Ryan Nembhard Earning His Stripes as Mavericks Find Their Groove
The Dallas Mavericks are starting to look like a team figuring things out-and at the heart of that recent progress is a 22-year-old rookie who's quietly proving he belongs. After a nail-biter 131-130 win over the Denver Nuggets, head coach Jason Kidd didn’t hesitate to point to trust as the reason Ryan Nembhard continues to earn more responsibility within the rotation.
“He knows how to get guys the ball, the pace,” Kidd said postgame. “There’s a trust… he understands how to play the game. He’s a basketball player, and guys like playing with him.”
That trust isn’t just talk. It’s showing up on the floor in meaningful ways.
Against Denver, Nembhard played 33 composed minutes, finishing with 11 points, seven assists, and three rebounds on 5-of-11 shooting. He knocked down one of his three attempts from deep, but more importantly, he controlled the tempo and made smart decisions down the stretch-exactly what you want from your point guard in a one-point game.
The chemistry Kidd mentioned-especially between Nembhard and Cooper-isn’t just coach-speak. It’s visible in how the offense flows when those two share the court. There’s a rhythm, a shared understanding, and a willingness to make the right play, even if it doesn’t show up in the box score.
Jason Kidd on his trust in Ryan Nembhard as his starting point guard:
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) December 23, 2025
“He knows how to get guys the ball, the pace. There’s a trust, being able to execute and you can see that the relationship that he has with Cooper is at a high, and so they both want each other to be… pic.twitter.com/IhFXQOe5b6
Zooming out, Nembhard’s season numbers tell a story of a rookie who’s not just surviving-he’s thriving in his role. Through 18 appearances (12 starts), he’s averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game. He’s shooting an efficient 48.5% from the field and a strong 41.3% from three, providing a stabilizing presence for a Mavericks team that’s been searching for consistency.
And that steadiness couldn’t have come at a better time. Dallas opened the season 5-15, but now sits at 12-19-an upward trend that’s no coincidence.
As Nembhard’s minutes have increased, so has the team’s cohesion. His ability to manage pace, make smart reads, and keep the offense humming has been a quiet catalyst in the Mavericks’ turnaround.
Now, the Mavericks are heading into a three-game road trip, starting with a Christmas Day showdown against the Golden State Warriors. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
ET on ABC and ESPN. At 15-15, the Warriors present a tough test, but it’s also a chance for Dallas to keep building momentum-and for Nembhard to continue showing he’s more than just a rookie filling minutes.
He’s earning trust, and in this league, that’s the first step toward something bigger.