The Dallas Mavericks began a four-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Monday set the tone for the week ahead as the Mavericks had to pounce on some of the NBA’s sub-.500 teams, such as the Nets, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls. The Mavericks defeated the Nets 120-101 at the Barclays Center. Dallas improved to 35-37, while Brooklyn fell to 23-49.
Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. PJ Washington followed up with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists. Spencer Dinwiddie added 16 points, 1 rebound, and 12 assists. Brandon Williams had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Kai Jones scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Anthony Davis recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Max Christie tallied 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Dallas Mavericks-Brooklyn Nets Recap
The Dallas Mavericks ruled out Caleb Martin with a right hip strain, Daniel Gafford with a right knee sprain, Dante Exum with a left-hand fracture, Dereck Lively II with a right ankle stress fracture, Kyrie Irving with a left knee sprain and an ACL tear, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper with a right wrist sprain. The Brooklyn Nets ruled out De’Angelo Russell with a right ankle sprain and Cam Thomas with a left hamstring strain.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis, and Kai Jones. Davis has been out with a left adductor strain since February 8, 2025, but made his return on Monday night. The Nets’ starting lineup featured Keon Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Nic Claxton, Cameron Johnson, and Tyrese Martin.
The Mavericks jumped to a fast start to take a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter. Dinwiddie shined with a fadeaway jumper for two points. The Mavericks’ offense maintained a steady pace for a 32-17 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Mavericks’ offensive dominance continued in the second quarter. Thompson buried a corner three-pointer. The Nets picked up the pace, but the Mavericks took a 62-48 lead into halftime.
The Nets tried to keep the game close, but the Mavericks maintained composure. Jones put up a shot after Spencer Dinwiddie collected back-to-back assists, while Cameron Johnson shined amid the Nets’ shooting woes. The Mavericks took a commanding 96-77 lead after three quarters. The Mavericks had a 20-point lead, 101-81, with 9:01 left in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks won 120-101 in regulation.
Mavericks-Nets Highlights
The Brooklyn Nets vs. Dallas Mavericks game featured multiple highlights, such as former Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban’s recent revelation on the “Your Mom’s House” podcast. Cuban revealed he responded to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s text by saying he “didn’t agree with” trading Luka Doncic. Cuban added, “It wasn’t my decision to make.”
Cuban recently commented on Kyrie Irving’s future with the Mavericks. Cuban said on the “Your Mom’s House” podcast, “I don’t watch the rumor mill … That makes no sense whatsoever… I love Kyrie too. Maybe they’re trying to get rid of the people I like … Somebody comes in, takes over a new company, and gets rid of the old guys.”
Nets owner and Alibaba co-founder and chairman Joe Tsai told the New York Post he has to build a winner with the team before being the primary owner of an NFL team. Tsai, who has a 3% stake with the Miami Dolphins, said his priority in Brooklyn is “championships, not cash.” Tsai responded “no” when asked if he was interested in buying an NFL team.
Final Thoughts
Washington and Dinwiddie guided the Dallas Mavericks to a much-needed victory, 123-117, over the Detroit Pistons at the American Airlines Center on Friday night. The Mavericks stopped a five-game losing streak in its tracks, thanks to 31 points from Dinwiddie and 27 points from Washington. The Mavericks’ struggle to successfully close out games has been a concern as of late.
Washington achieved 5,000 career points with a three-point basket at the 10:02 mark of the first quarter vs. Detroit. Washington reached the milestone in his 383rd career game. He became the fifth player in NBA history to record at least 5,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, 850 assists, 500 three-point field goals made, 350 steals, and 350 blocks within their first 400 career games.
Dinwiddie, Washington, and Marshall combined for 45 of the Mavericks’ 60 first-half points. Dinwiddie’s 17 first-half points are tied for his second-most in an opening half this year. Dinwiddie had 18 at the San Antonio Spurs on March 10, 2025, and 17 at the Sacramento Kings on December 30, 2024. Dinwiddie also notched a season-high 31 points in Friday night’s win vs. the Detroit Pistons.
Dinwiddie is a Swiss Army Knife — a versatile player who can contribute in multiple areas. Dinwiddie’s current job is to help keep the Mavericks’ season alive. On Friday night, Dinwiddie said, “We can’t really afford to look ahead … We have to kind of take it a day at a time. Every day is different. We don’t know who’s going to be healthy on any given day. We don’t know if we got eight guys, nine guys. We don’t know what it’s going to be.”
The increase in G League work could signal a return among the injured Mavericks, who have worn out the Dallas North Tollway between downtown Dallas and Frisco is a positive sign. The Mavericks sent Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II to practice with the Texas Legends two times last week. The Dallas Mavericks will continue their four-game road trip against the New York Knicks on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
