Irving and Thompson Lead Mavericks to Blowout Victory Over Bucks to End Preseason
Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson led the Mavericks to a dominant preseason finale win over the Bucks, showcasing strong performances and lineup adjustments ahead of the regular season.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks concluded their preseason with a 109-84 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center. Led by strong performances from Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, Dallas secured its first preseason win, finishing 1-3.
The Bucks rested key players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Dallas used the opportunity to fine-tune rotations and experiment with lineups, leading to a commanding performance.
Throughout the preseason, Kidd emphasized the importance of staying healthy, with several players sidelined. Luka Dončić (left calf contusion), Maxi Kleber (left ankle sprain), Kessler Edwards (left ankle sprain), and Danté Exum (right wrist) were all sidelined, but Kidd remained optimistic about their recovery.
“The number one goal is to stay healthy,” Kidd said. “You want to get work done, focus on a couple of things rotation-wise, but health is always important. You have to be healthy to have a chance to compete or win. Tonight, everyone had an opportunity to get their work in, and I thought they did a great job.”
Irving Sets the Tone Early, and Klay Finds His Rhythm
Kyrie Irving wasted no time setting the pace for the Mavericks, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter without missing a shot on the night. Dallas employed a mix of handoffs and off-ball screening actions to create opportunities as opposed to playing out of a heavy dose of high pick-and-roll, and Irving’s hot hand helped them recover from an early 10-7 deficit. A quick 6-0 run pushed Dallas to a 13-10 lead midway through the first. Both teams continued to keep it tight.
Despite trailing 22-21 at the end of the first quarter, Irving continued to lead until resting in the second half, having set up a strong foundation. He only played in two halves in the preseason but was dynamic in each of them, averaging 13.0 points on 9.0 field goal attempts per game, shooting 66.7% from the floor despite shooting 28.6% from deep and not attempting a free throw. He was highly efficient at the rim and as a shot-creator from inside the arc.
After missing his initial four shots, Thompson found his touch in the second quarter, sinking three of his next four from beyond the arc. He scored five quick points that helped Dallas reclaim the lead at 30-29. His transition three-pointer extended the advantage to 45-36, and another make—a contested corner three—pushed the Mavericks’ lead to 50-36. Thompson finished with 11 points and six rebounds, demonstrating his ability to make a quick impact.
“It felt really good,” Thompson said. “Anytime you can hit back-to-back 3s in an NBA game, it’s a good feeling. I thought I had a third one, but it went in and out. It felt good to catch a good rhythm tonight.”
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Thompson struggled to shoot in the preseason, including a performance against the LA Clippers on Monday that ended with him missing all 9 of his shot attempts. During his three performances, he averaged 7.0 points while shooting 24.1% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc in 19.0 minutes per game. However, Kidd emphasized that shooters naturally will have ups-and-downs, but pointed out that he has yet to play with the team’s top playmaker in Dončić.
“Klay has been getting great looks, but they haven’t been going down—that’s the life of a shooter,” Kidd said. “He can probably explain it better than I can, but he’s going to keep shooting. He made some tonight, and you can see his feet are settling, and he’s getting comfortable. I think yesterday was big for him, getting to play with Luka for the first time.”
As Thompson continues to adjust to the Mavericks, Kidd remains confident in the four-time NBA champion. “We’ve seen him make those shots in a different jersey, so it was good to see it in our jersey,” Kidd said. “He responded to the crowd, he’s excited to be here, and he’s going to help us win.”
Daniel Gafford, who was traded to the Mavericks midseason in February, shared insights on the adjustments Thompson is making—emphasizing the need to be patient with the process, and praised how he’s handled it
“Really just his patience. It’s kind of up and down for him right now, I’m pretty sure, because he’s dealing with a new team and a new scheme,” Gafford said. “A lot of defensive stuff is coming his way, so I’m sure he’s trying to adjust the best he can. But I feel like he’s taking the right approach. He’s not letting anything get to him; he’s just coming out and playing basketball.”
