarter of his first game back after missing the team’s last 14 with a calf injury, scoring two points and grabbing two rebounds in his first six minutes on the floor as the Mavericks trailed 28-22 after one. He made a nice drive through the teeth of the LA defense with 7:30 left in the second quarter for a slam to bring Dallas back to within one, down 39-38, and force a Lakers timeout.

He moved pretty well for his first game back and didn’t re-injure anything, so we’ll take that. He got lost on double teams and switches against Luka Dončić a couple times and bricked his first 3-point attempt of the game early in the third quarter, but nothing too egregiously negative for the most part.

Davis scored in the lane over James with 7:50 left to put the Mavs up 110-109. He blocked James’ shot on the other end in perhaps his biggest sequence of the night.

Ryan Nembhard: A​

17 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL – 23 MIN​

Ryan Nembhard nailed the first shot attempt of his first start of the season, a pull-up jumper from just outside the free-throw line, to give the Mavericks an early 7-6 lead less than three minutes into the game. Then he found Davis trailing for a clever alley-oop assist with 6:45 left in the opener. He picked up his second foul on the other end, though, curtailing his nice start.

Nembhard scored the first five points out of halftime, including a 3-pointer over the defense of one LeBron James on the Mavs’ first possession of the third quarter. He hit a beautiful high-arcing running with 7:10 left in the third to bring the Mavs back to within 76-75 after a flurry from Dončić had put the Lakers back in front. He nailed another 3-pointer early in the fourth as the shot clock wound down to keep the Mavs within four, down just 105-101 at the time, then nailed his third of the game two minutes later to make it a 109-108 game and force the Lakers into a timeout.

D’Angelo Russell: INC​

0 PTS / 0 AST / 0 BLK – 0 MIN​

D’Angelo Russell was relegated to the Jason Kidd Phantom Zone for the entire first half, after playing just 10 minutes in Monday’s 106-102 loss to the Miami Heat. Then he played exactly zero minutes in the second half. Is Russell becoming this season’s version of Christian Wood?

P.J. Washington: A-​

22 PTS / 9 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 35 MIN​

Washington scored on a wide open dunk off a broken play to give the Mavericks their first bucket of the game, but turned the ball over on a bad interior pass intended for Davis with 7:30 left in the first. He got rid of Austin Reaves along the perimeter midway through the second quarter and pulled up for his first 3-pointer of the game to bring the Mavs back to within two points, down just 43-41. He scored on a fast break with a nice scooping finish two minutes later to pull Dallas back in front, 48-47, and cap a 10-0 run.

James took Washington to school as part of a 14-4 Laker run that forced Dallas into a timeout early in the third quarter, down 76-73 with 7:42 left in the frame. Washington tipped home his own miss with just over three minutes to play as the Mavs tried to make one last push for the lead, but it ultimately came up short.

Daniel Gafford: C​

5 PTS / 4 REB /1 STL – 17 MIN​

Daniel Gafford put Flagg in a bad spot late in the shot clock with two minutes left in the first quarter, and Flagg promptly dribbled it off his leg in the corner for the Mavs’ fifth turnover of the first quarter. Gafford was utterly ineffective all night on defense as part of the constant double teams the Mavericks threw Dončić‘s way.

Klay Thompson: C​

10 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST – 20 MIN​

Klay Thompson missed his first 3-point attempt of the game, a good look in rhythm that would have given the Mavs back the early lead, from near the top of the key late in the first quarter. He knocked one down on a nice driving find from Nembhard early in the second quarter to bring the Mavs to within six, down 31-25. His third 3-ball came late in the third when the Mavs really needed a shot in the arm. He gave his defender a pump fake along the right wing before canning the longball to bring the Mavs back to within three, down just 93-90. Thompson was a non-factor in the fourth quarter.

