Shorthanded Mavericks' Hot Start Fizzles in Loss to Kings: 'We Still Have Enough Talent'
Mavericks fall to Kings 110-100 despite strong starts from Dinwiddie and Washington. Short-handed Dallas couldn't withstand Sacramento's second-half surge.
SACRAMENTO – The Dallas Mavericks (20-13) produced a valiant effort without most of their top players wasn't enough to withstand a late surge from the Sacramento Kings (14-19), resulting in a 110-100 loss Monday night at Golden 1 Center. Despite holding an 18-point lead early, the Mavericks were undone by critical lapses in the second half and an overwhelming disadvantage on the glass.
With Luka Dončić (left calf strain), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness), Klay Thompson (illness), Dereck Lively II (left hip contusion), and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) all sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington carried the scoring load. Dinwiddie posted a season-high 30 points, while Washington added 28, including 19 in a red-hot first quarter.
“We still have enough talent to win games,” Dinwiddie said. “Our first quarter was superb. At the same time, though, I highly doubt that this specific lineup is going to have many games that they have to win as a group. With L (Luka Dončić) being out for a minute, and your still missing Kyrie, Klay, Live — the whole starting lineup, basically. I don’t envision that being the norm.”
Fast Start Sets Tone
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