‘It’s About Carrying This Over’: Dallas Mavericks Look To Build Momentum Against Oklahoma City Thunder
The Dallas Mavericks finally broke through with their first win of the season, but head coach Jason Kidd made it clear that the celebration would be brief.
After defeating the Toronto Raptors 139–129 on Sunday night, the Mavericks will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder less than 24 hours later to close out a back-to-back set. The focus now shifts from relief to refinement — particularly in tightening up ball security and sustaining defensive intensity.
“We’ll watch some film tomorrow,” Kidd said. “But the way we played — with energy, ball movement, and defensive focus — we’ve got to keep that. We need to close halves better and cut down on turnovers. We had 18 tonight, eight in the first quarter — that’s our Achilles’ heel. OKC feeds off turnovers, so we can’t give them those opportunities.”
Jason Kidd Emphasizes Discipline Against Oklahoma City Thunder
The Mavericks’ victory over Toronto showcased their offensive ceiling. Seven players scored in double figures, and the team shot 58% from the floor while recording a season-high 32 assists. Yet early-game sloppiness nearly derailed the performance — Dallas committed 12 first-half turnovers that led to 21 points for the Raptors.
Against an opponent like Oklahoma City, those mistakes could prove costly. The Thunder led the league in fast-break points and forced turnovers last season, thriving on chaos to create open looks in transition.
“Just honesty — no tricks,” Kidd said. “We were making careless mistakes. The key is talking and slowing down. Once we did that, we connected and played under control.”
The Mavericks’ third quarter on Sunday offered the ideal example — just one turnover and 41 points during a dominant 13–0 run that changed the game. Kidd wants to see that same patience and precision carry into Monday’s matchup.
Anthony Davis Highlights Consistency and Energy
For Anthony Davis, who led Dallas with 25 points and 10 rebounds, maintaining defensive focus will determine whether the team’s progress translates into wins against top-tier competition.
“We’ve got to play with defensive aggression for all 48 minutes,” Davis said. “I’d rather this happen now so we can correct it early.”
Davis’ production has been steady to open the season. He’s posted three straight 20-point double-doubles, tying David Robinson for 18th-most in NBA history (384). But his leadership and presence inside remain just as critical, especially against a Thunder team that thrives on attacking the paint and generating second-chance opportunities.
Even in victory, the Mavericks surrendered 58 points in the paint to the Raptors, an issue Davis said must be corrected before facing Oklahoma City’s front line.
Cooper Flagg and D’Angelo Russell Provide Spark
Rookie forward Cooper Flagg continues to emerge as an early-season bright spot. The 18-year-old finished with 22 points, four rebounds, and four assists against Toronto, becoming the youngest starter in NBA history to record a 20-point game with zero turnovers. It marked his third consecutive game scoring in double figures and the third-highest scoring performance by a rookie this season.
Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell provided the Mavericks with veteran stability off the bench, delivering 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals — his best performance since joining the team. Kidd praised Russell’s response after limited minutes earlier in the week, noting his role in organizing the offense and setting the pace during the decisive stretch.
“That’s the DLo we know — playmaking, scoring, finding guys,” Kidd said. “He impacted both ends after not playing much in the second half last game. Tonight, the rotation was different, and he gave us a big lift.”
Dallas Mavericks Aim for Carryover
While Sunday’s win represented progress, Kidd said the real challenge is sustaining that rhythm against a defending champion built on defensive pressure and depth.
“It’s about carrying this over,” Kidd said. “Scoring 139 is great, but doing it against a team like OKC means valuing every possession. That’s what tomorrow is about.”
The Mavericks will host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:30 p.m. CST at American Airlines Center, looking to turn a breakthrough performance into momentum — and a win streak.
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