Mavericks Triumph in Gritty NBA Cup Battle, Outlast Nuggets Despite Losing 24-Point Lead

The previous meeting between these two teams ended in disappointment for Dallas. After leading late, the Mavericks couldn’t close out, falling 122-120 as Nikola Jokić delivered a game-sealing shot. This time, Dallas held firm, overcoming a furious second-half rally by Denver to notch their fourth consecutive win.

“We miss you, hermano,” Kyrie Irving said after the game, dedicating the win to Dončić. “Hopefully, at home, you’re happy, man. This is definitely one for him and one for all of our guys that aren’t able to be here and be healthy.”

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Irving once again proved his value as a leader, finishing with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Mavericks are now 9-4 in games Irving has played without Dončić this season, further underscoring his ability to guide the team in crucial moments without their main superstar on the floor.

The Mavericks built a 24-point lead by halftime but endured a third-quarter collapse as Denver stormed back behind Jokić’s brilliance. Ultimately, Dallas’ poise and balanced scoring proved decisive as they closed the game with critical plays on both ends.

A Blistering First Half

On a night when the Nuggets became very aggressive with defensive coverages to contain Irving since it’s easier to do so without Dončić, receiving a balanced attack was crucial. Dallas seized control early, powered by a fast start from Quentin Grimes. The young guard stepped up in Dončić’s absence, scoring 10 of the Mavericks’ first 22 points with confident shooting and quick decision-making.

By the second quarter, Dallas had taken complete control. Coming off the bench, Naji Marshall scored 13 of his career-high 26 points in the first half. His ability to finish in the lane and knock down perimeter shots was instrumental in extending the Mavericks’ lead.

P.J. Washington contributed in many areas, grabbing 9 rebounds and scoring 11 points in the first half. Dallas outscored Denver 44-28 in the paint through two quarters, using their dominance inside to build a 73-53 halftime lead.

“We played free, kept a good pace, and got out in transition,” Washington said. “We were getting stops, rebounding the ball, and running. Against a team like this, we knew we could score in transition.”

Denver head coach Michael Malone didn’t mince words about his team’s struggles in the first half. “That was just really bad basketball by us on every front,” Malone said. “The 44 points in the paint, the 15 second chance, transition—we didn’t do anything in that first half, especially that second quarter.”

The Third-Quarter Collapse

The second half mirrored the script of their last meeting. Once again, Dallas built a substantial lead, only to see Denver chip away at it behind the excellence of Jokić. The reigning MVP, who missed the previous three games for personal reasons following the birth of his second child, returned with a triple-double (33 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists). His play anchored Denver’s response, showcasing why he remains one of the league’s most dominant players.

Denver outscored Dallas 36-22 in the third quarter, holding the Mavericks to 37.5% shooting while Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun provided timely scoring. Jokić orchestrated the comeback with scoring, rebounding, and passing, cutting Dallas’ lead to six entering the fourth.

“That third quarter, we just didn’t come out with that effort,” Irving admitted. “It starts with me. As one of the leaders on the team, I gotta be better. Make sure we’re staying communicative and staying with the pace that got us the lead.”

Unlike their previous matchup, the Mavericks stayed composed down the stretch. The fourth quarter began with Denver riding the momentum of their third-quarter comeback.

Clutch Plays Save the Day

Westbrook, who finished with 16 points and 6 assists, hit three of his four made three-pointers in the opening minutes of the quarter, helping Denver erase the deficit and take their first lead at 108-106 on a corner three by Peyton Watson with 5:34 remaining.

Dallas responded immediately. Grimes calmly sank two free throws to retake the lead, and Washington delivered a driving layup on the next possession. With the shot clock expiring, the turning point came when Marshall lofted an off-balance floater that banked in to push the Mavericks ahead 119-115 with 18.8 seconds left.

“Marshall is playing extremely well for us,” Kidd said. “With the game on the line, he makes a floater with one second on the shot clock. That’s a big-time play. He’s giving us not just scoring but defense, communication, and poise when we need it most.”

Marshall finished with a team-high 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while Washington added 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals. Washington’s late-game steal on a long inbounds pass sealed the victory, ensuring Dallas would avenge their earlier loss to Denver.

“At the end of the day, we didn’t want this to go like it went the last time,” Washington said, referencing the Mavericks’ earlier loss in Denver. “We locked in, tried to win every possession, and understood that every possession mattered at the end of the game.”

Depth Overcomes Off-Night from Thompson

Dallas’ depth once again proved vital. Seven players scored in double figures, a trend that has defined their recent four-game win streak. While Klay Thompson struggled offensively (0-of-8 shooting), his teammates picked up the slack.

“We’re starting to trust each other a lot more, and this is just the beginning,” Dereck Lively II said. “It’s exciting to see how far we can go.”

Despite Thompson’s struggles, his presence helped create opportunities by keeping Denver’s defense engaged. His teammates stepped up to ensure Dallas stayed in control. Marshall, Washington, Irving, Grimes, and others carried the scoring load, highlighting the team’s depth and ability to adapt when a key player has an off night.

“It’s amazing to see his confidence grow,” Lively added, speaking on Marshall. “He’s playing free now, not worrying about mistakes—just trying to make plays.”

Other Mavericks also produced steadily. Jaden Hardy added 9 points in 13 minutes off the bench, including a key three-pointer that stopped a Nuggets run. Spencer Dinwiddie tallied 10 points and dished out 3 assists. Maxi Kleber contributed 5 points, two rebounds, and a block, making timely defensive plays that didn’t show up on the stat sheet.

Daniel Gafford rounded out the scoring with 13 points and 6 rebounds, another efficient showing as part of Dallas’ balanced attack, including a few highlight plays such as his post-up driving through Dario Šarić’s chest for an emphatic dunk.

A Turning Point: Team Meeting

The Mavericks credited a team meeting following a crushing loss to the rebuilding Utah Jazz with sparking their resurgence. That game marked Dallas’ fourth consecutive defeat, each decided by a single possession. Against the Jazz, a late defensive lapse allowed Utah to score the game-winning basket, leaving the Mavericks frustrated and needing answers.

The loss against the Jazz was especially frustrating and highlighted issues with execution, communication, and overall effort. Immediately afterward, players and coaches gathered for an honest discussion in the locker room and watched film.

“After that loss, we had a meeting,” Washington said. “It wasn’t just the players—coaches were involved too. We kind of told ourselves we had to be better. Obviously, that little skid we had… we’re just trying to bounce back, stay positive, and attack each day.”

The meeting was a turning point for the Mavericks, who used the opportunity to voice frustrations, share observations, and hold each other accountable.

“A lot of voices were involved—Kai, Kieff, P.J., me, Gaff, even Spencer,” Lively said. “Everyone shared what they saw, whether it was about effort, mistakes, or competing. We needed to play high-level basketball, team basketball. That meeting helped us shift toward playing the way we’ve been these past few games.”

The shift was evident as Dallas has responded with an ongoing four-game winning streak—including two games without Dončić—each showcasing improved communication, resilience, and contributions from a deep roster.

Looking Ahead

Dallas improved to 9-7 overall with the win and remained alive in the NBA Cup race. They’ll face the Miami Heat on Sunday before wrapping up group play against Memphis on Dec. 3.

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