In the bigger picture, Thompson wants to win a fifth championship and is confident his skill-set will flourish playing next to Dončić and Irving, along with the rest of the talented roster. “When you’re on such a talented team, you don’t have to be a hero,” Thompson said. “That’s what attracted me to come here. I think these guys can help me get the best out of myself. Lastly, just have fun. When you’re having fun, you’re playing with a smile on your face. Basketball is the best.”
Balanced Effort Across the Roster
The Mavericks received contributions from multiple players, with balanced scoring proving to be a key to their success. Gafford, starting at center, added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, providing an inside presence. Dereck Lively II also shined off the bench, recording 10 points, 9 rebounds (including 3 offensive boards), and 3 blocks, showcasing his growing versatility on both ends of the floor.
“I thought he was great,” Kidd said of Lively. “His touch around the rim with the baby hooks was really nice, both left and right. That’s something he’s worked hard on. We know he’s a willing passer, and being able to use him in the post, especially with the spacing we have, gives him the chance to play one-on-one.”
Both Gafford and Lively played well throughout the preseason. In only 18.4 minutes per game, Lively averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 76.5% from the floor. Gafford added 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game while shooting 66.7% overall.
Lively has continued to display growth in his offensive game, providing a made post hook with both his left and right hand, along with making a few floaters. Through the work he’s done with assistant coach Sean Sweeney and Tyson Chandler, Lively has continued to make strides in his development, earning praise from Thompson.
“Lively has so much potential. It’s really cool to see Tyson Chandler working with him because Tyson was such a great player here,” Thompson said of Lively. “They play very similar styles. What’s really impressed me about Dereck is his post game. I didn’t know he had such great touch. He has a great spin move, a great jump hook. I think we can really utilize that this year because so much switching happens in the NBA.
“He can grow his game with the ability to hit that jump hook,” Thompson added. “It’s kind of a lost art in today’s NBA. It was a go-to shot back in the day, and I think Lively will keep that shot alive, so will Gaff. Those guys are such great finishers at the rim that they’ll help my game just as much as I help them.”
Head coach Jason Kidd experimented with different lineups, including starting Gafford over Lively—ending preseason with them splitting starts equally. There has been no indication from Kidd about who the opening night starter will be at center. With both options playing so well, it’ll be something to monitor going forward.
Without Dončić or Exum available, Kidd deployed a three-guard set featuring Irving, Jaden Hardy, and Spencer Dinwiddie for a stretch. The concept of leveraging Dinwiddie, who stands at 6-foot-5, as a third guard, was successful during his previous stint in Dallas next to Dončić and Jalen Brunson.
Hardy contributed 11 points, attacking the rim and showcasing his ability to play through contact, capping off an impressive preseason. He averaged 15 points and 4.3 assists in 26.2 minutes per game, leading the Mavericks in each category. He also averaged 2.8 made three-pointers while converting a 40.7% clip. Surely, his production bodes well for playing time early in the regular season while Exum remains sidelined after wrist surgery.
Dinwiddie added 8 points and 1 assist in 17 minutes on the floor. He shot 3-of-8 from the floor with each of his three shots from beyond the arc resulting in misses. After averaging 6.3 points while shooting 29.6% overall and 27.3% from deep in preseason, Dinwiddie will look to elevate his play in the regular season.
Grimes, who started on the wing with Dončić sidelined, had a 1-point performance, but hauled in 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Coming off a team-high 20 points against the Clippers, Grimes did plenty outside of scoring that proved valuable for the Mavericks. He was aggressive attacking off the dribble at times, leading to opportunities for his teammates, but made his mark on the defensive end and through doing the dirty work.
“Grimes was plus-27, and I think he only scored one point. That’s rare, but it shows he can contribute in other ways,” Kidd said. “Some nights, it’s not going to be your offensive night, so you have to find other ways to help. He did a great job of that tonight, getting great looks early, shifting to playmaking, and helping on the defensive side with rebounding. We need guys who can do that, and we’re happy to have him.”
Kidd continued to praise Grimes for his willingness to accept his role, given he was a starter on a successful New York Knicks team at one point in his career. The Mavericks are encouraged by what he can provide the team this season after acquiring him in a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons this summer.
