Nick Angstadt & Isaac Harris here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Why the Mavs Struggled Late (again) in Klay Thompson’s Return to Golden State
Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) hugs Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after a game at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images|Cary Edmondson/Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Mavericks’ Clutch Struggles: A Deep Dive into Luka Doncic’s Performance
The Dallas Mavericks have been grappling with clutch game losses early in the season, and it’s time to dissect the reasons behind these setbacks. The spotlight naturally falls on Luka Doncic, whose performance has been a rollercoaster. Doncic was phenomenal in the first three quarters, carrying the team with his offensive prowess. However, the fourth quarter tells a different story. His energy seems to wane, possibly due to a lingering left groin strain or conditioning issues. This decline in performance is concerning, especially when compared to other NBA stars who consistently deliver in crunch time.
Luka Doncic’s Fourth Quarter Woes
Doncic’s struggles in the final quarter are evident. Against the Warriors, he was 0 of 3 from the field, and his defensive lapses were exploited repeatedly. The Warriors targeted him, and his fatigue was apparent. This isn’t just about one game; it’s a pattern that needs addressing. If Doncic aspires to be the best in the NBA, he must rise to the occasion when it matters most. The Mavericks have lost three consecutive games by narrow margins, highlighting the need for their star player to step up in critical moments.
Defensive and Rebounding Challenges
The Mavericks’ issues extend beyond Doncic. Defensively, the team has been inconsistent, often falling asleep off-ball. This lack of attention to detail is costly, especially against well-coached teams like the Warriors. Rebounding is another area of concern. The Warriors dominated the offensive boards, with Kevon Looney grabbing nine offensive rebounds alone. The Mavericks must improve their rebounding efforts, as it’s a team responsibility that requires collective hustle and determination.
The decision to play Daniel Gafford over Dereck Lively in crucial moments also raised eyebrows. Gafford’s performance was mixed, and his presence in the final minutes was questionable. Lively, known for his rebounding capabilities, might have been a better choice to counter the Warriors’ offensive rebounding prowess.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Replay Despite strong efforts from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks fell short in a thrilling 120-117 loss to the Warriors, highlighted by clutch plays from Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. (Mavs Moneyball)
Analysis Here are six critical numbers that defined the Mavericks’ narrow defeat to the Warriors, including shooting percentages and defensive lapses. (Mavs Moneyball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
The Dallas Mavericks are navigating a challenging season, but there’s hope for improvement with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the charge. As the Mavs face off against the Golden State Warriors, fans are eager to see how Klay Thompson’s return impacts the game. With key players like Dereck Lively II and PJ Washington potentially returning, the Mavs aim to strengthen their top 10 NBA offense and defense.
The Dallas Mavericks faced another challenging game with late-game execution issues, as they narrowly lost to the Denver Nuggets 122-120. Key players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving showcased their skills, but the Mavs struggled to maintain their lead. With NBA stars like Klay Thompson and others in the spotlight, the team’s performance continues to be a hot topic.
Host Nick Angstadt, joined by guest Slightly Biased dissect the game, discussing key moments and players such as Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall. They explore the impact of officiating on the game and the performance of both teams, enticing listeners to tune in for a detailed analysis. The episode also touches on the Mavs’ defensive struggles and the need for improvement in future matchups.
