Mavs Look to Regroup After Painful OT Loss as Pistons Come to Town
The Dallas Mavericks are back in Dallas licking their wounds after a frustrating overtime loss in Utah - a game that featured a historic performance from rookie Cooper Flagg but ultimately exposed late-game breakdowns that continue to haunt this team.
Up eight with under four minutes to go, Dallas couldn’t close the door. The Jazz stormed back to tie it, then outscored the Mavericks 11-4 in overtime to seal a 140-133 defeat. The loss dropped Dallas to 10-17 on the season and added another layer of urgency heading into Thursday’s matchup with the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.
Flagg Makes History, But Execution Falters Late
Let’s start with the bright spot: Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old phenom dropped a career-high 42 points, becoming the youngest player in league history to post a 40-point game. That kind of performance should’ve been the headline - a breakout moment for a player who’s already turning heads across the NBA.
But instead, it was Dallas’ inability to execute down the stretch that stole the spotlight.
“They made baskets, and we didn’t,” head coach Jason Kidd said afterward. “We had some good looks that just didn’t go down, and they capitalized.”
Utah ramped up the pressure late, forcing turnovers and shrinking the floor, daring Dallas to beat them from the outside. The Mavericks couldn’t respond.
P.J. Washington pointed to Utah’s pace and defensive adjustments as factors that threw Dallas off rhythm in the extra period.
“I feel like we could have executed a lot better in overtime,” Washington said. “Their pace kind of got to us. I think they kind of threw a different look at us.”
Injuries Still Shaping the Rotation
As Dallas tries to find its footing, the injury report continues to loom large.
Anthony Davis is officially questionable for Thursday’s game with a left calf contusion. He missed the Utah game but went through a full practice Wednesday and was active during earlier shootarounds this week.
Davis has played in just 11 games this season, but when he’s on the floor, he’s been a stabilizing force - averaging 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. His presence is especially critical right now with Dallas still thin up front.
Brandon Williams is also questionable with right Achilles soreness. He sat out Monday’s game but practiced fully on Wednesday, giving him a chance to return against Detroit. Williams has quietly been a solid contributor, averaging 10.8 points and 4.2 assists in 24 appearances.
There’s better news on D’Angelo Russell. After being listed as questionable with an illness earlier in the week, he’s now expected to play Thursday. Russell has averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 assists in 21 games this season and could help stabilize the backcourt rotation.
Daniel Gafford is no longer on the injury report after returning from an ankle issue. He played limited minutes in Utah - between 15 and 17 - and is still being monitored. Gafford’s rim protection and rebounding (6.1 boards and 1.4 blocks per game) are valuable assets for a team that’s struggled to control the paint at times.
Meanwhile, Caleb Martin has slipped out of the rotation, and Jaden Hardy’s minutes have been inconsistent as Kidd tightens things up.
Short-Handed Mavs Face a Physical Pistons Squad
Dallas will still be without several key pieces. Kyrie Irving remains sidelined as he recovers from ACL surgery. Danté Exum and Dereck Lively II are also out for the season, leaving the Mavericks short on both experience and depth.
That’s not ideal with Detroit coming to town.
The Pistons have been one of the league’s top defensive teams this season - second in field-goal defense and among the best at forcing turnovers. That’s a problem for Dallas, especially after coughing up a lead in Utah thanks in part to late-game giveaways.
Detroit also dominated the paint in the last meeting between these two teams, a 122-110 Pistons win last month in Mexico City. It wasn’t just about size - it was about physicality, something Kidd knows his team has to match.
“You got to match their physicality,” Kidd said. “They’re going to hit you on the offensive end and the defensive end. So we’ve got to embrace that and protect the paint.”
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at American Airlines Center. For Dallas, it’s more than just another regular season game - it’s a chance to respond, regroup, and start climbing out of a tough early-season hole.