Mavericks Score Season-Low 95 Points in Loss Against Clippers Without Dončić and Irving: “There’s No Excuse”

Playing without Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving for the first time this season, the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t sustain their offensive rhythm, falling 118-95 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. The defeat ended Dallas’ franchise-record streak of 26 consecutive games of scoring at least 100 points to start a season.

Dallas struggled to fill the void left by their superstar backcourt, resulting in a season-low in team scoring by a seven-point margin. Their absence left the Mavericks searching for answers on both offense and defense, ultimately causing them to drop their record to 17-10, while the Clippers improved to 16-12.

Competitive First Half Provides Hope

The Mavericks opened the game with balanced contributions, taking a 30-28 lead after the first quarter. Klay Thompson set the tone early, finding his offensive rhythm and helping to steady the team without Dončić and Irving. Spencer Dinwiddie’s playmaking was vital in maintaining the Mavericks’ tempo, while P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II provided defensive intensity.

Dallas managed to keep pace with the Clippers in the second quarter, fueled by contributions across the board. However, Norman Powell began to shift momentum for the Clippers, scoring 10 of his 29 points in the quarter while playing all 12 minutes. His efforts helped Los Angeles secure a 50-49 lead at halftime.

Third-Quarter Collapse

The third quarter was decisive, as the Clippers outscored Dallas 39-28. Ivica Zubac took over inside, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and dominating on the boards. Zubac finished with 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds, anchoring a 12-1 run that extended Los Angeles’ lead into double digits.

Dallas struggled to respond offensively, going just 8-of-20 from the field in the quarter and missing all five of their three-point attempts during the Clippers’ run. The Mavericks’ inability to generate stops on defense or find offensive consistency proved costly.

“We couldn’t get any stops there in the third and couldn’t make any shots,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, reflecting on how the game slipped away. “There’s no excuse. Everybody in that locker room played hard, but we just came up short.”

The Mavericks shot just 39.5% from the field for the game, including a season-low 23.3% (7-of-30) from beyond the arc. Without Dončić or Irving to make plays, Dallas often played out of Delay and Horns to create advantages, but struggled to do so and were inconsistent at executing on open shots.

Individual Performances Shine in Defeat

Klay Thompson delivered another strong outing, finishing with a team-high 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting. It marked his second consecutive 20-point performance and continued an impressive stretch in which he has averaged 22.5 points on 54.1% shooting over the past four games.

“Offensively, we struggled, and defensively actually, so not very well,” Thompson said. “It was the first time playing without both our guys. I’m sure it won’t be the last, and we’ll be ready the next time it happens. It’s a completely different style of play, obviously.”

Spencer Dinwiddie added 19 points and 7 assists while embracing the added responsibilities without his superstar teammates on the floor. The guard rotation was further limited with Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain) and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), who were also sidelined. Jazian Gortman stepped in as a result, ending with 5 points and 2 assists in 11 minutes.

“Of course, there was a difference,” Dinwiddie said. “Obviously, two of the best players in the world. Organizationally, we know what we like to get to in packages with one or the other. So there’s a difference playing without both of them the entire game, for sure.”

Washington contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds, narrowly missing his eighth double-double. He extended his streak of games with double-digit scoring to 11, the longest of his Mavericks tenure. Lively had 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field, adding 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. His streak of games with at least one block extended to 11, the longest by a Maverick since Christian Wood last season. Quentin Grimes added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals as a fill-in starter.

Naji Marshall returned from illness and contributed 9 points and 5 rebounds but shot just 4-of-12 from the floor in 24 minutes. Maxi Kleber also returned and went scoreless in 13 minutes, adding 2 rebounds. Olivier-Maxence Prosper played 11 minutes amid injuries and also went scoreless with 1 assist. Daniel Gafford struggled with 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 14 minutes, while missing all four of his shot attempts from the floor.

Derrick Jones Jr.’s Return to Dallas

Former Maverick Derrick Jones Jr. returned to Dallas for the first time since signing with the Clippers in the offseason. Jones, who started for Los Angeles in his return from a hamstring injury, contributed 8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 20 minutes of action while playing an impactful defensive role. He was honored with a video tribute midway through the first quarter.

“It was a very cool experience to see that,” Jones said of the tribute video. “I didn’t expect it. It just shows the love this city gave me and the respect that we have for each other.”

Jones reflected on his time in Dallas, where he played a key role in helping the team reach the NBA Finals after playing on a veteran’s minimum contract.

“Dallas gave me an opportunity to win when a lot of teams wouldn’t,” Jones said. “I was able to take full advantage of that opportunity, and I’ve always got love for this city.”

In Thursday’s game, Jones’ defensive energy helped the Clippers stifle the Mavericks’ attack. His defensive energy and versatility were pivotal in slowing the Mavericks’ perimeter threats and adding depth to the Los Angeles frontcourt. These qualities underscored why Los Angeles valued him in the offseason.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks will have another chance to face the Clippers on Saturday night, concluding their two-game home series. With Dončić and Irving’s status still uncertain, the Mavericks will try to regroup and find answers on both ends to avoid back-to-back losses to their Western Conference rivals.

“It’s frustrating when you shoot the ball that poorly from three, and I was a big culprit of that,” Thompson said. “But it’s not the end of the world. We’ll be ready the next time it happens.”