Mavericks 'Building Toward' Consistency and Chemistry Entering Suns Matchup
The Mavericks aim to sustain their selfless, team-oriented play as they face the red-hot Suns, led by Kevin Durant, in a high-stakes test of their evolving chemistry.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are embracing a shift in their offensive identity, one focused on selfless play, crisp ball movement, and collective effort. Fresh off a dominant 119-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls, the Mavericks are now tasked with replicating that performance as they face a formidable Phoenix Suns team on Friday night. Currently, on a six-game winning streak, the Suns pose a test for Dallas, which is determined to establish consistency and chemistry with its retooled roster.
The win over Chicago marked a noticeable change for the Mavericks, whose 33 assists highlighted a team-first mentality that head coach Jason Kidd has been eager to implement. With Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving serving as primary playmakers, the Mavericks showcased what Kidd calls “beautiful basketball,” with multiple players getting touches and turning down decent shots in favor of better ones.
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“I thought the group did a great job early with multiple guys touching it,” Kidd said. “When you talk about Luka being able to penetrate and being able to find open guys, guys turned down shots to get better shots. I thought for four quarters, guys were making a conscious effort of getting each other’s attention.”
The Growing Chemistry Between Dončić, Irving, and Thompson
Dončić and Irving, two of the NBA’s best isolation and pick-and-roll threats, continue to adjust their approach. Both stars have embraced a selfless mindset, mainly as they work to incorporate Klay Thompson, whose shooting and off-ball gravity provide the Mavericks with new offensive dimensions.
The growing chemistry between Dončić, Irving, and Thompson is an evolving storyline for Dallas, with Dončić recognizing that it takes time to reach full synchronization. Thompson has remained productive, averaging 14.5 points and hitting 3.4 made threes per game.
“Yeah, I think we’re still trying to figure it out,” Dončić said. “It’s not always easy to connect with someone right away. I remember it took some time for me and Kai to build that connection. Now, with all three of us on the squad, it’s going to take a bit more time, but it’s getting easier and easier to understand how to play together.”
Irving echoed his teammate’s sentiments and highlighted the importance of maintaining this level of unselfish play throughout the season.
“The carryover, that’s where our focus is,” Irving said. “When we have games like (the blowout of Chicago), we’re showing our potential, and we’re kind of giving the answers away in terms of what we’re capable of doing.”
Thompson’s presence has encouraged more ball movement as the group adapts to having the extra layers he provides to the offense, and Kidd credits his team for the effort they made to keep him involved.
“I think we have two of the best iso players (Dončić and Irving) in the world, and so it’s easy to lean in and go to that right off the bat,” Kidd said. “But to get other guys involved, I thought the group made a conscious effort for Klay to touch the ball…The ball movement where multiple guys touched the ball is hard to guard in this league.”
The Mavericks’ Selfless Style Tested by Durant and the Suns
The Mavericks’ emphasis on cohesion and unselfishness will be tested by a Suns team that has surged to a 7-1 record behind the stellar play of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Durant, averaging 27.8 points per game, ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring and has been instrumental in Phoenix’s ability to close out games.
In addition to Booker scoring 24.4 points per game, the Suns have a lethal scoring duo that requires significant defensive attention. Remember, Bradley Beal, who averages 15.5 points and 4.0 assists, didn’t play in the previous meeting.
Phoenix opened its winning streak with a 114-102 home victory over Dallas on Oct. 26, a game in which Dončić poured in a season-high 40 points, but the Mavericks received minimal contributions outside of their top three scorers. With their renewed focus on ball movement, Dallas hopes to challenge Phoenix with a more balanced attack this time.
In addition to Durant’s scoring, the Suns’ Jusuf Nurkić has emerged as a force in the paint. Nurkić posted an 18-point, 14-rebound performance against Dallas in their last matchup and continued to dominate the boards in the Suns’ recent 115-112 win over Miami, where he added 20 points and 18 rebounds. For Dallas, containing Nurkić will be crucial, especially as Dereck Lively II remains out with a shoulder injury.
Phoenix’s rookie Ryan Dunn, who sprained his ankle recently, is also doubtful for Friday’s game. Still, his potential absence doesn’t significantly alter the challenge of the Suns’ balanced roster. Dallas will also be without P.J. Washington (knee) and Dante Exum (wrist), while Maxi Kleber is doubtful due to a hamstring strain.
Kidd acknowledged the impact of these injuries but remained focused on building chemistry with the available roster. “We’ve got new pieces, and it’s going to take some time, but we’re trending in the right direction,” he said. “We understand that every night we’re going to get tested.”
Irving’s Vision of Selflessness and Team Success
As Dallas’s approach shifts toward a more selfless style, Irving has become a vocal advocate for involving every player. Against Chicago, he took on a facilitating role, allowing Dončić, who is averaging 28.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, to thrive while setting up teammates.
“It depends on who’s got it going early and how we use each other’s skill sets,” Irving said. “We’re still figuring out how to get the best out of each other. Teams are scheming for us, and we’re working on building that chemistry and trust, especially with the new guys.”
Irving also stressed the importance of focusing on high-quality looks and moving away from individual scoring opportunities. He’s embraced this mentality while averaging 23.0 points and 4.6 assists on the season. He’s shooting 49.6% from the floor, 54.5% from deep, and 88.0% on free throws.
“Absolutely. On nights like (Wednesday), when I start off hot, sure, I’d love to keep pressing,” Irving said. “But as we build this team, I want to have a selfless approach, doing the little things on both ends to get others open. Setting that tone early is crucial.”
Kidd echoed Irving’s vision, highlighting the importance of valuing each possession. “I think you value shots, you value high-quality shots, and then just understanding how hard it is when you work on the defensive end to get stops that you want to be able to get a good look,” he said. “And right now, we’re a team that takes care of the ball, and that’s important.”
Mavericks Aim to Prove Their Progress
As Dallas prepares to take on Phoenix, the matchup serves as an early-season litmus test for their team-oriented approach. Kidd’s vision for the Mavericks is clear: unselfish play, disciplined defense, and valued possessions.
This game marks the end of a five-game homestand as the team will embark on a three-game road trip, including stops against the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Utah Jazz.
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