The Dallas Mavericks made a brief business trip to downtown Denver to face the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Mountain time. Entering the game, Dallas looked to avoid a two-game losing skid on the road, while Denver sought a five-game winning streak at home. Previously, Dallas lost a heartbreaker to the Phoenix Suns, 114-113, on Friday, and Denver blew out the Miami Heat, 135-122 on Friday.
Nuggets star Center Nikola Jokic made NBA history against the Heat with 30 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds for his 135th career triple-double since entering the league in 2015. Jokic, 29, also went 11-of-13 from the field line with 100% three-point shooting. It’s safe to say that Jokic has been an unstoppable force on the Nuggets’ side of the court.
The Mavericks wrapped up the business trip in unfortunate fashion with a 122-120 loss to the Nuggets at Ball Arena. Dallas fell to 5-5, while Denver improved to 7-3. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 43 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Luka Doncic followed up with 24 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Daniel Gafford added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Naji Marshall had 11 points and eight rebounds. Klay Thompson scored 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets Recap
The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets’ game was action-packed from start to finish. After a 2-3 homestand, Dallas hit the road, which might be a blessing in disguise, as Dallas’ injury report had PJ Washington out with a right knee sprain. Dante Exum remains out as he recovers from right wrist surgery. Luka Doncic was questionable with a left groin strain, while Maxi Kleber was questionable with a right hamstring strain, but both were good to go.
Meanwhile, Denver’s injury report featured five players: Aaron Gordon, who’s out with a right calf strain, Vlatko Cancar, who’s out with a right ankle sprain, PJ Wall, who’s out due to a G League two-way, DaRon Holmes II, who’s out due to a right Achilles tendon repair, and Jalen Pickett, who’s out due to a G League assignment. Both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were listed as available.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford. Irving jumped out to a fast start with the first of many scoring plays, including three-pointers, in the first quarter. Irving’s previous stat sheet included 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 41 minutes on Friday night. The Mavericks trailed the Nuggets 35-29 at the end of the first.
Sunday’s Game Was Close Throughout
The Mavericks and Nuggets battled back and forth throughout the second quarter. Kyrie Irving continued to dominate in the scoring department. Klay Thompson threw a precise pass that allowed Luka Doncic to score and Daniel Gafford scored points in the paint which supported the Mavericks’ cause. The Mavericks led the Nuggets 63-60 at the half.
The Mavericks and Nuggets were in a back-and-forth affair for most of the third quarter. The on-court chemistry between Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving was next level. Irving’s scoring dominance remained in full force. After exchanging various leads and ties, Denver came out on top and settled for a 97-94 lead over Dallas after three quarters.
The Kyrie Irving show resumed in the fourth quarter. Irving hit six three-pointers, which was arguably the bright light ahead of the eventual result. The Nuggets hit a plethora of three-pointers of their own shooting 14-of-29. Michael Porter Jr. put the Nuggets up by two with 6.5 seconds left. The Nuggets held on for a 122-120 win over the Mavericks at the end of regulation.
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets’ game was full of highlights, such as Spencer Dinwiddie feeding a pass to Daniel Gafford, who dunked and hung onto the rim, in the first quarter. Dinwiddie was reportedly happy to be back with the Mavericks after signing a one-year, $3.3 million free-agent contract on August 3, 2024, just about a month after his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expired.
For the Mavericks, their defense converted into offense in the second quarter. Russell Westbrook had the ball, but Jaden Hardy stole it and threw the ball to Dwight Powell, who completed the play. Powell isn’t much of a household name, but the Toronto, Ontario, Canada, native has been stepping up when needed amid the Mavericks’ rash of injuries.
With the Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. exceeded expectations in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Porter Jr. had 13 points, four rebounds, and one assist in the first eight minutes. Porter Jr.’s game has helped him become the key to the Nuggets’ postseason hopes, despite missing all but the first nine games of the 2021-22 NBA season after undergoing surgery for a back injury.
Final Thoughts
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly planning to honor Klay Thompson with a special “Salute Captain Klay” night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors will hand out a captain’s hat to 18,064 fans, a nod to Thompson’s passion for boating and how he’d often commute to the Chase Center by boat.
The Mavericks will face the Warriors on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. Pacific to open the Emirates NBA Cup’s group stage. Thompson will be introduced as the Mavericks’ fifth starter in San Francisco, California, in the first Emirates NBA Cup game for both teams. Before Thompson’s introduction, Stephen Curry will take center court to say a few words.
Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Brandon Schneider told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, “It’ll be emotional and strange. When you hear Klay Thompson announced, but he’s not running out through our line of guys, it’s going to be a different night for us and him.”
