Nick Angstadt here, the host 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.
How the Dallas Mavericks Made Moments of Magic in Their Win Against the Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 7, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (1) and Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) and Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (5) celebrate against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj/Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks pulled off an impressive victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite missing their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. This win showcased the team’s depth and resilience, with several players stepping up to fill the void left by their absent superstars.
Quentin Grimes emerged as a key contributor, pouring in 23 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. His performance, particularly in the fourth quarter, was crucial in securing the win. Grimes’ ability to create off the dribble and make plays for others has been a pleasant surprise for the Mavericks, adding a new dimension to their offense.
The Mavericks’ success in this game can be attributed to their hot shooting from beyond the arc. The team connected on 18 of 38 three-pointers, good for an impressive 47% success rate. This sharpshooting display was instrumental in outpacing the Lakers, who struggled from deep, hitting just 31% of their attempts.
Klay Thompson provided a spark off the bench, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers late in the second quarter. This scoring burst ignited an 11-0 run that gave the Mavericks a five-point lead heading into halftime. Thompson’s ability to heat up quickly remains a valuable asset for Dallas.
Jaden Hardy also made his presence felt, particularly in the third quarter where he scored 11 of his 15 points. Hardy’s catch-and-shoot ability was on full display, as he connected on three triples in quick succession. This offensive outburst helped the Mavericks build a 16-point lead and maintain control of the game.
P.J. Washington continued his steady play, contributing 22 points and 8 rebounds. His versatility and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor have made him an integral part of the Mavericks’ rotation.
While Dereck Lively II struggled with foul trouble, his development remains a bright spot for the Mavericks. The young center showed flashes of his potential, particularly in his ability to switch onto perimeter players and hold his own defensively.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ impressive win over the Lakers, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Analysis NBA insiders consider the Mavericks, led by Luka Dončić, as the biggest threat to the Thunder in the Western Conference. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Revisiting last season’s trades, the acquisition of Spencer Dinwiddie has proven to be a significant boost for the Mavericks, enhancing their backcourt capabilities. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
The Dallas Mavericks face a challenging stretch without Kyrie Irving, who is sidelined with a back injury. How will the Mavs cope without their star guard, and what does this mean for Luka Doncic and the team’s playoff aspirations in the competitive NBA Western Conference?
Nick Angstadt & Slightly Biased break down the Mavericks’ defensive struggles, Quentin Grimes’ impressive performance, and key contributions from Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington. He analyzes what went wrong for Dallas and highlights bright spots like Grimes’ 26-point outburst against an elite Cavs team featuring Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.
The Dallas Mavericks set New Year’s resolutions for 2025, aiming to level up and win an NBA title. What do Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the Mavs need to do to achieve their goals?