Naji Marshall: A-​

16 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL – 25 MIN​

Naj Marshall’s first impactful play of the game came on the offensive glass, as he scored on a 3-point play inside to bring the Mavericks back to within one, down just 45-44. He hit a corner 3-pointer on a find from Flagg with 2:25 left in the third to keep the Mavs connected, down 91-85 at the time. Marshall’s buzzer-beating baseline jumper after his 3-pointer was blocked by Jaxon Hayes seconds earlier made it a 98-94 game headed to the fourth quarter.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ericks-129-119-loss-at-the-los-angeles-lakers

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 considerations as the Dallas Mavericks stay in LA to face the Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks (5-15) remain in Los Angeles Saturday to take on the Clippers (5-14). Both teams are coming off close losses; Dallas fell to the Lakers on Friday night, 129-119 and the Clippers couldn’t pull one out against the Grizzlies at home despite 39 points from Kawhi Leonard, losing 112-107.

Roughly a quarter of the way through the season, both the Clippers and Mavericks have been wildly disappointing relative to expectations. We know the deal with Dallas: they don’t have playmaking off the dribble and their vaunted big men group can’t stay healthy. They don’t have enough shooting either. The Clippers came into the season with sky-high expectations. They closed last year well and made roster improvements in the offseason. But it turns out having an incredibly old team in aggregate is risky and they’ve looked slow and disinterested. They did, however, beat the Mavericks earlier in the month in a thrilling double overtime game.

Here’s some things to think about before tonight’s late start (9:00 pm).

Who is actually going to play?​

This is really a question about the availability of two of the NBA’s premier guys who don’t suit up enough: Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard. It feels a safe bet to assume Davis won’t play. His return Friday night was his first game in nearly a month following a calf strain and perhaps some conditioning. He looked fine, good actually, and it would be wise of the Mavericks to bring him back slowly. The season’s over whether people want to admit it or not, so him getting hurt and becoming untradable would be a disaster.

Kawhi is a more interesting case. I don’t remember if he plays back-to-backs in normal situations but he’s recently returned from a 3 week absence following an ankle sprain. He was on fire last night against the Grizzlies and if he’s healthy enough to score 39, he should be healthy enough to play. The seasons slipping away for the Clippers and they have no reason to stop playing since they don’t own their own pick (the Thunder do, ugh).

Young legs for Dallas​

The aforementioned old Clippers really ARE old. But the Mavericks have some youth they can roll out to push the pace on this Los Angeles team and perhaps grind out a win on a tired Saturday night. Cooper Flagg and Andrew Nembhard looked good against the Lakers. But Moussa Cisse and Jaden Hardy didn’t see the floor at all. Since I assume Davis will be out, Cisse in particular has a chance to use his endless energy to wear the Clipper bigs out.

Best chance for a Maverick win on this road trip​

Before the NBA announced the Mavericks will be playing Utah and Brooklyn as additional games since they won’t advance in the NBA Cup, this Clippers game was one of the few remaining in 2025 where I thought the Mavericks either might be favored or stood a good chance to win. Considering the Clippers are currently a 7.5 point favorite as of this writing, it seems I’ve underestimated Los Angeles.

But I still believe Dallas can and maybe should win. I really want to see Leonard play and see he and Flagg match up against one another. The Mavericks just need to play hard and limit turnovers and they should be right there at the end of the game even if James Harden or Leonard go off.

How to watch​

Tonight’s game starts at 9:00 pm. The game will be streamed live on MavsTV as well as broadcast side-by-side on WFAA & KFAA-29. Fans can also tune in at 97.1FM KEGL (English) or at 99.1FM KFZO (Español).

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...las-mavericks-stay-in-la-to-face-the-clippers

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Clippers recap: Shorthanded Dallas pulls out 114-110 win at Los Angeles Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks (6-15) found a way on Saturday behind 35 points and eight rebounds from rookie phenom Cooper Flagg and pulled out a gutty 114-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers (5-15) at the Intuit Dome.

