Grading the Mavericks: defense will not win championships if you cannot score

Grading the Mavericks: Defense Will Not Win Championships If You Cannot Score

The Mavericks have de-emphasized offense in a league that prioritizes scoring. This past week, they went 1-2 and remain in 14th place in the Western Conference.

Recent Performance

They defeated a weakened Indiana team 107-105
They lost to Detroit 122-110
They fell short against Houston 110-102

D’Angelo Russell led Dallas in scoring during these games, averaging 18.3 points per contest.

Injury Updates

Daniel Gafford (ankle) made his season debut in Mexico City versus the Pistons.
Dante Exum (knee) and Kyrie Irving (knee) have yet to appear this season.
Dereck Lively has not returned after suffering a knee injury around the third game.
Anthony Davis injured his calf against the Pacers and remains sidelined.

Team Challenges

For the second straight season, the Mavericks are battling injuries. While not the worst affected team, injuries play a significant role in their struggles. Dallas has struggled to find offensive rhythm or consistency, rarely maintaining it for more than a quarter. The constant lineup changes contribute to their challenges.

Continuing to trot out Cooper Flagg at point guard has also contributed to their offensive woes.

Despite these issues, the team showed resilience by performing solidly in the last two games without Anthony Davis.

Author's summary: The Mavericks’ persistent injuries and inconsistent offense continue to hinder their ability to compete effectively in a high-scoring league.

Mavs Moneyball — 2025-11-05