‘That’s What Was Missing’: Moussa Cissé Brings Energy In Dallas Mavericks’ Loss To Memphis Grizzlies
The Dallas Mavericks’ frontcourt was hanging by a thread Friday night — and it was Moussa Cissé who provided the pulse.
With Anthony Davis sidelined by a left calf strain and Dereck Lively II out with a right knee sprain, the Mavericks’ depth took another hit when Daniel Gafford was ruled out in the second half due to right ankle soreness. Gafford played only two minutes after halftime before exiting, leaving Dallas without a true center in its 118–104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
That’s when Cissé, a 6-foot-10 two-way center, entered and delivered his best performance of the season. In just 14 minutes, he scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and gave Dallas a badly needed jolt of energy.
“I’ve been playing here for like two years,” Cissé said of returning to Memphis, where he began his college career. “Coming here, it felt like coming back home. It felt good.”
Cissé’s performance in Memphis came full circle. After five years in college basketball — with stops at Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss — he went undrafted in 2025 but signed with the Mavericks on July 8. His strong preseason earned him a two-way contract on October 18, allowing him to split time between the Mavericks and their G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
Cissé was known in college for his defense and rebounding, earning Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors at Oklahoma State. That defensive identity has carried over to the pros, where he’s averaging 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in 7.2 minutes per game while fighting to earn a steady rotation role.
A Needed Spark for Dallas
The Mavericks trailed by as much as 35 before Cissé helped spark a brief rally in the second half. His sequence of blocking a shot at the rim, sprinting down the floor, and finishing an alley-oop dunk was one of the few highlights in a game otherwise dominated by Ja Morant and the Grizzlies’ offense.
“I like to bring the energy every time, whether we’re up or down,” Cissé said. “I felt like that’s what was missing, really. And I was over there waiting for my number to be called, and I knew if I was going to get in, I was going to bring that. That’s why I came in and brought that energy.”
Cissé also converted another alley-oop later in the quarter, this time from Klay Thompson, continuing to generate momentum when Dallas needed it most. His family and friends were in the crowd cheering him on, creating a moment that carried personal meaning for the Memphis alum.
“I feel like we’re not having fun,” Cissé said. “Everybody is good basketball players. Go over there and play hard. That’s all we can do is play hard and then the basketball will take care of itself.”
Head coach Jason Kidd praised Cissé’s impact and effort.
“He plays hard — that’s how he plays,” Kidd said. “He’s out there to prove that he belongs. He’s hungry, and that’s what stands out when you watch him play. He plays one way — he plays hard and he plays fast.”
Kidd added that Cissé’s quickness and activity have been assets on both ends.
“His speed at that position, being able to cause cross matches on the offensive end, and then defensively he’s competing,” Kidd said. “He’s had to go against some bigger opponents, but just keeping the ball alive, looking to change shots, and being able to play above the rim — that’s what he brings.”
Cissé’s teammates noticed his energy too. Max Christie, who led Dallas with 18 points, said the young big man’s spark was exactly what the team needed.
“Moussa came in and gave us life,” Christie said. “He was flying around, getting rebounds, blocking shots, running the floor — that’s what we need more of. He just brought energy, and you could feel it.”
Opportunity Amid Adversity
With Davis, Lively, and now Gafford sidelined, Cissé’s effort on Friday could open the door for extended minutes. The Mavericks have emphasized defensive identity throughout the early season, and Cissé’s combination of energy and rim protection aligns with that philosophy.
“That’s why I came in and brought that energy,” Cissé said. “That’s what I can control — just playing hard.”
For a Dallas team fighting to find consistency amid injuries and early-season struggles, Cissé’s intensity served as a reminder of what hustle and effort can still bring to a shorthanded roster.
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