This team must be cursed, though, man. Without Anthony Davis on the second night of a back-to-back and without Daniel Gafford, who sat against the Clippers with an ankle injury, P.J. Washington was a late scratch from the Mavericks’ roster after slipping on a wayward basketball during warmups. Washington was getting treatment on his right ankle after the fall, according to the broadcast on KFAA, and Naji Marshall replaced him in the starting lineup.

Kahwi Leonard came into the game averaging 26 points per game over the last three, including a 15-of-24, 39-point performance in Friday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzles. But without any presence to speak of on the interior, it was Ivica Zubac who feasted early on as the Clippers used an early 12-2 run to sprint out to a 15-6 lead.

With the Mavs begging for offense early on, Cooper Flagg answered the bell as he’s not often done, scoring Dallas’ first eight points of the game. Flagg scored 12 points in the game’s first nine minutes in his best first quarter of the season by a mile.

The rest of the team struggled around Flagg, though, shooting a collective 2-for-10 in the game’s first nine minutes. Brandon Williams came in to give Dallas a lift with eight points off the bench toward the end of the first, and the Clippers took a 28-25 lead after one.

A rare 3-point play from Dwight Powell and a 3-pointer from newly enshrined starting point guard Ryan Nambhard swung things in the Mavs’ favor early in the second. Dallas went on a 15-4 run starting late in the first to take the lead before LA responded with a 14-2 run of their own midway through the frame to take the lead back, 42-35, on a pair of free throws from James Harden.

Flagg was the constant for the Mavs in the first half. He was aggressive with the ball in his hands, driving decisively on a night when Dallas needed everything the 18-year-old rookie could give the team. He followed his 12-point first quarter with nine more in the second as the Mavericks hung around, trailing 56-49 at halftime. Flagg shot 10-of-17 in the first half in an effort that the Mavs desperately need to see replicated as the season wears on.

Flagg unfurled​

Perhaps Flagg’s big night was a function of the injury-depleted roster the Mavericks were forced to go to battle with on Saturday. Or, perhaps it was a step toward the realization on his part and on the part of his teammates that Flagg’s time is now. Whatever the case, at the quarter pole of the season, we largely know what this team is and what it isn’t.

The most important thing the Mavericks can accomplish the rest of the way is cementing Flagg’s position as the alpha dog on this roster. He got to the basket at will with a lethal left hand all night against the Clippers, and that needs to be the blueprint going forward.

Flagg detonated for an explosive driving slam over Zubac to bring the Mavericks to within 65-61 with 7:55 left in the third before hitting a turnaround inside through Leonard’s foul the next time down for a 3-point play. He found Moussa Cisse streaking in transition for a hoop inside over two Clippers to give Dallas its first lead of the second half, 69-67, midway through the third.

Oh my COOP

: KFAA 29 pic.twitter.com/MxajU8kk1B

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 30, 2025

“Just staying with it,” Flagg said in his televised postgame interview. “We’ve got a lot of talented guys, so it’s going to be someone different every night. These guys just give me confidence, they tell me to go out there and be myself. I’m just figuring it out.”

Flagg’s 35 points are the most scored by a rookie this season. He became the second-youngest player in NBA history to notch a 30-point game in the win over the Clippers.

A little good, a little bad​

The good news? The Mavericks limited the turnovers against the Clippers on Saturday, coughing the ball up only once in the first half and just eight times in the win after coming into the game 26th in the league in turnovers, at 16.6 per game.

The bad news? The 3-pointer was once again non-existent for Dallas until Klay Thompson got hot in the second half. They hit just 2-of-20 (10%) in the first half and just 11-of-39 (28.2%) for the game. Cormac Karl “Max” Christie, who has been the Mavs’ only bright spot from 3-point range this season, went 0-for-6 from deep, including 0-for-2 from the corner, in the first half on his way to 1-of-8 from 3-point land in the win.

