Ryan Nembhard Delivers Historic Night as Mavericks Solve Their Point Guard Puzzle - At Least for Now
For much of the season, the Dallas Mavericks have been searching for stability at point guard. D’Angelo Russell fell out of favor before the regular season even tipped off.
Cooper Flagg was thrust into a role that asked too much, too soon. Brandon Williams didn’t quite make the cut.
So when the Mavs turned to Ryan Nembhard - younger brother of Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard - it felt like another roll of the dice.
But Monday night in Denver? That wasn’t a gamble. That was a statement.
Nembhard didn’t just fill in - he took over. In a 131-121 win against the reigning champs, the rookie guard put together a performance that was equal parts efficient, electric, and historic.
He dropped 28 points and 10 assists while shooting a scorching 12-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Oh, and he didn’t commit a single turnover.
Not one.
That stat line isn’t just impressive - it’s unprecedented.
According to Real Sports, Nembhard became the first point guard in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 10 assists with zero turnovers and a true shooting percentage of 100. That’s not just playing clean basketball - that’s rewriting the standards for what “efficient” looks like at the position.
It’s the kind of night that forces a coaching staff to take notice. Jason Kidd has been looking for someone to steady the ship at the one, and Nembhard just made the most compelling case yet.
He didn’t just run the offense - he commanded it, breaking down Denver’s defense with poise and precision. Whether it was pick-and-roll reads, spot-up triples, or timely dimes, Nembhard looked like a player who belonged.
Now, let’s be real - he’s not going to shoot 86 percent from the floor every night. But that’s not the point.
What matters is the control, the decision-making, the confidence. Those traits translate.
And right now, Nembhard’s got them in spades.
The Mavericks are in a tricky spot, though. Nembhard is currently on a two-way contract, which limits the number of games he can play with the NBA roster.
But if he keeps performing like this, Dallas won’t have the luxury of waiting. They’ll have to make a decision - and fast - about converting his deal to a standard contract.
Because this version of Nembhard? He’s not just a stopgap.
He’s a real solution.
Of course, any time you face the Nuggets, you know Nikola Jokić is going to get his. The reigning MVP did exactly that, putting up a monster 29-point, 20-rebound, 13-assist triple-double.
That’s just what he does - altitude or not, matchup or not. He’s inevitable.
But on this night, the Mavericks had enough firepower to match him. Nembhard’s breakout was the headliner, but Anthony Davis added a crucial 32 points to help carry the load. It was a full-team effort, but make no mistake - this was Nembhard’s night.
The Mavericks may have stumbled into their answer at point guard. Now the question is: how long can they keep him on the floor?