dallas mavericks

Dwain Price

SAN ANTONIO – Guard Walter Clayton Jr. had no preconceived notions when the Dallas Mavericks signed him to a two-way contract on Oct. 21.

As he analyzed the Mavs’ roster, Clayton knew they were loaded at the guard spots with Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Marcus Sasser, Caleb Martin and Sergio De Larrea. He just wanted to pry open the door a little bit and see if there were some minutes that were available for him to possibly shine.

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“I’m willing to adapt to kind of whatever the team needs me to be on whatever night it is,” Clayton said. “Whether that’s with the ball in my hands or without the ball in my hands. I’m just trying to be a team player.”

Clayton was certainly a team player during Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. While the Mavs were struggling to get the ball in the basket, Clayton wound up converting 6-of-9 shots and scoring a career-high-tying 20 points in 24 minutes.

In Clayton’s only other time playing more than 16 minutes this season, he poured in 15 points on 6-of-7 shots in 17 minutes during a 113-109 victory at Miami on Oct. 26. His production hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“I’ve been a fan of Walter’s game ever since he left Florida,” Mavs center Daniel Gafford said. “Just seeing the things that he’s done in a couple of games that he’s actually had good (minutes), he’s a good shooter, he attacks the basket, he facilitates, he communicates with us, (and) he finds ways to show how he’s a true point guard.”

Irving has gone out of his way to show Clayton the ropes on how to be a much more effective player, and the former University of Florida product is very appreciative of the nine-time All-Star’s support.

“From a day-to-day standpoint, how he takes care of himself, how he works, and then the mental aspect, too,” Clayton said in describing what he’s learned from Irving. “He’s giving me little bits and pieces day-by-day, so it’s definitely great having him and I’ve learned a lot.”

More importantly, when Irving is on the sidelines, he’s able to watch whatever Clayton’s doing and offer some sage advice. Constructive criticism, Clayton knows, is what he needs at this stage of his young career.

“There might be a point where (Irving) feels like I could have rejected a screen,” said Clayton, who is in his second NBA season. “He’ll just get in my ear and let me know about that.

“And then the main thing really is just don’t get down on myself. Whenever something bad happens, move on to the next play. He’s big on next-play mentality. That’s something he’s been preaching to me a lot.”

In just 13.2 minutes per game, Clayton is averaging 6.8 points while shooting an efficient 53.8 percent from the field (14-of-26) and a sizzling 57.1 percent from three-point territory (8-of-14).

“He’s steady, he’s producing (and) he’s progressing like he wants to,” Gafford said. “And he’s got a great guard in his ear in Kyrie Irving that’s giving him, I’m pretty sure, tips and pointers on how to be good in this game.”

A first-round pick of the Washington Wizards in 2025, the 23 year-old Clayton said Mavs coach Dusty May also has given him some pointers.

“Dusty’s great,” said Clayton, who was 4-of-5 from three-point range against the Kings. “He cares about us even more like being a person, so I think that’s big going out here playing for a coach that cares about you as a person.

“He’s obviously a great basketball mind and a great dude. He’s been adapting to us as well in his first year in the league. He’s been great, and it’s only going to get better.”

And in time, Clayton also knows he’s only going to get better.

*Kyrie Irving will be back in the lineup after sitting out Monday’s 115-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings due to left knee injury management. With Irving sidelined, the Mavs had all sorts of problems getting the ball in the basket as they shot 41 percent overall and 21.2 percent from the three-point arc (7-of-33). The Mavs also know they need to protect the ball better after turning it over 16 times against the Kings. In addition, center Santi Aldama is listed as questionable after not playing all season due to right knee surgery he underwent in March while he was playing for Memphis.

*For the Spurs, both the offense and defense centers on high-octane center Victor Wembanyama. The 7-4 Frenchman is first in the NBA in blocks (4.0 bpg), fifth in rebounding (10.7 rpg) and 10th in scoring (25.7 ppg) while causing all sorts of problems on both ends of the floor. Also for the Spurs, Dylan Harper averages 18.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg &nbsp;and 5.3 apg, and De’Aaron Fox is averaging 15.9 ppg and 6.4 apg. Stephon Castle (14.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.0 apg), Devin Vassell (11.9) and Julian Champagnie (11.1 ppg) have been viable weapons for the Spurs.

*The Mavs are not concerned one bit about the 17 points on a frosty 3-of-19 shooting that they got from forward Cooper Flagg during the 15-point loss to the Kings. “I know he’s going to bounce back,” center Daniel Gafford said. “Whenever it comes to the conversations throughout the locker room, I always say our response is going to dictate how we feel the next day or the next game. I try to speak life into people. Whenever I see the head down, one of the main things is (Flagg) said I’m sorry for how I played. It’s not on him. This is a team game night-in and night-out. If one person has a bad game or two people have a bad game, it’s still on the team, because we play defense at the end of the day, too.”