Dallas fared much better from the perimeter in the third quarter, improving to 5-of-8 from 3-point range, including a pair from both Nembhard and Klay Thompson. Better shooting helped the Mavs erase the Clippers’ seven-point halftime advantage and send the game to the fourth quarter knotted up at 83-83.

Kawhi vs. Klay throwback​

Leonard scored nine points in the first four minutes of the second half to give the wily veteran his second 30-point game in as many nights. He was the Clippers’ answer every time the Mavs wrestled the lead back. Leonard’s 3-point play on an 18-foot runner with less than nine minutes to play gave Los Angeles a 92-89 lead.

Flagg turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter as LA sent more and more double-teams his way. His right thumb also seems to be bothering him, which could have been part of his second-half drop-off on Saturday.

Thompson scored all 23 of his points in the second half, including six 3-pointers. His turnaround from four feet behind the 3-point line with 4:30 left in the game tied the game, 96-96. After two more free throws from Harden the next time down, Thompson rinsed and repeated that clutch-time stroke for his fifth 3-ball of the second half to give the Mavericks a 99-98 lead.

Flagg rose up for a perimeter jumper with 2:47 left to put the Mavs back in front 101-100 before John Collins answered with his first 3-pointer of the game to see-saw Los Angeles back in front. Then, with 1:45 left, Thompson just beat the shot clock for his sixth 3-pointer of the second half to give Dallas back the lead. Two free throws from Flagg gave the rookie a new season- and career-high mark of 31 points with 1:20 left, and the Mavericks held on for the gutsy win.

Leonard led LA with 30 points and eight boards in the loss, while Harden added 29 points and 11 assists.

The Dwight Powell game​

The Mavericks don’t win this game without a gargantuan effort from ever-present glue guy Dwight Powell, who finished with nine points, five rebounds and six steals after Mavs head coach Jason Kidd broke glass in case of roster emergency. In what turned into a crazy game down the stretch, Powell was a steady presence all night long.

Sure, he couldn’t do much against the much bigger Zubac in one-on-one situations in the post. But Powell seems to always find a way to leave his fingerprints on one weird win a year, and Saturday night was that night this year.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...s-angeles-clippers-cooper-flagg-kawhi-leonard

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades – Recapping the Mavericks vs. the Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks finished off their November schedule on Saturday night, beating the Los Angeles Clippers by a final score of 114-110. As a result, the Mavericks enter the final month of the calendar year with a 6-15 record, looking to build on the win going forward.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: B-​

8 PTS / 1 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN​

Nembhard came off a great game with a relatively mediocre follow-up. He wasn’t necessarily bad, though his shot was off (3-for-8), but was generally quiet, leaving little impact on the game.

Max Christie: D​

3 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN​

Christie’s brother plays for the Clippers and his parents were in the stands to watch the brothers face off. We often see players have big games in their home town or when they play in front of family, but that wasn’t the case tonight. Max’s brother Cam did not play at all, and unfortunately Max appeared as though he didn’t either. He was 1-for-9 from the floor and contributed little else to the effort. I just wasn’t his night, as he missed seven of eight three-point attempts despite the long ball being his specialty to this point in the season.

Cooper Flagg: A+​

35 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 38 MIN​

A+ grades should be saved for the “best of the best” type of games. When it comes to Flagg, the sample size remains small, but it’s difficult to deny him top honors in a game he scored his career high (second youngest player to ever score 30 points in a game), shot almost 60% (13-for-22), was the go-to guy throughout the clutch, and rose to the moment consistently. His game was not flawless, as he got overwhelmed a few times by some elite defense, but he played like a star all night. Nailing two free throws with under ten seconds left not only all but sealed the deal, but gave Flagg the highest scoring game of any rookie this season.

