‘He Dominated Us’: Dallas Mavericks Let Another Close One Slip Away Against Memphis Grizzlies As Tensions Flare
The Dallas Mavericks were closing in on their first two-game winning streak of the season. Instead, the Memphis Grizzlies — shorthanded and forced to play more than 10 minutes with only one available center in deep foul trouble — made the final plays that mattered, handing Dallas a 102–96 loss Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
The defeat dropped the Mavericks to 5–13 and closed a home-heavy opening stretch in which they played 14 of their first 18 games in Dallas but went just 4–10. Memphis improved to 6–11 while securing its second win over the Mavericks this month.
The game began with both teams significantly depleted.
Dallas was without D’Angelo Russell (illness), Ryan Nembhard (left knee sprain), Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Dereck Lively II (right knee injury management), Danté Exum (right knee injury management) and Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery). Memphis played without Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle), Ja Morant (calf), Ty Jerome (calf), Brandon Clarke (knee) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and then lost Jock Landale to neck soreness midway through the first quarter.
With Landale ruled out, the Grizzlies were left with Zach Edey as their lone center. He picked up his fourth and fifth fouls early in the second half, yet Memphis had no choice but to keep him on the floor.
Dallas Mavericks Open Strong Behind Brandon Williams and Klay Thompson
Despite the absences, Dallas started aggressively. Brandon Williams, celebrating his 26th birthday, delivered spirited shot-making to open the night. He hit two early threes and scored 10 of Dallas’ first 14 points to help the Mavericks grab a 22–21 lead after one.
Williams said the early rhythm came naturally after the team urged him to remain assertive.
After the first quarter, Williams explained that the quick start came from simply taking what the game offered. “Yes,” he said when asked if he felt comfortable early.
He later added that his job remains to drive to the rim and orchestrate the offense.
“It’s my job just to get in the paint, look for our shooters, and just be a point guard ultimately,” Williams said.
The second quarter swung on Klay Thompson’s shooting. He drilled a series of threes to push Dallas ahead by as many as seven, and his 14 first-half points helped carry the Mavericks to a 47–43 halftime lead — Memphis’ lowest scoring first half of the season.
Jason Kidd praised Thompson for providing energy on the second night of a back-to-back. The Mavericks coach said Thompson’s approach played a major role in keeping the team afloat early.
“I thought he brought great energy for a back-to-back and something that we needed,” Kidd said. “He was a big reason why we were in the game.”
Memphis Grizzlies Take Control Through the Glass
Memphis opened the third quarter with a 14–5 push, fueled almost entirely by second-chance opportunities and short-range finishes. The Grizzlies grabbed offensive rebounds on possession after possession, ultimately posting a 61–41 rebounding advantage, including a lopsided 23–11 margin on the offensive glass.
Kidd acknowledged that the rebounding disparity crippled Dallas’ chances.
After the loss, he pointed to the sheer number of extra possessions.
“Giving up 23 offensive rebounds is tough,” Kidd said. “You can’t win in this league if you give up that many rebounds.”
When asked specifically about Edey, Kidd said the rookie made an outsized impact.
“He dominated us,” Kidd said. “But everyone chipped in and dominated us. Not just him. The smalls, the mediums — they all crashed. We talked about it. We had to be physical, and we weren’t.”
Williams agreed that the Mavericks must commit more bodies to protect the glass.
“We just got to be more physical,” he said. “Us guards have to come back and help the bigs.”
Flagrant Foul, Double Technicals and a Postgame Confrontation
The game’s physicality escalated throughout the second half.
With Dallas trailing by four late in the third, Cooper Flagg provided one of the night’s loudest moments when he burst down the floor for a coast-to-coast dunk that cut the deficit to 69–65. Seconds later, he was clipped by Santi Aldama in transition, resulting in a flagrant-1 foul and a brief scuffle as Mavericks players rallied to defend their rookie.
Thompson hit both flagrant free throws before the tension resurfaced early in the fourth, when Thompson and Vince Williams Jr. exchanged words and were each assessed technical fouls.
The chippiness continued after the game. While Cam Spencer was conducting his on-court interview, Ja Morant — sidelined by injury — traded heated words with Thompson.
Thompson later described the exchanges in detail. When discussing Aldama’s foul on Flagg, Thompson said the play struck him as unnecessary.
“With (Aldama), I thought that’s not cool,” he said. “I’ve seen them do dirty stuff before. I remember in the playoffs 2022, they broke my teammate’s elbow on a dirty hit. That made me think of that, and I don’t like seeing that done to a rookie. That’s not cool.”
Thompson said Williams Jr. “flopped” during a tie-up, prompting their confrontation. He then addressed the exchange with Morant, saying he saw it as more talk than substance.
“It was really just running his mouth, and he’s been running his mouth for a long time,” Thompson said. “It’s funny to run your mouth when you’re on the bench. It’s the story of his career so far — just leaving us wanting more.”
Thompson also reflected on the history between Memphis and his former team. He said he respects the old “Grit and Grind” era but believes the current group talks too much.
“This new team, though? I don’t know,” he said. “They just talk a lot. They’ve always talked a lot and never really backed it up. I don’t really respect that.”
P.J. Washington Exits Late as Dallas Mavericks Fall Short in Clutch Again
Dallas tied the game twice in the final 3:00, first on a Flagg dunk to even the score at 94–94, then on a driving finish by Daniel Gafford to make it 96–96 with 1:10 remaining. But the Mavericks were forced to close without P.J. Washington, who exited with 4:54 left after taking a shot to the back.
Kidd said Washington could not continue.
“He got hit in the back and couldn’t return,” he said.
Washington had 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 32 minutes and was one of the team’s most consistent downhill threats.
Williams noted how noticeable his absence became in the final minutes.
“He brings a lot to our team,” he said. “He was dominating the first half. We definitely felt him not being out there.”
Memphis closed the game on a 6–0 run, beginning with Aldama’s go-ahead layup with 58 seconds left. After a split pair of free throws from Cedric Coward, Dallas called timeout to set up a potential tying three. Thompson rose for a 29-footer from the logo with 20.3 seconds remaining, but the shot rimmed off.
Kidd said the responsibility for that sequence falls on him.
“For me as the coach, I take full responsibility for that last shot,” he said. “We’ve got to get better. I’ve got to draw up a better play.”
Up Next
The Mavericks now begin a four-game road trip Monday against the Miami Heat. Kidd said the team must focus on cleaning up rebounding issues, improving late-game execution, and staying connected through a difficult stretch of injuries and inconsistency.
Williams said the film will show areas that need immediate attention.
“There’s definitely a lot of stuff we can take care of, starting with offensive rebounding… and ultimately just executing down the stretch,” he said.
Thompson said the team must stay unified as they wait to get healthier.
“Just gotta stay together,” he said. “We’ll be healthy one day, and I’m very excited for that day, whenever that is.”
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