*The Spurs spoiled the Mavs' home opener, 122-106, on Oct. 24. San Antonio distributed 34 assists on its 48 baskets and were led by Wembanyama (23 points, seven rebounds, four blocks), Harper (22 points, two steals), Castle (19 points, eight assists, three steals), and Fox (19 points, nine assists, three steals). The Mavs’ Cooper Flagg (shoulder) and Kyrie Irving (resting on the second night of a back-to-back) did not play in that game.

Dallas Mavericks (4-3) at San Antonio Spurs (5-2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

RADIO: 105.3 The Fan, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

walter-clayton-jr-ready-and-willing-to-adapt-to-whatever-the-mavs-need

Mavericks-Spurs preview: Clayton ready and willing to adapt to whatever is needed

Gabe Flores

Take Dat With You is back as Mark Followill and Brian Dameris break down the Mavericks' strong start to the season and what led to a disappointing stumble against the Sacramento Kings. The guys discuss how Dallas got caught in a trap game, what lessons can be learned from the loss, and why there's still plenty to be encouraged about moving forward. They also dive into the stellar early-season play of the Mavs' dynamic duo, Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, and highlight some of the role players making an impact, including Zaccharie Risacher, whose fourth-year team option was recently exercised by Dallas. Plus, Mark and Brian discuss the early influence of Dusty May, the culture he's helping build, and reflect on the leadership and lasting legacy Rick Welts leaves as he announced his retirement. DALLAS MAVERICKS on Social Media: ► Follow us X: / dallasmavs ► Like us Facebook: / dallasmavs ► Follow us Instagram: / dallasmavs For more updates check us out on Mavs.com: https://www.mavs.com

defying-expectations-take-dat-wit-you-ep-165-11-3-26-podcast

Defying Expectations | Take Dat Wit You Ep 165 | 11/3/26 | Podcast

Cooper Flagg posted 17 points and 6 assists against the Sacramento Kings. DALLAS MAVERICKS on Social Media: ► Follow us X: / dallasmavs ► Like us Facebook: / dallasmavs ► Follow us Instagram: / dallasmavs For more updates check us out on Mavs.com: https://www.mavs.com

cooper-flagg-17-pts-6-ast-vs-sacramento-kings-november-2-2026

Cooper Flagg (17 PTS 6 AST) vs. Sacramento Kings | November 2, 2026

Daniel Gafford scored 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings. DALLAS MAVERICKS on Social Media: ► Follow us X: / dallasmavs ► Like us Facebook: / dallasmavs ► Follow us Instagram: / dallasmavs For more updates check us out on Mavs.com: https://www.mavs.com

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Daniel Gafford (20 PTS 7 REB) vs. Sacramento Kings | November 2, 2026

Walter Clayton Jr. went 4/5 from long distance and finishing with 20 points against the Sacramento Kings. DALLAS MAVERICKS on Social Media: ► Follow us X: / dallasmavs ► Like us Facebook: / dallasmavs ► Follow us Instagram: / dallasmavs For more updates check us out on Mavs.com: https://www.mavs.com

walter-clayton-jr-20-points-vs-sacramento-kings-november-2-2026

Walter Clayton Jr. (20 Points) vs. Sacramento Kings | November 2, 2026

Over the course of a long 82-game season, what happened to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night will likely also happen to the other 29 NBA teams on multiple occasions this season. For the Mavs, it just leaves a sour taste in their mouth when it happens.

Favored to win a game this season for the first time – against a Sacramento team that was the league’s only winless squad – the Mavs surprisingly played down to the competition and wound up losing to the pesky Kings, 115-100, at American Airlines Center.

In having their three-game winning streak snapped, the Mavs fell to 4-3 as they head to San Antonio on Wednesday, while the Kings improved to 1-6. Afterward, Mavs coach Dusty May didn’t make any excuses for his team, who looked nothing like the team that swept through Miami, Oklahoma City and Houston last week.

“I want to credit Sacramento,” May said. “They were the more determined team tonight and the more prepared team, and they came in here and earned it.

“We didn’t put much pressure on the paint and on the rim, and we were on our heels. Win or lose, we’re going to look back at our process and see: Did we prepare the right way, did we have the right game plan, what would we do different the next time?”

The Mavs couldn’t contain rookie Darius Acuff Jr. (25 points, five rebounds, six assists), Malik Monk (24 points, seven assists) or Zach LaVine (23 points, 5-of-9 three-pointers). And for that, they paid dearly against a Sacramento squad that has lost five of its games by 11 or more points.

