The Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz squared off for the fourth time in just over a month, and once again, it was the Mavericks who walked away with the win - this time in convincing fashion, 138-120. Two nights after their previous matchup, Dallas doubled down with another high-energy performance, led by a group of players who don’t always get the spotlight but made the most of their minutes.
Let’s break down how the Mavericks’ rotation graded out in this one:
Brandon Williams: A
22 PTS / 4 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK - 28 MIN
Williams put together a complete performance, showing poise and control on both ends. Offensively, he was sharp - knocking down 8 of his 13 shots and making smart decisions with the ball.
Defensively, he stayed active, coming up with two steals and playing with a level of intensity that stood out. His 5-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio wasn’t perfect, but it was more than serviceable, especially considering the pace of the game.
This was the kind of game that makes you take notice and wonder if Williams might be carving out a more permanent role.
Max Christie: A
22 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK - 26 MIN
Back in action and looking like he never left, Christie brought energy and efficiency. He shot 7-for-13 from the field, defended well, and didn’t force the issue.
One of his standout moments came in the second quarter when he jumped a passing lane and took it coast-to-coast for a layup - a perfect example of how his instincts and effort can turn defense into offense in a flash. This was a strong all-around night for the young guard.
Caleb Martin: C+
3 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK - 21 MIN
Martin didn’t have his usual offensive touch in this one, and while he did contribute with rebounds and assists, his impact felt muted. He wasn’t a liability, but he also didn’t provide the spark Dallas might’ve hoped for.
Still, he had a savvy moment right off the tip - anticipating the ball’s direction and securing possession before anyone else reacted. Small play, but it showed his awareness.
Naji Marshall: B+
Marshall had the hot hand early and made plays across the board. He scored efficiently and brought his trademark hustle, but his grade takes a slight dip due to his three turnovers and four fouls. Still, he was one of the more versatile pieces on the floor, doing a little bit of everything - from spacing the floor to crashing the glass and defending multiple positions.
Dwight Powell: A-
10 PTS / 8 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 0 BLK - 27 MIN
This was classic Powell - doing the dirty work, setting hard screens, finishing around the rim, and staying active on defense. His three steals were a pleasant surprise and gave Dallas some extra possessions.
He even drew a flagrant foul after getting bulldozed by Keyonte George, which speaks to the physical toll he takes in the paint. Quietly effective, and exactly what you want from your veteran big.
Jaden Hardy: C+
12 PTS / 1 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK - 17 MIN
Hardy’s night was a mixed bag. He scored in double figures - which is his primary role - but shot just 5-for-13 and didn’t contribute much elsewhere.
His plus/minus was in the red for most of the game, and while that’s not always the most telling stat, it did reflect some of the inconsistency in his minutes. Still, he gave the Mavericks a scoring punch off the bench, and that’s valuable in a game like this.
Moussa Cisse: B-
Cisse gave Dallas some solid minutes, though much of his production came in the latter stages of the game when the outcome was already decided. He played hard, but his -17 plus/minus stood out - suggesting the game got away from the Mavericks a bit when he was on the floor. Still, for a developmental big, the effort and flashes were there.
Klay Thompson: A
23 PTS / 0 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK - 20 MIN
Thompson was lights-out in the first half, and that alone was enough to earn him top marks. He poured in 23 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, including 6-for-9 from deep.
He even chipped in a couple of assists and swatted two shots for good measure. He didn’t play much in the second half, but by then, his work was already done.
Vintage Klay - quick trigger, high efficiency, and a reminder that he can still catch fire at any moment.
Final Thoughts:
If you're following the Western Conference standings closely, this win might feel like a double-edged sword. With Utah sitting key players for the second straight game, it’s clear they’re leaning into the idea of maximizing their draft position.
Dallas, on the other hand, continues to compete - and not just with their stars. Two-way players and rotation guys who don’t always get extended run are stepping up and playing with purpose.
Saturday’s win ties the season series between Dallas and Utah at two apiece, and while there’s still a long road to Game 82, performances like this show the Mavericks aren’t coasting. They’re testing depth, building chemistry, and finding out which players can contribute when the lights are on. And right now, that effort is paying off.