Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets: Time, TV & What You Need To Know (Dec. 1, 2025)

Grant AfsethDecember 1, 2025December 1, 2025no comment

Photo by Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

Klay Thompson wasn’t sure he would play on Saturday. The Dallas Mavericks’ veteran guard woke up sore, mentally drained, and still feeling the weight of Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. At 35, he knows how back-to-backs can hit the body, and this one felt like the kind of night a player sits.

But in Los Angeles, Thompson always has one refuge: the ocean.

Hours before tipoff against the Los Angeles Clippers, he took his boat out, dove into the Pacific Ocean, and spent time at the beach. It’s a routine that has reset him for years, and on this particular afternoon, it was enough to change his mind.

The Mavericks were thankful he did. Thompson went out and hit six of his ten three-pointers, scoring 17 of his 23 points in a blistering fourth quarter that helped Dallas pull out a 114–110 win at Intuit Dome.

“Any time you touch the earth it gives you energy,” Thompson said. “I went to my boat and got out in the sea.”

It worked. His shooting surge helped steady a shorthanded Mavericks roster and snapped a three-game losing streak. And as Dallas prepares to finish its road trip in Denver, Thompson’s resilience and leadership stand as a needed boost for a team still searching for stability.

How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets

Date: Monday, Dec. 1
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Location: Ball Arena — Denver, CO
TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream
Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report

Anthony Davis: Probable (Left Calf Injury Management)
Klay Thompson: Probable (Illness)
P.J. Washington: Questionable (Right Ankle Sprain)
Brandon Williams: Questionable (Left Adductor Strain)
Daniel Gafford: Out (Right Ankle Injury Management)
Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Foot Swelling/Discomfort)
Kyrie Irving: Out (Left ACL Surgery)
Danté Exum: Out (Knee Surgery)

Washington sprained his ankle during warmups after stepping on a loose ball. Davis was always scheduled to appear in only one of the Los Angeles games while ramping up his workload. He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists on 10 shots against the Lakers.

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

Nikola Jokić: Probable (Left Wrist Sprain)
Bruce Brown: Questionable (Illness)
Aaron Gordon: Out (Hamstring)
Christian Braun: Out (Ankle)
Julian Strawther: Out (Back)

Klay Thompson’s Ocean Reset Leads to Breakthrough Performance

Thompson admitted he wasn’t feeling well after the Lakers game and nearly shut things down on Saturday. His time on the water changed that. The veteran returned to Intuit Dome feeling refreshed and determined to help a depleted team playing without multiple starters.

“I know I’m sore, but this is when your character is revealed,” Thompson said. “I don’t have much basketball left in me… Every night out there is really a blessing.”

His fourth quarter reflected that perspective. With the Mavericks struggling to generate offense, Thompson created separation off screens, rose up confidently, and delivered a series of momentum-swinging threes that quieted the Clippers’ crowd. His 26 minutes became one of the stabilizing performances Dallas had been searching for during its recent slide.

“He’s the ultimate professional,” forward Naji Marshall said. “That’s just what he does.”

Cooper Flagg Makes History at 18

Thompson wasn’t the only Maverick turning heads. Cooper Flagg delivered one of the most impressive performances of any rookie this season, scoring 35 points and becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach that mark.

His night didn’t come easily. The Clippers threw Kawhi Leonard and Nicolas Batum at him, yet Flagg continued to attack, hit tough jumpers, and finish through contact at the rim. He also closed the game by hitting six straight free throws in the final 80 seconds.

“To do that against incredible defenders… is very impressive,” Thompson said.

Flagg’s showing offered a glimpse of how quickly he’s adjusting. He played with an assertiveness that lifted Dallas through long stretches of the game, especially after the team reshuffled its lineup when Washington went down pregame.

Denver Nuggets Finding Their Rhythm Behind Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray

Denver enters Monday playing sharp basketball. The Nuggets have won four of their last six, and their 130–112 win in Phoenix on Saturday showed just how dangerous they can look when their offense clicks.

Nikola Jokic controlled the game with his usual poise, scoring 26 points while adding nine rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray added 24 points and dictated the tempo whenever Jokic drew extra defensive attention. Former Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 23 points and hit seven three-pointers, stretching Phoenix’s defense all night.

Denver shot 58 percent from the field and 58 percent from three-point range, reinforcing how punishing its offense becomes when shooters and playmakers all find their rhythm on the same night.

Dallas Mavericks Close the Trip Searching for a Spark

Saturday’s win didn’t fix the Mavericks’ early-season challenges, but it changed the tone of the road trip. With injuries thinning the rotation, Dallas leaned on its youth and its veterans to stabilize the night.

Flagg carried the scoring load early and stayed aggressive even against elite defenders. Thompson provided the late-game composure the Mavericks had been missing. And despite last-minute lineup adjustments, the supporting cast played within their roles and helped preserve a much-needed win.

Dallas now turns the page to Denver hoping the renewed energy carries into one of the toughest environments in the league.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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