Naji Marshall: A-​

18 PTS / 8 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 0 BLK – 37 MIN​

I sat on this grade for a while, feeling like there were far too many A ranks tonight, but couldn’t quite talk myself out an A- here. Marshall was 6-for-11 from the floor, didn’t turn the ball over, and did just about everything you could ask for aside from a slightly inefficient 2-for-6 on threes. He was sniffing a double-double, joined the heist party with three steals, and nailed two free throws to make a last ditch Clippers heave irrelevant even had it gone in. Great job stepping into the starting role without about five minutes advance notice.

Dwight Powell: A-​

9 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST / 6 STL / 1 BLK – 34 MIN​

I did not anticipate Dwight Powell having two A grades on the season, especially not within the first 21 games, but here we are. Powell once again stepped in when his number was called and had himself a nice game. The grade may seem falsely inflated, but if you get yourself a career high six steals, you have my attention. He committed five fouls, but otherwise had himself a solid game with efficient shooting (3-for-4 from both the floor and the free throw line) and surprisingly effective defense.

Brandon Williams: B​

14 PTS / 1 REB / 7 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK – 26 MIN​

The other day I stated that even if Williams could shoot a horrendous 30% from the floor, the Mavs would have a couple more wins on their ledger. That’s how poorly he has been shooting. Ironically, he shot nearly 36% (5-for-14) tonight and the Mavs indeed won. While 36% isn’t exactly noteworthy, it’s a big improvement from where he has been, and I’d hazard a guess that he was actually fouled on at least two drives that landed on the stat sheet as misses. He again played hard, took care of the ball en route to a 7:1 assist-to-turnover ratio , and swiped himself three steals.

Klay Thompson: A+​

23 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 26 MIN​

Thompson has basically lived in the basement or been outright omitted from our Grades pieces to this point in the season, so it is with especially great pleasure to see him reverse course tonight. Is the A+ a touch generous? Perhaps, considering how quiet he was for the entire first half. However, dropping a season high in points, hitting multiple crucial threes in the fourth quarter, and doing exactly what he is here to do (8-for-13 from the floor and a scorching 6-for-10 from deep) gets him top marks in this one. He does not lose the edge for what could have been a disastrously bone-headed foul in the waning moments, which resulted in three free throws for James Harden. I refuse to believe that a shooter spreading his legs just prior to landing, causing himself to step on the defender’s foot, is actually a defensive foul in any plane of reality.

Final Thoughts​

Two weeks ago, The Mavs lost to the Clippers in a double overtime game that gave LA only their second win of the season when Kawhi Leonard does not play. This time, Leonard was on the floor on the second night of a back-to-back (for both teams) and Dallas was able to get the better of LA.

Earlier this month, the Mavs were in the liminal space between being a team that would attempt to make a run if they could get healthy, and a team that may look to tank for a higher draft pick in the offseason. With the Mavs going 2-8 over their past ten games coming into tonight, followed by news that Dereck Lively is expected to miss extended time, tanking was looking more likely whether the Mavs wanted to or not. One glance at the starting lineup would indicate the Mavs were in fact bagging this one on purpsose, however legit injuries and load management played a part in why the Mavs were without the services of Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, P.J. Washington (who tweaked his ankle in warmups) and Anthony Davis.

On paper, the Mavs should arguably have been run off the floor, but instead they played an excellent game, matching every Clippers’ run with a run of their own, netting themselves an impressive and hard-earned win.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...cks-clippers-cooper-flagg-career-high-114-110

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Nuggets preview: 3 things to watch for as Dallas finishes road trip at Denver

The Dallas Mavericks (6-15) will wrap up their five-game road trip on Monday, and the last leg of the jaunt looks like a doozy.

The Mavericks will travel to Denver for one more late appointment with the Denver Nuggets (14-5), who currently sit at fourth in a stacked Western Conference. Tipoff at Ball Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. CDT.

The Nuggets have gone 3-3 in their last six games after running off seven wins in a row in early November. Denver put the hurt on the Phoenix Suns, 130-118, on Saturday in Phoenix behind 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists from their Indomitable Snowman, Nikola Jokic, and 24 more from point guard Jamal Murray.

