“It Is What It Is Sometimes”: Mavericks Fall to Clippers as Poor Shooting, Turnovers and Injuries Take Toll
The Dallas Mavericks arrived at Intuit Dome on Friday night hoping to take another step toward securing home-court advantage for the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Instead, they endured one of their most lopsided losses of the season, falling 114-91 to the Los Angeles Clippers on the first night of a back-to-back.
Without Anthony Davis (left adductor injury management) and Dereck Lively II (ankle), the Mavericks were outmuscled, outshot, and overwhelmed by a Clippers team now winning 13 of its last 16 games. Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points in just 24 minutes, Ivica Zubac added 14 points and 13 rebounds, and the Clippers held Dallas to 20% shooting from three (4-of-20) and forced 18 turnovers.
“I thought last year, he was great, too,” Clippers’ coach Ty Lue said of Leonard. “I don’t know how many games he played last year, but I thought there was a stretch where we were, like, 29-5 or whatever, and he was playing some of the best basketball I’ve seen him play. And now getting back to that point again this late in the season is really good for us.”
Dallas drops to 38-40, now tied in the loss column with Sacramento. The Kings hold the tiebreaker, meaning the Mavericks are temporarily on the outside looking in when it comes to hosting the 9-vs-10 play-in game.
Dallas Mavericks Outgunned Early as LA Clippers Set the Tone
The tone was set from the opening minutes. Leonard scored seven straight points during a 21-8 first-quarter run, and the Clippers led by double digits just nine minutes into the game. Dallas never got within three possessions again.
“We didn’t take care of the ball and they capitalized on that,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “We talked about that before – we got to take care of the ball. They got great hands and anticipate well. They’re a good defensive team and we got to take care of the ball. I thought our spacing was a little bad, but they got their hands on a lot of balls. And those turnovers turn into points. We got to be better tomorrow.”
Zubac punished Dallas’ thin front line, which was without both Davis and Lively. He posted a double-double before halftime, while Leonard poured in 14 of his 20 before the break. The Clippers led 58-35 at halftime, and the Mavericks never cut the lead below 20 in the second half.
“What all great teams do: (They were) physical, together, they pack the paint, they rotate, they talk. A lot of veteran guys over there,” Mavericks forward Naji Marshall said.
The Mavericks’ lack of available guard talent proved costly as well. It was a challenge to create advantages in the half-court throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Clippers received plenty of impact from James Harden, Norman Powell, and Bogdan Bogdanovic in phases, beyond what Leonard provided. Harden added 13 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Powell scored 14, while Bogdanovic recorded 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
Naji Marshall Leads Scoring, but Injury Woes Mount Again
With Davis sidelined, the Mavericks turned to Marshall to spark the offense. He finished with a team-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting and added four rebounds.
“It is what it is sometimes,” Marshall said. “Shout out to the Clippers. They’re an unbelievable team. They’ve been playing good basketball lately, and they played a good game.”
Asked what the Mavericks need to do in Saturday’s rematch, Marshall didn’t hesitate. “Just play average basketball,” he said. “Like, just come out with energy. We’re fighting for something, and we just gotta play like we are.”
Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in 18 points, and Jaden Hardy added 16 off the bench before leaving with what appeared to be a right ankle sprain — his fourth such injury of the season. He was spotted using crutches postgame.
“It’s kind of been the story of our life this season,” Marshall said of Hardy’s injury. “Hate to see it happen. Prayers up for a speedy recovery. But you know what it is — next man up.”
Marshall, reflecting on the string of injuries, added: “Some stuff is just a freak accident. No matter how much you train or prepare, sometimes things just happen. It’s all about recovery and just doing what you have to do to stay ready.”
P.J. Washington returned from illness and was active on the glass, pulling down a team-best 10 rebounds in 28 minutes with nine points. But the Mavericks shot just 40.2% from the field and missed all 12 of their first-half threes.
Depth Tested, and Stakes Rising with Kings Climbing
The loss snapped momentum and dealt a blow to Dallas’ standing in the Western Conference. Sacramento’s 125-102 win over Charlotte now gives both teams 40 losses, with the Kings owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Dallas’ final stretch includes Saturday’s rematch with the Clippers, home games against the Lakers and Raptors, and a season-ending trip to face the Grizzlies. A 3-1 finish could still secure the No. 9 seed and a home play-in game, but it may require Davis and Lively returning Saturday.
After facing his former team for the first time since being waived by the Clippers on March 1, Kai Jones scored nine points off the bench for Dallas. He’s emerged as a key contributor amid the team’s injury struggles.
“Kai’s been great ever since he put on a Mavs’ uniform,” Kidd said. “When we’re healthy, someone has to sit and (Daniel) Gafford, D-Live (Dereck Lively II) and AD I don’t think are going to sit right now. But it also gives us an option to play two bigs. Kai’s been phenomenal. We’re very lucky to have him because he’s part of what saved our season.”
With Davis’ availability looming large, the Mavericks will need all hands on deck in Saturday’s rematch. They’ll also hope to avoid another setback like Hardy’s, as the margin for error in the West continues to shrink.