“To be honest, I think they were more hungry than us tonight,” said Mavs guard Walter Clayton Jr., who scored a team-high tying 20 points and converted 4-of-5 three-pointers. “I think we kind of played to their record.

“We didn’t play up to our abilities. We lost the rebounding battle (42-35). That was a big one. They beat us to a lot of 50-50 (balls). We just got to come out with more energy.”

Yes, the Mavs played without superstar guard Kyrie Irving, who was resting as Dallas played the first of five games in eight days. And when Cooper Flagg struggled with just 17 points on 3-of-19 shots, not many players stepped up to become a factor.

May acknowledged that the Kings loaded the paint and forced Flagg to become a jump shooter, and he kept missing the mark.

“There’s a cadence to it where he’s fanning out early and then we missed our first (10) threes and we thought several of them were good looks,” May said. “At that point it fuels their fire to get to him even more in the paint. . .and they’re running a second guy and a third guy at him.

“I don’t think our spacing or relocations were great as a whole, and we didn’t find any rhythm together.”

The Mavs, who got 13 points in 17 minutes from rookie Morez Johnson Jr., entered the fourth quarter down, 81-74. And whenever they tried to nip away at the deficit, either Acuff, Monk or LaVine kept burying big shots.

“They spread us out and they made tough shots,” May said. “I thought LaVine was very, very sound. Obviously, Acuff is dynamic. I thought they picked their spots well.

“But Monk, every time we made a run he came back with a step-back three dagger after dagger. It wasn’t as if they didn’t make plays.”

In the meantime, the Mavs missed their top playmaker – Irving.

“He does so much for us in making big shots and calming us down,” May said. “We haven’t been able to answer runs very well, and that’s one area that he does.

“When one of your guys is out and another one just has an off night, you’ve got to have some other guys step up. And making shots is part of that, and it just didn’t drop tonight.”

On playing without Irving, center Daniel Gafford said: “We definitely missed him. He has a lot of gravity when he’s on the floor. He makes everyone’s job a little easier.

“But whenever he’s not on the floor everybody knows it’s the next man up. Everybody has to take that next step and find ways to make an impact whenever one of our star players is not on the floor.”

Overall, the Mavs shot 41 percent from the field and just 21.2 percent (7-of-33) from beyond the three-point arc. They started slow – down 19-18 after the first quarter and 54-53 at the half – and finished even slower.

Indeed, it was not one of the Mavs’ finer moments, especially considering the competition.

“I felt like the energy was a little low,” said Gafford, who collected 20 points and seven rebounds and was 9-of-10 from the field. “P.J. (Washington) said it a lot in the locker room -- we played their record tonight, 100 percent. They came in and they played like pros tonight.”

Sacramento shot 52.4 percent from the floor and 44.2 percent (19-of-43) from three-point land. For the most part, the Kings were in command of this game.

“We’ll have several learning experiences from this game,” May said. “We do have a young team and when it’s not going well, we just kept stressing everything’s going poorly for us, but let’s just find a way to hang around and get it to the end.

“Their shot-making prevented us from doing that. Those guys, they found great connections -- especially in the fourth quarter -- found some matchups, and I thought they played unselfish basketball.”

Now the Mavs must regroup and battle a Spurs team that defeated them in Dallas, 122-106, on Oct.24.

“We can’t let the record fool us, at the end of the day,” Gafford said of the Kings. “An 0-6 team coming in with a fire under their tail. We had to be ready for anything. There were times when shots didn’t fall and I felt like we kind of let go of the rope in those situations.

“We’ll let this hurt until midnight, and then we’ll focus on the next one. We’ve got a big game coming up in two days against a good Spurs team. We can’t dwell too much on this one.”

monk-acuff-combine-for-49-points-as-previously-winless-kings-score-115-100-win-over-mavs

Mavericks fall to previously winless Kings, 115-100

Eddie Sefko

As far back as you go, Mavericks’ coaches have always stressed that good depth wins games and great depth wins championships in the NBA.

Not because great depth is necessary in the playoffs. It’s not.

It’s necessary to navigate the 82-game regular season to get to the playoffs.

And one thing you’ll never hear a coach gripe about is having too many capable players.

Which brings us to the Mavericks, who through seven games already have nine players averaging at least 19 minutes per game and that doesn’t even include Morez Johnson Jr., who has been on a minutes restriction, or Santi Aldama and Dereck Lively II, both of whom have been sidelined with injuries.

All three would be major contributors in the Mavericks’ rotation if completely healthy.

In their current state, having a slew of experienced, talented players on their bench is a godsend. But when they get totally healthy, they may face a stiff challenge to keep everybody positively engaged.

