The Dallas Mavericks returned home to host the Milwaukee Bucks in the preseason finale at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. The Mavericks looked to snap a three-game losing skid, while the Bucks did their best without Khris Middleton, who was ruled out. Middleton underwent offseason surgery on both ankles.
The Mavericks avoided a four-game losing skid with a 109-84 win over the Bucks in regulation. Dallas improved to 1-3, while Milwaukee fell to 1-3. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Recap
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks preseason finale was full of twists and turns between the two teams. The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Kyrie Irving, Quentin Grimes, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
The Mavericks got off to a fast start, but the Bucks picked up the pace to take a first quarter lead. The two teams exchanged ties and leads throughout the first quarter, as neither team’s defense was good or great. The Bucks merely led 22-21 at the end of the first quarter, despite Irving’s 12 points in 12 minutes. The second quarter was sluggish for the most part, but the two teams increased their speed of play with several minutes left. The Mavericks’ offense contributed to their late scoring surge and double-digit lead in the second quarter. The Mavericks led 54-38 at the end of the first half.
The third quarter saw the Mavericks extend their lead to nearly 30 points before the 10-minute mark. But the Bucks upped the pace in the final 10 minutes of the third quarter to scare the Mavericks for a while. The Mavericks led 83-58 after three quarters. The fourth quarter was quite slow, but the Mavericks maintained their double-digit lead, as the Bucks prevented the Mavericks’ potential 30-point lead with their scoring outbursts. The Mavericks won by a final score of 109-84 after four quarters.
Mavericks-Bucks Highlights
Besides Klay Thompson’s preseason shooting slump, Quentin Grimes’ early floater impressed the home crowd in the first few minutes of the first quarter. Thompson passed the ball to Daniel Gafford, who passed it to Kyrie Irving, who scored the basket. The second quarter featured Thompson’s three-pointers. Though Thompson made it rain with three-pointers, Thompson’s arguably not a feared three-pointer shooter anymore like he was as one-half of the “Splash Brothers” alongside then-Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry.
The third quarter was highlighted by PJ Washington’s dunk off a pass from Klay Thompson. The Mavericks subsequently posted a video clip of Washington’s dunk on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption, “A moment for this dunk.” The fourth quarter focused on Daniel Gafford finishing a play at the rim for an exceptionally strong finish. Gafford returned to the Mavericks’ starting lineup as a center. He’s currently competing with Dereck Lively II for a starting center role.
In Case You Missed It
The Dallas Mavericks’ games will be broadcast on the sister station, KJBO, a member of the KFDX family of networks. KJBO will broadcast 68 of the Mavericks’ 82 regular-season games during the 2024-25 NBA season. The full KJBO lineup for 2024-25 can be found by clicking here.
Luka Doncic has been bothered by a left calf contusion but returned to the practice floor with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Doncic went through the entire practice, but Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd said the Mavericks erred on the side of caution for preseason finale on Thursday.
Additionally, Doncic was named ESPN’s second-best NBA player in the “Top 100 NBA Players” list on Thursday. He finished behind the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, who won three of the last four NBA MVP awards. He finished in third place in the 2024 NBA MVP race.
Other Happenings For the Mavericks
PJ Washington and Center Dereck Lively II put their speed and agility to the test at the front counter and drive-thru at Raising Cane’s. More than 100 hungry fans eagerly awaited their chance to see Washington and Lively II. The duo did alley-oops with Box Combos and did their signature handshake through the drive-thru window. The media were also in attendance and asked the duo what fans could expect during the upcoming season.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle reportedly resolved a civil lawsuit on Wednesday and avoided a trial that was scheduled for April 28, 2025. Carlisle was sued by former NBA agent Jarinn Akana, who alleged Carlisle reneged on his promise and breached their contract by refusing to pay the commission owed to the agent for negotiating the coach’s contract extension that was signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out — explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
