Dallas Mavericks Stick With D’Angelo Russell As Starting Point Guard vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Dallas Mavericks will stay the course with D’Angelo Russell as their starting point guard Friday night as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies in their first NBA Cup game of the season.
Head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Dallas will roll out the same starting lineup used earlier this week: Russell, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II. The decision signals Kidd’s intent to build continuity after several recent lineup changes due to injuries and performance adjustments.
“We just gotta keep fighting,” Kidd said pregame. “Keep taking those shots, keep practicing, watching film, talking about it, and working through this struggle. It just happens that we’re struggling early.”
The Mavericks enter Friday’s matchup with a 2–6 record, while the Grizzlies sit at 3–6, both teams seeking rhythm after inconsistent starts. Dallas will continue to lean on its defensive identity and improved spacing with Russell handling primary playmaking duties.
D’Angelo Russell’s Leadership and Playmaking
Russell has provided a steadying influence since being inserted into the starting lineup, offering ball-handling and shot creation alongside Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington.
Kidd said earlier this week that having a natural point guard has helped balance the offense and improve the team’s tempo.
“When we’ve had a point guard on the floor, it’s been all right,” Kidd said. “I talked to Klay [Thompson] and asked, ‘This isn’t a permanent thing, but can you come off the bench?’ And he was good with it. I thought him coming off the bench gave us a spark.”
Russell’s floor presence has allowed Flagg to operate more comfortably off the ball, using his athleticism and length to attack from the wing.
“Continuity for him is important,” Kidd said of the 18-year-old. “He’s an 18-year-old rookie, and he’s doing the best that he can.”
Key Matchups and Priorities
Kidd pointed to Ja Morant’s dribble penetration and Memphis’ rebounding as major concerns.
“You start with Ja — he can hurt you in all different ways, getting to the rim or the free throw line,” Kidd said. “The percentages might not be what he wants, but he’s still a capable three-point shooter.”
The Mavericks will look to limit second-chance points and control the boards with Dereck Lively II back in the starting unit after missing time with a right knee injury. Kidd noted that Lively’s mobility and length help anchor the defense, particularly with Anthony Davis still sidelined by a calf injury.
“You have two teams that might not be shooting the ball well right now, so it’s about rebounding, keeping them off the boards because they’re all going to crash, and keeping them off the free throw line,” Kidd said. “That’s a big thing for them in their offense — they get to the line a lot.”
Building Momentum
Kidd said his focus remains on creating stability with the current rotation and regaining rhythm on offense after a string of close losses.
“When you look at our defense being ranked in the top five or top 10, and you look at the pace — it’s just our shooting that’s horrendous,” Kidd said. “We can’t make shots on a consistent basis. We’re getting great looks, but our defense is keeping us in games.”
With Russell commanding the offense, Flagg adjusting to a more natural off-ball role, and Washington anchoring the frontcourt, the Mavericks will look to build chemistry and consistency in a crucial stretch of the early season.
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