But that’s when you find out a lot about players.

“What are you here for? If you’re here to win, it’s not a problem,” Sacramento coach Doug Christie said before Monday’s visit by the Kings to American Airlines Center. “But if you’re here for some different things, there’s chirping and chattering and all that . . . Everyone wants to play but the ultimate goal here is to win. That’s what we’re all here to do.

“Normally, winning means to sacrifice of oneself for the greater of the whole and when you have depth, that’s what you do. Everyone has to give a little bit.”

Mavericks’ coach Dusty May is thrilled to have a roster stacked with capable NBA players. And they needed the return of Naji Marshall from a three-game absence with an illness to help make up for the loss of Kyrie Irving, who sat out against the Kings for injury management to his surgically repaired knee.

May knows players all want to play in games. It’s a mathematical impossibility to make all 15 players on an active roster happy every game.

“It makes the decision-making much more difficult because you have so many guys who are similar skillsets and stages of their careers,” May said. “And they’re all capable. Each night presents different challenges. And each and every game someone different kind of has it going. Obviously, with some players out, it’s even more of a luxury.

“With Kai out, it gives a couple of the young guys a much greater opportunity. And we’re very confident in those guys. The experience is important for them. Games like this are where depth really comes into play.”

The Mavericks played 10 players in the first quarter Monday against the Kings. That's pretty much been the norm through the season's first two weeks.

May said there are matchups that come into play when determining who plays and who sits on certain nights.

“Absolutely,” he said. “There are (times) we’ll play this guy because he’s a better defender and this guy when maybe we need some offensive pop. Sometimes, it’s just a game where we’re struggling making shots and maybe a guy who shoots a little better will get the nod.

“We still have some guys on minutes restrictions. So we’re juggling a lot of different lineups and combinations. Hopefully, later this season we’ll be a little more settled in. But whatever it takes to find a way to win each particular game is the goal.”

It goes back to one of the oldest sayings in the NBA, first uttered by one of the great coaches of all time, Chuck Daly, who said that players only want three things: 48 minutes, 48 shots and $48 million.

Clearly, that can’t happen. But while a competitive roster can bruise some egos in the regular season, if a team is winning, it’s rarely a problem.

“Sometimes it’s my night, sometimes it’s your night,” Christie said. “I had the luxury and the honor to play on a team that was that way. Sometimes it was me. Sometimes it was Mike (Bibby), Bobby (Jackson), Peja (Stojakovic), Hedo (Turkoglu) it just depended. But we were all happy for each other at the same time.

“But the next day in practice, it got a little interesting, but that’s good because that’s how you make it happen.”

&nbsp;Wooo-pig Soooie: Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento’s 19-year-old rookie out of Arkansas, is the top-scoring, top-assisting player from this summer’s draft.

He came into Monday’s game averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists. He was the seventh pick in the draft. The top four picks were universally agreed upon by most experts. Then there were four point guards behind the top four.

The Los Angeles Clippers took Keaton Wagler No. 5 and Brooklyn took Mikel Brown No. 6. Fans of those teams no doubt will watch Acuff with great interest.

“He’s a special player,” Christie said. “The other night, he took off and I just said, whoa. I didn’t realize the athleticism was like that. He uses it only when needed, which is like a veteran thing, but he makes big shots, has deep range and is not bothered by pressure.”

Briefly: Kyrie Irving sat out Monday’s game for injury management to his surgically repaired left knee. May was asked if five games in seven nights was the reason and said: “That’s a big part of it.” . . . Elsewhere on the injury front, Santi Aldama (recovery from right knee surgery) is “moving closer and closer,” May said. “I think for him it’s coming pretty soon.” As for Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain), he will be re-evaluated for his knee injury this week.

its-a-deep-subject-when-it-comes-to-packed-mavericks-roster

It's a deep subject when it comes to packed Mavericks' roster

The Mavericks are riding a three-game winning streak, and Kyrie Irving's return has been a major reason why. On this episode of The Bounce, Lesley McCaslin and Mark Followill break down the impact Kyrie has had on the offense and discuss how Cooper Flagg has taken another leap in his second NBA season. The duo also highlights some of the Mavericks' role players, including Zaccharie Risacher after Dallas exercised his fourth-year team option. Then, Lesley and Mark take a look around the league at some of the most memorable Halloween costumes worn by NBA players before wrapping up with a preview of the week ahead and the keys to keeping the momentum rolling. DALLAS MAVERICKS on Social Media: ► Follow us X: / dallasmavs ► Like us Facebook: / dallasmavs ► Follow us Instagram: / dallasmavs ► Follow us TikTok: / dallasmavs For more updates check us out on Mavs.com: https://www.mavs.com