Khris Middleton lit up the court for the Mavericks, ending their eight-game skid with a dazzling performance against Memphis. The veteran forward dropped a season-high 35 points, shooting an impressive 10-of-17 in just 25 minutes. Middleton was unstoppable in the fourth quarter, racking up 22 points and reminding everyone why he's such a valuable asset.
Middleton's 35-point explosion marks the highest scoring output by a Mavs reserve since Rodrigue Beaubois' 40-point game back in March 2010. Reflecting on his stellar night, Middleton shared, “It was a good feeling.
Getting the win after those losses felt even better. When you get hot like that in the fourth, it’s special.”
He was quick to credit his teammates for setting screens and finding him in rhythm. “Once you see a couple shots fall, you just keep shooting,” Middleton added. With free agency looming, Middleton’s future remains a topic of interest as he could become an unrestricted free agent this summer if a new deal isn’t reached by July 1.
Switching gears around the Southwest, Christian Clark from The Athletic tackled some burning questions about the Mavericks. One key topic was the search for a permanent general manager and the future of Kyrie Irving. Despite Irving sitting out this season due to a torn ACL, Clark anticipates seeing him in a Mavs jersey for the 2026/27 season, regardless of the draft outcome.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson's contract situation is also making headlines. As Bobby Marks from ESPN points out, Williamson’s salary for the 2026/27 season is now 60% guaranteed after his 51st game of the season. This figure could jump to 80% if he plays in 61 games and hit 100% if he meets specific weight conditions outlined in his contract.
With these developments, the landscape in the Southwest Division continues to evolve, promising more excitement as the season progresses.