The Dallas Mavericks didn’t just light up the scoreboard Thursday night-they lit up the record books, too.
In a dominant 144-122 win over the Utah Jazz, Klay Thompson etched his name deeper into NBA history. With his 2,809th career three-pointer, the veteran sharpshooter moved past Damian Lillard to claim sole possession of fourth place on the league’s all-time made threes list. It was a vintage night for Thompson, who continues to prove that, even in a new uniform, he’s still one of the deadliest perimeter threats the game has ever seen.
But Thompson wasn’t the only Maverick to leave his mark on history.
Head coach Jason Kidd notched his 195th win at the helm in Dallas, moving him past Avery Johnson for fourth on the franchise’s all-time coaching wins list. Kidd now trails only Rick Carlisle (555), Don Nelson (339), and Dick Motta (329)-a trio of names that helped shape the Mavericks’ identity over the decades.
For Kidd, who already brought a title to Dallas as a player in 2011, this milestone is another testament to his evolving legacy in the organization. Across his coaching stops in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and now Dallas, Kidd has racked up 378 career victories.
And then there’s Dwight Powell-the glue guy, the hustle guy, the longest-tenured Maverick quietly carving out his own legacy.
On Thursday, Powell pulled down enough rebounds to move into ninth place on the Mavericks’ all-time list, passing franchise legend Rolando Blackman. That’s no small feat.
Powell, who came to Dallas in the 2014-15 season as part of the Rajon Rondo trade with Boston, has been a steady presence through coaching changes, roster overhauls, and playoff pushes. With 3,086 boards to his name, Powell’s impact goes beyond the box score.
He’s been the heartbeat of the locker room and a reliable contributor in the paint for nearly a decade.
Klay Thompson, speaking postgame, summed it up perfectly: “I’m so happy for Dwight. That’s so cool.
His Mavs career is incredible-his longevity, his commitment and dedication to his craft. And just how hard he plays - I love being out there on the floor with Dwight.
To be top 10 in rebounds in franchise history, that’s nothing to sneeze at. That’s special.
He deserves it.”
Of course, when it comes to rebounds in Dallas, there’s Dirk Nowitzki, and then there’s everyone else. Dirk still sits atop the list with a staggering 11,489 boards.
Sam Perkins is a distant second at 4,589. But Powell’s climb into the top 10 is a reminder that consistency and grit matter-and in Dallas, they’re appreciated.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will run it back against the Jazz on Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center. Thompson and Powell are expected to suit up again, but Dallas will still be without star forward Anthony Davis. Cooper Flagg and Daniel Gafford are also nursing ankle injuries, which means the depth chart will once again lean on players like Powell and Jaden Hardy to step up.
Despite the injuries-and the growing sentiment among some fans that the Mavs should consider pivoting toward the lottery-the team isn’t playing like one ready to fold. Thursday’s blowout win was a clear message: this roster still has enough firepower, pride, and depth to compete. They’re not bottom-feeders, and they’re certainly not mailing it in.
Saturday’s matinee will offer another look at how deep this team can dig, even without some of its brightest stars.