Dallas Mavericks Weekly Report: Rookie Spark, Defensive Grit, and a Team at a Crossroads
For the first time this season, the Dallas Mavericks are stacking wins - and not just any wins. After a 2-1 week that included a gutsy road victory over the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Mavs are showing signs of life. They’ve now climbed to 12th in the Western Conference, and while that’s still outside the playoff picture, the arrow is finally pointing up.
Let’s break it down: Dallas dropped a high-scoring battle to the Lakers, bounced back with a tight win over the Clippers, and then capped the week with a statement win in Denver. That’s not just a solid week - it’s the kind of stretch that hints at a team figuring itself out.
A Grade Worth Earning
This is the first time all season the Mavericks have strung together back-to-back wins. And with that, they’ve earned their first A-grade of the year.
Why? Because this team is finally starting to play like it believes in itself.
Even when shorthanded - and Dallas has been plenty banged up - the effort has been undeniable. Whether it’s coming from the coaching staff or trickling down from their top draft pick, the Mavericks are competing hard every night.
And that’s not just coach-speak. Dallas has become one of those teams that’s tough to blow out, no matter who’s on the floor.
The offense, while still not fully in sync, caught fire this week. Over the last three games, the Mavericks shot nearly 50% from the field and a scorching 40% from beyond the arc - both well above their season averages.
Is that level of shotmaking sustainable? Probably not.
But when the defense is bringing this much energy, they don’t need to shoot the lights out to stay in games. When the shots do fall, they’re capable of beating anyone - as they showed by dropping 131 points on the Nuggets in their own building.
Ryan Nembhard: The Steady Hand
Let’s talk about Ryan Nembhard.
Since moving into the starting lineup, the rookie has been a revelation. He’s averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 assists as a starter, but those numbers only tell part of the story. Monday night against Denver, Nembhard delivered a performance that should have Mavs fans buzzing - 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, 10 assists, and complete control of the game down the stretch.
Even more impressive? He did it without two starters and a key rotation player. That’s the kind of composure you don’t usually see from a rookie point guard, and it’s clear that the team plays its best basketball when both Nembhard and Cooper Flagg are on the floor together.
Cooper Flagg: Already That Guy
It’s time to stop talking about Cooper Flagg like he’s just a promising rookie. He’s already playing like a star.
Flagg led the Mavericks in scoring this week, averaging 24 points per game and taking over late in games with a poise that belies his age - and let’s not forget, he doesn’t even turn 19 until later this month.
What makes Flagg so dangerous is how advanced his game already is. He’s shooting over 58% on nearly 12 drives per game - a number that puts him among the elite slashers in the league.
He uses his body like a vet, shielding off defenders and creating angles that shouldn’t be there. And when the defense collapses?
He finds cutters and spot-up shooters like a seasoned playmaker.
In clutch situations, Flagg has been ice cold. Among the top 10 players in total clutch points, he’s the youngest by four years, shoots the highest percentage (59.3%), and has hit 19-of-21 free throws. That’s not just impressive - that’s elite.
And here’s the kicker: he still hasn’t found his three-point shot yet, largely because of a lingering wrist issue that likely won’t fully heal until after the All-Star break. When that shot comes around? Watch out.
Defensively, Flagg is already making a difference, averaging two combined steals and blocks per game. He’s disruptive one-on-one and has the kind of instincts that can’t be taught.
The Big Question: Which Direction Are the Mavs Headed?
This is where things get complicated.
At the start of the season, it looked like Dallas might be headed toward another lottery pick - and there’s still an argument to be made for that path. But with Anthony Davis back in the mix, Flagg emerging as a legitimate go-to option, and Nembhard stabilizing the backcourt, this team suddenly looks... competitive.
And that’s the dilemma. If the Mavericks believe in this core, they might be tempted to push for the postseason. They’re just 2.5 games out of ninth in the West, and the way they’re playing, a play-in spot isn’t out of reach.
But if the front office doesn’t see a long-term future with this group, now is the time to make a move. Davis has always been a health risk, and if the plan is to pivot, his recent return gives Dallas a window to explore trade opportunities while his value is high.
Right now, they’re ninth in lottery odds but only three losses away from the worst record in the league. If they want to tank, it won’t happen organically - they’ll need to actively move pieces to make it happen.
It’s a fork-in-the-road moment for the franchise. Stay the course and see what this young, energetic group can do? Or make a hard pivot toward the future?
Coaching Credit: Jason Kidd’s Adjustments
Jason Kidd deserves some flowers for the week Dallas just had.
Since taking over again, Kidd has made some meaningful changes. The lineups make more sense, the rotations are tighter, and the Cooper Flagg point guard experiment has (mercifully) ended. Nembhard has taken over as the floor general, and the offense looks far more balanced as a result.
Anthony Davis is playing almost exclusively at center now, which has improved spacing and helped the Mavs defensively. And perhaps most notably, D’Angelo Russell has seen his minutes slashed - just 18 total over the last three games - a clear sign that Kidd is prioritizing smart, efficient decision-making over shot-hunting.
This isn’t new for Kidd. He has a reputation for flipping the switch around the 20-game mark, and this past week fits that pattern. The Mavericks are playing smarter, harder, and more connected basketball - and that starts at the top.
Bottom Line: The Mavericks are still figuring out who they are, but for the first time all season, there’s real momentum. Flagg looks like a future star.
Nembhard is stabilizing the backcourt. The defense is scrappy, and the effort is there every night.
Whether this team leans into the youth movement or makes a midseason pivot, they’ve got something brewing - and that’s more than you could say a few weeks ago.