Dallas comes into the game on the heels of a much-needed 114-110 win at the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, after dropping four in a row before that. Budding rookie star Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to record 35 or more points in a game in the win.

Here are three storylines that loom large heading into the latest in a brutal stretch of scheduling (and injuries) for the Mavs.

Speaking of injuries​

So who exactly will be available for the Mavericks at Denver on Monday? Anthony Davis is listed as probable for the marquee matchup after missing Saturday’s game, which was the second night of a back-to-back set. He returned for Friday’s 129-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers after missing 14 in a row with a calf injury.

Flagg is listed on the injury report but is available on Monday. His right thumb was clearly bothering him at times, even as he put together that gargantuan, difference-making effort against the Clippers. Don’t be surprised if the thumb eventually causes Flagg to miss a game or two as December wears on. He’s played 20 games over the last six weeks after playing 37 games total last season as a freshman at Duke.

Daniel Gafford is doubtful as of Sunday’s 8:30 p.m. injury report with a right ankle issue that caused him to miss the game against the Clippers, Dereck Lively II is still out with that bum foot and both P.J. Washington (ankle) and backup point guard Brandon Williams (adductor) are listed as questionable for Monday. Washington, from the “you just can’t make this shit up” file, slipped on a wayward basketball in team warmups before Saturday’s game at the Clippers and turned his ankle in the process. Even if both those last two can go, the Dallas frontcourt will be a little thin behind Davis on Monday against another big, long opponent.

For their part, the Nuggets will be without guard Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) on Monday, while Jokic is listed as probable, with a left wrist issue.

Point guard shuffle​

Ryan Nembhard has started the last two games at the point for the Mavericks and has looked pretty good for a little feller in the process. He scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Friday’s loss at the Lakers and has hit 5-of-10 from 3-point range in the LA portion of the team’s current road swing.

Nembhard will draw a tough assignment if he’s granted a third straight start, trying to contain Murray, who comes into the game averaging 24 points and 6.6 assists in 35 minutes per game.

Dallas has tried Flagg at point guard. Then the Mavs gave Williams a chance to start. Head coach Jason Kidd even gave free-agent point guard D’Angelo Russell a token shot to bring the ball up for a couple of games along the way before sending him to end-of-bench oblivion in the past two games. The grand solution to surviving at the most important position on the floor in Kyrie Irving’s absence does not exist on this roster. It is what it is.

But Dallas may be onto something with Nembhard’s pure pass-and-shoot skillset. The Mavericks have turned the ball over just 17 times in their last two games combined after going into Saturday’s game against the Clippers at 26th in the league in turnovers per game (16.6).

3-point disparity, again​

The Mavs woke up from behind the 3-point line in the second half on Saturday, due in large part to the 23-point explosion (on six made 3-pointers) of Klay Thompson, against the Clippers. They shot just 2-of-20 from distance in the first half before flipping the script and canning 9-of-19 in the second half. The 28.9% shooting figure for the game still doesn’t look good, but the second-half turnaround was a huge part of finding a way to win that game. Still, the Mavs come into the game at 29th in the league in 3-point shooting, at just 32.2% on the year.

The Nuggets, on the other hand, have a hot hand from 3-point land as they approach the quarter pole of their 2025-26 campaign — one of the hottest, actually. Denver comes into Monday’s game at third in the league in 3-point shooting, hitting at a 39.2% clip this year. Denver attempts 34.3 3-pointers per game (23rd in the NBA), while Dallas hoists 35.2 (22nd in the NBA). So, while neither team shoots them in bulk, the Nuggets just make a couple more than the Mavs do on the average night.

Denver went ballistic on the Suns from 3-point range in Saturday’s, hitting 22-of-38 (58%) in the win. Former Maverick Tim Hardaway Jr. was a huge part of that win, as he went 7-of-11 from beyond the arc off the bench for the Nuggets, ending the night with 23 points. He comes into the game scoring 11.9 points per game on 42.9% shooting from 3-point land so far this season. But if Mavericks’ fans know anything about the Tim Hardaway Jr. Experience, it’s this — a peak performance like Saturday’s may mean a prolonged valley is incoming.

