Irving Drops 43, but Jokić, Nuggets Prevail in Thriller: ‘We Had a Great Chance to Win’

Led by a season-high 43-point performance from Kyrie Irving and a near triple-double from Luka Dončić, the Mavericks showed resilience but also revealed areas that need improvement, particularly in closing games and getting consistent contributions from the bench.

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Coming off a 114-113 loss against the Phoenix Suns in their prior outing, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd felt the team provided a necessary response. There were a few standout plays, including Jokić putbacks, that proved pivotal in deciding the outcome, but on the road, Kidd appreciated his team’s performance.

“We gave effort,” Kidd said. “The energy and effort were high for four quarters. Give them credit. They kept fighting, they made plays down the stretch and the ball bounced their way. Joker got a couple offensive rebounds off his misses. If we come up with one of them, maybe the outcome is different.

“I thought Kai was incredible offensively. I thought he had a really good look to be able to knock it down (on his final shot),” Kidd explained. “It just didn’t go down for us tonight. But I thought the group played extremely hard and responded after a tough loss at home against Phoenix.”

Jokić’s Playmaking vs. Mavericks’ Response

Denver started strong, fueled by Nikola Jokić’s blend of scoring and playmaking. Jokić orchestrated the offense with precision, setting up teammates with passes that kept Dallas on its heels and generating high-percentage shots. By the end of the first quarter, Jokić’s efforts had Denver holding a narrow lead.

Dallas, however, quickly fought back, led by Irving and Dončić. Irving’s shooting efficiency was a highlight, as he drained mid-range jumpers, converted from deep, and kept Dallas competitive. By halftime, he had set the tone for what would become one of his best games of the season, finishing with 43 points on 17-of-22 shooting, including a stellar 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Dončić complemented him as the floor general, putting up 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. After their stars’ standout play, the Mavericks rallied back, taking a slim lead into the break. He entered this game as a game-time decision as he deals with a left groin strain, but ultimately played.

Eary on, the Mavericks trailed to end the first quarter once again, down 35-29. While the team continues to emphasize playing Dončić off-ball early in games with other players initiating the offense, it was Dallas’ defense that could have tightened up to provide a better foundation. Partly this could have been to lighten the load for Dončić against a blitz heavy Nuggets defense, but they’ve done this regardless of whether they’re facing drop coverage or blitzing. He initiated the offense more in the second half, which did seem to generate more advantages.

The Mavericks outscored the Nuggets 34-25 in the second quarter, whether Jokić was on the court or not. With Dallas pushing the pace, there was a lot of scoring with a layered attack. Irving, Dončić, Gafford, and Powell each scored six or more points during this period—creating a 63-60 halftime advantage.

Lead Swings After Halftime and Key Performances

It was a struggle for the Mavericks to sustain an edge in this matchup after generating some positive momentum before the break. The third quarter turned into a tug-of-war as both teams battled to take control. Irving’s hot hand helped Dallas build a three-point lead after his 13-foot pull-up jumper midway through the period.

However, Jokić quickly countered, leading Denver on a 5-0 run to retake the lead. Jokić, who would finish with a massive triple-double of 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists, continued to impose his will in the paint, giving Denver a 93-84 lead at one point.

The Mavericks responded with a 7-0 run to return the game to a single possession. Both teams continued to trade baskets in the quarter’s final minutes, with Klay Thompson connecting on a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to narrow the deficit to three. Thompson, who finished with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, acknowledged his struggles from deep after going just 1-of-6.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well from three,” Thompson said. “I was a big part of that, only going one for six. I had really good looks, though… if one or two of those go in, we’re not losing by two.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford added seven points and five rebounds, providing Dallas with much-needed interior presence, often by leaking out in transition, though foul trouble limited his minutes. Denver maintained a slim 97-94 lead heading into the fourth, setting up an intense final stretch.

A Dramatic Finish and Clutch Moments

The fourth quarter saw both teams’ stars stepping up in crucial moments, as the game turned into a true battle of wills. Dallas initially took the lead with a critical play from Naji Marshall, who scored on an and-one layup off a cut with 3:08 remaining to put the Mavericks ahead 116-115. Marshall had a strong night with 11 points and 8 rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting.

But on the next possession, Jamal Murray drew a foul on a three-point attempt by Dončić. Kidd challenged the call, but it was upheld, resulting in three free throws for Murray, who hit just one, keeping the game tied. Kidd reflected on the moment afterward, saying, “It was a good challenge. He went one for three, so it actually worked out for us. They called it a foul, we challenged, it was a foul, and you move on.”

