Irving and Thompson Make Preseason Debuts as Mavericks Fall to Jazz: 'It's Only Going to Get Better'

The Dallas Mavericks fell 107-102 to the Utah Jazz in preseason action. Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving made their debuts, while Daniel Gafford led a third-quarter comeback attempt.

Oct 11, 2024

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks dropped their second preseason game on Thursday night, falling 107-102 to the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Though the result wasn’t in their favor, the contest provided a valuable look at the evolving Mavericks roster, particularly with Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving making their highly anticipated preseason debuts.

Thompson and Irving saw their first game action this season, playing only in the first half. The plan was to limit their minutes to 15-18 as the team focuses on easing them into full workloads. Both players showcased flashes of what the Mavericks hope to see on the court this year.

Thompson, in his first game with the Mavericks after 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, scored 10 points and dished out 3 assists in 18 minutes. Although he missed his first three shots, Thompson settled in during the second quarter, where he connected on three three-pointers in a short two-minute span.

“I was nervous for like four days,” Thompson admitted after the game. “It’s a new experience being with a new team after so long, but once I got out there, it felt great.”

Irving, returning from offseason surgery to repair his left hand, looked sharp in his first action as well. The veteran guard scored 12 points on 6-of-11 (54.5%) shooting overall despite missing each of his four three-point attempts, grabbed 4 rebounds, and showed no signs of hesitation, particularly with his aggressive drives to the basket.

“Kai was ready to go,” Kidd said after the game. “He looked great out there, especially with how he attacked the rim and played with confidence."

Kidd praised the chemistry between Irving and Thompson, highlighting the potential when they share the floor ahead of the regular season, saying, “The chemistry with those two has been strong in practice. Seeing them together in a game setting was great, and it’s only going to get better as we keep working toward the regular season.”

Lively’s Impact and Gafford’s Spark

Starting alongside Thompson and Irving, second-year center Dereck Lively II brought energy to both ends of the floor. Known for his athleticism and high motor, Lively made a key highlight play in the second quarter with an emphatic dunk over Walker Kessler, a moment set up by a well-placed assist from Thompson. Lively also grabbed 5 rebounds and provided several key defensive plays.

Off the bench, Daniel Gafford provided a strong interior presence, leading the Mavericks in scoring with 15 points, 13 of which came in the second half. His seven dunks energized the crowd and his play in the third quarter, sparking a Dallas comeback attempt. Gafford added seven rebounds and three blocks to cap off an impressive performance.

“Dereck and Gaff were great for us,” Kidd said. “Their energy, especially around the rim, is something we can build on. Both of them are going to be important pieces for us this season.”

Kidd has used Gafford and Lively interchangeably as starting centers throughout training camp and preseason to test different combinations. The starting job remains open ahead of the regular season.

“Gaff is playing at a high level, and that’s the beauty of having two centers who can start or come off the bench,” Kidd said. "They’re both competing for that starting center position.”

Olivier-Maxence Prosper’s Development

With P.J. Washington (left hip tightness) and Maxi Kleber (left ankle sprain) sidelined due to injury, Olivier-Maxence Prosper continued to show his growth, contributing on both ends of the floor. Prosper started and finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals in 33 minutes of action. His aggressive effort on the boards and defensive versatility was particularly noticeable, as he used his length and athleticism to disrupt passing lanes and apply ball pressure.

“It feels great to be out there starting with the guys,” Prosper said. “I’ve been working hard on defense, and I want to bring energy every night. I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m getting more comfortable in the system, and the coaches and my teammates are helping me grow.”

Kidd also praised the young forward’s development, saying, “O-Max has been really solid for us. He’s young, but he’s picking things up quickly. His energy and his length on defense are things we need. He’s going to continue to grow as the season goes on, and we’re happy with the progress he’s making.”

However, while encouraged by Prosper’s development, Kidd made clear that there are “multiple guys in front of him,” and similar to how like Jaden Hardy has done since being drafted, the second-year forward will need to “wait his turn.”

Kazz Capitalize on Key Moments

The Jazz were able to capitalize on key moments to control of the game. Lauri Markkanen’s 26 points and Jordan Clarkson’s 13 points combined for 39, leading Utah, and Lewisville native Keyonte George contributed 14 points before leaving the game with a knee injury early in the third quarter. He was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and could miss the start of the regular season.

Leading by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, Utah’s ability to knock down timely shots and force turnovers gave them the edge down the stretch, as Dallas was unable to complete a late comeback despite Gafford’s strong third-quarter effort. The Jazz out-rebounded the Mavericks for much of the game, which proved to be an important factor in controlling the game’s pace and limiting Dallas’ second-chance opportunities.

Kidd didn't mince words when reflecting on the Mavericks' performance, particularly on the glass, saying, “We got our ass kicked on the boards,” Kidd said. “They were more physical than us, and it showed. We have to be better at rebounding and being physical if we want to win games like this.”

There were stretches when the Mavericks experimented with a zone defense, but the Jazz had success picking it apart in the first half. Dallas gave up 20 points in transition and struggled to contain second-chance scoring (13 points). Both areas will be important to clean up, but there were times when Clarkson, Markkanen, Collin Sexton, among others, were making tough shots against contact or tight contests.

Building Toward the Regular Season

Kidd emphasized that the focus remains building chemistry and integrating the new members of the team. With Luka Dončić sidelined due to a left calf contusion, the Mavericks can account for how they may look to approach a similar situation in the regular season if Dončić was to be sidelined.

“We’re still in the early stages of this process,” Kidd said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s going to take the full 82 games to get everyone on the same page, and we’re building toward that.”

Kidd mentioned that Monday’s game against the LA Clippers would offer another opportunity to extend the playing time for Thompson and Irving. However, they won’t play deep into the second half in that game. The team plans to use the Oct. 17 preseason finale against the Milwaukee Bucks as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season opener.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks remain optimistic as they continue to build chemistry and work toward full strength ahead of their regular season opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24. With Thompson and Irving showing early flashes of their potential, and promising young players like Lively contributing, the team is confident they’re on the right track as they await Dončić’s return.

“We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re getting there,” Kidd said. “We’re building toward something special.”

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