Better not to chance it, though, with the potential “revenge game” situation on the Mavs’ hands on Monday. Get a hand in his face.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...enver-cooper-flagg-anthony-davis-nikola-jokic

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

ESPN: Chicago Bulls weigh Anthony Davis trade

The Chicago Bulls, the most dependable play-in spot in the eastern conference, started off hot this season. At one point sitting atop the east there was a brief moment where it looked like perhaps head coach Billy Donovan’s young core were turning a corner with a 6-1 start to the season. Now the team is 9-10, perched in familiar tenth. And according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, team leadership has gone back to the drawing board to evaluate how they can take the next step. Those discussions have included the possibility of trading for Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis.

The idea itself is not new. As soon as the reality in Dallas was acknowledged, Nico Harrison was fired, and Davis was forced by team ownership to take extra time to rehab his most recent injury, trade machine ideas of Davis returning to his hometown of Chicago began rumbling. But any sourced reporting on those conversations is a revelation, as Collier indicates the team believes Davis could help shore up their rim protection and interior defense. The Bulls as an organization have been adept at moves just like this — both valuing players from the city (Collier points out there are currently several Chicago natives on the team), and making aggressive moves that don’t fully add up to the timeline their roster is on.

Which is why Davis makes so much sense there, and perhaps why this could also prove a challenge:

“Team sources said the Bulls will not sacrifice any of their young core to execute such a deal until the team is closer to contention.

“I don’t think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed — at least today,” one source told ESPN.“

It will still take some time to better understand the appetite of Dallas’ front office to trade Davis. It is possible they overvalue Davis’ market and would want several picks and young players in return. But if they want to truly rip the bandaid off and begin building around Cooper Flagg in earnest, they will need to consider all avenues to accomplish this. They aren’t on a ticking clock yet, with the December 15 date still two weeks away (when most players across the league become trade eligible), and the deadline much further. This is mainly worth noting as “step one” in a possible trade for Davis. And eyes should stay close to the sourced messaging coming out of Chicago in particular.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...d-anthony-davis-trade-rumors-dallas-mavericks

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Stats Rundown: 3 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 131-121 win at the Denver Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks (7-15), played their best game of the season to date in Monday’s 131-121 win over the Denver Nuggets (14-6) at Ball Arena.

Here are three stats (or quasi-stats) that stood out as key ingredients in the back-and-forth battle in the Mile High City.

2: Mavericks opening day starters still starting on Monday​

That’s the number of opening night starters the Dallas Mavericks were able to field in Monday’s starting five against the Denver Nuggets, and Anthony Davis only just recently became available to suit up for the Mavs after another 14-game absence due to a calf injury.

Some of the names on Dallas’s injury list for the Nuggets game included P.J. Washington (ankle), Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Dereck Lively (foot). Outside of Davis, who is obviously the most forceful defensive presence on the team (when healthy) Dallas was without three of their other four most defensively capable players. Thankfully, Naji Marshall was healthy and did play. Fortunately for Dallas, Davis provided an offensive spark in the first half, producing 21 points in just under 17 minutes. He helped the team battle in the paint enough for the defense to keep them in the game.

41 and 42 points: Denver’s first quarter, Dallas’ second-quarter scoring​

The first half was comprised of identically dominant quarters, with Denver’s first-quarter dominance see-sawing into Dallas’ second-quarter brilliance. The Nuggets scored 41 points in the first quarter before the Mavs one-upped the home team with 42 points in the second quarter. Both teams scored 27 points in the quarters they lost.