“I remember him being a starter on a team that won 47 game. We’re asking him to come off the bench sometimes, and he’s been a pro about it,” Kidd said. “He wants to be here, he’s putting in the time, and he’s doing everything we’ve asked of him. Now, we want to see him build chemistry with Luka and Kyrie, as he’ll be on the floor with them. His toughness, defense, and ability to hit open shots will be important for us.”
Naji Marshall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper each contributed 9 points off the bench, with Marshall adding 2 assists and a steal. Prosper’s ability to finish at the rim and draw fouls added to the Mavericks’ paint production. It was a productive preseason for Prosper, who averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Marshall averaged 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.7 minutes as he continues his adjustment to Dallas.
The impact Prosper made, including an emphatic poster dunk on a closeout attack, caught Kidd’s attention. A particular improvement area that Kidd highlighted from the second-year wing is his approach when attacking by not “forcing things.”
“O-Max has shown a lot of growth from Summer League to now,” Kidd said. “His confidence is building, and he’s been more under control. The game is starting to slow down for him. He’s not forcing things, and he’s been putting in the time with coaches and watching film. That desire to improve is what we love to see, and he’s delivering on the floor.”
Fourth Quarter Used for Fringe Roster Members
The fourth quarter was used mostly for players signed to Exhibit 10 contracts and two-way deals to earn playing time. With the Mavericks already leading 83-58 to begin the period and already dealing with injuries, it was an easy call to make.
Kidd praised Jamarion Sharp as having made a “massive jump” from the time he played with the Mavericks’ Summer League team to now—praising the work he’s put in to develop his game as he strives for an NBA contract. At 7-foot-5, Sharp naturally already is a shot blocker, but members of the organization feel he has huge potential as a rim runner and lob threat, too. He averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game during the preseason playing behind Lively and Gafford, but received a great opportunity to work on his game with them in practices.
“Our Exhibit 10s and two-way players have been great all camp, likely getting more playing time than expected because of injuries. They’ve taken full advantage of it,” Kidd said. “Sharp, in particular, has made a massive jump from Summer League to now, and that’s a credit to him and my coaching staff, who have put in the time both morning and night. He’s great to work with, and he loves to be coached. You can see his growth.
When evaluating the rest of the roster, Kidd also highlighted Brandon Williams and Jazian Gortman for displaying improvement. Williams, who was sidelined due to injury for much of training camp and preseason, is already signed to a two-way contract. Gortman played on an Exhibit 10 contract and made the most of it, averaging 10.3 points and 2.0 assists in 20.5 minutes per game, while shooting 51.6% from the floor and 57.1% from three-point range.
“Players like [Brandon Williams] and [Jazian Gortman] have also shown improvement from summer to now,” Kidd said. “They’ve competed hard, and that’s what our culture is about.”
Unless they receive a standard contract or a two-way deal, the players signed to Exhibit 10 contracts—Gortman, Sharpe, and Miller—might begin the 2024-25 season competing for the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Legends.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
The Mavericks will have a week to prepare for their regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24. The focus will be on building chemistry, particularly with hopes of Dončić rejoining Irving and Thompson on the court.
Dončić fully practiced for the first time on Wednesday, which marked the first time they’ve had him on the floor with Irving and Thompson to build chemistry. The team is eager to further this process ahead of the regular season opener.
“We’ve had [Luka Dončić] for a total of two days in training camp,” Kidd said. “To be able to get him and start to foster that chemistry, we have less than a week to do that. But we’re in a good seat. We’re healthy. We’re deep. And now we have to become a team.”
Thompson is excited to take advantage of the remaining preparation time ahead of the Mavericks’ first regular season game. He made clear that Dončić isn’t going to need much time to get used to playing with him considering just how impactful the Slovenian superstar has been at elevating his teammates throughout his career.
“I think we’ll be great. A huge reason why I’m here is because of Luka and the chance to play with him,” Thompson said. “With the week ahead, we’ll have a lot of time to build great chemistry. But he’s such a great player. I don’t think he needs much time to get acclimated to new teammates. He’s elevated everybody’s game since he’s been in the NBA.”
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