The Dallas Mavericks handled the Utah Jazz 112-100 in NBA Cup play, but the night belonged to Morez Johnson Jr.
Johnson delivered the first double-double of his career, finishing with 13 points and 17 rebounds. He was especially active on the glass, piling up 10 offensive rebounds in a performance that stood out even in a comfortable win.
Mavericks head coach Dusty May, who coached Johnson at Michigan, had plenty of praise for the rookie afterward. May said Johnson is still working his way back physically after a slow start tied in part to a lower leg injury during preseason.
“The first glimpse was in San Antonio when Naji (Marshall) threw the lob, and ‘Rez went up and got it. Even though he didn't finish it, that was the first glimpse when the staff said, ‘Okay, his athleticism is almost back,'” May said.
May also pointed to the way Johnson can impact a game without being featured in the offense.
“His energy, his effort. He's a winning player, and for a guy you don't call any plays for, if you can get him 13 and 17 without calling any plays for him. We need those types of glue guys,” May added.
Before facing Utah, Johnson had been averaging 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in eight games, all off the Mavericks bench. His outing against the Jazz suggested there’s more in the tank, especially as he continues to get closer to full strength.
The No. 9 pick in this year’s draft also looks like a strong fit next to Cooper Flagg, who has the skillset of a potential top-10 player. If Johnson keeps building on nights like this, he could give Dallas a needed dose of energy and physicality in the frontcourt.
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