With Dallas’ thin roster, they needed some help from anyone and everyone tonight. Ryan Nembhard answered the call in the second and third quarters after a scoreless first. He shot 5-of-6 from the field in just under 17 minutes in the first half and was instrumental to Dallas’s pivotal 18-2 second-quarter run that brought them back into the mix after a slow start. He went on to score a season- and career-high 28 points as he continues to prove his worth on an injury-prone Mavericks’ roster.

After the rough first quarter, Dallas took over the second by beating Denver in transition and outpacing them. The Mavs are currently ranked fifth in the league in pace. That speed certainly helps when the shots are falling. To make it even smoother sailing for Dallas, Denver struggled defensively in the second, perhaps an effect of their decision to rest Jokic for a good chunk after they’d hopped out to that 41-27 lead after one. Jokic came into the game listed as questionable with a wrist injury.

Overall, this was a high scoring game, with both teams struggling on defense at times, and both riding peaks on the offensive end. It’s not a surprise that the final stat below would play a deciding factor in this game that had a combined 252 points.

51.6%: Mavericks’ 3-point shooting​

As expected, Nikola Jokic put together another masterclass in combined effectiveness. He finished with 29 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists. Good god, man.

But Dallas’s 3-point shooting, much to everyone’s surprise, put Monday’s win away. Dallas went 16-of-31 (51.6%) from distance to stun the Nuggets and hand them their fourth straight loss at home. Monday night was perhaps Dallas’s finest performance of the season thus far, with strong offensive performances from Cooper Flagg (24 points, eight rebounds), Anthony Davis (32 points, 13 boards), Ryan Nembhart (28 points, 10 assists) and Klay Thompson (15 points, five rebounds).

Granted, Denver was without two of its better defenders — with Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) both nursing injuries — but Dallas also showed up and showed out, with several guys putting their stamp on a major win.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...stats-ryan-nembhard-nikola-jokic-cooper-flagg

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Cooper Flagg named Western Conference Rookie of the Month

Cooper Flagg was recognized for his early season success Tuesday when the NBA announced the Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month. Flagg represented the Western Conference, while former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets took home the Eastern Conference award.

The award recognized the rookies’ excellence through the games played in October and November, since the season started in mid-October. Flagg averaged 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 20 contests during this time period, including a 35-point performance Nov. 30 to lead Dallas to its 6th win of the season against a reeling Los Angeles Clippers team in Inglewood, California.

48 hours later, Flagg helped lead Dallas to an upset victory over the contending Denver Nuggets with a 24-point, 8-rebound performance to solidify his position as the West’s best rookie during the season’s first six weeks. He’s taken a sizable leap in the last two weeks, averaging 19.6 points on 50% shooting in seven games from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30.

At just 18 years old, Flagg is matching records not seen since LeBron James entered the league over two decades ago. He is the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game after his performance against the Clippers and he’s the second-youngest to ever score 30 in a game (trailing only James, who needed two overtimes to reach 30 points in a Nov. 2003 contest against the Memphis Grizzlies). Additionally, Flagg is the youngest player to ever record 10 assists in a game.

Flagg seems to improve with each game. In the team’s Monday victory over Denver, he led the offense at times and took advantage of a reeling Denver defense to create good looks for himself and his teammates. Anthony Davis had 32 points and rookie guard Ryan Nembhard had 28 points, and both guys were getting good looks because of the defensive attention Flagg requires when he has the ball.

When the game is in the balance, Flagg elevates his game to another level. His 52 points in ‘clutch games’ — defined as a game within five points with five or less minutes remaining — are fourth in the league, trailing only SGA, Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey. He’s shooting 59.3% in clutch situations, which is the highest amongst the top-10 clutch scorers this season.

He’s getting his reps and he’s producing when his number gets called. The Mavericks may not be winning as much as he was at Duke, but it’s been a remarkable first six weeks for this 18-year old rookie, who will be battling his former Duke teammate Knueppel all year to see who takes home the Rookie of the Year trophy.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...-named-western-conference-rookie-of-the-month