The Mavericks are at a pivotal point in their season as they face the challenge of rescuing a five-game homestand that has started off on shaky ground. Their current record of 1-2 on this stretch isn’t exactly the dream beginning they’d hoped for, especially given the season-high home schedule that presented a golden opportunity to kick off the season strong. Dallas now sits at 4-3, a start that’s neither thrilling nor disastrous in the scope of an 82-game NBA season. For fans, though, this record can spark a bit of worry, especially given some hiccups that have been bubbling up on the court.
In a season where the Western Conference contenders are constantly vying for position, the Mavericks find themselves in a six-way tie for the NBA’s sixth-best record. Fellow Western rivals Minnesota and Denver share a similar standing, which provides some comfort. Yet, in the Eastern Conference, other heavyweights like the Milwaukee Bucks (1-6) and Philadelphia 76ers (1-5) are facing real struggles. So, Dallas fans might take some solace in knowing they’re far from the worst-off in early standings, even if the team’s rhythm isn’t quite humming yet.
Coach Jason Kidd didn’t mince words about the Mavericks’ sluggish start in their recent loss to an undermanned Indiana squad, emphasizing a frustrating lack of intensity. That game’s opening 15-2 deficit underscores his point—starting games slow has been a troubling theme. “We’ve got to figure out how to get the ball moving, get everyone touching it, everybody moving,” Kidd explained. He pointed to the Mavericks’ energy as a focal area that needs improvement, particularly on home turf, where they’ve surprisingly been flat.
And while the season is still young, there are some concerning trends in Dallas’s stats. They’re currently middle-of-the-pack offensively, holding the 15th spot in offensive rating (112.6) and ranking 17th in both scoring average (112.7) and assists (25.1). Field goal and three-point percentages show similar lukewarm figures. Their free-throw percentage, however, could definitely use some work; currently, they’re only hitting 74.3% from the line. The Mavericks' lack of ball movement hasn’t helped either, as they’re not excelling in sharing the ball—an area Kidd is keen on improving.
On the defensive side, though, the story is a bit brighter. Despite concerns that integrating Klay Thompson into the lineup might compromise their defense, Dallas ranks seventh in defensive rating (109.4), fifth in field goal percentage allowed (44%), and fifth in opponent three-point percentage (32.8%). Defensive standout P.J. Washington has been a crucial part of this, but Kidd has mentioned that Washington may be taking on more defensive responsibilities than he should. Washington’s absence due to a right knee sprain in the upcoming game against Chicago will be a true test of the Mavericks’ defensive depth.
That Chicago matchup has added stakes as Dallas now must win both their remaining homestand games—against the Bulls and Phoenix Suns—to break even at 3-2. Making matters more challenging, center Dereck Lively II was a late scratch due to a shoulder sprain just before the Indiana game, adding more uncertainty to the Mavericks’ lineup as they strive to stay competitive.
With this season being a blend of new faces and returning stars, growing pains were expected. Luka Doncic, a perennial MVP contender, has been adjusting after missing much of training camp due to a calf contusion, while other newcomers, including Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, and Spencer Dinwiddie, are still working their way into the team’s rotation and systems. For example, Doncic’s shooting has been off to an uncharacteristic start—currently, he’s hitting only 40% from the field and a mere 32.4% from beyond the arc. While these numbers fall below his usual standards, Doncic attributes it to finding his rhythm and is optimistic about bouncing back soon.
Doncic’s struggles have been particularly evident in his short- and mid-range game. This season, he’s connecting on only 44.1% of shots between three and ten feet and has seen career lows on attempts from ten to sixteen feet and between sixteen feet and the three-point line. He’s aware of the slump but insists, “I’ll get it, don’t worry. I’ve been feeling more and more improved every day.”
Naji Marshall’s performance against Indiana was a silver lining. Coming off a rough start to the season from beyond the arc, where he was 0-for-9 on three-point attempts, Marshall managed to sink both of his attempts against Indiana and scored 20 points overall, a welcome breakout that matched his total from the season’s first six games. His and Dinwiddie’s combined 34 points accounted for all of Dallas’ bench scoring in that game. Despite this, the Mavericks’ bench has generally been outperformed this season, with Dallas’s reserve players being outscored 222-180.
As the Mavericks navigate the season’s first stretch, here’s what to keep an eye on:
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Offensive Flow Needs Improvement: Dallas ranks mid-tier in offensive metrics. Coach Kidd’s focus on ball movement will be crucial in lifting the team’s offensive efficiency.
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Luka Doncic’s Shooting Slump: The MVP hopeful’s current shooting percentages are significantly below his career averages. Expect improvement as Doncic’s conditioning and rhythm catch up.
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Defense Holding Strong: The Mavericks’ defense has been a bright spot, ranking in the top ten league-wide despite early questions about lineup changes. With Washington carrying much of the defensive load, Dallas needs the rest of the squad to contribute.
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Bench Production: Depth has been inconsistent, and the bench has generally been outscored by opponents. Marshall’s recent breakthrough offers some hope, but overall contributions need to improve.
Looking at the big picture, Dallas has every reason to believe they’ll iron out these inconsistencies as players get more comfortable and Doncic regains his form. The Mavericks’ early season performance may not be flashy, but the flashes of defensive grit and emerging chemistry suggest they’re moving in the right direction.
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