The game remained close, with each team hitting critical shots. Irving knocked down consecutive pull-up jumpers just inside the arc, while Jokić answered with a score in the paint, keeping the game balanced. With just over a minute left and Dallas leading 120-118, the Mavericks had possession but struggled to generate movement, leading to a stagnant play that ended with Dončić taking a contested 30-foot three, which missed.

Jokić seized the opportunity, tipping in a missed shot on the next play to tie the game at 120. In the closing seconds, Denver’s Peyton Watson made a game-changing defensive play by blocking Irving’s step-back three-point attempt from the corner, setting up Michael Porter Jr., who drove into the lane and hit the game-winning floater with 6.1 seconds left.

Dallas had one final shot, with Irving again taking the game-winning attempt, but his step-back three-point attempt rimmed out, ending the Mavericks’ hopes. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Irving was candid about the team’s struggles in the closing moments. “This one right here — it was definitely emotional,” Irving said. “Just because I felt like we had a great chance to win. Missing a game-winner sucks, but the leading possessions up to that — I feel like we could have been better organized. We got stagnant down the stretch.”

Irving further expressed how he believes he could be better in the fourth quarter of games despite his dynamic performance.

“I got to be better in the fourth quarter,” he said. “The past few fourth quarters, I’ve turned the ball over down the stretch. I just got to be more organized. Those fourth quarters really mean a lot. When we’re in these tight games, my teammates are looking to me not just to make a play, but also to stay poised. So I got to be better, man. I’m holding myself accountable to the ultimate level.”

Mavericks’ Bench Struggles and Kidd’s Rotation Choices

While Irving and Dončić carried the offense, Dallas struggled to find support from the bench. Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper combined for just 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting, with Hardy particularly struggling, going just 1-of-7 for two points.

With Dereck Lively II (right shoulder sprain), P.J. Washington (right knee sprain), and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) each sidelined, the Mavericks have continued to struggle with bench production. Kidd opted to keep his rotation tight, choosing not to play Maxi Kleber or Quentin Grimes, in hopes of fostering continuity among the primary contributors. “We’re trying not to shuffle the cards too much,” Kidd said, “We want to give guys longer stretches for some continuity and rhythm.”

The Nuggets received 14 or more points from each starter and used a shortened rotation with Aaron Gordon sidelined. Murray totaled 18 points and 6 assists, while Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Meanwhile, Watson chipped in 16 points and 5 boards. Christian Braun scored 14. Julian Strawther added another 12 points off the bench. Russell Westbrook chipped in a balanced 6 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Klay Thompson’s Return to Golden State

The Mavericks now turn their attention to Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, where Klay Thompson will play his first game back at Chase Center as a Maverick. Reflecting on his upcoming return, Thompson expressed both nostalgia and focus. “It’ll be good to see people I grinded with, obviously,” he said. “But to me, it’s just another regular season game in November. Of course, there are bigger implications with the NBA Cup, so that’s what’s on my mind.”

Irving reacted playfully to Thompson’s mention of the NBA Cup implications, laughing as he responded, “Oh, sh*t! Excuse me, excuse me. It’s the NBA Cup. No, no, it’s definitely not just another game. Redact that last statement!” he joked, adding levity to the conversation.

Irving also shared his own perspective on homecomings, reflecting on the emotions that accompany facing a former team. “The biggest thing is just the human aspect of emotions. They’re just gonna be haywire, man,” he said. “You don’t know how to really feel because you’ve been in a routine with another team for a long time.”

Irving noted that while anticipation and nerves are inevitable, such moments can also serve as a reminder of the camaraderie built over years. “I feel the pressure, I feel the nerves, and I want to play well, want to beat them,” Irving said. “But at the same time, I still want to enjoy the camaraderie of the game. I’ve just told Klay, you know, we have his back, and I’ve reiterated to him that it’s just another game on our schedule.”

Lessons Learned and a Chance for Redemption

As the Mavericks prepare for Golden State, they’re focusing on refining their execution, both in the clutch and from the bench. “We battled,” Irving said. “We just gotta take our licks and keep learning.”

Kidd, though disappointed with the result, praised the team’s overall resilience. “The group played extremely hard… We put ourselves in a position to win on the road against a very good team,” he said.

With Thompson’s return to his former team, NBA Cup stakes, and the lessons from Sunday’s close loss, Tuesday’s game against Golden State presents Dallas with a new opportunity to sharpen their approach and make meaningful adjustments as they continue their season.

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