Mavericks’ Clutch Struggles Continue in Loss to Jazz as Late Missteps Overshadow Luka Dončić’s Big Night
Mavericks fall 115-113 to Jazz as late defensive miscue proves costly. Luka Dončić shines with 37 points, but clutch struggles continue in fourth straight loss.
SALT LAKE CITY – The Dallas Mavericks ended their road trip in heartbreak on Thursday night, falling 115-113 to the Utah Jazz in a game decided by a defensive breakdown in the final moments. John Collins capitalized on a miscommunication, cutting to the basket for an uncontested dunk off a pinpoint pass from Jordan Clarkson with 6.4 seconds remaining. It was a fitting conclusion to a game defined by Dallas’ struggles in crucial moments.
Collins finished with 28 points and nine rebounds, leading the Jazz to their first home win this season. Luka Dončić once again shouldered the load for the Mavericks, tallying 37 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in Kyrie Irving’s absence. Klay Thompson added 17 points, while Quentin Grimes contributed 15 points and 5 assists in his first start of the season.
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The Mavericks’ fourth consecutive loss was decided by one possession. Their third consecutive defeat dropped them to 1-6 in clutch games, exposing a recurring issue with late-game execution.
A Costly Third Quarter
The Mavericks started strong, taking a 64-61 lead into halftime behind Dončić’s brilliance and solid contributions from the supporting cast. However, the third quarter unraveled quickly. The Jazz outscored Dallas 38-21 in the frame, fueled by Lauri Markkanen’s sharp shooting and Collins’ inside presence. Utah used a 9-0 run midway through the quarter to seize control, turning Dallas’ slim lead into a 14-point deficit heading into the fourth.
“I thought we started well,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “But once we started subbing, there was a decline. We’ve seen that in multiple quarters this season. Credit to the group for fighting back, but the lapses in that third quarter hurt us.”
The Mavericks struggled with defensive rebounding throughout the game, an issue Dončić pointed to as a primary reason for the team’s recent struggles. “We’re getting beat, especially on the offensive glass,” he said. “That’s the main reason why we’re losing.”
Late Drama Unfolds
Despite the third-quarter collapse, the Mavericks mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth. Thompson’s three-pointer with 26.2 seconds tied the game at 113, giving Dallas a chance to force overtime or steal the win. But Clarkson’s composed decision-making and Dallas’ defensive lapse led to Collins’ game-winning dunk.
Dončić admitted miscommunication played a role in the breakdown. “I thought I was going to go hit, and Q [Grimes] thought he was going to go hit,” he said. “We misunderstood the bench. That’s on me.”
Dallas had one final opportunity to win or extend the game, but Naji Marshall’s open corner three missed at the buzzer. Marshall, who finished with 19 points off the bench, took accountability for the miss but expressed gratitude for the trust his teammates placed in him. “It was a great pass,” Marshall said. “I just gotta make it. I’ll make the next one.”
Adjusting to a Fluid Lineup
In addition to Irving’s absence, the Mavericks were without P.J. Washington, forcing Kidd to adjust the starting lineup. Grimes and Maxi Kleber joined the first unit, while Dereck Lively II saw limited action due to foul trouble. The changes brought mixed results, with the new lineup delivering energy early but struggling to sustain momentum during the Jazz’s third-quarter run.
“It’s fluid,” Kidd said of the team’s lineup decisions. “As we get healthy, we’ll look at it again and see. Most likely there will be a change when P.J. comes back.”
Marshall moved to a bench role and provided a spark, while Kleber’s return from a nine-game absence added defensive stability. However, the lack of continuity continues challenging a team trying to establish an identity.
Searching for Solutions
Dallas’s loss to Utah was emblematic of their recent struggles. The team has been unable to close out games, with each of their last four defeats coming by a single possession. Kidd emphasized the importance of improving poise and communication in high-pressure moments.
“There’s a lot of hope,” Dončić said. “We just gotta get better.” The Mavericks have shown flashes of their potential, but with injuries and inconsistencies plaguing their efforts, they remain a team searching for answers.
What’s Next
The Mavericks return home to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, a crucial game as they look to snap their skid. They will then travel to Oklahoma City on Sunday for the second game of a back-to-back.
With Irving’s return on the horizon and the potential for lineup adjustments, the Mavericks are optimistic they can turn things around. But as Kidd noted, the process requires learning from painful moments like Thursday’s loss. “It’s about cleaning up the small details,” he said. “If we can do that, we’ll be in a better spot.”
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