Mavericks to Face Grizzlies Without Key Stars, Quentin Grimes Emphasizes 'Building Good Habits'

The Dallas Mavericks will open their preseason on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center. With a mix of key veterans resting, this game will provide an early glimpse into the Mavs’ depth and development heading into the season.

Several marquee names will be missing from the action. Luka Dončić (left calf contusion) and Kyrie Irving (rest) are among those ruled out, while Klay Thompson, one of Dallas’ highly anticipated offseason additions, will also be resting. P.J. Washington (left hip tightness), Maxi Kleber (left ankle sprain), and Danté Exum (right wrist) are other key absences, as well as two-way contract players Brandon Williams (right calf strain) and Kessler Edwards (left ankle sprain).

Dončić, along with most of the team, was on the floor for shootaround. The team had their typical half-court shooting competition to wrap it up, which included Dončić draining one of his shots. The team continues to be in great spirits after a productive training camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

With several key players sidelined, the spotlight shifts to the Mavericks’ young talent as they look to seize the opportunity and make an impact in Monday’s matchup.

Young Dallas Mavericks Talent Ready to Shine

Despite the absences, several intriguing players are available for Monday’s matchup. Dereck Lively II, now entering his second season and expected to take on an even bigger role, will join Daniel Gafford in forming a dynamic center tandem against rookie center Zach Edey.

Quentin Grimes, acquired in a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons, expressed his excitement about getting on the court with his new teammates.

“Yeah, it feels great. I feel like we’ve been bonding the whole summer with the guys, learning what they like to do on the court and off the court,” Grimes said during his shootaround availability. “So, I feel like we’ve got a really good group, and I’m excited to get out there and play with the guys tonight.”

In addition to Lively and Gafford, newcomers like Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Spencer Dinwiddie will also be active, offering an opportunity for fans to get a first look at their fit within the Mavericks’ system. Young talents Jaden Hardy and Olivier-Maxence Prosper are also expected to feature heavily in the rotation, giving them a valuable opportunity to showcase improvements ahead of the regular season.

Grimes will surely appreciate having Lively and Gafford on the floor, given that they create opportunities for shooters like himself.

“It’s great,” Grimes said. “Gafford and [Lively], they put so much pressure on the rim that the defense has to help in, and that creates opportunities for me…”

When asked what Mavericks fans can expect from him, Grimes confidently stated, “I think I’m pretty established in what I do on the court. I bring shooting, defensive intensity, and a winning mentality to the game.” He’s been doing his part throughout training camp by being one of the main players putting in extra reps, and continued to so at the team’s morning shootaround on Monday.

Grimes also shared his positive experience so far playing for head coach Jason Kidd, saying, “He’s a player’s coach. He played in this league for a really long time, Hall of Fame guard, so he gets it. He understands what we go through daily, what we want to do, how to prepare, and how we want to play our best. So, it’s been really fun working with him.”

Building Defensive Habits for the Regular Season

The preseason will also be a crucial time for Dallas’ younger players to solidify their roles, including Olivier-Maxence Prosper, whom Grimes praised for his relentless work ethic.

“O-Max plays extremely hard, man,” Grimes said. “He doesn’t take any possessions off. That’s a trait you can’t really teach, so that’s great to see in a young player.”

While the Mavericks will be missing some star power on Monday night, their depth and player development will be the focus as they test their lineup against the Grizzlies. For Grimes, the preseason is all about laying the groundwork for the team’s success.

“For me, it’s about getting a feel for the team. I know what I bring to the table, but it’s about building good habits, especially defensively, and getting in sync with the guys,” Grimes said. “That’s what preseason is for—laying the groundwork for the regular season and beyond.”

Coming off a strong defensive season, the Mavericks will look to sustain their success despite a few roster changes. Grimes expressed confidence in the team’s ability to defend at a high level.

“Honestly, I think we’re really good defensively. There are a lot of underrated defenders on this team who can guard at a high level,” Grimes said. “I think we have the ability to switch one through four, and I’ve seen some really underrated defenders, like Kyrie. I’ve played against him when he was in Brooklyn, and I think people overlook his defensive abilities.”

The Mavericks will look to build momentum as they continue their preseason before hosting the Utah Jazz on Thursday.