DALLAS, TEXAS — Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Denver Nuggets put the Dallas Mavericks in a difficult position, as they slid down the NBA power rankings from the 9th spot to the 11th.
The Mavericks held the lead for the majority of the game, but the tide turned in the 4th quarter when Nikola Jokic found his rhythm. The Nuggets’ bench capitalized on the shift in momentum, leaving Dallas unable to recover. Defense proved to be the deciding factor in Denver’s victory, with Russell Westbrook’s relentless pressure disrupting Dallas’ offense. Remarkably, the Mavericks were unable to make a single field goal while Westbrook was on the court.
Head Coach Jason Kidd emphasized rebounding as a critical area for improvement in the next game. Jokic’s ability to execute plays, facilitate for his teammates, and dominate the boards on both ends of the floor was a key component of Denver’s success.
In terms of roster updates, Kyrie Irving’s status has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday night’s matchup, offering a glimmer of hope for the Mavericks. However, Luka Dončić has been ruled out, adding to the team’s challenges.
