The Dallas Mavericks concluded their two-game homestand against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. The Mavericks looked to bounce back after showing multiple personalities on Monday. The Mavericks’ 12 missed free throws out of 29 attempts cost them Monday’s game. The Mavericks’ transition defense was addressed during Tuesday’s practice.
The Mavericks were focused on the Hawks and themselves. The Mavericks defeated the Hawks 120-118 at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks improved to 38-39 and avoided a two-game losing skid, while the Hawks fell to 36-40 and accumulated a two-game losing skid. Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Klay Thompson followed up with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Spencer Dinwiddie added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaden Hardy had 13 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Max Christie scored 11 points and 3 rebounds. Daniel Gafford recorded 11 points and 6 rebounds. Caleb Martin tallied 8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Naji Marshall posted 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks Recap
The Dallas Mavericks ruled out Dante Exum with a left-hand fracture, Kyrie Irving with an ACL tear and a left knee sprain, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper with a right wrist sprain. The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. Lively II made his much-anticipated return after suffering a right ankle stress fracture on January 14, 2025.
The Atlanta Hawks ruled out Clint Capela with a left-hand ligament, Jalen Johnson with a left shoulder labrum tear, Keaton Wallace with a right shoulder sprain, Kobe Bufkin with right shoulder instability, and Larry Nance Jr. with a right medial femoral condyle fracture. The Hawks’ starting lineup featured Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Mouhamed Gueye, and Onyeka Okungwu.
The first quarter was a high-scoring affair. Anthony Davis had a sequence of buckets for the Mavericks, while all five Hawks starters collected at least one bucket apiece. The Hawks held on for a 34-32 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw a similar pattern. Jaden Hardy joined Klay Thompson’s three-point party while Trey Young threw down a one-handed lob. The Hawks settled for a 72-67 lead at the halftime break.
The third quarter saw the Mavericks get past the Hawks. Anthony Davis threw down a two-handed slam, while Zaccharie Risacher buried a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. The Mavericks took a 101-96 lead after three quarters. The fourth quarter remained in the Mavericks’ favor. Davis and Jaden Hardy made it rain with three-pointers, while Terance Mann buried a corner three-pointer. The Mavericks squeaked out a 120-118 win in regulation.
Mavericks vs. Hawks Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks game featured multiple highlights, such as the NBA Analysis Network’s report of Klay Thompson and PJ Washington Jr. being sad about their teammate, two-way guard Brandon Williams, not playing for the Mavericks again. Without Williams, Dallas will be short-handed again and perhaps see their playoff aspirations slip away.
For the Mavericks, EssentiallySports’ revelation of Klay Thompson revealing a retirement plan amidst the Mavericks’ woes. Thompson reminded the general public that he had great success with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, as the trio won a world championship in 2014. Thompson wants to help the Mavericks get a second NBA title before retiring.
And, for the Hawks, Sports Illustrated’s article about former Hawks All-Star Jeff Teague slamming then-Hawks GM Danny Ferry. Teague thought he was headed toward a big payday during a contract year, but Ferry allegedly ruined it. Teague said on the “Out Of The Mud” podcast, “So the next day at practice, he just comes in the film room … He’s the GM. He just snapped on me like, ‘You don’t play any [bleeping] defense.’ I’m like, ‘Damn.'”
Final Thoughts
Daniel Gafford’s return was ruined by the Dallas Mavericks’ 113-109 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center on Monday. Despite Gafford’s clutch plays, Dallas couldn’t get enough stops in the final minutes to avoid a loss to Brooklyn, a team they’d beaten 120-101 at the Barclays Center last Monday. The Mavericks fell to 37-39, and they’ll fight for a Play-In Tournament spot with the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.
One Nets player, Drew Timme, has been grinding it out, which finally paid off for the former Richardson Pearce High School (now JJ Pearce High School) standout. Timme, a native of Richardson, Texas, spent four seasons helping Gonzaga achieve NCAA basketball greatness before fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing against the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Timme was called up to the Nets last week.
Last Friday, the Dallas Mavericks unveiled a renovated basketball court in Monterrey, Mexico. Presented by Softtek, Dallas’ Monterrey court is the team’s third international project, trailing just two international projects — one of two basketball courts in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2022 and the other of two basketball courts in Madrid, Spain, in 2023. The Mavericks’ partnership with Softtek showcased a commitment to growing a global fanbase.
The Mavericks traveled 600 miles south to its sister city, Monterrey, to unveil two basketball courts as a gift to Mavericks fans. Eduardo Najera, a former Maverick from Meoqui, Mexico, said, “This was my dream when I was playing for the Mavericks — to be the team of Mexico, just like the Dallas Cowboys.” The Mavericks will take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the first game of a back-to-back set at the Intuit Dome on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.
