Shorthanded Mavericks Fall to Nuggets After Squandering 19-Point Lead in First of Two Matchups: 'It Feels Like It Snowballs'
The Nuggets erased a 19-point deficit behind Nikola Jokić’s near triple-double and Russell Westbrook’s all-around effort, handing the Mavericks a loss.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks (22-17) appeared poised for victory after a dominant start, but the Denver Nuggets (23-15) erased a 19-point deficit and surged late for a 112-101 win at the American Airlines Center on Sunday. Denver outscored Dallas 33-12 in the fourth quarter, led by Nikola Jokić and Russell Westbrook, who combined for a masterful closing effort.
“We got tired,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “The ball stuck a little bit, and when you put that much energy into both ends, it’s tough. They had the big fourth, just like we had the big first, and they pulled away there at the end.”
Westbrook tallied 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in his 1,200th career game, while Jokic delivered 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists, punishing the Mavericks inside and on the glass. Denver had six double scorers, including Jamal Murray (17 points), Michael Porter Jr. (13 points), Aaron Gordon (13 points), and Peyton Watson (10 points) each meeting the mark.
For Dallas, Klay Thompson led all scorers with 25 points, including six three-pointers. His sharp shooting helped the Mavericks build their early advantage and reach a significant personal milestone, surpassing 16,000 career points. Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 each, while Dinwiddie dished out 10 assists. Dereck Lively II totaled 14 points, six rebounds, and eight assists with a pair of blocks. However, the team faltered when it mattered most.
“My teammates found me in rhythm, and I had some good looks,” Thompson said. “But to get outscored 33-12 in the fourth, that was tough to swallow. Luckily, we get another shot at them on Tuesday.”
The Mavericks’ bench struggled to make an impact, combining for just 22 points on 6 of 24 shooting compared to Denver’s 40. Coming off a 25-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, Jaden Hardy scored five points and struggled with efficiency, shooting just 1 of 7 from the field. Olivier-Maxence Prosper failed to score in his limited minutes, missing his only shot attempt. Quentin Grimes added three points on 1 of 4 shooting, while Maxi Kleber provided a modest six points, all from beyond the arc, but failed to contribute in other areas. Daniel Gafford also had a quiet night, finishing with six points on 2 of 7 shooting while pulling down three rebounds.
The lack of bench production highlighted Dallas’ depth issues, especially after halftime. However, even starter P.J. Washington had a tough night, finishing with six points on 3 of 9 shooting while pulling down just three rebounds. He’s been a player the Mavericks have relied on to elevate his game when one of their star players is sidelined, but he had an off night.
Meanwhile, Denver capitalized on the Mavericks’ rebounding woes, winning the battle on the glass 55-37, including a 15-8 advantage in offensive boards. The second-chance opportunities were instrumental in Denver’s comeback, as they outscored Dallas 27-8 in second-chance points overall.
A Blistering Start from Dallas
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