Shorthanded Mavericks’ Hot Start Fizzles in Loss to Kings: “We Still Have Enough Talent”
The Dallas Mavericks (20-13) produced a valiant effort without most of their top players, but it 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.”
Dallas Mavericks Use Fast Start to Set the Tone
Dallas opened the game firing on all cylinders, knocking down seven of their first eight three-point attempts to take a 37-23 lead after one quarter. Washington was the catalyst, sinking multiple threes in quick succession and capitalizing on Sacramento’s lack of defensive focus.
“I was just trying to be aggressive, getting open shots and just taking them with confidence,” Washington said. “I got tired a little through the game. That’s on me, though. I gotta be better. For the most part, I thought we played hard.”
Dinwiddie praised the versatility Washington brings, often being a presence that ties units together, whether he’s playing small forward, power forward, or small ball center.
“I think he’s the lynchpin in terms of he blends lineups well,” Dinwiddie said of Washington. “Being able to play a 3/4. He allows us to play big or play small. You can even get a look at him at the small ball 5. I think he just blends whatever lineup he’s in together very well.”
Kidd highlighted the impact Washington provided from beyond the arc, who tied his season-high for made threes (four) and is shooting 39.8% from the perimeter on the season. Washington is currently converting at a career-best clip from three.
“I think he’s shown he can shoot the 3 last year,” Kidd said. “Tonight, he shot the 3 well for us. He got us off to a great start. We played to him as much as we could and he responded with a positive game.”
But momentum shifted at the buzzer. Keon Ellis hit a desperation three to close the first quarter, energizing the Kings and setting the stage for a gradual comeback.
Sacramento continued to chip away in the second quarter, narrowing the deficit to four by halftime. Dallas led 60-56 at the break, but the cracks in their offensive execution began to show as Sacramento tightened its defensive schemes. The Mavericks cooled off significantly from deep, converting just five of their next 23 three-point attempts.
Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox Lead Sacramento Kings’ Charge
The game turned decisively late in the third quarter. Sacramento’s relentless work on the offensive glass culminated in a pivotal sequence where they secured four offensive rebounds, ending with a Domantas Sabonis tip-in. That play sparked a 17-2 run, flipping a nine-point Dallas lead into an 83-77 Sacramento advantage heading into the final frame.
“For sure, plays like that change the momentum,” Washington said. “The crowd got into it a little bit. They got an easy bucket and it’s just the little things moving forward we have to (work) on.”
De’Aaron Fox took over from there, scoring 12 of his game-high 33 points in the second half, exploiting mismatches and consistently getting to his spots. Sabonis anchored the interior, finishing with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists, as the Kings outmuscled Dallas 58-36 on the boards. The Kings dominated the offensive glass with 18 offensive rebounds compared to just two for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks’ inability to control the glass proved costly. Sacramento held an 18-2 advantage in offensive rebounding, leading to a 17-2 difference in second-chance scoring. Sacramento also scored 25 points off turnovers, holding a nine-point edge in the category.
“We played hard, but the fourth quarter was rough,” Washington said. “We just have to be better at the end of the day.”
Dinwiddie and Washington tried to will Dallas back into the game, but Fox and Sabonis continued to dictate the tempo. Sacramento stretched the lead to double digits early in the fourth, capped by a Trey Lyles three-pointer that put the Kings ahead for good.
Jason Kidd: “They Gave Us Everything They Had”
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd lauded the effort Dinwiddie and Washington provided. The two combined for over half of the team’s points with 58 points while shooting 16-of-38 (42.1%) overall, 7-of-15 (46.7%) from deep, and 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line.
“(They did) everything they could,” Kidd said of Dinwiddie and Washington. “They did a great job. We felt confident with the group we went out there with. On the road, Sacramento is fighting for their lives, and we’re just trying to find a way with the bodies that we have. And I thought the group that could go really put us in a position to win.
“We played to the end,” Kidd continued. “We just had a stretch there where we couldn’t score and turned the ball over too many times and gave them the opportunity to come down and score.”
With Dallas deploying its 15th different starting lineup in 33 games, two-way players Brandon Williams and Jazian Gortman were pressed into significant roles. The Mavericks fought but couldn’t withstand Sacramento’s physicality and execution down the stretch. How deep the Mavericks went with their bench was a significant reminder of the impact they lack by not having Dončić to set the tone as he often does.
“He’s our best player,” Washington said. “Trying to win games without him is going to be tough, but at the end of the day, next man up mentality. Everybody gotta come in and work. We’re professionals for a reason. With or without Luka, we’re expected to win.”
The Kings, who snapped a six-game losing streak, held Dallas to just 40 second-half points after allowing 37 in the first quarter. Fox and Sabonis received strong support from Lyles, Malik Monk, and DeMar DeRozan, who each scored 14 points.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks conclude their four-game road trip in Houston on Wednesday, seeking to finish on a strong note after a 1-2 start. With Dončić expected to miss extended time, Dallas will need continued strong performances from Dinwiddie and Washington, while hoping for reinforcements to return sooner rather than later.
