The Dallas Mavericks concluded their four-game road trip with the fourth game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. The Mavericks’ fast start ultimately resulted in a 110-99 loss to the Rockets at the Toyota Center on New Year’s Day. Dallas fell to 20-14, while Houston improved to 22-11. Dallas’ top scorer was Quentin Grimes, who finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in 30 minutes of play.
Kyrie Irving followed with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Klay Thompson added 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Jaden Hardy had 11 points and 3 assists. Dereck Lively II scored 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Spencer Dinwiddie recorded 8 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. PJ Washington Jr. tallied 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Dallas Mavericks-Houston Rockets Recap
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets game was action-packed from start to finish. The Mavericks ruled out Luka Doncic with a left calf strain, Dante Exum with right wrist surgery, and Naji Marshall with an NBA suspension, and made Dereck Lively II available after a left hip contusion. The Rockets ruled out Amen Thompson with an NBA suspension and Tari Eason with left lower leg management.
The Mavericks’ new-look starting lineup featured Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, PJ Washington Jr., and Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks have relied on Irving’s services as Luka Doncic remains sidelined. During Doncic’s absence, an opportunity lies for Lively II, a young center with an old soul, as the Mavericks are in desperate need of more offensive production.
The first quarter saw the Mavericks’ immediate impact, as PJ Washington’s missed shot was successfully tipped in by Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks fended off the Rockets’ scoring surge, which included Jalen Green’s successful field goal through the Mavericks’ defenders, with highlight reel scoring plays. The Mavericks took a 30-24 lead at the end of the first.
Wednesday’s Game Continued To Excite
The second quarter saw a slow start, but both teams gradually picked up the pace. Quentin Grimes, a Houston native, made himself at home with a successful three-pointer to help the Mavericks to an early 32-26 lead in the opening minutes. Cam Whitmore hit a smooth jumper to pull the Rockets within four before the 10-minute mark and the Rockets brought a 61-52 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter saw the Rockets’ dominance, which included a contested field goal by Jabari Smith Jr. Smith Jr., a distant cousin of former NBA player Kwame Brown, finally started to make progress in December 2024. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in a five-game stretch. The Rockets led 89-75 through three quarters.
The fourth quarter went without PJ Washington Jr., who sustained a right knee sprain and left the game, but the Mavericks saw buckets from Irving and Thompson. Irving’s buckets, such as his scoop shot, were highlight reel moments. The Rockets saw Cam Whitmore hit his third three-pointer in the closing minutes. The Rockets beat the Mavericks 110-99 in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks-Houston Rockets Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets game featured multiple highlights, such as PJ Washington’s recent return against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Washington finished with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 38 minutes. Washington, who completed his one-game suspension, caught the ball at midcourt and took one dribble into a three-pointer over Kevin Huerter, to feel a heat check after drilling his first three triples.
For the Mavericks, Klay Thompson recently clarified his greatest shooter comment, which he made after he surpassed Reggie Miller on the NBA’s all-time three-pointer list with 2,561 three-pointers. Thompson’s comment sparked a backlash among fans, some of whom questioned his omission of former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry from the conversation.
For the Rockets, Vernon Maxwell stuck up for Amen Thompson after a fourth quarter fight with Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat on Sunday. Maxwell offered to cover the fines of the Rockets’ players. The Rockets dropped a 104-100 decision to the Heat, but before the tough loss, Thompson and Herro bumped and exchanged words with each other before Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and pummeled him to the ground.
Final Thoughts
On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks faltered against the Sacramento Kings in a 110-100 loss at the Golden 1 Center. Spencer Dinwiddie had a season-best 30 points and was asked about the missing 80% of the starting lineup, a new playing rotation. Dinwiddie responded that the Mavericks still had enough talent to win games, and the team’s first quarter was superb. He added he doubted Monday’s lineup would have to win multiple games.
Monday’s game featured another lineup for the Mavericks. During the pregame, Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd’s opening words were the Mavericks’ injury report of Doncic, Dante Exum, Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Naji Marshall. Doncic, Exum, Lively II, Irving, Thompson, and Marshall were six players, 33% of the total roster and 80% of the usual starting lineup.
The Mavericks will return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a one-game tilt at the American Airlines Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The Cavaliers previously took on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 122-110 in regulation. Cleveland improved to 29-4, while Los Angeles fell to 18-14.
